"On-field success also remains paramount to the overall success of the Dragons.
While the ninth-place finish wasn’t the desired outcome there were plenty of positive signs that suggested success isn’t too far around the corner – the club’s positive start to the 2017 season, rising talent and recruitment is a testament to this.
This was also reiterated in June, upon coach Paul McGregor re-signing with the club for a further two seasons..."
This is the tripe promoted by Brian Johnston, the Chairman.
It was repeated by Doust and also again by McGregor.
How many more times are we going to hear about the 6-1 start to the season which culminated in us bombing out of the 8?
It basically highlights the problem we have.
If the club is happy with 9th in 2017 and the way we got there, then we are in deep shit.
Doust quoting stats in his diatribe is really odd.
The whole sermon was just an exercise in rationalization and backslapping...with absolutely no justification.
No grasp of reality and no accountability.
What saves the board and coach from complete embarrassment are the improved stats for 2017.
That's precisely why Doust is ramming them down our throats.
I suggest that the 2 stats that are conveniently not mentioned is
(1) The 6-17 win loss record after the much touted 6-1 start.
(2) We were unable to beat Melbourne, Easts, Parra (twice) or Brisbane.
In the case of Melbourne, Brisbane and Easts we only played them once.
Next year we have a much harder draw so brace yourselves.
We also lost twice to the underperforming Bulldogs, once to Souths and even managed to lose to the ultimate wooden spooners Newcastle.
Melbourne, Easts, Parra were all top 4 teams and Brisbane was there abouts.
These losses were not bad luck or isolated games - they demonstrated a disturbing trend of not being competitive.
So if we take the improved stats at face value and laud Widdop for his 3rd place in the Daly M - why did we lose nearly all the games that we played against in the top 4 teams?
I can't be sure of the answer but it sure points to poor coaching.
Yet Johnston is pointing to McGregor's reappointment as a massive positive???
What I hate about this "review" is that there is absolutely no accountability - from anyone.
The Chairman, The CEO and especially the Coach.
Happy to spin improved stats, "achieving more than the experts had predicted" and especially that there were so many positives to come out of 2017 and that "success is just around the corner".
No Honesty, no accountability and no transparency afforded to the most important asset St. George have - the fans.