Hit list . . . the long-term future of Dragons coach Nathan Brown is in doubt with the revelation that the club has a list of targets for 2009.
Photo: Getty Images

Heat on Brown as Doust compiles hit list

Glenn Jackson | March 11, 2008

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA chief executive Peter Doust is compiling a list of available coaches for next season to put to the club's next board meeting.

With Nathan Brown off contract and needing success this season to remain in the job, Doust has been given the green light to establish who would consider a move there in 2009.

The Herald understands that Melbourne's premiership-winning coach Craig Bellamy, Brisbane's Wayne Bennett, St Helens coach Daniel Anderson, North Queensland assistant Ian Millward, Catalans' Mick Potter and former St George fullback and AIS coach Brian Johnson will join Brown in being considered for the Dragons' coaching position for next season and beyond.

The hit list is by no means an indication that Brown's fate has already been decided. However, it is a sign that the Dragons are keen to get on the front foot when it comes to their next coach.

Should the club decide not to extend Brown's contract - and it is understood they will not make any decision until at least two months into the season - the club wants to be in a position where it can move quickly. Still, news of any list of potential targets - even in the making - will likely increase the heat on Brown ahead of the season kick-off against Wests Tigers on Sunday.

Doust was guarded when contacted by the Herald yesterday.

"I don't have a lot to say about the circumstances we're talking about," Doust said. "I'm pretty straightforward and I'm careful to avoid any speculation.

"The appointment of the head coach at the Dragons is like any senior management appointment within our organisation. It's deliberate and comprehensive and it's an important activity."

The Dragons discussed setting up a sub-committee to look at the appointment of a coach last month, but that plan was scrapped. Doust is believed to be working independently of the board, but he will report to directors at their next meeting, which is believed to be later this month.

The inclusion of Bellamy would be a surprise, given that he is not off contract until the end of 2009 and has been tipped to take the reins at Brisbane should he leave Melbourne.

Bennett has already been strongly linked to the Dragons, although North Queensland are also in the running for him, with Graham Murray leaving after this season. Murray's assistant, Millward, is also in the Cowboys' sights. However, as a former lower-grade player and coach at Illawarra, he has long been considered a good fit for the merger.

Anderson, a former grand-final NRL coach with the Warriors, will return to Australia after the Super League season and has already made it clear he favours a Sydney post.

His manager, Jim Banaghan, strongly suggested he had already been in contact with the Dragons.

"We've been pro-active," Banaghan said. "We've told clubs we're available. We're in no rush. There are four clubs who haven't appointed a coach and Daniel Anderson is probably the most accredited coach that's on the market who's not linked to an NRL club … It'll be the smartest club which gets him first."

Potter has already been suggested as a possible replacement for Anderson at St Helens, but as a member of the Dragons' family, having played 100 games for St George, he would also be a snug fit.

Like Potter, Johnson is a former Dragons fullback. However, he is the least credentialled of the candidates. He has coached Warrington and been involved at St George Illawarra as a first-grade assistant and first division coach.

Elsewhere, Brisbane officials will begin interviewing candidates for Bennett's position as early as this week. The Broncos have had more than 30 applications, but they are expected to interview just six coaches.