ST GEORGE Illawarra coach Paul McGregor will remain at the helm next year but the club’s 2017 campaign will be overseen by a four-person committee that will include club great Mark Coyne.
It follows a full review of the Dragons’ dismal 2016 that saw the club sink to 11th on the ladder and go without finals action for the fourth time in five seasons. The Dragons’ impotence in attack and limp finish to the season, four wins from their final 12 games, saw McGregor face a barrage of criticism from fans many of whom called for his sacking.
The club also faced a myriad of off-field distractions including McGregor pleading guilty to low-range drink driving days after his side’s Anzac Day clash with the Roosters in April while Tim Lafai and Siliva Havili were both charged with affray – to which they’ve subsequently pleaded not guilty – following a drunken night out in Wollongong in July.
The season was also plagued by speculation over the future of off-contract players, including Benji Marshall and Mitch Rein who’ve since been let go by the club.
“Noting a number of factors that contributed to the team’s performance and results in 2016, the board of directors believe Paul McGregor has a positive future as an NRL coach and is the Dragons head coach, in 2017,” a club statement released late Wednesday afternoon confirmed.
“A 'Rugby League Performance Committee' has now been established to oversee, in particular, the development and management of the 2017 football department’s programs.”
Club legend and current EML chief executive Coyne will be joined on the committee by sports science consultant Dr Craig Duncan, NSWIS High Performance Director Claire Prodeaux and coaching consultant Dirk Melton. Club CEO Peter Doust, who also faced calls for his sacking this season, conceded there was “no hiding from the NRL result” and said the committee will report regularly to the board next year.
Despite it’s top-grade struggles, the club fared well in the lower grades with the NYC side reaching the prelim final while the Illawarra Cutters claimed it’s first premiership in reserve grade. McGregor said he’s keen to see that success filter into the top grade ranks in 2017, the final year of his current contract.
“Our results in 2016 were not acceptable and no one within the club is comfortable with our results and inconsistent performances this year,” McGregor said.
“Everyone at the club understands and accepts how important our team's performance is to all.
“We will have some changes in our roster for 2017, especially in some key positions and, whilst our staff and playing roster is yet to be finalised, work has begun and I will be doing everything possible to ensure that our NRL team is successful.
“We also have some outstanding young talent at our club who will be given the opportunity to train with the full-time squad in the preseason and put their hand up for NRL selection in 2017.”