Dragons coach Steve Price talks to Phil Rothfield

STEVE Price could be excused for feeling under serious pressure. He's a struggling first-year coach at the NRL's most famous footy club.

Steve Price

STEVE Price could be excused for feeling under serious pressure. He's a struggling first-year coach at the NRL's most famous footy club.

He has heard the rumour about Ricky Stuart being secretly approached by St George Illawarra.

The story that he wants to get rid of Matt Cooper and Ben Hornby and the gossip that Jamie Soward will be released to be play for Wigan.

And the suggestion from former international Gorden Tallis that he's trying to be a Wayne Bennett clone.

On the eve of today's local derby against the Sharks, Price insists the club is in great shape and reveals how he will save their season.

Are you feeling pressure?

No, not really. There's pressure in every job. I can only be myself and I'm confident in my own ability and what we're trying to achieve as a footy club.

Following Wayne Bennett was always going to be tough.

There's always expectation. Wayne will go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of rugby league. I had to start somewhere. It's a great challenge for me to come out and express who I am. I know my own ability and I know what I'm doing.

Why are St George Illawarra struggling?

I wouldn't say we are struggling. Defensively we're pretty sound. We're top five in the competition ... we are under no illusions we need to improve our offence.

You're not winning, though.

We've been in a couple of golden points. I thought we played an outstanding game against the Raiders but didn't get two points. It was a high quality game. We've got to find ways in our attack to improve. We're working hard in that regard and I've got confidence in what I believe is an outstanding playing group.

Are some of your players underachieving. You're outside the eight.

We're two points out of the eight, that's all.

But you've got extremely demanding fans.

We're a proud footy club and there are high expectations. I expect that. We've got a very strong brand and very passionate supporter base. There is a great culture and a great spirit among the boys.

You're backing the players, but a few of them have been a bit disappointing.

I wouldn't say that at all. I scrutinise a game a lot more closely than people outside of the club. We are creating a lot of opportunities but it's just that final pass we're missing.

Gorden Tallis said on TV the other day that you're a Wayne Bennett clone the way you speak and the way you carry yourself. Is that a fair assessment. Did you hear it?

I heard it through some friends. It's not right, though. People who know me know what type of bloke I am. That's far from the truth.

You smile more than Wayne.

Wayne is a great friend and I learnt a hell of a lot from him. But I'm Steve Price, I'm my own man and that's all that matters to me.

Do you talk to Wayne much?

We have spoken a couple of times.

Do you ring him?

We ring each other. We won a premiership together and there are memories for the rest of our lives.

Do you ring him for advice.

No it's more just a chat. He's always going to be a friend. It's just private stuff we talk about.

Okay, Matt Cooper and Ben Hornby. Are they too long in the tooth? Are they reaching their use-by date?

It wasn't that long ago they won a premiership - 18 months ago.

Surely you've heard the speculation they are not wanted?

They are contracted and they will be at our footy club next year. There's a hell of a lot of good things they are doing for the club.

So have you got any room in the cap for next year?

We're very happy with our roster but you're always on the lookout for marquee signings.

But do you have room in the salary cap?

It's something we could look at down the track.

Will Jeremy Smith come back to the club?

He wants to come back, does he?

That's what I've heard.

Well, it's news to me. He's been outstanding for Cronulla and I loved every minute when we were coaching him a couple of years ago. He's one tough guy, but he's contracted to Cronulla.

Seriously, don't you need a marquee player right now to get more competitive.

You're always looking for top-shelf players, but it comes back to the dollars available.

Jamie Soward said he wouldn't play for another NRL club but there is talk of him going to Wigan. Is he staying?

Yes, he most definitely is.

Do you want him long-term?

Yes I do. He's an integral part of our club. He's grown up as a man and I'm happy with what he's contributing.

You say he's grown up, but it was bad sportsmanship that he didn't shake hands with the Raiders players.

Jamie was mature enough to publicly express in the days following the game that he had been caught up in the moment and wanted to leave the field to gather his thoughts. He did not mean any disrespect and, upon reflection, he understood that it hadn't been the best thing to do.

You don't sound like you want to change anything, apart from a few more wins.

We're not that far away at the moment. I analyse our footy team and there are encouraging signs, however we are still working very hard on our offence.

What about your future. How long are you under contract?

Next year.

Do you think you've got to make the eight to be safe and be a success this year?

My job is to have a competitive football team. I think we've been competitive. I'm confident in my own ability and the ability of my staff. I've been coaching for 12 years.

Ricky Stuart doesn't yet have a job for 2013. Does it give you the shits that people say the Dragons are interested in him. Have you heard that?

I don't read a lot of papers but I've heard it through people talking. That doesn't faze me. I just focus on what I can control and that's coaching the team.

Can you still make the finals?

We're two points away and we've got a lot of experience ... we believe we can and it starts from this weekend.

Is today's game against the Sharks your grand final.

I wouldn't say it's a grand final. It's crucial we put in a good performance. We must start winning very shortly.

Can you hold the comeback one more week?

Haha.

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PRICE ON SIGNING PLAYERS

WHAT is going on with the recruitment at St George Illawarra?

What do you mean.

You've only signed Gerard Beale. Other clubs appear to have been far more active.

We've got Tyson Frizzell, too, and upgraded some of our younger players like Trent Merrin, Kyle Stanley, Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale and Jack De Belin, Cameron King, Jack Stockwell. I've got no drama with our recruitment. We've got a great junior guy in Ben Haran and a senior guy in Craig Young. They are rock solid in what I expect from them.

Some of the agents have told me Craig Young can be a bit gruff and hard to deal with.

I don't know about that, I have never heard what you are suggesting. He's 100 per cent.

But can he sign you a player?

He's signed plenty of players. I have the utmost confidence in what Craig is doing.