Jamie Soward opens up on wife's support as Dragons legend lashes out over brutal sacking

Jamie Soward has revealed how his wife and daughters have been his 'rocks' during an emotional two weeks after he found out he was getting the sack as Dragons NRLW coach. Soward is a Dragons legend having played 141 games for the club and helping then win the 2010 premiership.

He's been the Dragons' women's coach since 2021, but was told earlier this month he wouldn't be retained beyond this season. St George Illawarra were still in contention to make the NRLW finals at that point, but haven't won a game since.

Speaking after his team's 16-14 loss to Wests Tigers on Thursday night, Soward again lashed out over the decision from club bosses. "It's been a long year, it's been a rough two weeks emotionally," he told reporters.

"I've had a good association with the club, winning a premiership here, being able to coach the NRLW team to a grand final. I'll be enjoying my (last) week with my friends in the group and the staff. I can't imagine that the coach being told he's not going to be renewed is a morale booster, I think that could have been handled differently."

Soward suggested the decision should have waited until the end of the season, and had a negative impact on the playing group. "Coach out the season, end of the year sit down... we got told when we were still in the finals hunt," he said.

Jamie Soward thankful for support of wife and daughters

The 39-year-old has been able to look at the bigger picture and revealed the support his family has provided. "I've lost my job, (but) I'm healthy, I'll be OK," he said. "I've got a wife and two very strong girls at home that have been my rocks, and the players within the group, pretty much everyone reached out.

"The girls who are a bit older reached out and made sure I'm OK which has been good. I'm not the first coach to not coach again... was the timing great? No. Was it done the right way? I disagree with how it was done, I've said that before.

"I think it's a little bit different in the women's space. A lot of those have detached and moved their lives off the basis we were recruiting them with a plan, so they probably were a little bit shocked by it. But the club's made a decision, I've moved on, the sun will come up tomorrow. It hurts, but I will be OK."

Soward had previously written on Twitter: "I learnt a lot about myself today. Home in time for bedtime with my beautiful strong wife and 2 princesses. We will make it work."

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The Dragons have only won two out of eight games in 2024, and will finish their season against Brisbane next week. They came back from 16-0 against the Tigers on Thursday night, only to fall two points short, and won't play finals for the second year running.

Soward led the Dragons to the grand final in 2021, before undertaking a roster rebuild when a slew of players left ahead of the 2023 season. He has previously indicated his interest in coaching the NSW women's side, although Kylie Hilder remains in charge pending an ongoing annual review from NSW Rugby League. The Sky Blues lost the women's Origin series in 2024 despite a commanding victory in Game 1.

with AAP