Well, it’s been quite a week for the Dragons’ faithful.
Firstly local product Euan Aitken decided to move on and signed a three-year deal with the Warriors. The non-retention of Aitken was a strategic decision by the Dragons.
Brayden Williame is on the books for 2021 plus twin brothers Matt and Max Feagai will be pushing for first grade next year. Even without any Canterbury Cup in 2020 they look to both be first-grade ready. Both are capable of playing wing or centre. They are big, strong and fast. Both represented NSW under-18s and Australian schoolboys.
On the same day the Aitken news broke, long-standing signing target Adam Elliott announced he’s staying put at the Bulldogs. The Dragons have been pursuing Elliott for some time, seeing him as a replacement for the Newcastle-bound Tyson Frizell.
I wonder given current events if Frizell might regret signing with Newcastle so early. The Dragons are now closer to a premiership than Newcastle.
With a number of players moving on during 2020, the Dragons have plenty of space in their salary cap to sign a few quality forwards to complement all the locally produced talent. They would love to move on Corey Norman but given that he’s owed $850,000 in 2021 that’s no easy task.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Then of course came the massive news that after a 25-year association, Paul McGregor and the St George Illawarra Dragons were parting company. McGregor’s final game in charge was the Round 14 clash against Parramatta where the Dragons – despite playing with 12 men – rallied in the wet for their coach and won a very hard fought victory 14-12. I say 12 men because Corey Norman was a total passenger and Tristan Sailor didn’t make it on the field. Much like James Graham’s final game, the team wanted to send Mary out a winner.
By all reports it’s been an amicable break-up and the matter has been handled with class and respect. Say what you want about McGregor’s coaching record and I’ve been more critical than most, but he’s had a 25-year relationship with the Steelers and joint-venture Dragons. He deserves to be a club legend and go out a winner.
Dean Young will take over as interim coach until a permanent replacement can be found. A milestone should be acknowledged that not only have Dean and Craig Young both won premierships at the Dragons but both have now been first-grade coaches. That’s pretty cool.
Club CEO Ryan Webb has said that the club won’t be rushing to appoint a replacement coach. The board wants to take its time and find the right candidate. Right now the Dragons need an experienced first-grade coach who can bring all the moving parts together into a cohesive team structure that the players can buy into.
McGregor was vocal at the end that he couldn’t work with the selection committee. The constant swapping of players in and out of key positions was also a big frustration for the playing group. The selection committee didn’t work for anyone.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Now to discuss the elephant in the room, Shane Flanagan. Ryan Webb stated in a press conference that the club will not be making any approaches to the NRL on behalf of Flanagan. If Flanagan wants to apply for the head coach role in 2021, he and his management team will need to resolve his coaching ban themselves directly with the NRL. This is very much the same approach the club took with Jack de Belin.
As a 40-plus-year Dragons fan, I’m finally feeling optimistic about the future. The seven McGregor years were hard to take. But in spite all of this, the Dragons’ brand remains strong and the junior farm system continues to pump out quality young players. All we need is the right coach to bring it all together, then we’ll be able to take our rightful spot on top of the table again.
Bring on 2021!
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes, the new, faster game has left them behind
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Yes regarding Merrrin who is old fat and slow. I'd you combine all 3 Sims brothers you might get an average first grader but that's it. Ashton was never good, Tariq is pedestrian these days and Korbin is mediocre. Very overrated
Andrew
Roar Pro
Even if we went on a run & win a bunch of games all that will prove is that McGregor was the problem after all. I think Deano himself would be the first to admit he’s not ready yet, but that’s not to say he won’t make a very good coach in the years to come.
mbp
Guest
mary. you are all class. thankyou for the effort you put in as the coach..... and the way you ended your stint.... your words and optimism.... full of class. a real st george man....! thankyou thankyou. mark st george fan.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It’s good to see Frizell get more money from Newcastle. He’s been a good workhorse for the Dragons and he is an international and has played SoO, but he is getting on.
Andrew
Roar Pro
He’s only 18 & he signed a 3 year contract extension last year. The current Canterbury Cub coach is Matty Head who would be an ideal coach for him. Matt was a really good halfback himself before he shredded his knee.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes as Paul said CN is a SoO player and I should expect more from our most salary capped players. Clune was very good against Parra and the Norman try he assisted with, in the form of a beautiful kick, against Cronulla was something we need to see more of.
andrew
Roar Rookie
He looks like a star of the future. Hope Saints have him locked in. Just hope he doesn't get a coach who structures his play too much and lets him play his natural game. That's the problem with a lot of coaches, too structured, won't let players play their natural game with the result players feel like they're walking on eggshells and they lose confidence.
andrew
Roar Rookie
That's the best I've seen from Saints this year. I thought their defense was excellent. Phil Gould was giving Pereira a big wrap,i thought he's improved a lot, strong running and Ravalawa outplayed Siva. Best I've seen the forwards play, just hope they play like that against the Broncos next week. Noticed Dufty and players not letting the ball bounce.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Sorry mate don’t agree at all. Clune was very good against Parra he had a real crack. When you’ve got a bloke basically on minimum wage outplaying a $850k player there’s a huge problem. They are both playing behind the same forward pack.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Hi mate go on YouTube & search 2019 SG Ball grand final there’s 6 min clip Illawarra won & the halfback Jayden Sullivan killed Manly that day. There’s been big wraps on him for a number of years. He’ll play Canterbury Cup next year .
JGK
Roar Guru
I could have said “Do a Bosnich” is honour of our Mark’s exit from Chelsea.
Tony
Roar Guru
Great article Andrew and I like the way your thinking DPS. This was a week the Dragons had to have, but the job's only half done. Now that Mary's gone I would do whatever it takes to move on Norman, Merrin and the Sims brothers. I would also get rid of Milward and Flanagan, and let Saab go as he doesn't want to play for the club. Sailor, Host and Ellis should be re-signed, along with De Belin depending upon the outcome of his court case. They will then have some room to advance their current development players and pick up some additional squad members if they become available. The Dragons should appoint a new experienced coach immediately, say for three years, so that he has a chance to work with the team well before next season. My preference would be an experienced coach, say Griffin.
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree about your comments re the forwards not doing their job, making life hard for the backs, but Norman, SOO player, should be doing more. He shown he can on occasion, but simply not often enough.
Paul
Roar Guru
That was quick. Do a "Pangai" on a player. I like that. I guess the Dragons did something similar to their coach, forcing Mary to select via committee, which led to his resignation.
Paul
Roar Guru
Agreed. We have a tough run home, playing 4 likely finals bound teams in the coming weeks. If we knock them off and beat the teams below us on the ladder, I'd have thought Young was short odds to stay as coach. Not that I can see that happening mind you.
Paul
Roar Guru
yep, there would have been a few that would have made family members blush, I suspect.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Aside from the soft try right after half time the thing that pleased me the most last night was the resolve in defence. Goes to show what can be accomplished when motivated. We’ve got a talented young team & plenty of room in the salary cap to add some pieces. As I said the right coach to bring all the moving parts together & we’ll be in good shape. JdB back won’t hurt either.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I don't agree with the criticism of Corey Norman. While he and Ben Hunt may be paid too much and are expected to produce value for money they are just backs. If the forwards aren't getting on top they are not producing the momentum that allows Norman and Hunt to score points.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good article Andrew. I recognise Mary’s contributions as a player, but was extremely critical of him as a coach in the back end of his time. Managing the squad through Origin, sticking by under-performing favourites and ignoring talented youngsters. Sticking with Hunt as half when – as shown playing for Qld and SOO – he is clearly better as a hooker/dummy half, poor and boring game plans, poor use of talent like Fitz as a wrecking ball, ignoring Dufty and Lomax in their best roles. I think the criticism was warranted. Now the coach we need is someone who can connect and bring along young talent. We are looking at an ace pool of backs;- just locked in Junior Amone – young gun half with Clune, Jayden Sullivan and Sailor taking 5/8, Lomax and the Feagai brothers covering centres, Rava and Pereira (both huge improvers) in wing, + Saab and Williame if they are there Dufty and Corey (?? can’t remember his last name) covering FB with Sailor backing up. That is a gun set of backs for the next 3-5 years, keep them happy and develop them, don’t need to look for any backs. Ford, Host, Tyrell, Lawrie, Kerr provide some great young developing forwards to compliment the Sims and Capt. Mac and maybe get a dominant forward (TPJ would be an asset with the right coach). We’re on the cusp of something awesome, just get the right coach. Throw everything at Fitz first.