Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?
Set a deposit limit.

No more excuses for Dragons in 2020 NRL

It’s been a year since St George Illawarra were rocked by the Jack de Belin saga that left Paul McGregor without one of his best players for an entire NRL season.

What received little mention in the aftermath of their sorry 2019 campaign was Gareth Widdop’s announcement that he was returning to England at year’s end.

It forced the club to rush out and sign a long-term replacement in Corey Norman, creating a selection headache before Widdop’s season was wiped out by injury.

“There was a lot of things that happened and certainly that was one of them,” McGregor told AAP.

But everyone has grown tired of the excuses, including McGregor himself.

The under-pressure coach is expected to find out in April whether de Belin, a former Kangaroos representative, will be back this year.

It’s a vast difference to 12 months ago when de Belin’s playing status was up in the air for most of the season as he challenged the NRL in court.

“Last year was the unknown, unknown for the entire league,” McGregor said.

“We’ll get some clarity around a few things going forward but this group is just we’re getting on playing without Jack at the moment.”

Widdop’s exit has meant the Dragons enter this year with a settled spine, including a new fullback in promising talent Zac Lomax.

Not even the possibility of being without captain and hooker Cameron McInnes has darkened McGregor’s hopes.

The Dragons are likely to start the season with veteran Issac Luke in the No.9, and backed up by late addition Billy Brittain from South Sydney.

“(Injuries are) something that I’ve really thought about too much in the past instead of getting on with what we have available now,” McGregor said.

“I’m not going to use that as a reason.”

McGregor has urged fans to be patient with Lomax, the 20-year-old who takes over the spot after Matt Dufty’s underwhelming performances last year.

“We’ve got to expect he’s not going to get everything right but I just like the way he competes for every inch in the game,” McGregor said.

The Dragons’ forward pack, even without de Belin, still boasts plenty of star power in Paul Vaughan, James Graham, Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims.

Their unheralded backline also remains largely in tact, while there is no doubt that halves Ben Hunt and Norman will be expected to run the show.

“These two guys, it’s their team now and they’ve got to own this team,” McGregor said.

But McGregor concedes the biggest changes over the summer came in the football department after a review by respected league mind Phil Gould.

Five changes were made to support staff, including the hiring of former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan.

His arrival instantly prompted suggestions the 2016 premiership-winning mentor would be the ideal replacement should McGregor fail again.

McGregor, who was 85 minutes from leading the Dragons to a grand final two years, said the changes were needed.

“We got smart, innovative coaches that have been at the top before,” he said.

“We’ve got a playing group that’s really brought into what we’re about, around our culture and what changes we wanted to make.

“So now it’s really up to us to perform.”

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

Finishes over the past three seasons: 2019 – 15th, 2018 – 7th, 2017 – 9th

Coach: Paul McGregor

Captain: Cameron McInnes

Key gains: Issac Luke (Warriors), Trent Merrin (Super League), Tyrell Fuimaono (Panthers), Brayden Wiliame (Super League)

Key losses: Gareth Widdop (Super League), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Jeremy Latimore (retired), Jai Field (released), Luciano Leilua (Tigers), Jonus Pearson (Titans)

Best team: 1. Zac Lomax, 2. Mikaele Ravalawa, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Jordan Pereira, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jacob Host. Bench: 14. Issac Luke, 15. Blake Lawrie, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Trent Merrin.

Predicted finish: 14th

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exit mobile version