Former NRL mentor Matt Elliott will add some extra experience to St George Illawarra, signing as an assistant to incoming Dragons coach Anthony Griffin.

The Dragons announced on Monday that Elliott and Brisbane interim coach Peter Gentle would assist Griffin at the club in 2021.

It’s a homecoming for Elliott after he made his first-grade debut for the Dragons back in 1989, going on to play 61 games.

He then went on to become head coach at the Bradford Bulls followed by stints in the NRL with Canberra, Penrith and the Warriors, where he finished up in 2014.

A long-time assistant Gentle also played three games over two seasons for St George back in 1987-88.

Ian Millward remains at the club under a new title, NRL recruitment manager.

Ben Haran has formally stepped into the role as general manager of football and will oversee the impending structural and personnel changes.

Paul McGregor resigned as Dragons coach midway through 2020 with Griffin preferred over acting coach Dean Young, who will now shift to North Queensland as an assistant.

Although capping the season with a win over an under-strength Storm, the Dragons finished a disappointing 12th on the ladder.