The Dragons are set to wipe the slate clean after a decade of disappointment - ending the hopes of former club stars Jason Ryles, Ben Hornby and Dean Young to succeed embattled Anthony Griffin as coach in 2024.The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Dragons met with leading player manager George Mimis, who represents ex-Dragons front-rower Ryles and former premiership-winning captain Ben Hornby.But a Dragons director has told Wide World of Sports that the club has decided to end its long-standing tradition of appointing coaches from within."The last time we had success was back in 2010 when we looked outside the box, hired Wayne Bennett and won the comp," the source said."We feel that is the way to go. Granted Griffin came from outside but that hasn't worked as well as we had hoped."But we feel it's best to get a fresh face, someone not aligned with St George or Illawarra and new to the club with no pre-conceived ideas."Mimis also manages former Manly premiership-winning coach Des Hasler and the club's new stance puts him in pole position for the job.But others likely to come into consideration are former Sharks coach John Morris, England boss Shaun Wane, and ex-Tigers and South Sydney coach Michael Maguire.Bulldogs boss and Nine expert Phil Gould agrees with the Dragons' approach, declaring: "I think the Dragons need someone who has never been a part of the Dragons... I think Des Hasler would be a good fit for them right at this time".Ryles was considered the favourite for the job but he is believed to have his eye on Melbourne, where Craig Bellamy seems likely to retire at season's end.
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