Former Dragons coach Paul McGregor is set to return to the NRL with a gig at the North Queensland Cowboys as Todd Payten looks to ring the changes among his backroom staff.
McGregor, who was most recently seen as one of Brad Fittler’s assistants with New South Wales, will go to Townsville along with Justin Morgan, the long-time New Zealand Warriors assistant and former Hull KR head coach, as part of a major revamp of the Cowboys coaching team.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Todd Payten is looking for fresh ideas following the Cowboys’ poor showing in 2023 and will dispense with his assistants, Steve Georgalis and Dean Young, in favour of new faces in McGregor and Morgan.
McGregor hasn’t worked in the NRL on a full-time basis since losing his job at the Dragons in 2020, when he was fired and replaced by Anthony Griffin. He has been seen at Parramatta as a consultant and with the Blues as an assistant in recent years.
Bronson Xerri has spoken for the first time on his long ban from the NRL following a positive drugs test in a sweeping interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
The centre, who will join the Bulldogs now that his suspension has ended, spoke of his mental health battles and his hatred for the sport in the period that followed his ban.
“I’m not ashamed about how close I came, but I am ashamed playing the victim,” said Xerri.
“At the end of the day, no one cares. I don’t want to play the violin. I harmed myself. I put myself in this position. No one else.
“For me to play the victim is stupid. It’s simple; I shouldn’t have done what I did. Everything that I’ve been through is because of what I did. I own that. I man up to that.”
Xerri’s ban is now ended and he can begin training with the Bulldogs. He told the Herald of his love of his new club, whom he supported as a boy.
“The day I started to see the light again was the day Gus reached out,” said the centre.
“I still remember I was at home when my manager called and said ‘Gus wants to meet you’. I said ‘Gus? Like as in Gus Gould?
“You have no idea what hearing that did to me. It built this happiness inside of me that I hadn’t felt for a very long time.
“A feeling that I hadn’t felt in nearly three years. I rang my mum. I rang my dad. I rang everyone. I’m meeting Gus tomorrow!
“I was a Bulldogs junior, so I just had this feeling that if I ever played again it would be for them. Then Gus reached out.
“As soon as I saw Gus, I was sold. I was in. I walked out of there saying ‘that’s where I’m going’.
“My manager told me to relax because other clubs would be coming. I said to him ‘no, Dessie, don’t bother with them. I’m going to the Bulldogs’.”
Help is available to anyone experiencing mental health problems, 24 hours a day, by phoning Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sounds like Xerri understands and takes responsibility for what he did Doesn’t seem that he’s blaming anyone but himself Can’t ask more than that but I guess proof is in the pudding Saw a video of him training and he looked ready to go…I hope so
langparker
Roar Rookie
Not sure who the recruiter is you’re alluding to but even I could identify that NQ desperately needs two capable centres to complement Holmes & that young Laybutt kid. You’v3 got enough good forwards for two clubs if they’re all fit. Not much around off contract in the way of centres so I’d look at Corey Allen & Paul Momorovski, not world beaters but capable and better than you rolled out this season. I always thought Allen would eventually transition to the back-row but he was ok in that end of season roosters surge & he’s played origin. Momorovski has been to a few clubs but I think he’s won a premiership or played in a GF, hasn’t he?
Bernie
Roar Rookie
the highlight was watching, Tony.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
So we sign McGregor, Campese takes the blackhawks and we have a Melbourne storm recruiter ending with no NQ DNA in the coaching staff. Gee I hope we haven't signed Payten long term. The winning streak in origin disguised a badly prepared season with the end like the start, poor discipline, missed tackles and token resistance. 2 seasons in a row we have won the colts and these pretenders are still signing multiple players and coaches from elsewhere.
Tony
Roar Guru
I see you've been watching my highlights reel Bernie
Bernie
Roar Rookie
that's too easy Tones - you're a Slow Coach.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
agreed, he's made some terrible decisions and now he gets a chance to make the most of his talent. good luck to him.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Thanks Mike, that a nice bit about Xerri. Wishing all possible good luck to him.
Tony
Roar Guru
I was thinking Special Case, or Senior Citizen, or perhaps both in my case
Redcap
Roar Guru
Santa Claus, samba coach, sovereign citizen ( :happy: )?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Modern version of QC . Senior Counsel.
Tony
Roar Guru
What's an sc?
mushi
Roar Guru
Wow. It wasn't long ago a troll was hammering you about your career, where I likewise stuck up for you like I'm about to for Mary. Leaving aside the St George has hardly scaled mountains post McGregor issue. Your equation is capability: pay. Problem is you don't know either variable. Pay is obviously unknown and I strongly doubt anyone can accurately assess his ability as an assistant coach. Plenty of great assistants don't do the head gig well and blaming him for origin is like say cleary is a bad half back. Reminds me of when you maligned my mum just after her death for raising me righ and teaching me to not speak ill of the dead l. You're an sc
Tony
Roar Guru
I'm Mary's case, a job that he's being paid in accordance with his capabilities and results
mushi
Roar Guru
Define real job. Coaching is a terrible gig, long hours pouring over tape and then crossing your fingers the guys picked purely on athletic ability execute. Remember Brad Arthur talking about how "smart" Ferguson was. Imagine what else happens during his week to come to the conclusion that Fergo is a thinker.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Payten must be a fan of ex Dragons coaches. First Young, now Mary. Next cab off the rank has to be Griffin.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I guess it’s a good gig, if you can keep getting another club to take you on? Probably pays fairly well, a game they love, no one much notices you & nothing is your fault . If they do notice you, it’s only because the club you’re at is doing fairly well.
Tony
Roar Guru
Do unsuccessful coaches ever get a real job, or just get continually recycled?