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Who would you like to see appointed as Dragons Coach for 2015 on

Who would you like to see appointed as Dragons Coach from 2015 on


  • Total voters
    218
  • Poll closed .

St Georgio

Juniors
Messages
2,283
If Mary gets this team into the top 8, he would be a strong candidate considering the position he was given to begin with!
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,651
McGregor eyes permanent role

Dragons mentor Paul McGregor has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Dragons’ head coaching gig, despite not having been interviewed for the position in his seven weeks as interim head coach at the famous club.

Speaking in the wake of the Dragons 21-12 loss to the table-topping Sea Eagles at Jubilee Oval, McGregor admitted the news that Wayne Bennett would be headed to the Broncos in 2015 – despite being widely linked to return to the outfit he guided to a premiership four years ago – could only benefit his chances of securing the role full time, though he confirmed he had not yet been approached by Dragons management about taking on the position.

"I really enjoy coaching this group and I'd like to continue coaching this group, I think that answers your question," McGregor said when asked if Bennett's withdrawal as a contender for the Red V clipboard improved his chances.
"Nothing much changes for me; I'll turn up for work tomorrow and go again. (Wayne's) made up his mind now and went back home. I can't really comment too much at the moment, I don't know too much... My job at the moment is interim coach, and to work these guys pretty hard.

"I think the association needs to interview the best people for the job and if they see fit that I am the best person for the job then they'll interview me in time.
"At the moment they're doing their rounds and obviously Wayne was part of that. All I can do is look after the group that I'm in control of right now and that's this football team and continue to do that.

"If results fall that way then they'll look at me as coach."

McGregor was reasonably happy with the effort of his side in pushing the first-placed Sea Eagles for the majority of an entertaining contest, though was quick to point out that his side was "10-15 minutes" away from truly challenging the premiership's heavyweights.

"We played against Penrith at Penrith Park when they were running first and there was a 10-15 minute window when we fell apart, so to speak... and we did it again tonight against a quality football team," said McGregor. "We had three errors in a row and quality football teams will put you away and we've got to get that out of our game, and it hasn't been out of our game for the last month. "That's where we do need to improve. I thought we were very good for long periods but just weren't good for 80 minutes and you have to be."

McGregor indicated there were no injury concerns for the Dragons out of the Monday night fixture, with Trent Merrin "another week away" from returning from the shoulder injury he sustained in Origin III.

http://www.nrl.com/mcgregor-eyes-permanent-role/tabid/10874/newsid/80416/default.aspx
 

GT0007

Juniors
Messages
1,967
If Mary gets this team into the top 8, he would be a strong candidate considering the position he was given to begin with!

If we make the 8 we may have won the minor premiership if we didnt have to suffer all those losses under Price & we would be peaking now instead of improving. Signing a coach will be a roll of the dice now no matter who it is. In recent times the top coaches have been Robinson, Bellamy, Hasler, Toovey, Macguire & going back to 2010 Bennett. Anyone else is a gamble & will want a 3yr deal. I'm not sure of what coaching contracts are coming up for renewal in 2015 & 2016 but we should be looking now to target some of those top coaches and if we make the 8 and the team is playing well then sign Mary short term, if the team is average for the rest of this season then we have to roll the dice with a coach that's failed in recent times or consider bringing Brown back
 

rainman44

Bench
Messages
3,189
If we make the 8 we may have won the minor premiership if we didnt have to suffer all those losses under Price & we would be peaking now instead of improving. Signing a coach will be a roll of the dice now no matter who it is. In recent times the top coaches have been Robinson, Bellamy, Hasler, Toovey, Macguire & going back to 2010 Bennett. Anyone else is a gamble & will want a 3yr deal. I'm not sure of what coaching contracts are coming up for renewal in 2015 & 2016 but we should be looking now to target some of those top coaches and if we make the 8 and the team is playing well then sign Mary short term, if the team is average for the rest of this season then we have to roll the dice with a coach that's failed in recent times or consider bringing Brown back
We cant wait till the end of the year as our roster needs to improve in the engine room and players need to know who there coach is. Mary thank you but its time to take the back seat and learn the trade.
 

bottle

Coach
Messages
14,126
If we make the 8?
We won't be making the 8.
We have a negative differential of 60.
That means we have to make that up, and win at least 4 from 7,
or,
win 5 from 7,
and,
hope other results go our way.
It's all about 2015 now.
 

_Johnsy

Referee
Messages
28,809
Exactly. I find it extraordinary that an organisation within an elite professional sport requires to take a wait and see approach to hiring a head coach. I appreciate that Bennett opted for Brisbane but Doust and the Board require an aggressive, pro-active approach in securing the best coach available - which cannot include a 7 game rookie!

I would love to know what the Board seeks to achieve with the appointment of head coach? What are it's objectives? Anything short of pressing for a title (not merely making the top 8) is unacceptable in a sports competitive environment.

Seriously, the incompetence and mismanagement of this football club is incomprehensible and simply would not occur in the real business world which practice due diligence, accountability, transparency and performance measures. This Boys Club of an organisation really needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the professional era.

Hard to disagree with any of this.
 

_Johnsy

Referee
Messages
28,809
Michael Hagan 2007-08
Daniel Anderson 2009-10
Stephen Kearney 2011-12 (part of 2012)
Brad Arthur remainder of 2012
Ricky Stuart 2013
Brad Arthur 2014

There is a pattern here and more importantly a lesson.
 
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St Georgio

Juniors
Messages
2,283
If we make the 8?
We won't be making the 8.
We have a negative differential of 60.
That means we have to make that up, and win at least 4 from 7,
or,
win 5 from 7,
and,
hope other results go our way.
It's all about 2015 now.

For Me 28 points is enough for Mary to get an extended 1 year contract, even if we miss the 8 on for and against..it wasn't Mary's fault the Roosters,Eels and the dogs put cricket scores on the team!

The Alternate is Nathan Brown.
 

jenninga

First Grade
Messages
8,545
Not going to look at the ladder anymore.:x
Spent the 2nd half staring at the game just feeling deflated at another season withering away.
And these pr*cks on the board may be about to continue on with Mary.
 

GT0007

Juniors
Messages
1,967
For Me 28 points is enough for Mary to get an extended 1 year contract, even if we miss the 8 on for and against..it wasn't Mary's fault the Roosters,Eels and the dogs put cricket scores on the team!

The Alternate is Nathan Brown.

+1. You cant blame Mary for our for and against or for losing games earlier in the season. With the lack of current topshelf coaches available there doesn't seem to be many options. I'd consider the likes of Sheens, Smith, Henry etc on 1 year deals but their coaching history is not that flash and none of them would take a 1 yr deal. The easy road is usually not the best road but in this case if may very well be depending how well we finish the season. Jury is out for at least 5 or 6 weeks I think. The beauty is that time is on our side and we don't have to make a decision right now. As far as recruitment, I think we've missed that boat anyway with maybe just Packer an option as he's releases in January but you might find he'll follow Bennett. If not Mary, Brown is probably my favoured option though I'm not sure if he's available or willing
 

GT0007

Juniors
Messages
1,967
It's official; you live in la la land.

We are 4 wins off 1st place, are you suggesting we still wouldve lost all those games if Price wasn't coach? We wouldve been up there for sure or there abouts. It's just a hypothetical anyway as is most of the stuff said in this forum. Taking myself to a better place helps sometimes lol
 

rainman44

Bench
Messages
3,189
If we make the 8 we may have won the minor premiership if we didnt have to suffer all those losses under Price & we would be peaking now instead of improving. Signing a coach will be a roll of the dice now no matter who it is. In recent times the top coaches have been Robinson, Bellamy, Hasler, Toovey, Macguire & going back to 2010 Bennett. Anyone else is a gamble & will want a 3yr deal. I'm not sure of what coaching contracts are coming up for renewal in 2015 & 2016 but we should be looking now to target some of those top coaches and if we make the 8 and the team is playing well then sign Mary short term, if the team is average for the rest of this season then we have to roll the dice with a coach that's failed in recent times or consider bringing Brown back
Mary wont get this side into the 8, Get Brown back is what i would do.
 

Minh

First Grade
Messages
8,858
Hook should be approached. A good win loss record, has plenty of experience, is well respected, has had to deal with the retirement of a future immortal and has always prepared a competitive team. He would attract players as well and he now has a big point to prove. Always seems very professional

Agree, he'd be close to my top pick now.
 

Willow

Assistant Moderator
Messages
111,126
mediocrity in la la land said:
We are 4 wins off 1st place
:lol:
Let's grab two straws and celebrate.

I quick look at the ladder and we're also 4 loses away from the spoon.
 

Como Connection

First Grade
Messages
6,194
Just got the mail from the Gold Coast, Neil Henry has purchased a house in my street at Currumbin, not sure he will move away now.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
35,643
Just got the mail from the Gold Coast, Neil Henry has purchased a house in my street at Currumbin, not sure he will move away now.

Thanks Como...guess we are stuck with MacGregor. This board will never learn from their mistakes. Hopefully its only a 1 year deal with an option in the clubs favor.
 

St Georgio

Juniors
Messages
2,283
Thanks Como...guess we are stuck with MacGregor. This board will never learn from their mistakes. Hopefully its only a 1 year deal with an option in the clubs favor.

Hopefully Mary can shock everybody an turn into the next supercoach, I am tired of QLDers D/HEADS.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
16,651
Paul McGregor will be the next St George Illawarra coach in a move that will heal divisions in the joint venture

Paul McGregor is set to become the next St George Illawarra coach in a move that will help prevent divisions from widening within the joint venture. With Wayne Bennett rejecting overtures from the Dragons to return to Brisbane next season, the four Illawarra-based board members will push strongly for McGregor, and he is expected to be formally appointed to the job on a permanent basis some time next month after Dragons chief executive Peter Doust was unable to secure his target.

Even before Roy Masters revealed in stunning detail in Fairfax Media publications and websites on Monday how Bennett had done a deal to coach the Broncos, Illawarra directors believed McGregor was a better option for the Dragons. Now they are unlikely to accept anyone else after the former Test centre's impressive effort to turn around the fortunes of the team since taking over eight weeks ago following the sacking of close mate Steve Price.

Doust had pursued Bennett after being instructed by the board to look closely at all potential candidates, including Neil Henry and Tim Sheens, and Fairfax Media has been told the seven times premiership winning mentor travelled to Wollongong last Friday to sign a deal but did not do so. With Bennett no longer in the frameHenry's name is understood to be on a final shortlist of contenders for the job, but Illawarra Cutters chairman Sean O'Connor – a Dragons director – laid out the case for McGregor in interviews with local media late last week.

Fairfax Media was told a decision may not be made for about a month, but it is almost certain the full St George Illawarra board will now back McGregor over Henry, or any other candidate, as the best man for the job. However, it is unusual for any St George Illawarra director to speak publicly about such a sensitive issue as O'Connor did last week and his decision to do so may also reflect the frustration felt in Wollongong about the joint venture's commitment to the area following the decision to reduce the number of games at WIN Stadium to just four this season.

The Dragons made the decision for financial reasons after severe cuts to funding from St George Leagues Club in recent years and have also shifted two games away from Kogarah to bigger venues. But it was a condition of Illawarra's $6.5 million loan from WIN Corporation in 2006 that six premiership matches plus a trial be played in Wollongong each season and, by not doing so, an interest clause has been triggered that is impacting further on the club's finances.

"With the Dragons only playing four games this year in Wollongong, this condition has now been breached,” WIN chief executive Andrew Lancaster said in a statement on Monday confirming the network would continue to support and sponsor St George Illawarra. “As a result of that breach, WIN Corporation is entitled to call the loan but has not done so."

McGregor's backers believe his profile as a Steelers junior, who went on to captain the club as well as represent NSW and Australia, and captain the Dragons to the 1999 grand final in the inaugaral season of the joint venture, will boost support in Wollongong where 1000 corporate seats were sold at WIN Stadium for the last home match against Melbourne on a Monday night.

Since McGregor took over the coaching reins, there is a vibe at the Dragons that hasn't existed since before Bennett's arrival in 2009, and McGregor has strong support from the playing group, who respect him and enjoy the more enterprising playing style he has introduced.

Before Monday night's match against Manly, St George Illawarra had won four of their previous five matches under McGregor and only lost 18-14 to Penrith due to goalkicking.

The 46-year-old hasn't publicly said he wants the job, but that is because he is humble enough to know that it was Bennett's to refuse and if the seven-times premiership mentor had wanted a second stint at St George Illawarra there would be no room for him – as there wasn't during Bennett's previous three-year stint at the club.

However, rather than holding any grudge against Bennett for sacking him as part of a clean out of staff when he arrived from Brisbane six years ago, McGregor recently told this columnist the decision had ensured he served a long coaching apprenticeship in the Illawarra Coal League and with the Cutters, which has prepared him for the NRL.

"He probably did me a favour in a way," said McGregor, who worked in a coal mine while overseeing just five losses in three premiership-winning years with Wests Devils before taking on the Cutters role. "I was doing the role of performance co-ordinator at the Dragons, which I think helped give me a real good insight into player management. Then when I did leave I went back and coached in the local league.

"Your role there is a bit of everything: strength and conditioning, you are the coach, your roster changes weekly because people can't play because of work or something, so you have got to manage with what you have got."

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ions-in-the-joint-venture-20140721-zv8cz.html

So who's left in the race?

Sheens - has not made public his views on being Dragons coach
Mary - wants the job
Henry - looks like remaining with the Gold Coast
Daley - reportedly not interested in the Dragon's job
 
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