D-Day for Paul McGregor comes this Sunday

By Andrew / Roar Pro

D-Day is fast approaching for coach Paul McGregor – it’s this Sunday night, at Netstrada Jubilee Stadium, when his Dragons take on the depleted Manly Sea Eagles.

For the Dragons, coming off two consecutive losses, surely a third loss would not only end any hope of finals footy but also turn the screws even tighter on McGregor.

Manly are without their best player, Tom Trbojevic, and a host of other regular first-graders including the suspended Addin Fonua-Blake. The Sea Eagles will also be desperate, coming off two consecutive losses themselves, seeing them drop out of the eight.

Assuming St George Illawarra turn up to play, it should be a cracker. The Red V have a good record against Manly, with 19 wins from 29 matches, and returning home to Kogarah is a huge advantage.

McGregor has further tinkered with his side, naming Ben Hunt to start at hooker and Cameron McInnes at lock. This now dispenses any auspices about the club’s opinion of Hunt.

Hunt’s acquisition is a failure and he is now seen exclusively as a dummy half. With a further three years to run on his mega-deal, the long-term impact of this remains unknown. It seems unlikely that the Dragons will stick with $1.2 million a season player at hooker for the next 3.5 seasons? But, for the time being, these concerns have been pushed aside.

(Matt King/Getty Images)

Should the Dragons go down in a match when so many factors are in their favour, it must surely call an end to the McGregor coaching era. Even if ‘Mary’ sees out the 2020 season, it’ll be this game that proves to be the turning point, when everything was on the line and he came up short.

On the other hand, should St George Illawarra win – and with winnable matches against Canterbury and Cronulla to follow – McGregor’s stock might just go up.

Absolutely everything is on the line!

McGregor’s D-Day isn’t the 6th of June in France. It’s the 12th of July at Kogarah.

The Crowd Says:

2020-07-13T02:56:55+00:00

Pedroso

Roar Rookie


Well Mary passed that test!

AUTHOR

2020-07-11T12:58:42+00:00

Andrew

Roar Pro


Probably no surprise to anyone but Tim Lafai is seeking an early release to reconnect with Canterbury. He’s been on the outer since his domestic violence issues during the off-season. Canterbury are a club that has no problem with such matters.

AUTHOR

2020-07-11T05:12:55+00:00

Andrew

Roar Pro


Lafai is on the way out the door & I think Aitken will also be squeezed out. There’s some really great young talent coming through.

2020-07-11T03:11:16+00:00

Pedroso

Roar Rookie


I think we need better wingers before centres? Aitken and Lomax are good I reckon. Def need some more size and strength in the engine room! What to speak of a great half or five eight.

2020-07-11T03:02:43+00:00

Pedroso

Roar Rookie


Though in 2016, 2017 and 2018 the Dragons were in the top four in the middle of the year when Origin is picked. They had form on the board.

2020-07-10T07:49:23+00:00

TP.777

Roar Rookie


100% on the last 2 comments!! I do think though aitken is finally hitting his straps now thank God as ive always been a big fan of his not that many saints fans like him. Lomax is a centre all over, Norman on his day can destroy a team, i remember he hammered us 40 or 50 block at Parramatta and was outstanding. He's to hit and miss though and he's like in slow motion atm at the Dragons. Awesome long kicker. He def needs a fire cracker up his butt or Reggie's nxt yr it is, and in walks Sullivan. Rava is strong runner but can't catch or have a step or no real skill. Rather see Saab on that side or sailor!

2020-07-09T08:50:24+00:00

Dianne Bronson

Guest


Mary needs to go his had six years and done nothing not ben hunt fault he has tried the one that should be gone is cory Norman should be let go his no Gareth widdup.if not put in the lower grade were ever he goes he puts a bad influence like did at Parramatta time to let him go.

2020-07-09T08:39:25+00:00

Boz

Roar Rookie


Regardless of Sunday's result. McGregor's resign must end asap. I really do believe he has done his best over the years. But unfortunately, his best it not good enough to get this team to perform. However, he is not the only one to blame for the club problems, that go back several years. In my view, some of the decisions made at board level since the departure of Wayne Bennett have to been questionable. Recruitment of players & coaches over the years has been poor. Releasing senior players like the Morris brothers, Fritzell recently, & losing so many juniors like, Damien Cook, Jai Field to other clubs, are major problems. Maybe some of the members of the board should call it a day! Players use to want to play for this once great club, not leave it, in search of a premiership! Look ... The truth is, there is no quick fix. We need a Wayne Bennett or a Craig Bellamy. Someone with experience, who can get into the heads of the players. Employing another rookie coach is not the answer. We have a side that should be capable to at least competing with the top 8 teams. Yet, they can't do it on a weekly basis. The club should persist with Clune at half and Dufty as fullback. I see great things from them in the future. However, if we are to be a force next year, we not only need a coach. We need to recruit a strong forward like Fifita & two strong centres, who can both attack & defend. But first, we need someone to lead this club back to the NRL POWERHOUSE it once was.

2020-07-09T04:43:18+00:00

TP.777

Roar Rookie


We're all entitled our opinion and feelings!! Enough said. Instead of posting about my opinion what's your solution to the team champ!

2020-07-09T02:17:20+00:00

eels47

Roar Rookie


No club disclose their players salaries publicly, as there is no requirement to do so. Figures bandied about in the media are at best estimates. They are probably close to the mark most of the time, but not anything official.

2020-07-08T22:28:46+00:00

peeeko

Roar Guru


some horrible suggestions. lets put them on normal wages?

2020-07-08T22:27:51+00:00

peeeko

Roar Guru


100% from weidler or from his manager?

2020-07-08T22:24:17+00:00

Adam Bagnall

Roar Guru


I never liked Aitken off the bench and he was one of our best against the Raiders. It will be interesting to see if he is retained because surely Lafai is let go so I'm not sure the club will let both centres leave. They should make a play for Steve Masters who went to South's from the Dragons but is unlikely to play NRL this year

2020-07-08T19:13:37+00:00

Red V was apart of me!!!

Guest


Well said JJ, especially the part "bring back the real footballers" League players lost there passion along time ago and these new kids on the block are more worried about the $ sign more than the pride to pull on the big red V except the Morris twins same age as myself they obviously got bought up watching the Winfield cup, just in cruise mode it's so not league anymore even the netball is more entertaining. I hear there's a new team possibly coming in? If so why not just bring back the Bears why not we have south Sydney, Sydney city, we're missing north Sydney now. If so I might jump on board if there reinstated back in the game. Just a stroll down to bondeee beach, cool off after the game. The Dragons have heartbroken me more than any woman I tell you! I feel like Paul Green in that picture every week, don't think I can do it to myself anymore! Players should be put on normal wages like the rest of us slaves to society so they play for pride and not cash! No cash,cash no robbo tell em(chopper) As for the 8 yr Mary go round that's why I'm giving up on saints to the Bears I hope. I'm motion sickness from this dreadful long ride, we need a bomb on the club that will solve all problems. As for Addin fonua he only gets 2 weeks, same as what J Pereira got on for his fairy tap on the ex tiger is an outrage and shows how easily we are targeted by refs and the judiciary look how close we come to winning last few games as there is new refs that our not biast. If it wasn't for some major blunders over the yrs I'm sure Paul would of won a comp, can't blame it always on one person!

2020-07-08T14:46:26+00:00

Adam Bagnall

Roar Guru


Sorry but I disagree. Saints paid overs for him as everyone knows so of course there is the expectation on him but I wouldn't call it a failure as you seem to suggest. I'd pay around 800k a season for Hunt as a hooker

AUTHOR

2020-07-08T13:42:09+00:00

Andrew

Roar Pro


St George Illawarra have always been a club that produces SOO & Aust players. It’s just the way it’s always been. Ask a Tigers fan, Sharks fan or a Dogs fan & they will sook over it.

AUTHOR

2020-07-08T12:48:41+00:00

Andrew

Roar Pro


Hi Max, Damien Cook’s number is 4,5M over 4 years. 100% Melbourne don’t disclose salaries because they are crooks. Smith’s salary is best estimate based on media reports

2020-07-08T11:47:56+00:00

max power

Guest


unfortunately those 2 numbers are both rumours. papers here publish what player managers tell the what the salaries are.

AUTHOR

2020-07-08T07:47:17+00:00

Andrew

Roar Pro


Based on my research Ben Hunt is now the highest paid starting 9 in NRL history at $1.2M Previous high was Damien Cook’s current deal of $1.1M Cameron Smith might have earned more when they were cheating the cap with brown paper bags of cash but from what I’ve been able to find the highest amount he’s been paid on the books was $1M Sobering thought isn’t it.

2020-07-08T06:54:31+00:00

Paul

Roar Guru


I'm sure it has, but is that the reason why the side has won only 10 games since he was stood down? I don't recall too many Dragons players trotting out this issue as a reason for the squads sub-par performances.

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