The St George Illawarra Dragons started the 2016 season reasonably well but have ended up spiralling downward to the bottom of the ladder.
St George started the season with quite a talented squad with the likes of Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell, Benji Marshall, Gareth Widdop and Jason Nightingale that have all experienced playing for their country and other representative teams. Three of the previous players mentioned are a part of the clubs spine, the spine has a great impact on the style and structure a rugby league displays on the park.
The questions are; why isn't there more than 9 wins recorded this far into the season? Who's to blame? The coach, or the team?
The coach, Paul "Mary" McGregor was a talented tackle busting centre playing for Australia, New South Wales and beloved Illawarra/St George. Mary's talent in his younger days hasn't quite had any impact on his current roster and previous squads in the form of improvement. Mary's defensive coaching has been quite on par, conceding fewer points than half of the NRL competition teams. The Dragons also boast a 93% tackle efficiency, currently better than last year's grand finalists (Brisbane Broncos/North Queensland Cowboys).
The offensive coaching is something not to be proud of. The Dragons have scored only 295 points to date, the second worst attacking record in the competition. Paul McGregor has struggled to produce points over the two and a half seasons since his been in the top spot. St George average a higher amount of running meters, runs/hit ups, offloads and kick meters than the rest of the competition. These statistics show that the team gains enough meters through the forwards to create a satisfactory platform for the half's to gain field position when kicking, but the team still isn't able to successfully score points. The team's goal kicking conversion rate has also contributed to the Dragons attack woes standing at only 60%.
The signing of Benji Marshall was to bring an attacking 'flare' to the club. The positional changes Josh Dugan has endured and now showing Mitch Rein the door are all decisions that have been questioned internally and externally. Benji Marshall is off contract and won't be re-signed along with fellow teammate, Mitch Rein, after negotiations stopped with the pair due to the both of the players not accepting downgraded deals. Mary has experimented with Josh Dugan changing positions to benefit the team having more options out wide to attack the line.
The lack of wins has contributed to the negative mindset of the Dragons. Most cases when the Dragons win they win well, when they lose its either a thrashing or a close encounter never in-between. These close losses have affected the Dragons the most mentally, not quite being able to get over the line but scraping and whimpering at the sight. The roster needs to be rebuilt defensively tough and offensively strong like any premiership winning roster. The coach has been questioned and the players have been questioned. Who is at fault?
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