St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor admits being frustrated as the club waits on salary cap dispensation for banned star Jack de Belin.
McGregor said there had been no progression in the club’s attempt to temporarily replace de Belin, who has been stood down under the game’s new no-fault policy.
Asked whether he was frustrated, McGregor said: “Yes.”
Pressed on whether they knew what type of player they could get, McGregor said it would be up to recruitment manager Ian Millward.
“First of all we’ve got to know the situation and have a good understanding of it, and then Ian will go to work,” he said.
McGregor’s comments come as he defended his experimental spine following a second straight loss to start the season.
The Dragons started brightly against South Sydney on Friday but were blasted away by a rampant Rabbitohs attack in the second half to go down 34-18.
The off-contract coach pointed to the absence of star duo Tyson Frizell (injured) and de Belin, as well as suspended new recruit Korbin Sims.
“We’re down two Origin players and we lost Leeson (Ah Mau). We replaced him with Korbin,” McGregor said.
“He hasn’t played yet either, so we’re really down three quality forwards.
“That’s not ideal if you’re a spinal player anyway to start with, and then when you don’t hold possession, that digs the hole a bit deeper.”
McGregor’s decision to shift Gareth Widdop to fullback came under the spotlight again when former star Brad Fittler called for the club to consider letting him go.
Widdop has already announced a move back to England last year, which prompted the Dragons to sign Corey Norman over the summer.
“Gareth’s what we need for this season. We’ve got a good opportunity in 2019. We’ve lost our first two games which is disappointing,” McGregor said.
“But there’s a long way to go in this competition and Gareth’s a big part of our football team. He’s our captain, and he’s in my footy side.”
MORDAC
Roar Rookie
No, they didn't. He was signed before being suspended.
MORDAC
Roar Rookie
Great idea since having Widdop at 5/8, the one constant over the last 5 years, worked so well......
MORDAC
Guest
Nonsense. Dragons didn't have 5/8 covered and haven't had for a number of years. Now one could argue they have every position covered (when at full strength) but the moron insists on keeping Widdop around. Now as one of if not the highest paid fullback in the competition and runs for less than 20m a game.....
Larry1950
Guest
They signed Sims knowing he had 2 games to serve, that's hardly an excuse.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good call. Bizarre move to change an entire spine just to fit Norman now when he was bought for 2020. Keeping a spine that was a game or so away from a GF last year and Norman off the bench and easing his way in is such an obvious call you wonder how an NRL coach could stuff it up. Anyway, if Mary needs to point the bone for their bad start this year look no further than the strategic coaching team and the behaviour of little Jack .
Wayne Turner
Guest
As I have previously said. Mary ruined the spine,by moving Widdop from his best position of 5/8 to fullback.It has change the whole attacking dynamic of the team,for the worst. I would have have kept last year's spine,and have Norman ease his way into the team off the bench eg: Come on 15 minutes until half time,with the full understanding he's starting 5/8 in 2020.Instead what Mary did is failing as I knew it would,and was too big a change. IF Brisbane lose tonight. Next week it will be Dragons vs Brisbane,with the losing coach of that match under pressure already ie: They would have lost their first 3 games of the season.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Ah Mau is originally from New Zealand,and he left because he wanted to go home.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
What are the chances of Widdop being released this season to free up some space? He's going at the end of the year anyway and what they have at the moment isn't working.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Yep, and you could have kept Ah Mau (unless the move was for reasons other than money), because you chose to spend money on Norman and add to a position you already had covered - not to mention a half who is reportedly the highest paid in the game. So don’t complain you don’t have enough forwards when you have too many spine players with so much invested in them.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Oh well, credit where it’s due - at least McGregor has found a way to deal with the issue of the Dragons starting the season in red hot form and fading away at the end. He’s got a nerve pinning that loss in any way to dispensation from the NRL. Would picking up a middle third forward - currently not signed to a club - have prevented that loss? I thought Lawrie was one of their best players.