Gareth Widdop driving force behind St George Illawarra Dragons’ fast start to 2017

MATTHEW JOHNS: Of all the off-contract playmakers, St George-Illawarra’s Gareth Widdop is the least talked about but no one is in better form.

OF ALL the off-contract playmakers, Gareth Widdop is probably the least talked about, but no one is in better form.

Last week his performance against Manly was the best of any individual that I have seen in 2017.

Widdop controlled everything. His performance had smarts, class and so much energy and enthusiasm.

In a match of so many personal highlights, two moments stood out, and it was these plays which symbolise, not just Widdop, but his Dragons in 2017.

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The first was in the 72nd minute. It was the last tackle and the Dragons were held on their 40-metre line.

Widdop found himself cornered. He was down a narrow side and on the left side of the ruck, which was going to make it hard for the playmaker, given he’s a right-foot kicker.

No problem, Widdop collected the ball and in one motion smashed the ball off his left foot, which not only split the Manly winger and fullback, but miraculously sat in the in-goal area.

Great play in itself.

Gareth Widdop is in red-hot form. Picture: Mark Evans

But then Widdop picked himself up, sprinted down and led the kick chase, trapping Tom Trbojevic in his own 10 metres.

Trbojevic would have had nightmares about Widdop when his head hit the pillow that night, because moments later the Yorkshireman would torment him again.

This time it was from a speculative kick from Josh McCrone. For the Dragons the game was already theirs and given the kick was clearly going to run dead, there was no need to chase, but Widdop did anyway.

As the ball tumbled toward the dead-ball line, Trbojevic idled alongside it, shepherding it from any potential chaser.

Suddenly the ball bobbled on its point, slowed, and somehow Widdop reached around Trbojevic and in one motion grounded the football.

It was such an unbelievable try, only Widdop believed he’d scored. The video ref backed his claim.

Gareth Widdop scores an amazing try against Manly around Tom Trbojevic’s legs. Picture: Getty Images

When talent meets this type of effort, special things happen and the Dragons and their English playmaker are enjoying a special start to the season.

The 2016 season was a tough year for the pivot.

The Gareth Widdop/Benji Marshall halves partnership had its moments, but always looked destined for divorce. Their on-field relationship looked testy.

The problem was they came from completely different schools of football, and played by different principles.

Widdop is a product of Melbourne Storm. A school which teaches discipline, thoughtfulness, don’t leave anything to chance and a stick-to-a-structure approach.

The Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall partnership was doomed from the start. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Marshall was the ringmaster of the razzle dazzle Wests Tigers. He was encouraged to play whatever he saw, take chances, react, don’t overthink it, throw the pass and analyse the consequences later.

Sometimes contrasting styles and principles can work, but for Marshall and Widdop, it just couldn’t.

Since Widdop has taken control of the team, he’s flourished. That’s what he’s always sought, responsibility.

That’s the reason he left the Storm in the first place, he realised it was never ever going to be his football team, so he left the security of the big Melbourne three and forged his own path. He’s one of the very few players to leave the Storm and actually get better.

Paul McGregor deserves enormous credit for what he’s achieved with this team in the face of serious pressure.

Dragons Coach Paul McGregor has the team firing. Picture: Mark Evans

Pressure does strange things to coaches. I’ve seen pressure make coaches, not just paranoid, but controlling.

For McGregor, it’s done the opposite.

McGregor admitted leading into season 2016, he over-coached the team and as a result the Dragons became over structured and predictable.

I can understand how modern-day coaches suddenly “over-coach”. I mean, they are on the field with the team, in a video session or going through videotape, all day! How don’t you over-coach?

McGregor’s found a way.

By all reports, rather than bombard his team with ball work, structure and video, the lead-up to 2017 was about strength, speed and physical fitness.

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McGregor was alarmed by the statistic that they passed the football more than any other team in 2016. In other words, they were far too sideways.

Now, rather than finesse the football east/west, they are powering north/south, looking to play through the defence rather than attempting to go around it.

The pack has been phenomenal. Paul Vaughan has been a revelation; he’s gone from a bench player at Canberra to pack leader and Origin bolter.

Russell Packer, Tyson Frizell, Joel Thompson and Jack De Belin, they’ve all been mighty.

And Tariq Sims? Is that he same bloke who was playing at Newcastle?

Jack De Belin races in for a try against Manly. Picture: Mark Evans

The two huge surprise packets have been Josh McCrone and Cameron McInnes.

McCrone has jumped into the No.7 jersey and playing the best football of his career. He doesn’t encroach on Widdop, he just keeps the ship on course, while McInnes is by far the NRL’s most improved footballer.

At Souths they always had him earmarked as a player with great potential, but for whatever reason he never quite looked capable of filling Issac Luke’s boots. How that’s changed!

In February as round one approached all the talk from within the St George Illawarra camp was one of confidence, no one listened.

The Dragons are surprising everyone, everyone except themselves.