McGregor praise for big guns in tight win

[getsmarty]

McGregor praise for big guns in tight win

By MITCH JENNINGS
March 27, 2016, 7:18 p.m.
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ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Paul McGregor was full of praise for his side’s poise under pressure after the Dragons snatched a late 14-12 victory over Penrith on Sunday.
The Dragons looked in control for most of what was a low-scoring match only to find themselves down by four with six minutes to play following a late try Panther winger Josh Mansour.
With the match slipping away two of McGregor’s big guns stepped up with Gareth Widdop finding the touch line with a short kickoff and lamding a sideline conversion of Josh Dugan’s 77th minute solo try to seal the win.
“I thought our composure in the last five minutes was the best it's been this year," McGregor said.

“When we were really under the pump we came up with the big plays. Gareth came up with a couple there and Josh Dugan obviously finished it off.

“He’s a big-game player and that’s who you like to turn to in those situations, you’re big names. The better players go to the game in situations like that and don’t shy away from it and Gareth and [Dugan] did that for us.
“As a coach you get excited by that because going forward you can build a lot of momentum on the back of that. When you’re out on your feet and you’re behind...to be nice and composed at the back end of that was really good and really promising.”
It was their second two-point victory in as many weeks following their gruelling 8-6 win over South Sydney at the SCG last week, a match McGregor said took a lot out of both sides.
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“It was hard-fought, both teams fought right to the end.
“It was end to end and pretty quick. In that second half there weren’t many penalties blown and we ended up getting the result after a really tough seven days to be honest.
“That game last Sunday [against Souths] took a fair bit out of us as it it did out of the Rabbitohs. You could see that on Friday.
“There was a part of that second half where both teams were under the pump and looked really tired but as they have before, and they will again, they just keep finding something for one another which is outstanding.”
Panthers coach Anthony Griffin was left to rue missed opportunities after his side enjoyed a glut of possession early in the first half but couldn’t find the line until then 60th minute.

“Our effort kept on getting us back in the game but I just thought we made some really poor decisions with the ball,” Griffin said.
“There was a mountain of effort and we were turning up defensively but it just never felt like we got on the right leg in attack all day.”


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http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3814217/dragons-win-down-to-composure-mcgregor/?cs=302

 

[Mr Red]

Mary is an idiot.
He says the game against Souths took a fair bit out of them, but then has 2 players on the bench in marketo and havili where one got about 15 mins and one didn't get used at all.....

At least griffin was realistic and simply said his team made poor decisions with the ball, Mary delusional....

 

[getsmarty]

McGregor hoping for Marshall return for Queensland treble

By MITCH JENNINGS
March 28, 2016, 10:25 a.m.


ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA coach Paul McGregor is confident he will have his full complement of players available for a three-week 6,441-kilometre Queensland triple header that’s shaping as the toughest stretch on the road that any side will face this season.
As five-day turnarounds continue to attract harsh criticism from players and coaches, the Dragons are facing consecutive games against both of last season’s grand finalists in the space if five days starting with their clash with the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.

They’ll have just four days to recover ahead of their round six Thursday night clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium before completing their Queensland treble – via Wollongong – against surprise packets the Gold Coast in round seven.

The tough draw over the next three rounds made their gritty 14-12 win against Penrith on Sunday all the more significant coming as it did without Benji Marshall who has missed the Dragons past two matches with a niggling hamstring injury.
Marshall’s return for the Cowboys clash would a be a huge boost for the Dragons who have looked decidedly lacklustre in attack without their chief attacking ace.
“He was ruled out on Thursday,” McGregor said.
“He did most of the session on Thursday, probably 80 per cent of it, but just towards the end of it he just got a bit fatigued.
“Himself and the medical staff thought it was the right thing to do to give it another week but he should be right next week.

“I don’t like saying you miss players. Josh [McCrone] has been involved in two wins the last two weeks.
“That’s why he’s at the club to add depth and competition for spots and he’s doing that.”
Marshall is not the only concern for the Dragons with key forward Joel Thompson facing a week on the sideline after being hit with a grade two careless high tackle charge on Monday.

Thompson was penalised late in the second half after what appeared to be an accidental head clash with Will Smith that saw the Panthers fullback carried off on a stretcher.

It was a pivotal moment in the clash with the penalty almost costing the Dragons victory when Josh Mansour crossed for a try in the next set, taking a 12-8 lead with six minutes remaining.

Thompson can escape suspension with an early guilty plea but would be forced to carry 93 carry-over points through the season. Should he challenge the charge or seek a downgrade and and be unsuccessful he will miss the clash with the Cowboys.
Mike Cooper was also reported for a crusher tackle on Josh Mansour in the second half but escaped sanction. McGregor believes both incidents were innocuous.
“The Thompson one looked like a head clash,” McGregor said post-match.
“He’s arms were wrapping around. In the end it didn’t look pretty with the bloke on the ground. You never want to see that but there was no intent because his arms were wrapped.”
The club has until midday Tuesday to respond.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3814737/all-hands-on-deck-for-queensland-road-trip/?cs=2382

 

[dino2170]

but mary no f#### attack. when we moved the ball it was like looking at crabs.

 

[chewbacca]

hey Dino please don't use the word 'crabs' so close to the word 'ball', reminds me of a very itchy memory and a very unhappy ex-girlfriend.

 

[stg666]

guess what fred"s dog . we won and scored more points than the tigers and whatsamatta put together , but not good enough for you . why don;t you apply for the coaches job next time . then we would have something to whinge about .

 

[TruSaint]

guess what fred"s dog . we won and scored more points than the tigers and whatsamatta put together , but not good enough for you . why don;t you apply for the coaches job next time . then we would have something to whinge about .

:lol:

 

[dino2170]

you guys can spin the game result anyway BUT the fact remains nightengale got caught by a five eight who had to turn around and chase and we had upteen sets with the ball and only managed to beat the panthers by 2

 

[duck]

and we had upteen sets with the ball

So did the Panthers. Possession was 50/50

and only managed to beat the panthers by 2

But the good thing is ... we beat the Panthers. Who beat the Broncos. Who beat last years premiers.


Cheer up dino.

 

[Saints Forever]

Mary should praise the big guns.

Without the Duges in defence and attack and the calmness of Widdop we were gone for all money.

 

[dragonssamy61]

Agree with saints forever. Dino take a chill pill and get your mum to read you a story and relax .

 

[Minh]

Mary should praise the big guns.

Without the Duges in defence and attack and the calmness of Widdop we were gone for all money.

This...

 

[Minh]

you guys can spin the game result anyway BUT the fact remains nightengale got caught by a five eight who had to turn around and chase and we had upteen sets with the ball and only managed to beat the panthers by 2

Do you realise that the penalties Penrith gave away on their tryline were nuffy penalties just so they can reset their defense whenever we were threatening with a quick play the ball. The NRL and referees should crack down on this as it is a professional foul without the sin binning and yeah Penrith ended up with more penalties 10 to 8 and we had no penalties in the second half, I never knew Penrith were so disciplined in the second half.:sarcasm:

 

[BennyV]

So did the Panthers. Possession was 50/50


But the good thing is ... we beat the Panthers. Who beat the Broncos. Who beat last years premiers.


Cheer up dino.

f**k yeah. Ordering my premiership T-Shirt as we speak!