St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor’s mother hospitalised after stroke

WHAT’S the Buzz (Part 2): Saving his coaching job is not Paul McGregor’s No. 1 priority right now because there is a far more important battle going on in his personal life.

Paul McGregor in the post match media conference after the NRL round 26 match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah. pic Mark Evans

SAVING his coaching job at St George Illawarra is not Paul McGregor’s No. 1 priority right now because there is a far more important battle going on in his personal life.

McGregor’s 79-year-old mum Jean suffered a severe stroke last weekend. She is in the critical care unit at Wollongong Hospital and is partly paralysed.

Paul’s father Frank has not left her bedside since Sunday. The coach is also spending every spare moment there when not with the Dragons.

Paul McGregor has been spending all his spare time at his mother’s bedside. Pic Mark Evans

He declined to comment on his situation when I rang.

The reason I wanted to write this story today is to appeal to Dragons fans and Mary’s critics to back off, at least while all this is happening behind the scenes.

I have seen some shocking stuff on social media in recent times and the guy deserves a break. Who plays half in round one is not as important as the battle his mum’s facing.

There’s been talk the Dragons must win four of their first six games for McGregor to keep his job.

As much as the coach is desperate for an improved season, his mum’s survival and care is obviously far more important. And it puts our lives into perspective.

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Politis devoted

IS there a more fanatical club official in the game than Roosters supremo Nick Politis? Politis has been in Greece but it didn’t stop him from watching every moment of every game at the Auckland Nines last weekend, staying up all night to watch his beloved Chooks beat the Panthers in the final. What price he sent a text message to his mate Gus Gould to rub it in.

Kai Raper and Lachlan Woodger part of legendary rugby league families.

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Kai Raper, grandson of the great Johnny, and Lachlan Woodger, grandson of legendary halfback Billy Smith (pictured), play for Sutherland Under 14 Boys, the team your columnist coaches. They are both wonderful kids.

The event is a massive tourism boost with 15,000 people attending the tournament. Accommodation is almost booked out between Nambucca Heads and Grafton.

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The situation is causing huge problems for jersey manufacturers and major sports stores such as Peter Wynn’s Score and Rebel.

Fans don’t want to buy a jersey that’s out of date and January sales were slower for this reason.

The Eels’ position is understandable considering the scandals of recent years which led to Dyldam quitting after almost 20 years.

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