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Dragons Accept Criticism & Begin Work On 2017

BrissyRedV

Bench
Messages
4,383
The St George Illawarra Dragons want Red V Members, Partners and supporters to know they are listening, and acknowledge and accept the criticisms surrounding the NRL Team Performance in 2016.

Finishing 11th in the NRL competition was unacceptable.

Independent interviews with Football Staff and senior players have been conducted over recent weeks along with detailed analysis of all aspects of the the 2016 season and football programs, to identify areas for improvement for 2017.

A 'Rugby League Performance Committee' has now been established to oversee, in particular, the development and management of the 2017 Football Department’s programs and systems.

The Committee is made up of four independent experts, listed as follows, with their most relevant experience:

Mark Coyne: Queensland State of Origin Mentor, Chief Executive of EML and former Club Captain.

Dr Craig Duncan: Applied Sports Scientist Consultant - clients present or past include Football Federation Australia, NSWRL, Crystal Palace FC (EPL), Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL), UAE Rugby Union and New England Revolution (MLS).

Clare Prideaux: New South Wales Institute of Sport High Performance Director - managing coaches, performance staff and athletes across 15 sports; Hockey Australia Board Member.

Dirk Melton: Coaching and Performance Consultant - ongoing relationships include the Australian Rugby Union, Super Rugby Franchises, and a number of Olympic Sports.

This group will update and involve nominated Board Members Brian Johnston, Graeme Gulloch and Peter Doust, as and where necessary.

The areas of focus for the 'Rugby League Performance Committee' include athlete development, training structures, coaching development, performance science and data analytics, systems management and integration, recruitment processes and leadership.

Noting a number of factors that contributed to the team’s performance and results in 2016, the Board of Directors believe Paul McGregor has a positive future as an NRL Coach and is the Dragons Head Coach, in 2017.

“There is no hiding from the NRL result, and post our disappointing season, the Board wanted to ensure all aspects of the 2016 programs were considered and specific plans for improvement in 2017 developed, implemented and regularly evaluated,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.

“The Coaching and Athletic Performance expertise on our 'Rugby League Performance Committee' is first class.

"They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from a variety of backgrounds, and success, in elite sport.

“Best practice and programs that deliver sustained long-term success for the Club in all areas and across our entire rugby league pathway is the focus.”

In acknowledging the NRL disappointment, it is also important to recognise the positive performances and results of our NSW Cup squad, NYC squad and Illawarra Steelers SG Ball U18 team in 2016.

“Winning the NSW Cup competition was a fantastic achievement for all the staff and players involved throughout the year," said Doust.

“Our NYC squad reached the Grand Final qualifier providing 42 players with an opportunity at that level and our Steelers SG Ball team reached the Grand Final, highlighting and showcasing the talent we have developing within our Club.”

Head Coach Paul McGregor acknowledges the NRL disappointments of 2016 and with all interviews and reviews now complete, has already begun work on implementing changes and improvements to the 2017 program.

“Our results in 2016 were not acceptable and no one within the Club is happy or comfortable with our results and inconsistent performances this year,” said McGregor.

“All systems within the Football Department and aspects of the 2016 Program have been reviewed, areas for improvement have been identified, and I’m encouraged about the prospect of input and support from the ‘Rugby League Performance Committee’.

“Whilst our staff and playing roster is yet to be finalised for 2017, work has began and I will be doing everything possible to ensure that our NRL Team is successful.

"Everyone at the Club understands and accepts how important our team's performance is to all.

“We will have some changes in our roster for 2017, especially in some key positions and our squad is not yet finalised.

“We also have some outstanding young talent at our Club who will be given the opportunity to train with the full-time squad in the pre-season and therefore put their hand up for NRL selection in 2017.”

The Dragons 2017 Squad (excluding representative players) will return to training in early November.

When planning and all Staff positions for 2017 are confirmed, the Club will provide further detail.

Source: http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2016/09/28/dragons_accept_criti.html
 

mobels

Juniors
Messages
701
Looking forward to us competing for the spoon next year, nothing besides STUPID can describe the decision to keep him on.

We're going to be in the exact same position next year, yet we'll be in an even worse recruiting position due to lack of stability within the club.
 

Dragsters

First Grade
Messages
6,435
In light of this decision, appointing Cleary as Coaching Director and in my opinion even more importantly, JD as full-time Assistant Coach, responsible for setting the structures and game plans at the very least, is our best chance of seeing any real improvement next season.
 

Rob Dragon

Juniors
Messages
312
I have been a silent observer of the forum for the last several weeks; hoping that there were positive moves going on behind the scenes to establish the correct people required going forward.

The news that Paul McGregor is set to continue coaching in 2017 is shattering and I am starting to find my enthusiasm for the Dragons ebbing away inch by inch every day. This cannot be serious? How could a credentialed bunch of individuals endorse McGregor continuing. It is mind numbing.
 

BrissyRedV

Bench
Messages
4,383
Noting a number of factors that contributed to the team’s performance and results in 2016, the Board of Directors believe Paul McGregor has a positive future as an NRL Coach and is the Dragons Head Coach, in 2017.
It must have been the coach we got from North Queensland to structure our attack...

I just don't know what to say... I am totally lost right now... This is a catastrophe...
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
18,761
Well the press and the commentators had plenty to say during the season and had a field day ridiculing us week in week out so it will be interesting to see what they have to say about this statement from the club.
Should give them enough to fill up there respective columns and tv shows all the way to round 1 next year.
 

Walpole

Juniors
Messages
2,463
This is insulting and condescending to all fans. To say they have "listened" to their members and supporters is absolute bullshit. No "committee" is going to make any difference to McGregor's inept coaching. They're just going to waste another year and tell us halfway through 2017 something we already know. McGregor's a shit coach who the players don't want to play for.
 

Red V for life

Juniors
Messages
886
I can't help but laugh at the well thought out title to the email we received (hey we need to get our laughs where we can).

"Dragons accept criticism and begin work on 2017". So, can I surmise that if they had accepted the criticism earlier, everything would have turned out fine this season? :eek:

Talk about sweeping it all under the carpet and trying to placate the faithful in the most pi$$ poor fashion.

I would've preferred this title:

"Dragons listened to criticism and will take action in 2017"

Asking too much I suppose.
 
Last edited:

Dea

Juniors
Messages
2,484
Noting a number of factors that contributed to the team’s performance and results in 2016, the Board of Directors believe Paul McGregor has a positive future as an NRL Coach and is the Dragons Head Coach, in 2017.

What factors contributed to the teams performance that save the coach from the sack?

We don't have enough money to pay them out?
The team followed his game plan to closely week by week resulting in the inability to score any tries?
Both our halves spent more time running sideways then up the field?
McGregor got the team he wanted only to find he had not idea what to do with them?
NRL and Cutters trained at the same time so Mary couldn't watch and learn from JD?

What has McGregor shown to indicate he has "a positive future as an NRL coach?"
 

BrissyRedV

Bench
Messages
4,383
Well the press and the commentators had plenty to say during the season and had a field day ridiculing us week in week out so it will be interesting to see what they have to say about this statement from the club.
Should give them enough to fill up there respective columns and tv shows all the way to round 1 next year.
Management have no doubt deliberately timed this announcement like this though. Dally Ms tonight, mid week grand final week. Hardly going to get a mention until everything else dies down. Well played Doust and co.
 
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