DUB888
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Interesting read,
Paul McGregor's sprays have become almost legendary among St George Illawarra's players. No one is spared from being told a few home truths by McGregor, who was appointed the club's full-time coach for the next three years on Friday.
In fact, the higher the profile the greater the scrutiny. In one of his first video sessions, McGregor challenged Benji Marshall and Trent Merrin to play to their reputation, and proved to the rest of the playing group that they will know exactly where they stand with him in charge.
NSW centre Josh Dugan has also felt "Mary's" wrath.
"When he first took over, he set some ground rules," Dugan said. "He put a few people in their place and shocked a few people. It seemed to have worked. A lot of players are better for it.
"Everyone in the room has copped it at one point from Mary. That's what everyone likes about him. He gives it to you straight up. If you're doing the right things, he'll tell you. If you're doing the wrong things, he'll give you a kick up the bum.
"I've copped a few sprays that's because we are the senior players. Me, Merrin, Benji, Jason Nightingale and Brett Morris are the senior players. If we aren't performing to our standards, we need that kick up the bum to motivate us."
When Dugan ran over the sideline against the Roosters in round 21 he was immediately in McGregor's firing line.
"Hopefully I won't do that again," Dugan said. "He said it wasn't good enough and there were a few too many errors that game.
"It's a good criticism. You take it in your stride. It motivates you to want to do better in that area of the game."
Dugan has spent plenty of time with McGregor and former Dragons centre Matt Cooper as he looks to complete his transition from fullback to centre.
The switch had initially been a short-term fix but Dugan said he wants to remain in that spot until at least the end of the season.
McGregor resisted reverting Dugan back to fullback, instead opting for Gerard Beale to return to the No.1 jersey when Adam Quinlan was dropped before their last start win against Canberra.
"I didn't have a second thought about it," Dugan said. "I left it up to Mary. He came up to me and said he was going to name Bealey there and he wanted to make sure that I wasn't disappointed that my name wasn't there.
"I said I wanted to stay at centre. I'm enjoying it. The combination with Benji and Jason is only getting stronger. We are looking to strengthen that right edge and keep going on.
"I'll definitely finish the year off there, as far as I'm concerned, as long as it's working. I'm enjoying my footy and all aspects of playing centre."
Another switch Dugan has enjoyed is living in Sydney, having relocated from Canberra. He returned to face the Raiders for the first time last week and helped end the Dragons 14-year hoodoo at his former home.
"It was a bit emotional for me to go back to Canberra and to run out onto that ground as the opposition," Dugan said.
"Last year, going through all that stuff and getting a second chance, it does wake you up. I realised what I had and what I didn't want to lose again. I'm in a better frame of mind and [a lot] more settled.
"I still enjoy a beer everyone now and then but nothing too outrageous. That's the way I'll keep it."
The Dragons host Gold Coast in a must-win game to keep their finals hopes alive at Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...tough-love-20140823-107iul.html#ixzz3BCMp0fhv
Paul McGregor's sprays have become almost legendary among St George Illawarra's players. No one is spared from being told a few home truths by McGregor, who was appointed the club's full-time coach for the next three years on Friday.
In fact, the higher the profile the greater the scrutiny. In one of his first video sessions, McGregor challenged Benji Marshall and Trent Merrin to play to their reputation, and proved to the rest of the playing group that they will know exactly where they stand with him in charge.
NSW centre Josh Dugan has also felt "Mary's" wrath.
"When he first took over, he set some ground rules," Dugan said. "He put a few people in their place and shocked a few people. It seemed to have worked. A lot of players are better for it.
"Everyone in the room has copped it at one point from Mary. That's what everyone likes about him. He gives it to you straight up. If you're doing the right things, he'll tell you. If you're doing the wrong things, he'll give you a kick up the bum.
"I've copped a few sprays that's because we are the senior players. Me, Merrin, Benji, Jason Nightingale and Brett Morris are the senior players. If we aren't performing to our standards, we need that kick up the bum to motivate us."
When Dugan ran over the sideline against the Roosters in round 21 he was immediately in McGregor's firing line.
"Hopefully I won't do that again," Dugan said. "He said it wasn't good enough and there were a few too many errors that game.
"It's a good criticism. You take it in your stride. It motivates you to want to do better in that area of the game."
Dugan has spent plenty of time with McGregor and former Dragons centre Matt Cooper as he looks to complete his transition from fullback to centre.
The switch had initially been a short-term fix but Dugan said he wants to remain in that spot until at least the end of the season.
McGregor resisted reverting Dugan back to fullback, instead opting for Gerard Beale to return to the No.1 jersey when Adam Quinlan was dropped before their last start win against Canberra.
"I didn't have a second thought about it," Dugan said. "I left it up to Mary. He came up to me and said he was going to name Bealey there and he wanted to make sure that I wasn't disappointed that my name wasn't there.
"I said I wanted to stay at centre. I'm enjoying it. The combination with Benji and Jason is only getting stronger. We are looking to strengthen that right edge and keep going on.
"I'll definitely finish the year off there, as far as I'm concerned, as long as it's working. I'm enjoying my footy and all aspects of playing centre."
Another switch Dugan has enjoyed is living in Sydney, having relocated from Canberra. He returned to face the Raiders for the first time last week and helped end the Dragons 14-year hoodoo at his former home.
"It was a bit emotional for me to go back to Canberra and to run out onto that ground as the opposition," Dugan said.
"Last year, going through all that stuff and getting a second chance, it does wake you up. I realised what I had and what I didn't want to lose again. I'm in a better frame of mind and [a lot] more settled.
"I still enjoy a beer everyone now and then but nothing too outrageous. That's the way I'll keep it."
The Dragons host Gold Coast in a must-win game to keep their finals hopes alive at Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...tough-love-20140823-107iul.html#ixzz3BCMp0fhv
