Aug 26th, 2019

Aug 26th, 2019

* N.B. This story has been updated due to the Dragons responding through a statement several hours after the first version was published

Feelings between the under-performing Dragons and their fans have reached boiling point, after a disgruntled supporter was not allowed to take a banner criticising coach Paul McGregor into Kogarah Oval last weekend.

Fans have vented their fury on social media after life-long Dragons fan George Youssif, of Campsie, was barred from entering the ground before a big loss to the Roosters with a banner saying: 'Step down McGregor'.

Security guards stopped Youssif and his eight-year-old son at the gate, saying that they could enter - but only if they ditched the banner.

"They radioed someone and then banned me taking in the banner," Youssif told Wide World of Sports.

"Free speech is dead … we just turned around and went home and my son was shattered. How do I explain to him why we couldn't go to watch his heroes?

"I have cancelled my membership of the club and I know plenty of other people who have done the same. The club is in shambles.

"I have received massive support from lots of other fans who are all asking why I couldn't take my banner in. The fans are angry."

Security guards told Youssif that banners had to be registered to be brought into the ground.

"But that is rubbish - I've been taking banners into the ground since I was a kid and this is the first time this has happened," Youssif said.

The Dragons responded to Youssif's angry social media post about the incident, claiming they had always had a banner registration policy - which several fans have refuted.

"It's complete lies," Youssif said.

Fellow Dragons fan Peter Trad backed up Youssif's claims.

"There has never been a banner registrating policy - the club is making things up," Trad said.

Venue management provided the following statement when contacted by the Dragons about the non-entry on Saturday: "Stadium management considered the content of the banners to be derogatory and inflammatory and denied entry of the banners in the interests of the client and public order, in accordance with the conditions of entry at the venue."

* Several hours after this story was published the Dragons responded by putting out a statement on their banner policy. Click here to read the full statement on the Dragons' website.

St George Illawarra Dragons coach Paul McGregor. (AAP)

WESTS TIGERS TARGET MANLY RISING STAR

The Tigers are leading the race to sign Manly superstar-in-waiting Josh Schuster.

A former member of the NSW under-18 team, Schuster - the nephew of ex-Knights centre John Schuster - has been earmarked for the top grade for the past three seasons at Manly.

The 18-year-old Schuster is regarded as the next big thing in the game and his YouTube highlights reel is staggering.

The youngster is off-contract and has half a dozen clubs wanting to sign him for next season and throw him straight into first-grade.

The Tigers have tossed big money at the rookie but he also feels a certain loyalty to Manly.

"It's a tough call for Josh and he will make his decision in the next few weeks," Schuster's manager Mario Tartak told Wide World of Sports.

TIGERS SNARE QUEENSLAND YOUNGSTERS

The Tigers are building for the long-term and are excited about the signing of an 18-year-old centre, Reece Hoffman, who made his Intrust Super Cup debut for Wynnum Manly last weekend and celebrated the occasion with a try.

Both Hoffman and another new recruit, Jake Simpkin impressed for Queensland in the under-18 State of Origin against NSW this season and will formally join the club over the summer.

Jason Demetriou with Wayne Bennett at Brisbane last season. (AAP)

DEMETRIOU HOLDING OUT FOR SOUTHS JOB

Kristian Woolf has got the nod for the plum St Helens job - but my mail is he wasn't the Saints' first choice.

The Saints were keen on Wayne Bennett's right-hand man at Souths: Jason Demetriou.

Demetriou is a first-grade coach in waiting and my mail is that he does much of the day-to-day coaching at the Rabbitohs, while Bennett is more concerned with 'man management' and dealing with the media and board.

Demetriou is being earmarked as Bennett's replacement at Souths and didn't throw his hat into the ring at St Helens. The only question is; when will the 69-year-old Bennett hang up the clipboard?