For full context, consider this. The St George-Illawarra Dragons sit 14th on the NRL premiership ladder; equal with the Bulldogs on 14 points and just two wins clear of the cellar dwelling Titans.
The Red V had the good fortune of facing the Bulldogs on two occasions this season, compiling an impressive 76 cumulative points to the blue and whiteโs 16.
My hypothesis here is that such wins against struggling clubs mean little and the Dragons are nothing more than a poorly coached rabble.
Moreover, with two upcoming clashes against the Titans in the final weeks of the season, they are still a reasonable chance to walk away with rugby league's most undesirable award; the wooden spoon.
It will sit very uncomfortably at Kogarah if it is indeed won. In a season where improvement was predicted by many and an extinguishing of the memories of recent fade outs appeared likely, the clubsโ year has been nothing but an unmitigated disaster.
If it was a train wreck, it would be stunning.
Of the six wins the Dragons have registered, just one came against a current top eight team. Manly-Warringah suffers that rather embarrassing reality, although the Sea Eagles did avenge that 12-10 loss with a 34-14 thumping on the northern beaches just seven weeks later.
Aside from that outlying win against the Sea Eagles and the two comfortable victories against Canterbury, the Dragonโs list of victims reads sombrely.
Only Brisbane, Newcastle and North Queensland have succumbed to Paul McGregorโs men, with Newcastle also avenging their loss by returning serve just weeks later and thumping the Dragons 45-12.
Such numbers confirm the Dragons as an unquestionable flop in 2019. Curiously, the media has been relentless when it comes to discussions around the coaches of other clubs lurking at the depths of the ladder, yet Paul McGregor appears to have been somewhat protected from the same level of scrutiny.
Garth Brennan fell on his sword in mid-July amidst a horror stretch for the Titans and Dean Pay has been under the pump from day one at the Bulldogs.
In his fifth full season as Dragonโs mentor, McGregor wins matches at a moderate 48 per cent success rate. After taking over the reins from former coach Steve Price in May 2014, he has guided the club into the finals just twice, with the team limping in on both occasions and never looming as a serious threat.
Their recent 8th, 11th, 9th and 7th place finishes and a likely 14th -16th place in 2019, solidifies a sad reality for St George-Illawarra fans. The stone cold fact remains, that in spite of the talent in the squad, there is an obvious disconnect between reputation and performance that makes them nothing more than a mid-table also-ran.
That disconnect must fall on the shoulders of the coach. Considering the time he has had to build the squad he feels he needs to win the joint-ventureโs second premiership, the true failure of his tenure is clear.
Strangely, the Dragons board do not see things in the same way and despite a disappointing start to the 2019 season, re-appointed McGregor for a further two years in May.
His appointment came in spite of a pair of losses to start the season against the Cowboys and the Rabbitohs. That poor start was somewhat softened by two closely fought one point victories against Brisbane and Newcastle, yet the form was nothing to write home about and considering his unconvincing track record, the Boardโs decision to move on McGregorโs future was perplexing.
Now it appears the fans have turned, many calling for the coach to stand aside immediately via some passionate signage held aloft on Sunday, as the Dragons lost 12-4 to the Eels.
In a strange twist, assistants Dean Young and Ben Hornby are rumoured to be under pressure, with Trent Barrettโs name being bandied about as a potential new addition to the Dragonโs coaching structure in 2020.
With McGregor contractually bound until the end of the 2021 season, having Barrett on board would provide two clear advantages. Firstly, should McGregor fail to improve results in the early part of 2020 and the board grow weary of the pain, Barrett would be a ready-made replacement with NRL experience.
Secondly, if the board wish to honour McGregorโs deal and avoid paying out his contract should he be terminated early, Barrett will most likely be willing and able for 2022.
Taking that option could be fraught with danger, as the fans continue to lose faith and the chances of a Red V premiership appear to wane further under McGregorโs guidance.
Sure there were injury concerns in 2019 and Jack de Belinโs off-field issues were distracting at best, however, there is far too much talent, potential and representative quality in the Dragons' squad for them to be grappling with the Bulldogs and Titans at the foot of the ladder.
For that, someone must carry the can. Paul McGregor should be that person.
He has a face that you just want to smack with a frying pan
Now I need 2 frying pans…
I think Barrett will turn things around when he teams up with Mary…………… hahaha hahaha!!!!!!
I crack myself up
Buckle up Saints fans, its gunna get ugly.
Oh dear. Trent Barrett to assistant coach and Johny on the spot replacement for Mary.
You better make that 3 frying pans RedV, because you’ll need it to jump from (into the fire).
Nah, I’ve got to read the article again, surely I’ve missed something.
This is a sad realisation that are persisting, 48% win ratio and two semi appearances in 5 attempts in not contract extension material. The dragons have a old boys mentality however when we had success nearly 10 years ago it came from a non association before that it was David Waite. Itโs probably time the dragons look at a different direction and clear the decks. I see Ben Hunt has taken responsibility as well, good on him for putting his hand up.
I think in general they should look at implementing performance based contracts if you deliver you get paid as per contract.
It would be great to see Toovey get a crack at the red v in the future, especially instilling some passion in a strong roster.
Itโs simply comes down to attitude and confidence none of which the current team has.
They seem to be playing individually rather than a team.
Mary has persisted too much with certain players, for example Dufty he has speed to burn but thatโs it and Lafai who offers pretty much nothing.
Missing Widdop definitely didnโt help but the problem here is the team has looked much better since his return but we all know where heโs heading next year.
For 2020 Norman needs to play fullback and Hunt at 7 but they need to look for a number 6 who can create but also perform under pressure.
Free up some cap by releasing Dufty, Field, Lafai, De Belin together with the retirements and departing players we should be able to attract a good 5/8 and maybe a strike centre.
Cheers
The biggest trouble with the club is the pathetically weak board. The fact is dragons members get no say in the board, there is no election of the board by members, so we have this closed shop that does not answer to anyone. I thought with Brian Johnston back it would be much better than under DOust but nothing’s changed. Until this stupidity of using untired in-house former players as coaches ends we’ll always be third rate. And the idea of Barret joining the club is laughable, but no doubt true knowing these idiots running the show.
I wonder what ever happened to that kook BrissyDragon ?
Mcgregor is a good bloke. Dragons should give him a chance to show what he can do.
Yeah, I agree Cookeem. Give the guy a bit of time to prove himself.
Hey Lidcombe. I think prissy dragon passed away with a broken heart and head. Someone hit him with a frying pan. ๐ณ and now he has egg on his silly face. ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ
McGregor has had six years to prove himself and he has actually gone backwards as a so called coach. Hopefully he will stand down at the end of the season because the Dragons are going nowhere while that clueless idiot is still the so called head coach.
I see parallels with Easts’ season in 2016. I don’t think many would say that Robinson can’t coach (maybe he can’t, but Easts’ immunity from salary cap restraints sure helps) but on the back of Pearce’s suspension, a big overreaction in my opinion, and Cordner missing much of the season Easts finished 15th. It seems to me that De Belin and Widdop missing has done to Saints what happened to Easts and I’d be prepared to cut Mary a bit of slack. But next year? Different story.
Nothing new in the article. Just cold hard facts that everyone can see except the Board.
“….the Dragons are nothing more than a poorly coached rabble…” – Spot On !!!!
Although this article is spot on, the Dragons WILL NOT finish last in 2019. I believe they have 2 more win to come this season.They are better than wooden spooners!