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St George Illawarra great Shaun Timmins has warned Dragons fans it could take the length of new coach Paul McGregor's three-year deal for the club to emerge as a genuine premiership force.
McGregor has signalled his intention to shake up the Dragons roster in the wake of three straight seasons without finals football but faces a tough task as the club looks to alleviate salary cap pressure.
The top squad will resume training, minus their Four Nations contingent, on October 28 but the final roster could take much longer to fine-tune.
Only Penrith NSW Cup winger Eto Nabuli has been added but the Dragons have also been been linked to former Warriors prop Russell Packer, currently serving time in jail for assault.
Timmins - who partnered McGregor in the centres in the joint venture's first season in 1999 - said it was imperative his former skipper be given the time to build his own squad.
"I'm glad he's got [a] three-year deal because I think it's going to take him three years to get the side that will be his," Timmins said.
"He wants to get his own side in and be accountable for it because that's the type of guy Mary is. I know he's been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to look at which players they need to move on and which players they need to get to the club.
"I don't know the ins and outs but it's a tough job.
"It's been a real eye-opener for him, I know that, but hopefully he gets the roster he wants and we'll really see what type of coach he is."
McGregor's job has been complicated by the Dragons' salary cap, which could cost them Origin star Brett Morris, linked to a reunion with twin brother Josh at the Bulldogs.
The club confirmed in September that Morris is seeking an upgraded deal for next year and beyond.
Fellow Origin star Trent Merrin is also seeking an upgrade, which combined with the mid-season recruitment of Benji Marshall has put the squeeze on the club's salary cap.
Morris' wing partner Jason Nightingale has also been linked to a switch to Cronulla, while several other players have been told they're free to look elsewhere next year.
Timmins said he would be disappointed to see fellow Kiama product Morris leave the club but conceded the Dragons may be left with little option.
"It is a hard one but obviously Brett you'd love to keep," Timmins said.
"We're probably paying a fair bit of money for two wingers but they deserve what they get because they're two of the best in the comp.
"It's an awkward position for Mary, he's pretty much come in and this has fallen in his lap. But that's the good thing about Mary, he's certainly not afraid to make those tough calls and I'm looking forward to an exciting new start next year."