FORMER St George Illawarra player Mitch Rein has hit out at Dragons coaching staff, declaring the club placed “limitations” on him that stunted his development as a player.

The 26-year-old went from a Country Origin player in 2014 and 2015 to the bench at the Dragons with coach Paul McGregor opting for Jake Marketo in the starting hooking role.

Rein has since linked with Penrith on a two-year deal after being told the Dragons were looking in another direction at the end of 2016.

Mitch Rein in action at Panthers training. Source: News Corp Australia

Round 20

That direction led them to South Sydney’s Cameron McInnes who almost joined the club 12 months earlier before deciding to remain at the Rabbitohs.

Asked whether he felt he had plateaued under McGregor, Rein said: “Probably, yeah.

“The last two years there, although it was enjoyable when we were winning, I felt I had a lot more to offer.

“I had a lot more improvement in my game and coming here is the best way to do that, I can learn from Hook and the staff and the rest of the other players, it’s going to be good.”

While Rein has only been at the Panthers for a week, he’s noticed a huge difference between his new and old clubs and he’s backing himself to realise his full potential at the foot of the mountains.

“I know what I’m capable of and playing (at the Dragons), with all the limitations of what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not, that’s one thing I’ve noticed coming here, it’s a lot more positive,” he said.

Mitch Rein in action during his time at the Dragons. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

When pressed on what those limitations were, Rein said: “Just the way the coaches are.

“You watch games last year and the year before.

“Especially watching Penrith at the back end of last year, how entertaining the brand of footy they were playing was, it was awesome to watch.

“It’s another thing that made the move coming up here a bit more appealing.”

Contract negotiations between Rein and the Dragons lingered on for much of 2016 and he admits his departure from his junior club after 132 appearances was tough to stomach.

“It was pretty hard,” Rein said. “Just how it turned out, how things ended, it was pretty hard to take at the start.

“There’s no point complaining about it, I just have to move on and do the best you can.”

The writer is on Twitter: @JohnDean_

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