'The other stuff is for the papers': Dragons coach Griffin still the right man for the job

St George Illawarra boss Anthony Griffin insists he can lead the Dragons to premiership glory as his team approaches their clash with Manly on Friday night.

While the club reportedly met at board level this week to discuss the 55-year-old’s future, Griffin told his weekly press conference he “wouldn’t be standing here” if he didn’t feel he was the man for the job.

It comes after the Dragons dropped out of the NRL’s top eight after a 54-26 humbling against the Sydney Roosters last weekend.

Griffin said speculation about his position was part of the job, but said he wouldn’t let it affect his pursuit of finals footy.

“Most of that stuff gets played out outside our four walls, I like to leave it that way,” he told reporters.

“It’s that sort of situation where that stuff gets talked about outside of here, my role is to get the team ready for tomorrow night … all the other stuff is for the papers and for the fans I suppose.”

It comes before the definition of a four-point clash against the Sea Eagles in Kogarah, with the teams two of four sides separated by just one win in the race for eighth position.

Injuries have continued to pile up for the Dragons, with impact centre Moses Suli joining powerhouse winger Mikaele Ravalawa on the sidelines before the crunch clash.

But Manly will miss the inspirational Jake Trbojevic and forward Andrew Davey, with Josh Schuster set to move into the latter’s starting role in the back row.

The match will also see Queensland heroes Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt go toe-to-toe for their club sides, with their supreme kicking talents sure to be vital.

“(With) the conditions, kicking games are important, we’ve got two great halfbacks playing against each other,” Griffin said.

“Defensively again, they’re a mobile side Manly, they’ve got a lot of strike, great halves.

“It’s a big week for us … we’re both in similar positions on the ladder, so it should be a great game.”

Griffin also confirmed 32-year-old prop Josh McGuire would be leaving the club after signing a two-year deal with Super League side Warrington.

The 252-game veteran spent 10 years at Brisbane before three at North Queensland and the last two at the Dragons.

“His contract’s up at the end of the year and he’s got a great opportunity to go to Warrington to finish his career over there,” Griffin said.

“It’s a good deal for him … we’re really happy for him, he’s done a great job for us.”