Wests Tigers half-back Raecene McGregor believes her game is as strong it was in 2022 when she won the NRLW Dally M Medal.
On Tuesday night, McGregor was rewarded for her outstanding form in her first season back at Wests Tigers by winning the club’s NRLW Player of the Year award.
She became just the second player to collect the award after Sarah Togatuki, a three-time recipient.
A former NSW Women’s Premiership player with the Tigers, McGregor returned to Concord this season from St George Dragons as part of the major NRLW program rebuild under new coach Craig Sandercock.
It proved to be a masterstroke with McGregor playing a dominant role as the Tigers finished fourth to make the NRLW finals for the first time since entering the competition in 2023.
A three-time NRLW premiership winner, McGregor’s experience, game knowledge, and leadership proved invaluable in leading the team’s attack with 11 try assists and eight-line break assists.
McGregor also kicked her first ever field goal to get the Wests Tigers home in a heart-stopping 27-26 victory over the Newcastle Knights in Round 8.
McGregor said she was honoured to receive the top award.
“It was awesome. It’s the first award I’ve won since 2022, so it's been a while since I've probably played my best footy,’’ McGregor said.
“I feel like I'm really enjoying my footy this year under ‘Sandy’ and Richmond Saliba (Head of High Performance).
“They have put so much time and effort into me, and I can really feel the difference. I hope I’ve given back in some way as well.
“I’m just grateful to the people who got me here to Wests Tigers.
“When I enjoy my footy, I play my best footy.”
Friday night’s maiden finals appearance at Campbelltown Sports Stadium for Wests Tigers will also be McGregor’s first since 2022.
One of several experienced players in the team, McGregor feels the Tigers have an extra weapon in some of their quality youngsters.
“There’s so many people here that haven't been able to experience finals footy before, so I’m excited for them and the club,’’ she added.
“When it's your first time, you just you don't know what to expect, and that can make you that little bit more determined and hungry.
“We can certainly feed off that on Friday night and in moving forward too hopefully.”
McGregor also credited Sandercock for bringing the very best out in her this season.
“Craig’s not just a good coach, but he's a really good person off the field as well,’’ she added.
“I might be one of the older girls here, but he still makes sure that he puts time into me, which I appreciate and respect him for.
“It doesn’t matter how long I've played for, be it one year or even nine years now, I’m still learning every single day.
“Each coach has their own way of doing things. We know we haven’t been at our best the last two games, but ‘Sandy’’ has put a good place in plan here and the girls are riding off the back of that.”
As for Sandercock, he pinpointed one moment at the team’s pre-season camp in Wyong when he knew McGregor was ready for a big year.
“Her testing results were through the roof and her performances at training were really impressive. She stood up,’’ Sandercock said.
“She hasn’t let us down since.
“A lot of coaches I suppose fall into a trap of thinking that senior players know everything and tend not to coach them and let them run their own race in a way.
“But every player has got work to do on their game to get better and ‘Rae’ accepts that.
“She has bought into the fact that it is important to do a weekly review of your game and has worked out ways she can play better and what she can improve on.
“It’s enormous credit to her that she’s embraced that, and I feel her game has gone to that next level.
“I say she must be in the mix again for the Dally M Medal. It’s harder because some teams never lose games or win by 50 every week, so their halves might have more try assists and score 10 tries.
“She’s got to be in the mix though because she has had a really good year.”
