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McGregor understands Webster's NRL plight

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor says he knows exactly what it is like to be interim Wests Tigers mentor Andrew Webster, ahead of Sunday's NRL clash.

If anyone can understand interim Wests Tigers coach Andrew Webster's plight, it's his rival NRL mentor on Sunday - St George Illawarra's Paul McGregor.

But Webster may not like the rejuvenated Dragons coach's advice - enjoy the pressure while you can.

That will be easier said than done at a Tigers team on a three-game losing streak and still in shock over Jason Taylor's sacking.

Webster could do worse than take tips from ex-interim coach McGregor, who is threatening to pull off a remarkable Dragons transformation this year.

"When you are not winning it is challenging," McGregor said on Thursday.

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"But pressure is a privilege in sport at the top, it is a pressure you have to enjoy.

"If it is taken away from you that means you are no longer at the top."

After starting the season as a coach under intense scrutiny, off-contract McGregor has guided St George to third spot with three wins from four games, with a renewed attacking spark.

The Dragons are the first team to score 100 points this year - in 2016 they were the last.

McGregor may be sitting pretty but he could still empathise with Webster's interim coach challenge.

"It's difficult. It is tough. The amount of change you can make in a short time is minimal," McGregor said.

"You've just got to do your best.

"We know we are coming up against a side that will be desperate."

Since being thrown in to the Dragons job after Steve Price's May 2014 sacking, McGregor has had a rollercoaster ride.

He returned the club to the finals for the first time in four seasons in 2015 but last year they dropped seven of their last nine games to finish 11th.

Now McGregor looks set to sign a Dragons extension after their impressive season start to the campaign.

He credited his enjoyment with stepping away from the club's recruitment process after a review late last year.

It's a decision he is not regretting with 21 players off contract, including skipper Gareth Widdop and Kangaroos and Origin star Josh Dugan.

"It was important that the focus for me was solely on footy," McGregor said.

"I'd like them all to stay but that decision is hard to manage at times."

McGregor has spent a bit more time with Widdop than he expected, driving the playmaker to last round's 26-12 Kogarah win over the Warriors after the Englishman was involved in a car accident.

But McGregor was still uncertain about Widdop's playing future at the Dragons with Brisbane half Ben Hunt due next year.

"It's got nothing to do with me," McGregor said.

"The best thing they can do is go out there and play well for each other and let the Mr Seven Percenters look after that."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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