New Dragons boss Ryan Webb says the club can learn from their past achievements, but must be open to new thinking to "challenge how we do things" and grow.
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In a statement on St George Illawarra's website, Webb said it was a "great privilege" to be the club's chief executive officer and he had been warmly welcomed by the board and staff.
"I believe that the club's great achievements and characters of the past must be remembered and celebrated as they are the reason that many of you so passionately support the Dragons," Webb said.
"But in saying that, although we can always learn from the achievements of the past, this must be supplemented by new thinking, hard work, clear goals and a genuine willingness to challenge how we do things and an acceptance for change and growth."
Webb also admitted the Dragons, who feature Group Seven's Tariq Sims, Korbin Sims, Jackson Ford (all Gerringong), Euan Aitken and Trent Merrin (both Shellharbour) and Adam Clune (Albion Park-Oak Flats) in their squad, were working through "financial challenges" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I recognise that this is a very difficult time for everyone in our community as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges the way we handle our lives, health and finances," he said.
"The club is working through this period as best we can, which means listening to advice from experts and constantly reassessing our decisions as the environment continually changes around us.
"We will ensure that the health of our players, staff, their families and the broader community is kept at the forefront of our mind as we work through the challenges of hitting the [NRL's May 28 start] date.
"Our club is working through financial challenges just like many businesses across the world.
"This has led to financially driven cutbacks in some areas of the business and it will no doubt require further tough decisions to be made in the coming months.
"This is very difficult as there are people's lives at the core of many of these decisions, but I have no doubt that we will come out of this period with a strong and agile club, ready to succeed."
Webb officially stepped into the role last month, taking over from outgoing chief executive officer Brian Johnston.
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
