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Hail Mary: Dragons should sign McGregor long-term

Roar Guru
7th July, 2014
13

I don’t want to read in the media about how the St George Illawarra Dragons are one step closer to securing a supercoach for the 2015 season.

Tim Sheens. Laurie Daley. Wayne Bennett. Nathan Brown. Forget about them. Please.

If Paul ‘Mary’ McGregor were replaced at the end of this season, would he really have been given the chance to prove himself as these supercoaches?

Rewind to the lowest point in our season. The Eels had just drubbed us 36-0 and apart from Benji Marshall’s signing, nothing looked like improving.

48 days and Paul McGregor’s appointment later, we have beaten the desperate-for-a-win-on-the-road North Queensland Cowboys 27-24, while missing some key Origin stars. This came on the back of a 24-12 triumph over the Melbourne Storm, arguably the best victory of our season.

McGregor devotes all of his rugby league passion to the Dragons. Born and raised in Wollongong territory, he grew up with a strong ambition to play for one team only, the Illawarra Steelers.

He made his debut for the Steelers at age 23 in 1991 and one year later was selected to play for both Country and NSW Origin. He made five appearances for NSW Country Origin, three for the Australian Kangaroos and scored 16 points in his 14 appearances against the Queensland Maroons.

Furthermore he was the foundation captain of St George Illawarra.

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Since his retirement he has played a tireless role in the development and growth of the club and its players. He has implemented a strong sense of depth and discipline into the squad. It is his time to shine.

Ben Creagh, Josh Dugan and Benji Marshall have all praised the commitment Mary has made in establishing bonds with the players.

McGregor has helped Benji’s development, encouraging him to settle in and clear his mind. Mary possesses the experience to deal with a case like Benji and it shows in Benji’s improved stats and form.

Dugan was a standout player in Origin 2, with his strong defensive play. When I heard McGregor was putting Dugan in centre, I was ok with the idea, I’m all for experimenting for the better. But when it was announced Duges would play centre for NSW, the decision seemed like a knee-jerk reaction.

He was amazing, stepping up and showing the rugby league world what he could do in an unstoppable fashion. Dugan isn’t what he was at Canberra, times are changing.

McGregor bleeds red and white, which has the memory bells ringing like crazy in my head. Who else fits this description?

Reg Gasnier. The club has mourned his recent passing immensely, holding Reg Gasnier day for the weekend’s home match. Gasnier grew up wanting to play for the club, and went on to become an Immortal of the game and the Red V. His family also bled red and white; with Mark Gasnier a notable Dragon, you can tell Puff was influential in so many ways.

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McGregor can do the same. The possibilities are endless when you bleed your team colours.

Articles in the press sparking rumours of new coaches for next season will only limit him and the amazing opportunities he brings to the side he loves so much.

If I was on the board, I’d immediately put an end to new coach rumours for next season, and sign Mary up.

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