Wooden spoon punters lose big time from St George Illawarra Dragons revival

ST GEORGE Illawarra’s Paul McGregor has saved his NRL coaching career — and in the process cruelled punters — by running laps of WIN Stadium.

ST GEORGE Illawarra’s Paul McGregor has saved his NRL coaching career — and in the process cruelled punters — by running laps of WIN Stadium.

And boxing.

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His survival even credited to stints on a stationary bike and rower.

Coach Paul McGregor sprints away during a St George Illawarra training session at WIN Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello

While not the first coach to train with his players, the results have been staggering for an outfit now in first place despite still being the most heavily backed side for the wooden spoon.

Indeed, a TAB spokesman revealed the Dragons, whose premiership odds have been slashed from $101 to $13, were so heavily backed to finish with most losses, they still have more money riding on them to run last than even back-to-back spooners Newcastle.

Elsewhere, their odds of making the top eight have firmed to $1.35, while the price for them finishing with most losses has been wound out from $5.50 to $151.

Jack De Belin celebrates a try during St George Illawarra’s win over Manly at Brookvale. Picture: Mark Evans

And all while McGregor runs.

In fact, Dragons players have told The Saturday Telegraph how McGregor’s willingness to compete in training drills for the first time since his retirement 16 years ago is a major part of why they now sit first in the NRL.

Favoured to be the first coach sacked in 2017, McGregor is instead on the cusp of signing a new club contract — thanks in no small part to his sweat sessions alongside stars Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizell and Gareth Widdop.

“The way he’s jumped into fitness drills, the boys really respect that,’’ Dragons forward Joel Thompson revealed. “He’s dropped himself to our level and the team loves it.

Gareth Widdop has been a big part of the Dragons’ red-hot form. Picture: Mark Evans

“I’ve really notice a change in him this year. He’s got back to doing what he does best, coaching, rather than being focused on everything else that goes on in a club.

“So he deserves every success we’ve had so far because he’s a great coach and the boys are really playing for him.”

Dragons centre Euan Aitken agrees.

“It’s been great to see Mary leading from the front in training,’’ he said. “It proves to the players how committed he is, that he’s emotional about this club and wants us to do well.

Joel Thompson celebrates St George Illawarra’s win over Manly. Picture: Mark Evans

“I think him getting involved at training, it’s testament to his character too. That and how determined he is for us to have success.”

But as for how the former Australian centre, aged 49, goes in said drills?

“Actually not bad,’’ Aitken laughed. “He’s going all right for an old-timer.”

Thompson added: “I think he runs most mornings before training because he’s pretty fit.

“He doesn’t do all the sessions but he jumps in where he can ... he’s good.”

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Despite his early favouritism to be the first coach sacked in 2017, McGregor has instead steered his side into first place with five wins from six games — including the heavyweight scalps of Penrith and defending premiers Cronulla.

And on Saturday night at WIN Stadium, his Dragons will be looking to continue their strong start when they take on a North Queensland outfit missing megastar Johnathan Thurston.

Originally published as Wooden spoon punters lose big time from St George Illawarra Dragons revival