New St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor tells players to get on with job
By Brad Walter
May 27, 2014, 4:38 p.m.
New Dragons coach Paul McGregor instructs his players during training at WIN Stadium on Tuesday.
After receiving the blessing of sacked St George Illawarra coach Steve Price to take on his job, Paul McGregor delivered some home truths to the Dragons players at a meeting ahead of their first training session under his charge.
McGregor, who said he was unsure yet whether he wanted the post beyond this season, spoke at length to a ''hurting'' Price over the weekend and mentioned several times during an impressive debut press conference as head coach that the main reason he'd agreed to take on the challenge was because his close friend had urged him to continue the job they had started together this season.
The goal at the beginning of the season was to make the top eight. McGregor told the players at a meeting before training at WIN Stadium on Tuesday that nothing had changed except that Price had lost his job ? although Ian Millward, Ben Hornby or Dean Young are likely to take on an assistant's role with the NRL team.
''I think everyone involved in this situation is disappointed that the business has seen a need to change, and now the players need to change,'' McGregor told the players.
''It starts every time you go on the paddock, every time you do video, every time you wear a jumper. You have got to be proud to wear it, [and] you have got to work hard for each other. That is what we need to do, there is no easy way out of this. The circumstances aren't great but there are games of footy to be played and you blokes and every one in this association needs to work hard to get that done.
''It's hard for me. [Price] is a mate of mine and we worked well together and he is not here. But the situation is this: the football is on this weekend, we have got a team and we are going to go out there and play, and we are going to play to the best of our ability.
''We are going to work hard during the week to do that. What we need to do is work bloody hard. We started today and again tomorrow and again Friday and again Sunday until we play Monday. If everyone collectively takes up a bit of slack we will be okay.''
The inaugural St George Illawarra co-captain said he had enjoyed coaching in the Illawarra Coal League and NSW Cup but did not agree to become Price's assistant this season with a view to eventually taking his job.
''I had always said to him right from the start when I came in that if he was uncomfortable with anything please let me know, and if you want me to walk away I will walk away,'' McGregor said.
''The club is pretty close to me too. I played a lot of years of football here and the players are the most important thing at the moment. I feel for Steve, he is a good friend, we worked closely together and at the moment one of us is not here. To me that is disappointing but the circumstances are that if I didn't do it someone else would, and the only reason I am doing it is an easier transition for the players.
''I spoke to him about that and how he is feeling. He is a really good guy and he is hurting but he understands rugby league and he said he really wants the boys to work hard and perform for the rest of the year. That is why I am standing here right now, because I didn't want to see someone else come and undo the work that has been done. We are not finished. I wish he was right here next to me.''
Dragons captain Ben Creagh said the players had to accept some responsibility for Price's demise after losing six of their past seven matches, but he was a popular coach whom they all respected.
''He would have been doing it tough and we all tried to rally behind him and the coaching staff,'' Creagh said. ''We had a meeting this morning and Mary [McGregor] had his first address to the playing group, saying we have got 14 games to go, let's do our best for one another first of all, but also for the club and our fans.''
http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2...gor-tells-players-to-get-on-with-job/?cs=2382
