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Gould reviewing Dragons.

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Part 2


Inability to accept shortcomings and demonstrate leadership

Andrew Webster recently wrote about the Dragons ‘season from hell’, noting the de Belin and Widdop issues, but also questioning some of the other excuses offered.

For a period McGregor’s press conferences became a catchphrase bingo as he noted the opposition scored tries from kicks (as if they don’t count) among other odd pronouncements.

In April after losing to the Roosters, McGregor repeatedly referred to them as ‘the best team in the world’.

In June he said that ‘If we stop the game after 30 minutes we’re in the top four’.

In July he said the team had “next level distractions and no element of luck”.

When the team had slid to 14th McGregor declared that “we can win [the comp]”.

McGregor is well supported by a revolving cast of assistants who appear to take the fall for the team’s results.

In addition to Demetriou and Head being moved on despite their success, reports are that Ben Hornby, Mick Crawley and maybe Dean Young are also on their way out after 2019.

They join the numerous other backroom staff that the Dragons have cycled through in the McGregor years. Across town, Trent Robinson supported the ambitious Adam O’Brien’s interest in the top job at Newcastle, saying “That’s what head coaches are there for. We are there to develop and progress, and he is good enough for the job.” The difference in leadership philosophy and respect is stark.

Throughout 2019 there has been a deafening silence from the Dragons CEO and board as records tumbled.

The club made prominent noises about a Gould review late in the season, only for it to appear to be a sham. The press release noted that Gould had ‘agreed to take part in aspects’ of the review.

Gould later acknowledged he was not being paid, and was involved “as a favour to Dragons coach and good friend Paul McGregor, who will not be under pressure.”

The Dragons are crumbling with McGregor at the helm.

Removing responsibilities has not worked and nor has cycling through assistants. For the sake of the fans, I hope that there is more happening behind the scenes than it appears.




https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/09/24/sorry-mary-its-time-to-go/
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,587
What the hell does The board is expecting a fan backlash but there was nowhere else to go once Shane Flanagan was ruled out of a head coaching position until 2022. mean? There are dozens of better qualified coaches than McGregor available. Flanagan is just one of them.


3/3 gets him a two year extension. I'd say he'll only be under pressure if he's 0-6 (provided there's no ready made excuses like JDB).
It's the waisted off-season and the early season bash and barge that worries me. An off-season with a good coach and back to normality as far as game plans go, could make all the difference for 2020. We need to keep Frizell. Losing Dufty, Field, Masters and Aitken won't do the squad any harm. We will need to buy a fullback and a right winger.
 

hazzbeen

Bench
Messages
4,617
Part 2


Inability to accept shortcomings and demonstrate leadership

Andrew Webster recently wrote about the Dragons ‘season from hell’, noting the de Belin and Widdop issues, but also questioning some of the other excuses offered.

For a period McGregor’s press conferences became a catchphrase bingo as he noted the opposition scored tries from kicks (as if they don’t count) among other odd pronouncements.

In April after losing to the Roosters, McGregor repeatedly referred to them as ‘the best team in the world’.

In June he said that ‘If we stop the game after 30 minutes we’re in the top four’.

In July he said the team had “next level distractions and no element of luck”.

When the team had slid to 14th McGregor declared that “we can win [the comp]”.

McGregor is well supported by a revolving cast of assistants who appear to take the fall for the team’s results.

In addition to Demetriou and Head being moved on despite their success, reports are that Ben Hornby, Mick Crawley and maybe Dean Young are also on their way out after 2019.

They join the numerous other backroom staff that the Dragons have cycled through in the McGregor years. Across town, Trent Robinson supported the ambitious Adam O’Brien’s interest in the top job at Newcastle, saying “That’s what head coaches are there for. We are there to develop and progress, and he is good enough for the job.” The difference in leadership philosophy and respect is stark.

Throughout 2019 there has been a deafening silence from the Dragons CEO and board as records tumbled.

The club made prominent noises about a Gould review late in the season, only for it to appear to be a sham. The press release noted that Gould had ‘agreed to take part in aspects’ of the review.

Gould later acknowledged he was not being paid, and was involved “as a favour to Dragons coach and good friend Paul McGregor, who will not be under pressure.”

The Dragons are crumbling with McGregor at the helm.

Removing responsibilities has not worked and nor has cycling through assistants. For the sake of the fans, I hope that there is more happening behind the scenes than it appears.




https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/09/24/sorry-mary-its-time-to-go/
Spot on .... Say no more ....
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,914
Did anyone in the post season review suggest that we should actually stop talking about top 8 all together?
There is absolutely no point in aiming for top 8 as the teams that finish 5-8 never win the comp.
Finishing 5-8 is just a pass mark as inevitably your season ends just a week or at best 2 later than all the other also-rans.
If we are fair dinkum as a club the discussions should only revolve around a top 4 finish and what we need to do to achieve that.
We have developed a very soft underbelly by allowing top 8 to be the "prerequisite" for our season.
The hard nosed clubs are all about top 4 and that's why they finish more often than not in that position and ultimately get a shot at the premiership.
Now if we as a club ever come to that conclusion we might then make some worthwhile decisions as to who we employ in the coaches box and who we chase to be part of the roster.
 

Blood Shot Eyes

First Grade
Messages
5,967
Did anyone in the post season review suggest that we should actually stop talking about top 8 all together?
There is absolutely no point in aiming for top 8 as the teams that finish 5-8 never win the comp.
Finishing 5-8 is just a pass mark as inevitably your season ends just a week or at best 2 later than all the other also-rans.
If we are fair dinkum as a club the discussions should only revolve around a top 4 finish and what we need to do to achieve that.
We have developed a very soft underbelly by allowing top 8 to be the "prerequisite" for our season.
The hard nosed clubs are all about top 4 and that's why they finish more often than not in that position and ultimately get a shot at the premiership.
Now if we as a club ever come to that conclusion we might then make some worthwhile decisions as to who we employ in the coaches box and who we chase to be part of the roster.
100% correct OT.....unfortunately it will be mamy many moons before any of this comes to fruition.....and Im not getting any younger unfortunately
 

merahputih

Juniors
Messages
922
Has any coach in Rugby League history had such a travelling circus of assistants, reviews and hangers on around him? Has any club board made such ass clowns of themselves with the excruciatingly cringe-worthy contract extension after five rounds this year? Has the bar for success for a coach ever been set so low? Has any coach who has lost the dressing room ever survived as long? If Phil Gould could honestly address these questions in his review there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,406
Has any coach in Rugby League history had such a travelling circus of assistants, reviews and hangers on around him? Has any club board made such ass clowns of themselves with the excruciatingly cringe-worthy contract extension after five rounds this year? Has the bar for success for a coach ever been set so low? Has any coach who has lost the dressing room ever survived as long? If Phil Gould could honestly address these questions in his review there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

No , he is the only one with minders . To make matters worse he is a Tsunami when it comes to coaching , he washes everything away with his utter ignorance and lack of knowledge of anything and everything to do with coaching.
 
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BLM01

First Grade
Messages
8,938
Has any coach in Rugby League history had such a travelling circus of assistants, reviews and hangers on around him? Has any club board made such ass clowns of themselves with the excruciatingly cringe-worthy contract extension after five rounds this year? Has the bar for success for a coach ever been set so low? Has any coach who has lost the dressing room ever survived as long? If Phil Gould could honestly address these questions in his review there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
Warriors and Kearney are trailing not far behind
 

ViceVersa

Juniors
Messages
282
Shane Flanagan close to a deal but Tim Sheens also in Dragons mix

Premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan could be back in gainful employment by the end of next week as St George Illawarra step up their bid to provide greater support to head coach Paul McGregor.

It is understood the Dragons are considering two models as part of a reshaping in their football department — one would involve appointing a coaching director, such as multiple premiership winner Tim Sheens, the other bringing in an experienced assistant like Flanagan.

The latter option seems more likely, although McGregor will have the ultimate say, given his agreement with the club provides him with the power to appoint his football staff.

It is understood Flanagan has been in talks with the Dragons and further discussions are expected to be held in the latter stages of next week, with the potential that the ex-Cronulla coach could join the Dragons in the lead-up to the grand final, if not soon after.

Sources close to the Dragons confirmed the club are also in discussions with some leadership organisations as they look to strengthen their culture following a season of bitter disappointment that has prompted a thorough review of their football operations.

The Dragons remain committed to McGregor, who has two years left to run on his deal, but realise they need to shake things up to ensure there is no repeat of this season, when they finished in 15th spot.

Sheens has been out of the NRL since parting ways with Wests Tigers at the end of 2012. He resumed his coaching career as director of rugby league at Salford in the English Super League before then joining Hull KR, that association coming to an end midway through this year.

He was recently linked with Newcastle but has also popped up on the Dragons’ radar as they contemplate reinforcing their football department with some experienced heads.

Flanagan fits the bill on that front, having been cleared by the NRL to resume his coaching career as an assistant for the next two years. While the NRL cleared him last week to talk to clubs, he is prevented from taking up a job until mid-December.

The developments on the coaching front come amid renewed speculation over the future of backrower Tyson Frizell, who has another year to run on his deal with the Dragons. The Dragons insist they want to keep Frizell and he has indicated he would like to stay, their belief that the speculation has come about because someone close to the NSW and Australian forward has been attempting to get a guide as to his value on the open market before beginning extension talks with St George Illawarra. Rival clubs are free to begin tabling offers to the 27-year-old from November 1.

Meanwhile, Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has held talks with Melbourne halfback Brodie Croft, as he looks to sign someone capable of guiding his talented team around the park next season. Croft has lost his place in the Melbourne starting side to Jahrome Hughes and, as a result, has been given permission to explore his options on the open market.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...x/news-story/924c6d4e772bba01d083de9fe00ed8ac
 

SAP58

Juniors
Messages
1,788
“The latter option seems more likely, although McGregor will have the ultimate say, given his agreement with the club provides him with the power to appoint his football staff.” ........You are kidding Board, first you sign the bloke to a two year contract with no performance clause, then you give him ultimate say in who he works with ??? Who the hell negotiated this contract ? *removed*
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Messages
2,866
Shane Flanagan close to a deal but Tim Sheens also in Dragons mix

Premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan could be back in gainful employment by the end of next week as St George Illawarra step up their bid to provide greater support to head coach Paul McGregor.

It is understood the Dragons are considering two models as part of a reshaping in their football department — one would involve appointing a coaching director, such as multiple premiership winner Tim Sheens, the other bringing in an experienced assistant like Flanagan.

The latter option seems more likely, although McGregor will have the ultimate say, given his agreement with the club provides him with the power to appoint his football staff.

It is understood Flanagan has been in talks with the Dragons and further discussions are expected to be held in the latter stages of next week, with the potential that the ex-Cronulla coach could join the Dragons in the lead-up to the grand final, if not soon after.

Sources close to the Dragons confirmed the club are also in discussions with some leadership organisations as they look to strengthen their culture following a season of bitter disappointment that has prompted a thorough review of their football operations.

The Dragons remain committed to McGregor, who has two years left to run on his deal, but realise they need to shake things up to ensure there is no repeat of this season, when they finished in 15th spot.

Sheens has been out of the NRL since parting ways with Wests Tigers at the end of 2012. He resumed his coaching career as director of rugby league at Salford in the English Super League before then joining Hull KR, that association coming to an end midway through this year.

He was recently linked with Newcastle but has also popped up on the Dragons’ radar as they contemplate reinforcing their football department with some experienced heads.

Flanagan fits the bill on that front, having been cleared by the NRL to resume his coaching career as an assistant for the next two years. While the NRL cleared him last week to talk to clubs, he is prevented from taking up a job until mid-December.

The developments on the coaching front come amid renewed speculation over the future of backrower Tyson Frizell, who has another year to run on his deal with the Dragons. The Dragons insist they want to keep Frizell and he has indicated he would like to stay, their belief that the speculation has come about because someone close to the NSW and Australian forward has been attempting to get a guide as to his value on the open market before beginning extension talks with St George Illawarra. Rival clubs are free to begin tabling offers to the 27-year-old from November 1.

Meanwhile, Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has held talks with Melbourne halfback Brodie Croft, as he looks to sign someone capable of guiding his talented team around the park next season. Croft has lost his place in the Melbourne starting side to Jahrome Hughes and, as a result, has been given permission to explore his options on the open market.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...x/news-story/924c6d4e772bba01d083de9fe00ed8ac
All these actions amount to devising ways to keep McGregor and the people who put him there, in a job.
Club culture is greatly influenced by the coach of a team.
That is why we don't have any culture right now.
With the roster at our disposal in 2020, it doesn't matter what they do to prop up McGregor, it will be a tough season.
The question really boils down to what events/results will finally end MCGregor's Claytons coaching career?
 

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