The Thursday night game against the Rabbitohs was just an extension of the Paul McGregor travelling magic show, which the St George Illawarra Dragons have been putting on over the past eight weeks.
The first two games back from the lockdown saw the Dragons almost held scoreless, while the Warriors and the Bulldogs put on 18 and 22 points respectively. That left the Red V winless after the first four rounds.
Not surprisingly, there were lots of calls for McGregor to resign, but equally unsurprisingly, the same Dragons board that inexplicably extended Mary’s contract in 2019 decided he should stay, for reasons only known to themselves.
The next eight rounds have seen the Dragons win four games: one against the Sharks (with plenty of Dragons fans arguing it should have been two wins), another against the Sea Eagles, who were massively down on troops, a further win against the Titans and a “Hand of God” win against the Bulldogs (I can see Marcelo Montoya dropping that pass – still feel for him).
Along the way, we’ve been treated to some great attacking football, with Matt Dufty in career-best form, Adam Clune doing some very good things at halfback, Ben Hunt coming back into some pretty fair form and Zac Lomax showing why he could be a world-class centre.
All of these positives are hiding a simple truth. The Dragons have won four games this season, sit on eight competition points and have no chance of making the finals unless a major miracle occurs.
More to the point, since the start of the 2019 season, the Dragons have played 36 NRL games and won 12. That’s a 33 per cent win rate.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Sure, the side has scored some terrific tries, but it’s still lost games. Yes, the efforts against the Panthers, Roosters and Raiders were gutsy, but the team still lost.
It’s very easy to buy into the notion that the side’s improving when it strings a couple of wins together, but this a distraction from reality. That is, the team is losing far more games than it wins.
And all the while, the coach who is not guiding the team to victories, but to eight losses this season, keeps his job and the criticism that should be directed his way has largely fallen silent, mostly because there are other high profile teams who are playing worse than the Dragons.
There are eight rounds to play in the 2020 season and the Dragons have a realistic chance to win exactly three games against the Cowboys, Titans and Broncos.
The other games against the Roosters, Eels, Raiders, Knights and Storm will hopefully be played with the same newfound flair that we’ve seen recently, but the results will be the same: losses. They might be gutsy losses, or hard fought losses, but they will still register zero competition points.
When the dust has settled on season 2020, I’m guessing the Dragons will end up on 14 competition points, which should be good enough for 11th or 12th. Many will think this is a great result given where the Red V finished last year and especially if the side continues to play an exciting brand of attacking footy.
The reality will be a team of enormous talent, in two seasons, has won 15 games out of 44.
This should be considered a disgraceful outcome, but will that result in the coach losing his job? Probably not, because McGregor the Magician will no doubt have more smoke to blow to cover up for his and the squad’s failings.
And thanks to the magic of his contract extension, Dragons fans can look forward to more of the same in season 2021.
Todd hunter
Guest
The problem is the board. They are no longer a club of excellence.
MadDragon Man
Guest
He can sue if he is found innocent.
Yepokay
Guest
We don’t need Cartwright he’s mentally weak.
Swissdragon
Roar Rookie
Andrew, totally agree. Seems they want to throw money around to get a name. Was talking to a Parra supporter a few weeks ago and he thought the dragons did the Eels a favour buy signing Norman. The problem with Normals is he doesn’t challenge the defence. Passes too early. But I have to say I am an Aiken fan. And Lomax is a star in the making. He can defend, take the high ball, has a step and can slip a pass. A bit more experience and he will be a game changer, not that he isn’t now. Lomax may want to be fullback but he is a better centre.
Swissdragon
Roar Rookie
I have been saying for 4 years that Paul McGregor is not the coach that can take the Dragons to the next level. Two intercept tries by Souths demonstrated that they had done their homework. But the dragons didn’t change after the first. In past seasons the dragons have come out of the gates fast and won games. But come the second half of the season, everyone knew what they would do and easily countered every play. Good coaches are able to evolve their play, to understand the opposition and to have more than one game plan.
Shane
Guest
You know I sick of other teams loses 1 player and that’s why top 4 side struggle to win premiership JDB more of lose than 99 percent of players and the half’s players less in dragons has jack use to feed them one of ruck drawing at least 2 player opening up for half’s you guys need too look at how that work even better now some people just get you guys going that probably never played a day after school
Grahame coleman
Guest
Whos flannery he ust to play the roosters
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Needs the right coach.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Bryce Cartwright is an interesting option to replace Frizell. Cartwright has asked for a release from the Titans he wants to return to Sydney. 25yr 193cm 107kg You’d have to think his best footy is still ahead of him.
Kieran
Guest
So true, talk about players on big money not performing, here is a coach on big money who is certainly not performing up to standard. Why can't he be dropped like the players can.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good points Barry (famous name) Beath. 1. true, but I think Vaughan is still good value and a leader, 2> TariQ is judiciary shy methinks, poor guy ends up reported almost every game and is sorting out his style, 3> Fitz going, 4> Yes – great young forwards that we need to keep and build around, 5. yes, let Norman go, 6. Mac as lock and rotate him to preserve his career, he goes at everything 100%, 7. lock em up long term, great future if handled well, 8< Aitken is strong and could come off the bench covering backs and forwards, 9. they might not be quick but they run hard and are covering Dufty's deficiencies in returning kicks. We don't need a lot of new blood, club has a great stack of extremely talented and capable youngsters. 5/8 (maybe Sailor) and a forward to cover.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
See my comments below Andrew, we don;t need a lot of recruitment. One top flight forward maybe and cover the 5/8 spot. Aside from that , a new coach can get this lot going. Their attack has looked awesome over the past month and a bit.
Paul
Roar Guru
an excellent summary BB. The issue with a side like the Dragons is quality players will have to be offered overs to come and play. It's seriously hard to attract topliners to a team that has won so few games and has next to no chance of making the finals with its current squad,coach, Board, game plans etc. Mind you we're not on our Pat Malone. The Broncos, Cowboys, Warriors, etc,are all floating in the same creek as our canoe.
Paul
Roar Guru
three years ago,I didn't have that impression - then the rot set in.
Andrew
Roar Pro
The other person not mentioned in the article is Ian Millward director of player pathways. A number of his recruitment decisions haven’t worked out, Corey Norman is an obvious one. Why spend big money on him when Adam Clune & Tristan Sailor were waiting for a chance? I’m very concerned about recruitment for 2021, Mary as coach isn’t going to help attract talent & depending of how things play out for JdB we’ll have up to $1.4M to spend. A decision needs to be made on Aitken, do we keep him? I don’t see him a centre, he doesn’t pass the ball. He’s a very hard runner of the ball so do they put him in the back row? Or put him on the wing? The other player is Tristan Sailor he’s had such limited opportunity this year. I’d really like to see him stay. I hate losing talented juniors.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Past five seasons; 2016 11th 2017 11th 2018 7th (eliminated 2nd week of finals) 2019 15th (worst in club’s history) 2020 Probably 11th or 12th I just don’t see how McGregor keeps his job based on those results. One finals finish in 5 years. The cowboys chopped Paul Green after a couple of bad years despite the fact he won a comp & made 2 GF’s. The NRL is a results based business but it looks like the brains trust at the Dragons are asleep at the wheel. Being a nice guy isn’t a good enough reason to keep your job in professional sport. At some point McGregor’s results need to be justified by the Club. The club has some tricky recruitment decisions to make, they need a quality second rower to replace Frizell & de Belin’s Pre-Trail ruling being handed down 28th August so they might need to replace JdB as well. McGregor can’t be trusted with recruitment.
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
He can’t sue when he’s convicted
Andrew
Roar Pro
Past five seasons; 2016 11th 2017 11th 2018 7th (eliminated 2nd week of finals) 2019 15th (worst in club’s history) 2020 Probably 11th or 12th I just don’t see how McGregor keeps his job based on those results. One finals finish in 5 years. The cowboys chopped Paul Green after a couple of bad years despite the fact he won a comp & made 2 GF’s. The NRL is a results based business but it looks like the brains trust at the Dragons are asleep at the wheel. Being a nice guy isn’t a good enough reason to keep your job in professional sport. At some point McGregor’s results need to be justified by the Club. The club has some tricky recruitment decisions to make, they need a quality second rower to replace Frizell & de Belin’s Pre-Trail ruling being handed down 28/8 so they might need to replace JdB as well. McGregor can’t be trusted with recruitment.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
This does not seem like the kind of comment that should be published.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
I think Flannery is pulling the strings at SGI. Flannery will be the next SGI coach as soon as he is cleared by the NRL. About Uncle Nick, he has got a master coach. Robo is the longest serving Roosters coach in their history.