Gordon's decision to save cash a WIN-win for McGregor
The decision to not sack Paul McGregor was effectively made prior to St George Illawarra’s 10.30am emergency board meeting on Tuesday, by someone who didn’t participate in it.
Dragons part-owner Bruce Gordon, whose estimated net worth as the head of WIN Corporation is $728 million, is not a director of the club. However, his view was conveyed to the board early in the 45-minute Zoom meeting: the coach is not to be boned.
Gordon is the man who writes the cheques. Given he wasn’t prepared to cut one for the $1 million required to pay out McGregor - plus the expense of finding a replacement - that was that. McGregor is safe, for now.
Other reasons will be given for not pulling the trigger. A dearth of quality replacements is perhaps the most legitimate one. To hand over to Dean Young, Trent Barrett, Jason Ryles, Nathan Brown, Steve Price or Craig Fitzgibbon would be viewed as 'jobs for the boys' at a club trying to distance itself from being an old boy’s club. With respect to the other names mentioned - including Anthony Griffin, Shaun Wane, Cameron Ciraldo and Neil Henry - no one stands above the pack to demand selection. Even Wayne Bennett, who was secretly sounded out some months ago about a potential return to the Red V, is committed to seeing out the year with South Sydney.
History also weighed heavily on the Dragons directors. This is not a club with a tendency to axe coaches. For it to do so now, four games into a two-year contract, would be to concede the directors got it spectacularly wrong.
But the real reason McGregor will hold the clipboard in the derby against the Sharks on Sunday boils down to cold, hard cash. Once Gordon, the club’s money man, decided he didn’t want to put his hand in his pocket again, the board’s decision was made.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. During the off-season, Phil Gould was tasked with carrying out a review of the football department. Some of the key recommendations - such as employing an “advisor” as a sounding board to McGregor - were not implemented due to cost.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor will remain in charge for the game against the Sharks.Credit:AAP
Once again, the Dragons are making changes but not the biggest change of all. The directors made it clear that assistants Young and Shane Flanagan must be given more say in how the team is run. Executive manager of football Ben Haran will be tasked with ensuring the power is more evenly distributed among the St George Illawarra brains trust as the club treads the fine line between introducing fresh ideas and sidelining McGregor.
There will also be a renewed focus on promoting young players into the NRL side. The directors felt it was time to shake up selections, that too many underperforming stalwarts were blocking the path of rising talent. Boom rookie Jason Saab has already requested a release while Matt Dufty is considering his options given the Titans are keen to accommodate him immediately. Tristan Sailor was a standout during the Nines but can’t get a look in. McGregor has been told things need to change.
“Although the board acknowledges the club's performances so far throughout 2020 have been unacceptable, we will continue to support Paul, his staff and the team through these tough times,” said Dragons chairman Andrew Gordon, Bruce's son.
"We are committed to Paul as coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons and look forward to seeing him right the wrongs of the opening month of the current campaign.
"We are a club that stands by our people when under pressure. This is a time for loyalty, strength and commitment from the players, coach, board and staff to improve.”
By sticking with McGregor, the club has saved money. However, if things don’t improve, the decision could still prove costly.