Andrew Gray

[grouch]

So this bit of news was hidden away in the Morris & Merrin update the club released a week ago, but our Performance Director Andrew Gray has left the club, and was signed by the Cronulla Sharks to be their High Performance manager.

Andrew Gray had been the club's physio since 1999. He'd also, in that time, taken on temporary roles with the ARU, the English rugby union and even the Chelsea football club. Was also the NSW Origin physio for a number of years. He served as club physio for all of our coaches since 99, including Wayne Bennett - one of the few training staff to survive the cut when Bennett came in. Bennett left, taking the bulk of his staff with him, which was to include Andrew Gray. The club fought to keep him however, and in fact promoted him to High Performance manager - filling Jeremy Hickman's shoes, which is the role he's had since 2012.

I find it very curious that a highly credentialled, highly experienced and highly accomplished member of staff - in such a vitally important role - has "moved on". It makes me wonder why. Was it the head coach? We dont know.

As yet there has been no replacement named. I think we should be watching closely to see who the club chooses to fill this role.

 

[possm]

Didn't May work for Gray prior to Bennett arriving at the Dragons?

Reports were that there were a number of staff let go. I certainly hope it is not going to be a case of 'jobs for the boys'.

 

[grouch]

Didn't May work for Gray prior to Bennett arriving at the Dragons?

Reports were that there were a number of staff let go. I certainly hope it is not going to be a case of 'jobs for the boys'.

He didnt work "for" him. Gray was the physio, Mary the Strength & Conditioning coach. Gray was retained when Bennett and Hickmans arrived, and Mary was dumped in favour of Scott Campbell for Strength & Conditioning. Campbell has also now left and has been replaced by Cherry Mescia

 

[BradMackay]

mary is doing a stalin and getting rid of all those he thinks are not going to follow him. Most of the support staff have been let go Scott Campbell and Rob Leslie.

 

[hewi]

I'm not a fan of McGregor getting the coaches job, however what I did like is that it appears to me that he will start next season with his staff and squad. So, either there is a vast improvement or no excuses. I won't hold my breath for either.

 

[R&WTILLIDIE]

I'm not a fan of McGregor getting the coaches job, however what I did like is that it appears to me that he will start next season with his staff and squad. So, either there is a vast improvement or no excuses. I won't hold my breath for either.

I'm not a fan of McGregor...........

 

[Drain the Dragon]

Disagree that this was "hidden away".
Cherry Mescia was announced on the Dragons website a few days ago.
And Gray was reported as signed by the Sharks a few weeks back.
These guys move around, it's their profession, I don't see an issue with change after 10 plus years.
Just because people don't read the papers doesn't mean there's an agenda to hide it from everyone.
Jeebus.

 

[64 Dragon]

He's obviously not fussy where he works if he is going to Cronulla.

 

[Jubileeboy]

So this bit of news was hidden away in the Morris & Merrin update the club released a week ago, but our Performance Director Andrew Gray has left the club, and was signed by the Cronulla Sharks to be their High Performance manager.

Andrew Gray had been the club's physio since 1999. He'd also, in that time, taken on temporary roles with the ARU, the English rugby union and even the Chelsea football club. Was also the NSW Origin physio for a number of years. He served as club physio for all of our coaches since 99, including Wayne Bennett - one of the few training staff to survive the cut when Bennett came in. Bennett left, taking the bulk of his staff with him, which was to include Andrew Gray. The club fought to keep him however, and in fact promoted him to High Performance manager - filling Jeremy Hickman's shoes, which is the role he's had since 2012.

I find it very curious that a highly credentialled, highly experienced and highly accomplished member of staff - in such a vitally important role - has "moved on". It makes me wonder why. Was it the head coach? We dont know.

As yet there has been no replacement named. I think we should be watching closely to see who the club chooses to fill this role.

Keep up speedy.

 

[grouch]

Disagree that this was "hidden away".
Cherry Mescia was announced on the Dragons website a few days ago.
And Gray was reported as signed by the Sharks a few weeks back.
These guys move around, it's their profession, I don't see an issue with change after 10 plus years.
Just because people don't read the papers doesn't mean there's an agenda to hide it from everyone.
Jeebus.

Gray's departure earned about 5 words in a long statement. For a bloke who had worked there for 15 years and would be familiar to most Dragons fans since he had something of a regular presence on the site when injuries hit, it seemed a bit hidden to me. Hence questioning the reasons for the departure.

I'm fine with change too, but it depends on who the new appointee is. If they can nab someone with the reputation, experience, and expertise as Gray I'd be impressed.

Keep up speedy.

It hasnt been discussed with any depth on this forum yet as far as I can tell. Take the Barbrady act elsewhere

 

[Saintsified]

I don't see why it's a problem for Mary to sack people he doesn't want there, if I were employed into some sort of managers position and there were people there prior to me who are probably pissed off I jumped over the top of them into becoming their boss, they would be gone as well. For this to work Mary needs to engage people who buy into this philosophy, it's quiet normal happens all the time, all the coaches do it.

 

[Cagey Mac]

If Grouch didn't complain about it he wouldn't be Grouch.
(Waiting for complaint about using capital "G"

 

[jenninga]

Cherry Mescia has a reputation for making sure players are fit,McGregor is making changes he sees fit.Apart from Bennett's era we have under achieved in the last 15 years so hopefully he has a plan in place so I don't have a problem if we are letting go someone who has been with us for 15 years.
I also don't have a problem if we don't make mass signings ,hopefully we can offload some deadwood and introduce some youngsters into first grade so we can reap some benefits in a couple of seasons.

 

[rainman44]

Cherry Mescia has a reputation for making sure players are fit,McGregor is making changes he sees fit.Apart from Bennett's era we have under achieved in the last 15 years so hopefully he has a plan in place so I don't have a problem if we are letting go someone who has been with us for 15 years.
I also don't have a problem if we don't make mass signings ,hopefully we can offload some deadwood and introduce some youngsters into first grade so we can reap some benefits in a couple of seasons.

This

 

[Fingerbang]

Where was all this whinging when Bennett sacked and recruited his own support staff? Nothing unusual in Mary's actions.

 

[Coffs dragon]

I have a feeling that maybe financial budget cuts in the coaching/support staff had a significant reason for Andrew Gray & others to move on. Sharks are desperate to turn around their performance area and bring in some professional expertise. I'm sure Gray was poached on bigger dollars than Dragons could sustain. If genuine cuts were to be made in the coaching staff, then Craig Young would and should be the first out the door. Also, if Steve Price is supposedly going to be assistant coach at the Sharks, then expect the others along with Gray to end up there as well.

 

[watatank]

Where was all this whinging when Bennett sacked and recruited his own support staff? Nothing unusual in Mary's actions.

Bennett has proven himself time and time again, Mary has not.

Anyway, don't know what to make of this until the replacement is brought in but we will find that out soon enough.

 

[Fingerbang]

So only a proven coach should be allowed his own support team?

 

[Jubileeboy]

Gray's departure earned about 5 words in a long statement. For a bloke who had worked there for 15 years and would be familiar to most Dragons fans since he had something of a regular presence on the site when injuries hit, it seemed a bit hidden to me. Hence questioning the reasons for the departure.

I'm fine with change too, but it depends on who the new appointee is. If they can nab someone with the reputation, experience, and expertise as Gray I'd be impressed.

It hasnt been discussed with any depth on this forum yet as far as I can tell. Take the Barbrady act elsewhere

I thought you were the seeing eye? The fountain of knowledge? Just because it wasn't in BIG LETTERS in the Telegraph doesn't mean it didn't happen?
FTR.... Gray was promoted from physio to Strength and Conditioning Coach when Hickmans moved onto Newcastle with Bennett.
Perhaps his performance didn't meet KPI's over the last few years? Or do you want him to stay as well?
Changes are being made across the whole operation surely even some one as obtuse as yourself can see that? Or is that something else to whinge about?

 

[_snafu_]

If his promotion to High Performance manager was in 2012, it coincides with the club's worst onfield performances. It is little wonder that he was asked to move on.