IF Josh Dugan looks tough, you should hear the stories about Dragons coach Paul McGregor.

McGregor made it perfectly clear what he wanted from his players when he first replaced coach Steve Price midway through last season, and has continued the no-nonsense approach through the pre-season.

Come Saturday night during the Charity Shield, McGregor could easily do the unthinkable and look more intense than South Sydney counterpart Michael Maguire in the coach’s box.

McGregor let Dugan know at the start of the pre-season he wanted him to switch back to fullback.

NRL TEAMS FOR WEEKEND TRIALS

Dugan has welcomed the move — but more importantly McGregor’s ability to let every player know where they stand.

“When ‘Mary’ first started, he did say, ‘this is the way it’s going to be, and if you don’t like it, there’s the door’,’’ Dugan told The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s always been pretty upfront. That’s the best thing about him. You don’t want someone who will beat around the bush or sugar-coats things.

“If you need a kick up the bum, Mary can do that.

“I remember a game against Manly at Kogarah last year, and the back five copped a serving at half-time. There was myself, Jason Nightingale, Gerard Beale, Brett Morris.

That’s three internationals and myself, and I’m a NSW player as well.

“He gave us a spray about costing the team the game because we weren’t performing to our standards.

“It would be up there (with one of the best sprays), but it’s also the motivation you might need sometimes if you’re not performing.’’

The proud Dragons have failed to make the finals the past three seasons, and McGregor might be the man they need.

Dugan performing at his best in the No. 1 jumper will also be vital.

Initially, Dugan was loathe to give up playing centre, but didn’t need much convincing from McGregor.

The fact Jarryd Hayne’s No. 1 jumper for NSW is also up for grabs is sure to be an extra incentive.

Blues coach Laurie Daley said this week Dugan, Brett Stewart and Matt Moylan were the fullback frontrunners, and Dugan was ‘’never overawed, a strong ballrunner and big’’.

Dugan said of fullback: “I was loving centre, and this time last year I would have said put me in the centres. But playing fullback is now the best thing for me and the best thing for the team.’’

Had Greg Inglis started for Souths, the Charity Shield would have featured a ding-dong pre-season battle between the No. 1s.

Dugan said it was great to get a shot at the premiers this early, and it was important to not only win the Charity Shield, but build some momentum heading into the World Club Challenge in England and then the season proper.

“For us to beat the reigning premiers, even though they might not have some of their big guns playing, it will be a good test for us before we go to England,’’ Dugan said.

“If we can get a couple of wins before the start of the season, we’ll be flying and ready for round one.’’