The belief of Paul McGregor helps fuel Dragons skipper Cam McInnes

Paul McGregor raised a few eyebrows when he declared Cam McInnes the best hooker in NSW but it’s that kind of belief that’s helping push the Dragons rake to the top.

McInnes is one of St George Illawarra’s most consistent players. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

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When Paul McGregor declared Cameron McInnes was the best hooker in NSW it may have raised a few eyebrows.

But McInnes was not surprised as he has felt McGregor’s unwavering support since he joined the club from South Sydney in 2017.

“I owe him and the club a lot for where I was when I came to the club to where I am now,” McInnes said. “He is a great man. I have a great relationship with him. For him to say that — it’s great he thinks highly of me. I love playing for the Dragons and the fans but for what Mary (McGregor) and what the club has done for me I have that extra motivation each week to play to almost not let them down because they’ve given me such a great opportunity in my life and footy.”

McInnes has not always had that belief. His career was at a crossroads when he was unwanted by his junior club South Sydney after three seasons in the top grade where he failed to cement himself as an NRL hooker.

“There was no one to blame but my self. I had performances that weren’t good enough,” McInnes said. “I learnt a lot from that how I need to approach footy and what works best for me. Mary was good in helping me understand that. He told me to play the way I play and not try and worry about playing how another hooker plays. To hear that and have that is everything as a player you want.

McInnes is one of St George Illawarra’s most consistent players. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

“There are guys who are in rep teams who play a certain style and that works for them but you are your own player and you have your own style.

“I know what that is for me since I was kid. Sometimes you want to have success and you want to make it so you start doing things you probably shouldn’t be doing on the field. That can have a spiralling affect — that’s what happened at Souths.”

He has played 57 games straight since joining the Dragons — with the majority 80 minute performances. He regularly tops the tackle count and has been given the joint captaincy of the side in the absence of injured Gareth Widdop.

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“In terms of the tackling I’ve done that my whole life.,” McInnes said. “Attack wise I still feel I can add a lot to the game. My first priority is defence and has been since I was a kid.

“My first year (at the Dragons) I played 80 each week at the back end of the year maybe I was more fatigued. But with experience you get better at it. Last year I finished the year a lot stronger than the year before. I expect to do the same this year. I’m diligent in the way I prepare, recover and eat well.

“I don’t see making all the tackles and playing 80 minutes as burden because if I was sitting on the bench I would be filthy.”

Originally published as The belief of Paul McGregor helps fuel Dragons skipper Cam McInnes