St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor knows the kind of potential his team has in their push for an NRL title in 2019.
It’s been evident for the past two years, as they improved from a strong start in 2017 to lead the competition for 15 weeks in 2018 before falling to seventh and dropping out in the semi-finals.
“It proved that we weren’t far away,” McGregor told AAP.
“That gives you confidence and appreciation of what we have going here.
“And we’ve got to find 10 per cent across all departments to make that next step into the top four.”
McGregor – in a contract year himself confident of the path he’s on after the club’s best season since 2010 – knows those pieces to the puzzle must be both on and off the field.
The pre-season contact has been as hard as ever after always delivering early-year results, but a closer look has been taken at the loads for contact sessions in the weeks after heavy games during the year.
A sports psychologist has also been brought on as a consultant for the first time this summer, and will be used throughout the season.
The Dragons will also change their recovery after long away trips, after a number of their worst losses in 2018 came after big weeks on the road.
“That was one of our biggest learnings … How important is rest versus preparation to go into the next game? McGregor said.
“We’ve got to try and find that 10 per cent. It’s not one thing, it’s a compounding effect of a lot of things we need to improve in every area.”
Corey Norman’s recruitment can also not only add to a dangerous spine but solve their recent mid-season Achilles heel.
After an off-season of rotating between options, Gareth Widdop will start at fullback but still has the ball-playing ability to inject himself alongside Ben Hunt like the pair did so well in 2018.
Matt Dufty – re-signed long-term – can also be used as a super sub at fullback, given Widdop, Hunt and hooker Cameron McInnes’ ability to play in different positions.
But crucially, McGregor is confident those options should help them through a representative period that has so often cruelled their momentum in recent years.
“What’s fortunate is if we do get an injury nothing changes too much,” McGregor said.
“Around Origin time we’d expect if Ben is playing the football he was at the start of last year he’ll be missing.
“We’ve got someone there who is experienced (to come in), who is proven in the NRL arena consistently over a season.
“That really strengthens our depth around that six-week period where in the past it’s been our anchor.”
What can’t be measured though is the impact of the Jack de Belin drama, and what mark it could have on the team early in the season both as a distraction and gap in their pack.
It will also present opportunities though.
While Korbin Sims – suspended for the first two rounds – is considered a like-for-like replacement for Leeson Ah Mau, Tyson Frizell will move to lock in place of de Belin if he remains unavailable.
That will then offer an opportunity for either Luciano Leilua or Jacob Host to start on the right edge, after spending the first few years of their careers coming off the bench.
“They’ve been patient with their opportunity but now they’ve got to go out and say ‘I want this’,” McGregor said.
DRAGONS
Finishes over the past three seasons: 2018 – 7th, 2017 – 9th, 2016 – 11th.
Coach: Paul McGregor
Captain: Gareth Widdop
Key gains: Corey Norman (Eels), Korbin Sims (Broncos).
Key losses: Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors), Nene Macdonald (Cowboys), Kurt Mann (Knights).
Best team: 1. Gareth Widdop, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Zac Lomax, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Paul Vaughan, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. James Graham, 11. Tariq Sims, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Matt Dufty, 15. Korbin Sims, 16. Luciano Leilua, 17. Blake Lawrie.
Predicted finish: 2nd
