Widdop seeks release

[Drag Queen]

Same here, I thought he had left now based on their headline
Dirty rotten scoundrels

@ouryears. Sorry to say we have Widdop for another season. Hallelujah. Cannot wait for your inane bollocking of our best player in 2019.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Dragons 2019: Captain and coach on a mission in final season together

• 
  Mitch Jennings

Local Sport

SAME PAGE: Gareth Widdop and Paul McGregor are committed to 2019. Picture: Adam McLean


DRAGONS coach Paul McGregor has never had any reason to doubt Gareth Widdop’s commitment to the club and that hasn’t changed despite his skipper’s decision to depart at season’s end.

In November Widdop was forced to hose down reports he had sought an immediate release to pursue a long-held dream of playing in the English Super League

He assured fans that he was committed to the club for the 2019 season but his commitment to the remaining two years of his deal was left up in the air.

The club put that uncertainty to rest on Wednesday, confirming it has granted Widdop a conditional release from the final two years of his deal on compassionate grounds.

The release, that will allow the 29-year-old to link with former coach Steve Price at Warrington from 2020, stipulates that any return to the NRL will be with the Dragons.

McGregor said the club had always kept an open dialogue with the English star and there was never any doubt that he would see out the 2019 season.

“In my conversations with Gareth it was very clear that he was never going to let myself the club down,” McGregor said.

“He was never, ever going to walk away from a contract until we found a suitable replacement and there was never any conversation around him not playing in 2019.

“[The release] for 20-21 was always subject to Ian [Millward] finding a replacement for him. We’ve got an excellent relationship, he’s been my captain since Benny Creah [retired] and basically since I took over as coach. This year’s very important to both of us.”

Widdop’s departure comes after the club secured the services of former Eels half Corey Norman on a three-year deal beginning this season.

He’s tipped to feature at five-eighth with Widdop shifting to fullback, though Matt Dufty will have his sights set on keeping the No. 1 jumper he made his own in 2018.

Norman only reported for duty a week ago while Widdop has been in rehab after off-season shoulder surgery. It leaves McGregor in no rush to decide on the final make-up of his spine come round one.

“I’m very open-minded and having a real good look at the moment,” McGregor said.

“There is still six weeks before we even trial so I’m not going to make a decision on something that’s still nine weeks away. There’s a lot that can happen in rugby league week to week and day to day.

“The biggest thing is that players complement each other. We know our spine was successful at different stages last year. Corey adds another dimension to that.

“They’re all quality and I’d rather be looking at them than looking for them. We’re very fortunate to have depth in important positions in the squad which we’ve never had before.”

Having secured the compassionate release Widdop said he’s determined to repay the club in premiership gold before his time is up.

“I've been here a long time now and to get to where we have with the roster we've got, to leave it all behind, especially being the captain, will be difficult,’ Widdop said.

"I still have the 2019 season to come. The reason we play this game is to win premierships. We have the squad to win it this year and I'll be doing everything possible to achieve that."


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5853873/captain-and-coach-on-a-mission-in-2019/?cs=302

What a lovely, little fluff piece this is! I’d like the time it took reading it returned to me please.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Still yet to read anything that makes me think Widdop will move to fullback this year.
Mary doesn't like change, I doubt he would make such a move.
I'm still tipping Norman at fullback, he won't want to move Widdop from 6 especially when he is looking for a contract extension.
You see Mary won't be thinking about 2020 and beyond until he has that contract and he will believe his best chance at winning most games in 2019 will be with Widdop at 6.

It’s the same conservatism which leads me to strongly believe that neither of the two new wing recruits will play any first grade this year, unless injury forces McGregor into doing so.

 

[Overseas dragon]

@ouryears. Sorry to say we have Widdop for another season. Hallelujah. Cannot wait for your inane bollocking of our best player in 2019.

some people obviously have to go to OPSM or SPECSAVERS DRAG

 

[Crush]

It’s the same conservatism which leads me to strongly believe that neither of the two new wing recruits will play any first grade this year, unless injury forces McGregor into doing so.

Agreed, it'll be Pereira and then one of the guys that they are trying to squeeze into the starting 13 like Dufty or Lomax.

 

[possm]

@ouryears. Sorry to say we have Widdop for another season. Hallelujah. Cannot wait for your inane bollocking of our best player in 2019.

When I first heard of Widdop wanting a release from SGI my feelings were 'let him go now' and sign someone who wanted to be part of the red V family. Since that time I have come to the notion that it would be very unique for the Dragons to field 3 top grade halves on the field and in the spine at the same time.

Given we arguably have the 3rd best hooker in the competition and the most promising young hooker coming through - and now ready for selection on the first grade bench - it is logical that the 3 top grade halves would occupy the 1, 6 and 7 positions. Even though I have made my preferences very clear via previous posts, ultimately it will be up to Mary to select who goes where and we all know how unpredictable Mary can be.

Widdop staying that extra year is a chance in a lifetime for SGI to create attacking capability not seen at the Dragons for a long, long time. With Mary's career on the line, let's hope he makes decisions that are in the best interests of the advancement of the team rather than his personal dispositions of stubbiness, unsound loyalty and conservative thinking.

 

[Gareth67]

He will be Capt

I am glad actually, it will be even better listening to him give the speech as the winning captain of the Grand Final ! ( no offense, but Jimmy Graham is somewhat difficult to understand when he starts croaking )

 

[71saintsimon]

Any chance Widdop can do us long suffering saints fans a favour and take his current coach with him to Warrington and have great reunion over there with steve no chin price ? Surly this has to be the last yr of mcidiot as coach heavens above 6 yrs of this bloke is worse then a life time jail sentence

 

[possm]

Any chance Widdop can do us long suffering saints fans a favour and take his current coach with him to Warrington and have great reunion over there with steve no chin price ? Surly this has to be the last yr of mcidiot as coach heavens above 6 yrs of this bloke is worse then a life time jail sentence

Better still take Aitken and Lafai with him and recommend Mary to an opposition ESL Club.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Agreed, it'll be Pereira and then one of the guys that they are trying to squeeze into the starting 13 like Dufty or Lomax.

Was it yourself who wagered s bet that Aitken WOULDN’T be on the wing? I feel he will be there.

McGregor’s round one team:

1. Widdop
2. Aitken
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Peirera
6. Norman
7. Hunt
13. Host
12. Frizell
11. Sims
10. Graham
9. McIness
8. Vaughan

Reserves:

14. Latimore
15. Sims
16, Lawrie
17. Leiluia

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Any chance Widdop can do us long suffering saints fans a favour and take his current coach with him to Warrington and have great reunion over there with steve no chin price ? Surly this has to be the last yr of mcidiot as coach heavens above 6 yrs of this bloke is worse then a life time jail sentence

Widdop is a major reason why Saints have been competitive over the past few years. Have you noticed the Dally M Medal points?

 

[possm]

Was it yourself who wagered s bet that Aitken WOULDN’T be on the wing? I feel he will be there.

McGregor’s round one team:

1. Widdop
2. Aitken
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Peirera
6. Norman
7. Hunt
13. Host
12. Frizell
11. Sims
10. Graham
9. McIness
8. Vaughan

Reserves:

14. Latimore
15. Sims
16, Lawrie
17. Leiluia

Aitken can't take a high ball or turn and chase a ball kicked over his head. He is not tall and finds it difficult to tackle successfully when lateral movement is required. That is why Aitken won't be selected on the wing or in the centres. Pearson will be on one wing.

Robson is our natural 14. In the hooker rotation with McInnes and in the lock rotation with our 13. Latimore will play ISP in 2019.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Aitken can't take a high ball or turn and chase a ball kicked over his head. He is not tall and finds it difficult to tackle successfully when lateral movement is required. That is why Aitken won't be selected on the wing or in the centres. Pearson will be on one wing.

Robson is our natural 14. In the hooker rotation with McInnes and in the lock rotation with our 13. Latimore will play ISP in 2019.

Did you not read the part which said “McGregor’s round one team”?

I’m not disagreeing with you,

Pearson won’t be picked as McGregor’s conservative attitude won’t allow him to do so.

 

[possm]

Did you not read the part which said “McGregor’s round one team”?

I’m not disagreeing with you,

Pearson won’t be picked as McGregor’s conservative attitude won’t allow him to do so.

I'd say that Mary had a say in the recruitment of Pearson and so unless he is doing badly during pre-season training, I'd say he will be the first winger picked.

I've been told Pearson is very quick and possibly the quickest in the Club over 100m - long range tries. Also told that Ravalawa is just about as quick over the same distance.

So if Mary is after speed on the wings, these two chaps are the go. It all depends how they have performed in the off-season and if Mary is impressed with their other skills.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

I'd say that Mary had a say in the recruitment of Pearson and so unless he is doing badly during pre-season training, I'd say he will be the first winger picked.

I've been told Pearson is very quick and possibly the quickest in the Club over 100m - long range tries. Also told that Ravalawa is just about as quick over the same distance.

So if Mary is after speed on the wings, these two chaps are the go. It all depends how they have performed in the off-season and if Mary is impressed with their other skills.

My response is simple. How long did it take McGregor to recognise Lomax? Evaluating talent isn’t one of his strengths, and this has been demonstrated by the large number of promising players who have departed the club.

 

[TruSaint]

Any chance Widdop can do us long suffering saints fans a favour and take his current coach with him to Warrington and have great reunion over there with steve no chin price ? Surly this has to be the last yr of mcidiot as coach heavens above 6 yrs of this bloke is worse then a life time jail sentence

Widdop will be captain for 2019. He will be pivotal in our " chances" ..

As to Mary, if the club even go close to re-signing the bloke before years end, then it will tell me that any board changes, ownership structure, have been fricken futile.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Widdop will be captain for 2019. He will be pivotal in our " chances" ..

As to Mary, if the club even go close to re-signing the bloke before years end, then it will tell me that any board changes, ownership structure, have been fricken futile.

You don’t already acknowledge that the ownership change won’t change a thing at Board level?

Wow

 

[Overseas dragon]

Was it yourself who wagered s bet that Aitken WOULDN’T be on the wing? I feel he will be there.

McGregor’s round one team:

1. Widdop
2. Aitken
3. Lomax
4. Lafai
5. Peirera
6. Norman
7. Hunt
13. Host
12. Frizell
11. Sims
10. Graham
9. McIness
8. Vaughan

Reserves:

14. Latimore
15. Sims
16, Lawrie
17. Leiluia

jimmy i hope your right its not the worst he could have selected GO YOU GREAT BIG RED VVVVS

 

[2010]

So McIdiot has the team he wanted. He said that last season also.
It’s a pity that the coach the team needs is not McIdiot
The team which plays in the first game will show a lot.

 

[DragonJ]

@ouryears. Sorry to say we have Widdop for another season. Hallelujah. Cannot wait for your inane bollocking of our best player in 2019.

Which team do you support?