2021 - Squad, Signings, Re-signings

[getsmarty]

Who could replace Paul McGregor as Dragons coach?

The Roar
12 hrs ago

The dust has barely settled from Paul McGregor’s resignation as Dragons coach and already attention has turned to who succeeds him.

McGregor will lead St George-Illawarra in one final game on Friday night after a tumultuous seven years in charge of the club. As is always the case, the competition for the vacant position is bound to be intense. Here are nine potential replacements for Mary.

Dean Young

Young will be taking the reins from McGregor for the remainder of the 2020 season. If he wants the head coaching role permanently, his interim appointment will serve as an audition of sorts. A Dragons legend – like his father – Young has not been involved with any other club, and no doubt his loyalty to the Red V will be a factor. He is yet to prove himself as a successful head coach, though.

Craig Fitzgibbon

Trent Robinson’s number two man at the Sydney Roosters, Fitzgibbon is widely considered a head coach-in-waiting. He did play for St George but has spent most of his rugby league life at Bondi, winning premierships as both a player and an assistant. He is a Woolongong local and is expected to be courted by the Dragons.

Related

Paul McGregor resigns as Dragons coach

League
Geoff Toovey

Clearly keen to make a return to NRL coaching, former Manly boss Toovey’s rejection by the Warriors came as a surprise after he applied to fill the void left by Stephen Kearney. He hasn’t won a premiership as a head coach, but did guide the Sea Eagles to the 2013 grand final.

Todd Payten

Currently the interim coach at the Warriors, Payten turned down the role on a permanent basis and has said he would like to return to Australia. The Dragons would do well to consider him, given he’s steadily worked his way through coaching ranks and was part of the premiership-winning team at the Cowboys in 2015. He is also expected to be in contention for the vacant North Queensland gig.

Shaun Wane

It’s no secret England’s boss has been eyeing off a move to the NRL for some time, and was reportedly one of the three final candidates for the Warriors job. Having won 145 of his 215 games at Wigan and guiding the club to three Super League titles, he holds a deeply impressive record, but a lack of experience in Australia could count against him.

Paul Green

Green, who resigned last month at North Queensland, remains a commodity in the coaching ranks. He guided the Cowboys to their first and only premiership and is the only recent premiership-winner currently available. Probably not too likely to end up at Kogarah, though. He’s already talked about taking a short break from coaching to recharge the batteries and spend time with his family, and as a Queenslander, the potential of coaching the Broncos should Anthony Siebold get the chop would be more attractive.

Shane Flanagan

Current Dragons assistant Flanagan remains prohibited from head coaching until at least 2022, and if reports are to believed the club hasn’t made any approach to the NRL to overturn that sanction. While he would be a controversial pick, he did lead Cronulla to their only premiership in 2016.

Shane Flanagan during his time at Cronulla. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Kevin Walters

Walters is an unlikely option. The head coach of the Maroons, he’s proven himself a successful coach in State of Origin – though that record has been damaged by two successive series losses in 2018 and 2019. He hasn’t coached at club level since a stint with Catalans Dragons, but has worked under Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett since. As with Green, he’s far more likely to stay in Queensland – Walters has been heavily linked to both the Cowboys and Broncos.

Wayne Bennett

A return to the club he coached to their last premiership is the rumour that won’t go away, but Bennett has publically and emphatically said he has no intention of leaving the Rabbitohs.


https://www.msn.com/en-au/sports/mo...ce-paul-mcgregor-as-dragons-coach/ar-BB17VFXb

 

[hewi]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...n-after-signing-gun-half-20200814-p55lu5.html

 

[citizen]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dr...n-after-signing-gun-half-20200814-p55lu5.html

Does anyone know anything about this kid?

 

[possm]

Agree with most of that GS- however, there have been multiple journos such as Rothfield, Kent and co who maintain that SGI is unlike most other clubs in that Millward as Director of Recruitment and Pathways has final say over who we recruit and how much we pay. I'm sure you and I and plenty of other posters would have told Millward if we had the chance that Norman, for one, was a poor buy- at any price- but $850K was ridiculous- and more than the far superior Widdop was being paid.

If Egghead was intimidating him into making a signing like Norman, then Millward should've resigned on principle rather than acting so irresponsibly.

Millward to be SGI's new General Manager Football. If he has his way the new position will be named Director Football. This move is a result of secret old boy deals done to allow Dean Young to be interim coach and maybe even our head coach for 2021..

 

[getsmarty]

NRL cool on Flanagan return as Bennett backs 'real deal' Young
Adam Pengilly and Adrian Proszenko
August 14, 2020 — 7.12pm

The NRL is prepared to block any push for Shane Flanagan's head-coaching ban to be lifted as super coach Wayne Bennett provided a glowing endorsement of Dean Young, claiming he is the "real deal", as the Dragons search for a new coach.

A day after St George Illawarra chairman Andrew Gordon said the club would seek clarity from the NRL over Flanagan's registration, league sources were adamant on Friday there was little appetite to allow him to apply for head-coaching positions next year.

Paul McGregor coached his last game for the Dragons against the Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night, with the club's board to form a committee to find his replacement.

While Flanagan has not yet asked NRL officials about his status for next year - he is unable to return as a head coach until 2022 for breaching the conditions of a suspension after Cronulla's peptides scandal - his current employer is keen for guidance. The Dragons probably won't get the answer they want.

But they would have liked what they heard from the game's most successful coach Bennett, who leant on Young as one of the Dragons' most influential players when they broke their title drought in 2010.

Privately, Flanagan has been pushing the claims of his fellow assistant Young, who will take charge of the Dragons for the final six games of the season. Flanagan has worked alongside Young this year and has also been pivotal in Tonga's ascent recently in the international game.

Shane Flanagan is unlikely to return early from his NRL coaching ban.Credit:Nick Moir

"He is respected because he is the real deal," Bennett said. "He has great empathy and he stands for something."

Young's father Craig has excused himself from the St George Illawarra board until they appoint a new coach.

Bennett remains close with many of the players from his premiership-winning Dragons side, bringing Young's former teammate Ben Hornby onto South Sydney's coaching staff this year.

Asked about Young's suitability for the job, Gordon said: "The club will welcome him to step up and show what his capabilities are, as hard as it is to come in at this stage of the season. We are absolutely looking forward to letting him demonstrate his capabilities.

"We will also see who comes out of the woodwork. People may put their hand up and we will take it from there. We will take advantage of the time we have to come to the right decision after looking at the available pool of coaching talent."

Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon has already ruled himself out, agreeing to honour a deal with chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson to see out his contract until the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have officially shut the door on a return for Gareth Widdop after securing the services of one of the game’s most promising playmakers.

The Dragons have re-signed local product Junior Amone to a three-year deal that will result in him being guaranteed a top-30 spot no later than 2022.

Several rival clubs were jockeying for Amone’s signature, but the 18-year-old opted to stay put.

Amone is related to South Sydney prop Tom Amone and Manly’s Fainu brothers, Manase and Sione.

The Illawarra junior steered the club’s SG Ball side to last year’s premiership playing alongside halves partner Jayden Sullivan, another gun junior who could be in contention for an NRL debut in coming weeks.

The opportunity to potentially play first grade alongside Sullivan, who is also signed to the Red V long term, was too enticing for the five-eighth to turn down.

The Dragons want to focus on developing their own talent and are banking on late bloomer Adam Clune, who recently recommitted to the Red V, and the young playmakers to steer the club back to the top.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...tt-backs-real-deal-young-20200814-p55lru.html

 

[possm]

Who could replace Paul McGregor as Dragons coach?

The Roar
12 hrs ago

The dust has barely settled from Paul McGregor’s resignation as Dragons coach and already attention has turned to who succeeds him.

McGregor will lead St George-Illawarra in one final game on Friday night after a tumultuous seven years in charge of the club. As is always the case, the competition for the vacant position is bound to be intense. Here are nine potential replacements for Mary.

Dean Young

Young will be taking the reins from McGregor for the remainder of the 2020 season. If he wants the head coaching role permanently, his interim appointment will serve as an audition of sorts. A Dragons legend – like his father – Young has not been involved with any other club, and no doubt his loyalty to the Red V will be a factor. He is yet to prove himself as a successful head coach, though.

Craig Fitzgibbon

Trent Robinson’s number two man at the Sydney Roosters, Fitzgibbon is widely considered a head coach-in-waiting. He did play for St George but has spent most of his rugby league life at Bondi, winning premierships as both a player and an assistant. He is a Woolongong local and is expected to be courted by the Dragons.

Related

Paul McGregor resigns as Dragons coach

League
Geoff Toovey

Clearly keen to make a return to NRL coaching, former Manly boss Toovey’s rejection by the Warriors came as a surprise after he applied to fill the void left by Stephen Kearney. He hasn’t won a premiership as a head coach, but did guide the Sea Eagles to the 2013 grand final.

Todd Payten

Currently the interim coach at the Warriors, Payten turned down the role on a permanent basis and has said he would like to return to Australia. The Dragons would do well to consider him, given he’s steadily worked his way through coaching ranks and was part of the premiership-winning team at the Cowboys in 2015. He is also expected to be in contention for the vacant North Queensland gig.

Shaun Wane

It’s no secret England’s boss has been eyeing off a move to the NRL for some time, and was reportedly one of the three final candidates for the Warriors job. Having won 145 of his 215 games at Wigan and guiding the club to three Super League titles, he holds a deeply impressive record, but a lack of experience in Australia could count against him.

Paul Green

Green, who resigned last month at North Queensland, remains a commodity in the coaching ranks. He guided the Cowboys to their first and only premiership and is the only recent premiership-winner currently available. Probably not too likely to end up at Kogarah, though. He’s already talked about taking a short break from coaching to recharge the batteries and spend time with his family, and as a Queenslander, the potential of coaching the Broncos should Anthony Siebold get the chop would be more attractive.

Shane Flanagan

Current Dragons assistant Flanagan remains prohibited from head coaching until at least 2022, and if reports are to believed the club hasn’t made any approach to the NRL to overturn that sanction. While he would be a controversial pick, he did lead Cronulla to their only premiership in 2016.

Shane Flanagan during his time at Cronulla. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Kevin Walters

Walters is an unlikely option. The head coach of the Maroons, he’s proven himself a successful coach in State of Origin – though that record has been damaged by two successive series losses in 2018 and 2019. He hasn’t coached at club level since a stint with Catalans Dragons, but has worked under Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett since. As with Green, he’s far more likely to stay in Queensland – Walters has been heavily linked to both the Cowboys and Broncos.

Wayne Bennett

A return to the club he coached to their last premiership is the rumour that won’t go away, but Bennett has publically and emphatically said he has no intention of leaving the Rabbitohs.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sports/mo...ce-paul-mcgregor-as-dragons-coach/ar-BB17VFXb

Benett just angling for a double payday, Souths pay him out for 2021 and the Dragons sign him up for 2021 and beyond.

 

[epDragon62]

Benett just angling for a double payday, Souths pay him out for 2021 and the Dragons sign him up for 2021 and beyond.

You can never be too sure what uncle Wayne is up to, can you?

 

[boardlumps62]

Wayne and his beau Beau want a house by the beach down Wollongong Way and an apartment in Woolomooloo.

 

[boardlumps62]

NRL cool on Flanagan return as Bennett backs 'real deal' Young
Adam Pengilly and Adrian Proszenko
August 14, 2020 — 7.12pm

The NRL is prepared to block any push for Shane Flanagan's head-coaching ban to be lifted as super coach Wayne Bennett provided a glowing endorsement of Dean Young, claiming he is the "real deal", as the Dragons search for a new coach.

A day after St George Illawarra chairman Andrew Gordon said the club would seek clarity from the NRL over Flanagan's registration, league sources were adamant on Friday there was little appetite to allow him to apply for head-coaching positions next year.

Paul McGregor coached his last game for the Dragons against the Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night, with the club's board to form a committee to find his replacement.

While Flanagan has not yet asked NRL officials about his status for next year - he is unable to return as a head coach until 2022 for breaching the conditions of a suspension after Cronulla's peptides scandal - his current employer is keen for guidance. The Dragons probably won't get the answer they want.

But they would have liked what they heard from the game's most successful coach Bennett, who leant on Young as one of the Dragons' most influential players when they broke their title drought in 2010.

Privately, Flanagan has been pushing the claims of his fellow assistant Young, who will take charge of the Dragons for the final six games of the season. Flanagan has worked alongside Young this year and has also been pivotal in Tonga's ascent recently in the international game.

Shane Flanagan is unlikely to return early from his NRL coaching ban.Credit:Nick Moir

"He is respected because he is the real deal," Bennett said. "He has great empathy and he stands for something."

Young's father Craig has excused himself from the St George Illawarra board until they appoint a new coach.

Bennett remains close with many of the players from his premiership-winning Dragons side, bringing Young's former teammate Ben Hornby onto South Sydney's coaching staff this year.

Asked about Young's suitability for the job, Gordon said: "The club will welcome him to step up and show what his capabilities are, as hard as it is to come in at this stage of the season. We are absolutely looking forward to letting him demonstrate his capabilities.

"We will also see who comes out of the woodwork. People may put their hand up and we will take it from there. We will take advantage of the time we have to come to the right decision after looking at the available pool of coaching talent."

Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon has already ruled himself out, agreeing to honour a deal with chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson to see out his contract until the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have officially shut the door on a return for Gareth Widdop after securing the services of one of the game’s most promising playmakers.

The Dragons have re-signed local product Junior Amone to a three-year deal that will result in him being guaranteed a top-30 spot no later than 2022.

Several rival clubs were jockeying for Amone’s signature, but the 18-year-old opted to stay put.

Amone is related to South Sydney prop Tom Amone and Manly’s Fainu brothers, Manase and Sione.

The Illawarra junior steered the club’s SG Ball side to last year’s premiership playing alongside halves partner Jayden Sullivan, another gun junior who could be in contention for an NRL debut in coming weeks.

The opportunity to potentially play first grade alongside Sullivan, who is also signed to the Red V long term, was too enticing for the five-eighth to turn down.

The Dragons want to focus on developing their own talent and are banking on late bloomer Adam Clune, who recently recommitted to the Red V, and the young playmakers to steer the club back to the top.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...tt-backs-real-deal-young-20200814-p55lru.html

So now we want Flanno from the Chooks Sam's well so dad can coach him. We have to many halves and not enough centres

 

[cussy]

Does anyone know anything about this kid?

If it the kid I think it is I watched him play from u6’s till about 12’s always a step ahead of the other kids. Part of many junior GF wins

 

[The Badger]

Benett just angling for a double payday, Souths pay him out for 2021 and the Dragons sign him up for 2021 and beyond.

Don't want Bennet.He lies too much.Isnt that what we want to get away from?Let's try a decent person with football nous then we will attract the same to club.From there trust is built .

 

[LINESPEED]

So now we want Flanno from the Chooks Sam's well so dad can coach him. We have to many halves and not enough centres

Absolutely!

And we know why.

We’re so lucky to have kept Zac, considering his treatment due to the coach’s infatuation with Aitken & Lafai.

Prospective centres were ignored, moved on or moved sideways
....and careers turned inside out to protect them

And our 5year ‘centres fiasco’, with its accompanying lack of creativity & finesse, stifled our backline attack

(&defence)

costing us multiple games over the years

.... & ultimately costing McSacked his job IMO

(FMD how many times was he warned about that? - and just to ram home the point - look where the 3 of them are now)

If fit, Feagai/Ramsay should replace Aitken in the 17 v the Broncs - if Deano’s half serious about change.

We have junior backliners in the pipeline who are multiskilled & not just onetrick ponies

...and this new generation of juniors cannot be roadblocked again

- and I’d be quite happy to see Norman & Hunt moved on in 2021 to accommodate them

 

[Inisai Toga]

Yes agree

Absolutely!

And we know why.

We’re so lucky to have kept Zac, considering his treatment due to the coach’s infatuation with Aitken & Lafai.

Prospective centres were ignored, moved on or moved sideways
....and careers turned inside out to protect them

And our 5year ‘centres fiasco’, with its accompanying lack of creativity & finesse, stifled our backline attack

(&defence)

costing us multiple games over the years

.... & ultimately costing McSacked his job IMO

If fit, Feagai/Ramsay should replace Aitken in the 17 v the Broncs - if Deano’s half serious about change.

We have junior backliners in the pipeline who are multiskilled & not just onetrick ponies

...and this new generation of juniors cannot be roadblocked again

- and I’d be quite happy to see Norman & Hunt moved on in 2021 to accommodate them

agree; good work by Millward!

 

[Dragonslayer]

If it the kid I think it is I watched him play from u6’s till about 12’s always a step ahead of the other kids. Part of many junior GF wins

Recruitement have done a good job here and has really laid the foundations of our future.

Sullivan, Amone and Sloane all signed to nice deals to stay at the club.
In saying that, I'm not sure of the future for Sailor given these 3 are already signed and with Hunt still having 2 or 3 years and Norman 1. The Broncos need a decent half he may well end up there. If he stays, it will be for 'utility' value only and I cant see that happening.

 

[Draginzaaar]

Absolutely!

And we know why.

We’re so lucky to have kept Zac, considering his treatment due to the coach’s infatuation with Aitken & Lafai.

Prospective centres were ignored, moved on or moved sideways
....and careers turned inside out to protect them

And our 5year ‘centres fiasco’, with its accompanying lack of creativity & finesse, stifled our backline attack

(&defence)

costing us multiple games over the years

.... & ultimately costing McSacked his job IMO

(FMD how many times was he warned about that? - and just to ram home the point - look where the 3 of them are now)

If fit, Feagai/Ramsay should replace Aitken in the 17 v the Broncs - if Deano’s half serious about change.

We have junior backliners in the pipeline who are multiskilled & not just onetrick ponies

...and this new generation of juniors cannot be roadblocked again

- and I’d be quite happy to see Norman & Hunt moved on in 2021 to accommodate them

No team is going to pay Hunt and Norman what we are paying them. How much are we willing to pay for them to leave?

 

[redv13]

No team is going to pay Hunt and Norman what we are paying them. How much are we willing to pay for them to leave?

Happy to keep Hunt as a 9 and pi$$ Norman off even if we pay a portion of his contract

 

[ChocOConnor]

It’s obvious we have some talent coming through

I still remember the day we trod out 11 of 17 in a team of local juniors.
My old man always said imagine if you had Bennet from 04-06 you would have had at least 2 more titles with that side.

So I have a thought we build out team with these kids and what we have. Every year we go and buy a big name and not a good name a big name player who would fit what we need.
With a good coach you can see what having talented kids and a mix of experience is doing at panthers

Although I have always had my reservations about Cleary being a good coach. Think he blessed with good timing

 

[Mjab]

Recruitement have done a good job here and has really laid the foundations of our future.

Sullivan, Amone and Sloane all signed to nice deals to stay at the club.
In saying that, I'm not sure of the future for Sailor given these 3 are already signed and with Hunt still having 2 or 3 years and Norman 1. The Broncos need a decent half he may well end up there. If he stays, it will be for 'utility' value only and I cant see that happening.

I think Sailor finishes his degree at Gong this year
Hasn’t resigned
Offered no real chances this year, just like Friday never got off bench
I’d be spewing if I was Sailor, seeing what Norman dishes up each week

He will definitely be gone next year prob to a QLD club
Looks like we have enough backup coming thru but please rid us of Norman

Maybe next year we do Clune running the show at half and Hunt 5/8
Tell Hunt Clune is in charge

McCinnes wants to play hooker and Hunt wants to be back halves next year on recent interviews

 

[Dragon David]

NRL cool on Flanagan return as Bennett backs 'real deal' Young
Adam Pengilly and Adrian Proszenko
August 14, 2020 — 7.12pm

The NRL is prepared to block any push for Shane Flanagan's head-coaching ban to be lifted as super coach Wayne Bennett provided a glowing endorsement of Dean Young, claiming he is the "real deal", as the Dragons search for a new coach.

A day after St George Illawarra chairman Andrew Gordon said the club would seek clarity from the NRL over Flanagan's registration, league sources were adamant on Friday there was little appetite to allow him to apply for head-coaching positions next year.

Paul McGregor coached his last game for the Dragons against the Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night, with the club's board to form a committee to find his replacement.

While Flanagan has not yet asked NRL officials about his status for next year - he is unable to return as a head coach until 2022 for breaching the conditions of a suspension after Cronulla's peptides scandal - his current employer is keen for guidance. The Dragons probably won't get the answer they want.

But they would have liked what they heard from the game's most successful coach Bennett, who leant on Young as one of the Dragons' most influential players when they broke their title drought in 2010.

Privately, Flanagan has been pushing the claims of his fellow assistant Young, who will take charge of the Dragons for the final six games of the season. Flanagan has worked alongside Young this year and has also been pivotal in Tonga's ascent recently in the international game.

Shane Flanagan is unlikely to return early from his NRL coaching ban.Credit:Nick Moir

"He is respected because he is the real deal," Bennett said. "He has great empathy and he stands for something."

Young's father Craig has excused himself from the St George Illawarra board until they appoint a new coach.

Bennett remains close with many of the players from his premiership-winning Dragons side, bringing Young's former teammate Ben Hornby onto South Sydney's coaching staff this year.

Asked about Young's suitability for the job, Gordon said: "The club will welcome him to step up and show what his capabilities are, as hard as it is to come in at this stage of the season. We are absolutely looking forward to letting him demonstrate his capabilities.

"We will also see who comes out of the woodwork. People may put their hand up and we will take it from there. We will take advantage of the time we have to come to the right decision after looking at the available pool of coaching talent."

Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon has already ruled himself out, agreeing to honour a deal with chairman Nick Politis and coach Trent Robinson to see out his contract until the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have officially shut the door on a return for Gareth Widdop after securing the services of one of the game’s most promising playmakers.

The Dragons have re-signed local product Junior Amone to a three-year deal that will result in him being guaranteed a top-30 spot no later than 2022.

Several rival clubs were jockeying for Amone’s signature, but the 18-year-old opted to stay put.

Amone is related to South Sydney prop Tom Amone and Manly’s Fainu brothers, Manase and Sione.

The Illawarra junior steered the club’s SG Ball side to last year’s premiership playing alongside halves partner Jayden Sullivan, another gun junior who could be in contention for an NRL debut in coming weeks.

The opportunity to potentially play first grade alongside Sullivan, who is also signed to the Red V long term, was too enticing for the five-eighth to turn down.

The Dragons want to focus on developing their own talent and are banking on late bloomer Adam Clune, who recently recommitted to the Red V, and the young playmakers to steer the club back to the top.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...tt-backs-real-deal-young-20200814-p55lru.html

The last time Bennett recommended someone to take over the coaching of the Dragons, if my memory serves me right, was Steve Price and we all know what happened to him. This doesn't bode very well for Dean Young, although I am sure that he will be a better coach than McGregor.

 

[possm]

Absolutely!

And we know why.

We’re so lucky to have kept Zac, considering his treatment due to the coach’s infatuation with Aitken & Lafai.

Prospective centres were ignored, moved on or moved sideways
....and careers turned inside out to protect them

And our 5year ‘centres fiasco’, with its accompanying lack of creativity & finesse, stifled our backline attack

(&defence)

costing us multiple games over the years

.... & ultimately costing McSacked his job IMO

(FMD how many times was he warned about that? - and just to ram home the point - look where the 3 of them are now)

If fit, Feagai/Ramsay should replace Aitken in the 17 v the Broncs - if Deano’s half serious about change.

We have junior backliners in the pipeline who are multiskilled & not just onetrick ponies

...and this new generation of juniors cannot be roadblocked again

- and I’d be quite happy to see Norman & Hunt moved on in 2021 to accommodate them

I think Hunt has found his spot at hooker. I really don't know what extra or different Young will bring to the coaching position. He has been Mary's assistant for the past 6 years and so I don't see much changing at all.