Packer and Dugan to leave lasting legacy: McGregor

Dugan ended a drawn-out saga surrounding his future prior to State of Origin I, committing to Cronulla on a four-year deal, while Packer is headed to the Wests Tigers for the next four seasons from 2018.

They are career-defining contracts for both men, who have rebuilt their NRL stocks at the club after coming off the rails off the field earlier in their careers. 

McGregor will be at the Dragons helm until the end of 2019 after signing a two-year contract extension this week and said both players still have a role to play in shaping the club’s future this season.

“They’re both players that are really important to 2017 and will continue to be,” McGregor said.

“They’re in our leadership group, they’re international players. I’d love to keep every player but the salary cap is a complex process. I’m just happy that those guys have got secure futures.

“It’s great to see Russell’s financial security over the next four years. Although I’m disappointed it’s not with our club, it’s great for him to have that security for his family after what his journey’s been.”

McGregor said Packer, in particular, provided valuable insights when the club conducted a review of a dismal 2016 campaign and has been instrumental in driving a cultural change through the Dragons squad. 

“Russell is a very strong, honest, opinionated person who’s really developing our squad this year through his leadership,” McGregor said.

“He’s a leader, he’s very intelligent, he’s been through some tough times in his life and sometimes he’s the one who brings things up that everyone else would keep secret.

“He learned a lot from the difficulties he went through. He spent 12 months away from his family in jail, his security around rugby league got taken away from him for two years. That’s why I think he’s been such an important role model for others.

“When you explain that journey to other players and people in the organisation, it reminds them just how important living in the now is. 

“For a person that had been away from the game for so long to change the way he was, to into the man he is now… that’s inspiring for other young men in our organisation to see.”

Packer was modest about his individual contribution to the club’s turnaround, but said he’s determined to leave the club that gave him his rugby league lifeline on a good note.

“Obviously everything I’ve been through gives you a different perspective and I approach the game a little bit differently through preparation and stuff outside of football,” Packer said.

“Just the environment here has allowed me to be consistent on and off the field and when your life’s like that it’s easier to perform when you play.

“We all learned a lot out of that review. I’m sure Mary did, and as players, we learned a lot sitting down and going over the areas where we went wrong and looking for ways to improve it.

“To see people change things and turn it around, I’m just happy to be a part of it. If we keep playing well, you never know what’s around the corner so I’m really excited for the rest of this year.”