McCrone in it for the long haul at halfback

Who will partner Gareth Widdop in the halves has been the major story line running through the Dragons preseason since young-gun Drew Hutchison suffered a season-ending ACL tear pre-Christmas.

Coach Paul McGregor suggested after his side’s Charity Shield defeat two weeks ago that he may try and find room for both Field and McCrone  in his 17, given the latter’s utility value.

McCrone got the early nod when the initial 21-man squad for round one was named on Tuesday – with Field named in the No. 17 jumper – and insisted he’s preparing play the full game at the scrum-base.

“In my own head, I’m going out there expecting to play 80 minutes at halfback,” McCrone said.

“That utility value obviously gives me more of an opportunity to play in the team but I’m just looking forward to playing halfback first and foremost and doing a really good job there.

“Whatever comes after that I’ll deal with it then.

“If Fieldy’s on the bench he’s a half that has to come on so there’s a fair chance [I may move elsewhere] but I’ve just got to go in with the mentality that I’m out there for 80 minutes it I’ve got to give it everything.”

The 29-year-old is closing in on 150 first grade games but has spent the last two seasons with Canberra and the Dragons drifting in and out of first grade largely in utility roles.

He was a key member of Illawarra’s reserve grade double crown last season, playing in the halves, at hooker and lock, but sees 2017 as a chance to re-establish himself as a genuine NRL half.

“It’s awesome to be back [in first grade] but at the same time there’s 26 rounds and you want to be there in round 26 as much as round one,” McCrone said.

“It was a good way to end the year last year in reserve grade winning the two comps but this is where everyone wants to play.

“I was confident in my own ability, it was always going to be up to Mary but I’m just thankful for the opportunity now.”

McCrone will now be asked to play a major role in rebooting the Dragons attack which has come in for heavy criticism in the past 12 months.

A limp attacking effort in the Charity Sheild has again put the focus on what Dragons do with the football but McCrone is confident preseason adjustments will have the desired effect.

“We’re a lot more relaxed and there’s been a lot more emphasis on just having our eyes up and playing footy,” McCrone said.

“[McGregor’s] put a lot more control in the halves’s hands and the hooker and the fullback.

“We’ve got a big powerful forward pack so we’ll just let them roll forward in yardage and play simple footy on the back of it rather than worrying about getting to a certain point on the field to run a certain play.”