Dragons 2019: McGregor not entertaining 'spoon bowl' talk
Dragons Den
COMPETITOR: "He'll tell you it's only one more than 399 but we all know it's a lot more than that." James Graham in action. Picture: NRL Photos
IT'S a discussion no side ever wants to be a part of but Dragons coach Paul McGregor says he isn't treating Saturday's clash with the Titans as a dreaded 'spoon bowl'.
The Dragons are currently 14th on the ladder, level with the Bulldogs on 14 competition points, but just one win behind the Warriors and Cowboys who sit above them.
The Titans are running stone-motherless last on the back of a horror season that ultimately saw the sacking of coach Garth Brennan following a round-14 defeat to Penrith.
It's done nothing to turn their fortunes around, dropping their last three games by a combined 94 points, including last week's 58-6 capitulation to the Roosters.
It was halfback Ash Taylor's return clash after eight weeks personal leave but the 24-year-old was cut from the Titans line-up this week and may not play again this season.
The Dragons have had their own issues, dropping 11 of their last 13 games including a 12-4 loss to the Eels last week that quashed even the faintest of finals hopes.
The two sides will meet again in round 25 in what could well be a playoff to avoid the dreaded spoon but McGregor said that talk was premature ahead of this week's meeting.
"The conversation around the wooden spoon with five weeks remaining is pretty silly so I don't really want to enter into that," McGregor said.
"I will say we want to use our position on the ladder [as motivation] to improve and finish on a high to build into next season. Mal [Meninga's] come out and said they've got to show [they] care.
"Kevin's [Proctor's] come out and written letter to the fans so I'm expecting them to come down here with an attitude and we've got to make sure that ours is better.
"It's important we go out there and play with more energy and enthusiasm than our opposition and improve a few parts in our game. The last two weeks we've been in the battle but haven't won the fight so we're looking to go out there tomorrow, be in the battle and win the war."
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McGregor said his side will be extra motivated to ensure James Graham's 400th senior game of football results in a win, while centre Euan Aitken will also play his 100th game at just 24 and Jackson Ford will debut from the bench.
"He'll tell you it's only one more than 399 but we all know it's a lot more than that and a great honour," McGregor said.
"He's a person that inspires others. Everyone that plays [NRL] rugby league has got a competitive nature, a good footy IQ and a high tolerance for pain but he just takes all of that to another level.
"That's got him through a lot of the years, just his passion and his want to fight for every inch and it's important you've got leaders in your club that do that and drive others.
"He helps people around him, he's a gentleman and a once in a generation type of player. He's a great person to have involved in the club and leave a legacy here.
"It's been a year we haven't wanted but he has not stopped fighting so tomorrow's a special day for him."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6320095/mcgregor-bats-away-talk-of-spoon-bowl/?cs=3713
