Paul McGregor has shown the emotions behind the dragons’ rousing 14:12 victory over the eels in their last game responsible for the club.
McGregor’s time at the helm officially came to an end on Thursday when it was confirmed that he would step down from the role of head coach.
McGregor admitted that the emotions hit him on Thursday when he officially stepped down from the coaching role, but said he went into the game on Friday night to enjoy his last responsible time.
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Dragons send Mary upstairs
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“They are good now,” he said at the post-game press conference.
“They were confused yesterday morning and a little bit today when I packed the desk, but when I got to the game I just wanted to enjoy it with the players, it was great.
“It was a good way to end my career with the club.”
Throughout the year there were reports that he had lost the playgroup’s support, but McGregor said Friday night’s efforts and the post-game vision were evidence that it wasn’t.
The Dragons fans received heartfelt appreciation from skipper Cameron McInnes after the game as the rest of the team gathered around McGregor to secure the two-point win.
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“The players were pretty emotional there,” he said.
“There was a lot of talk about how they weren’t a close group and they weren’t playing for me, but that was too far from the truth and I think they showed that tonight.
“We had a little presentation there. cam [McInnes] gave me his sweater which is probably one of the best gifts I’ve got in my life from a person I admire playing the game and running the club.
“The closing speech was something I will remember. Some of the words that were spoken for some of the players were very special.
“Too many [tears] too many in the last 48 hours. “
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Mary’s emotional farewell
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As someone who not only coached the club, but also played a role, was the Foundation’s captain and was a Grand Final skipper, the decision to part with McGregor would not have been an easy one.
It brings a long association between McGregor and the club to a close. One of the 52-year-olds said he was grateful to look back.
“You start out as a player and this journey is great, then you become a captain, then a club captain and then a staff member and then a coach,” he said.
“For me it was a set of privileges all the way through no obligations.
“I never thought that once I started working as a commitment, I would work because it is a privilege to do what I do.”
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So where to go from here?
McGregor hasn’t had the best couple of months, with speculation about his future and the poor performances of the dragons who keep his name in the headlines.
But he said it didn’t do anything to stop him from following another coaching appearance.
“Absolutely,” he said.
“I love the game and I want to play the game for as long as possible. I have a lot to give.
“I have passion and enthusiasm. I am there to serve people. For me it’s not the end of my career, that’s for sure. “
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Press conference of the dragons
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McGregor’s first port of call is to see his ailing father spend his first day out of the spotlight.
“I’ll see papa – I locked myself in at 11 am to see my father,” he said.
“He’s sick in the hospital, he’s been there, and I haven’t seen him for three months.
“It’s kind of insane, so it’s hard. The news came on TV last night and he freaked out a bit and called my sister. I’ll calm him down tomorrow. “
After that, the 52-year-old finally has time for himself.
Right now, the countless nights of analyzing videos are over.
Instead, after a two-point win, he will head off into the sunset to reflect on what has passed and what is to come.
“Then I’ll go down the coast and I’ll probably have some quiet ones,” he said.
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