Paul McGregor would have moved Josh Dugan to accommodate Jack Bird

PAUL McGregor has conceded that Jack Bird will not rejoin the Dragons, but says he would have moved Josh Dugan to accommodate the youngster.

NOT even the chance to wear the St George Illawarra Dragons’ No. 1 jumper has been enough to convince Jack Bird to return home.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday the NRL rookie of the year “wasn’t coming’’ back to wear the Red V, and if he had done so, would have played fullback, not five-eighth.

Bird is expected to remain at Cronulla for an extra season, which will take him through to the end of 2017, even though an official word is still to come from the shire club.

While McGregor has what he calls ‘’the best defensive fullback in the game’’ in Josh Dugan, he was still prepared to shift him for former junior Bird.

“Jack isn’t coming,’’ McGregor said when asked about the race to sign Bird.

“I never like losing a local junior, and I had just taken over as (NRL) coach when Jack decided to go to Cronulla.

“I would have liked Jack to come home to be totally honest.

“I understand his future is elsewhere now, and it was a tough decision for him because he still had 12 months to run on his current contract, and to make a decision 12 months prior (to a new deal) was a hard call on a young kid.

“My understanding is he’ll stay at Cronulla. I honestly thought Jack as a kid would make an outstanding fullback, and our under-20s coaches at the time, Ben Hornby and Dean Young, put him there in a game against Brisbane, and they won by 50. He was an absolute standout.

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“I always thought he was the type of player who would excel at fullback, and I still do. I think he would have made a really good fullback, and that’s how we were looking at him.’’

While Dragons’ fans would have loved seeing 20-year-old Bird back at home, they’ll be just as passionate about where Dugan plays — fullback or centre.

It’s a wonderful headache for McGregor, who has been happy to watch Dugan and new recruit Kurt Mann train at the back.

Dugan could make the move to right centre.

Dugan is keen to shift to right centre, but McGregor would only be keen if a suitable fullback like Mann put his hand up during the trials.

“I still think Josh is the best defensive fullback in the game,’’ McGregor said.

“Everyone has made comment about how you need a ball-playing fullback to go forward, and that was something we lacked a bit of finesse with last season.

“But you have to remember Josh at fullback gives you 150m a game and a couple of tries saved, he organises defence really well, and his percentages for bomb diffusals are up there with the best of them. He’s also the current NSW fullback.

“But I’m willing to give everyone an opportunity to excel in different positions, and then get the best fit for the football team.’’

McGregor is suddenly spoiled for choice with outside backs, with Dugan, Tim Lafai — who played right centre at the Bulldogs, but prefers to play on the left — Mann, Euan Aitken and Peter Mata’utia already impressing at training.

Originally published as Paul McGregor would have moved Josh Dugan to accommodate Jack Bird