St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has again defended his decision to play prop Jack De Belin at halfback.

Despite selecting young playmaker Drew Hutchinson in the 17, McGregor preferred De Belin.

“I’m okay with my decision, the club is okay with it, and certainly the team is,” McGregor said.

“It’s the decision that I made, along with the coaching staff.

“To put a kid into that environment, in front of 35,000 people, with another inexperienced player on the field, I don’t think I did the wrong thing.

“As head coach that’s the position we’re in, we’re there for people to make comment on.”

The Dragons were flogged by Brisbane 32-6.