St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor concedes the buck has to stop with him after the Dragons slumped to their eighth loss in nine games on Sunday.
The Dragons conceded five second-half tries to be thrashed 42-14 at the SCG on Sunday, and are now certain to finish 15th – the lowest in the merged club’s history.
The club have endured a horror year on and off the field, with the Jack de Belin issue an obvious distraction combined with his year-long absence.
Gareth Widdop has also missed the majority of his farewell year with a shoulder injury, further hurting their chances.
“(I’m) frustrated … All them (negative) words in one at the moment,” McGregor said.
“Because we care so much and we’re not seeing the results we want and the performance we need.”
Players this week stood up in defence of McGregor, as they claimed the results were not a reflection on him.
But when asked where the blame must fall, McGregor responded: “I’m the coach, so I’m the leader of the club.
“We’ve all got to take responsibility throughout the club. But I’m the coach.”
McGregor was re-signed on a two-year deal earlier this year, however some changes are likely expected on the club’s coaching staff.
Ben Hornby, Dean Young and Matt Head are all expected to face scrutiny in an end-of-season-review, however the latter has enjoyed minor premiership success in reserve grade this year.
Sunday’s loss was further soured by a suspected broken leg to hooker Cameron McInnes, after he’d been a rare shining light for the club in 2019.
He left the field with just six minutes to play after his leg twisted in a tackle, and now faces a lengthy lay off that could eat into his pre-season.
“He just asked the doc how long it’s going to be so he can get back to training. That’s Cam, you want them all like that,” McGregor said.
“He’ll go for a scan now and what’s next due to the fact it could heal on its own or might need a screw or a plate. He’l be out next week and probably 12 weeks.
“Six minutes to go and to a player who gives everything and some more. He’s been our player of the year by far.
“To come to the second last game of the year and break the leg is not justice, that’s for sure.”
