ST GEORGE Illawarra skipper Gareth Widdop continues to win most of the plaudits for rebooting the Dragons attack this season, but fans can take plenty of confidence from Josh McCrone’s performance against Manly on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 29-year-old was just one of a host of contenders to partner Widdop at the scrumbase in 2017, after young-gun Drew Hutchison suffered a preseason ACL injury prior to Christmas.
McGregor ultimately opted for the 146-game NRL veteran and, after making an understated start over the opening five rounds, he repayed the faith against the Sea Eagles, turning in what was undoubtedly his best performance in Dragons colours.
The former Country rep put Euan Aitken over untouched with a deft pass in the first half and did the same for Jack de Belin after an incisive run early in the second.
His kick for Widdop’s second try just moments from fulltime proved the exclamation point on the performance but his reaction was typically understated post-match.
“Footy’s a bit of a funny game, sometimes the ball comes your way and sometimes it doesn’t,” McCrone said.
“Gaz has had the run of the footy the last couple of weeks but [against Manly] the footy came my way a bit and we were able to finish with a couple of points.
“As long as the team’s scoring points I’m happy. It can still improve but at the moment passes are sticking and guys are pushing into the right spaces.”
McCrone’s six consecutive games alongside Widdop is his longest stretch with any halves partner since he partnered Terry Campses for 10 straight games with Canberra in 2014, something he feels is showing in the club’s performances.
“It’s been nice to get a bit of consistency and that’s what we’ve got at the moment in the halves,” McCrone said.
“I think it’s something this club underestimated last year, giving time to build combinations, and it’s something that’s really come along this year. We talk about the forward pack we’ve got and it’s a powerful pack that rolls through teams in the middle. If you’re an NRL half you should enjoy playing off the back of that and at the moment we’re having a bit of fun.”
With Ben Hunt set to arrive on a six-year deal in 2018, Widdop and McCrone face uncertain futures at the club with Wests Tigers reportedly ready to launch a bid to lure the Dragons skipper to to Concord. It’s just one storyline in the most volatile halves market in recent memory but McCrone remains unfazed by the chaos despite being off-contract.
“I don’t worry too much about all that chat,” McCrone said.
“Fortunately enough, or unfortunately enough, I’ve been around long enough to see this merry-go-around happen a few times.
“For me it's about having a happy life at home and coming to training and working hard there and putting in good performances on the weekend. Everything else will take care of itself.”