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Soward tells it like it is

S

st.phil

Bench
Messages
4,645
St George Illawarra Dragons legend Jamie Soward launches scathing attack on former club

WRITTEN BYSPORTING NEWS
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LEAGUE
LEAGUE
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Former St George Illawarra playmaker and premiership winner Jamie Soward has launched a scathing attack at his former club, saying they won't make the finals this season and questioned the decision to re-sign Paul McGregor.


Soward played 141 games in the Red V and led them to a Grand Final victory over the Roosters in 2010, and has always been an outspoken figure within the game even during his playing days.


And on Friday morning he pulled no punches when talking on Macquarie Sports Radio about his former club after their 16-14 loss to the Storm on Thursday night in Wollongong.

"They're gone, St George are gone," he said.

"In past years they have started fast and then faded out, I don't see how they come back from an Origin campaign and put the accelerator down.


"They are two points outside the eight but their for and against stinks, they will rue that opportunity last night, they should have won that game.

"They had a lot of outs but nobody has an excuse this year when you look at Manly and the way they have competed this year with so many players out."

There is still time for the Dragons to turn it around and were without a plethora of stars last night due to Origin duty, and are still missing the likes of Gareth Widdop, Jack De Belin and Zac Lomax.

MORE: Souths sign former premiership winner | Queensland coach gives son debut jersey

But it is the early season re-signing of coach Paul McGregor that has left Soward scratching his head - in six years at the club he has only made the finals twice and the side is underperforming in 2019 after a solid campaign last year.

"You are wondering why some of these coaches are re-signed, it amazes me considering that none of them were being chased and it's not a personal attack but what do you look for, what do fans want and what is a pass mark for St George this year," he said.


"Canterbury are last and have re-signed their coach to an extension; Brisbane are 14th have Seibold with five years; St George re-signed Paul McGregor and they aren't in the top 8 either.

"I've had Mary as coach, and the issue I have is do you get the best person for the job or do you get a clubman."

The Dragons are currently two points outside the top eight, but in the remaining nine games have to play six teams currently above them on the ladder and are at long odds to book a spot in the finals after being touted as top four hopes before the season began.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
st.phil said:
St George Illawarra Dragons legend Jamie Soward launches scathing attack on former club

WRITTEN BYSPORTING NEWS
Share
LEAGUE
LEAGUE
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Former St George Illawarra playmaker and premiership winner Jamie Soward has launched a scathing attack at his former club, saying they won't make the finals this season and questioned the decision to re-sign Paul McGregor.


Soward played 141 games in the Red V and led them to a Grand Final victory over the Roosters in 2010, and has always been an outspoken figure within the game even during his playing days.


And on Friday morning he pulled no punches when talking on Macquarie Sports Radio about his former club after their 16-14 loss to the Storm on Thursday night in Wollongong.

"They're gone, St George are gone," he said.

"In past years they have started fast and then faded out, I don't see how they come back from an Origin campaign and put the accelerator down.


"They are two points outside the eight but their for and against stinks, they will rue that opportunity last night, they should have won that game.

"They had a lot of outs but nobody has an excuse this year when you look at Manly and the way they have competed this year with so many players out."

There is still time for the Dragons to turn it around and were without a plethora of stars last night due to Origin duty, and are still missing the likes of Gareth Widdop, Jack De Belin and Zac Lomax.

MORE: Souths sign former premiership winner | Queensland coach gives son debut jersey

But it is the early season re-signing of coach Paul McGregor that has left Soward scratching his head - in six years at the club he has only made the finals twice and the side is underperforming in 2019 after a solid campaign last year.

"You are wondering why some of these coaches are re-signed, it amazes me considering that none of them were being chased and it's not a personal attack but what do you look for, what do fans want and what is a pass mark for St George this year," he said.


"Canterbury are last and have re-signed their coach to an extension; Brisbane are 14th have Seibold with five years; St George re-signed Paul McGregor and they aren't in the top 8 either.

"I've had Mary as coach, and the issue I have is do you get the best person for the job or do you get a clubman."

The Dragons are currently two points outside the top eight, but in the remaining nine games have to play six teams currently above them on the ladder and are at long odds to book a spot in the finals after being touted as top four hopes before the season began.
Click to expand...


BRAVO.....I hope this goes viral...............Incompetent Board.
 
J

jeffdragon

Bench
Messages
3,921
We have had more injuries than Manly.
Widdop, Sims Graham ,Norman for long periods in the season friz for a short while..and of course the off season debacle.
Mary couldn't get the cutters to the semis.
They say he is well liked.
Nice guys finish last.
Ask Jamie about that kick he missed in the game against the dogs ,it was a semi I think.
 
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D

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,775
The reference to "clubman " was quite clever. Doesn't openly get personal but the point is strong and it also applies to all the other roles in the coaching ranks.

Surely there must be a chance that the Board is starting to look elsewhere for a coach next year ? ( we NEED to keep losing ) Whilst it is patiently obvious to all that they f**ked up resigning him , making a change is one way of redemption that the average joe supporter ( like the ones on facebook ) might forgive them and congratulate them on their actions. Also if Head, Hornby & Young had any brains they should cover their arses now.The only way is to white ant Mary and that would lead to a quicker demise.Mind you Dean Young's dad would have something to say about the Board putting his son in the unemployment line !

Perhaps i'm just dreaming ?
 
D

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,775
Coffs dragon said:
Finally someone from the Media has the guts to speak the truth and not be blinded by spin and BS. Good on you Jamie and hopefully others drop their protection guard of Mary as the good drinking buddy.
Click to expand...

Pity it didn't happen 12 months ago , as there were 3 experienced coaches looking for a job.

Mind you, I'd just about take anyone who is outside our system.
 
E

Eatons Hill Dragon

Juniors
Messages
1,054
jeffdragon said:
We have had more injuries than Manly.
Widdop, Sims Graham ,Norman for long periods in the season friz for a short while..and of course the off season debacle.
Mary couldn't get the cutters to the semis.
They say he is well liked.
Nice guys finish last.
Ask Jamie about that kick he missed in the game against the dogs ,it was a semi I think.
Click to expand...

I'm a nice guy and my wife says that I always finish first :flushed:
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
denis preston said:
Pity it didn't happen 12 months ago , as there were 3 experienced coaches looking for a job.

Mind you, I'd just about take anyone who is outside our system.
Click to expand...

Issue is, a number of Other coaches allegedly knocked us back as they had to work with the existing CREW....coach was last man standing????....Bradbury.


Issue is the system the board has put in place will not work...a Former board-man's parting gift to us.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,334
jeffdragon said:
We have had more injuries than Manly.
Widdop, Sims Graham ,Norman for long periods in the season friz for a short while..and of course the off season debacle.
Mary couldn't get the cutters to the semis.
They say he is well liked.
Nice guys finish last.
Ask Jamie about that kick he missed in the game against the dogs ,it was a semi I think.
Click to expand...

Mate...Jamie was a member of our 2010 Grand final winning team....Flashback...field goal against tigers

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-25/soward-sends-dragons-to-grand-final/2274480


Anyone in that 2010 Side is a legend....30 odd years to finally win the big one....I think he knows more than any of us punters here and hopefully this gets some traction in the mainstream media.

P.S Cronulla have a Rookie coach in his 1st year with up to 8 guys out and their side still has shape and knows how to win....
 
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