Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says a mid-season holiday to Fiji was necessary for his side's mental health after a gruelling run of losses.
Marshall faced criticism for taking his family on the Pacific island sojourn during the Tigers' bye week, but the former premiership-winning five-eighth brushed off any suggestions it was a bad look with his side second-bottom on the NRL ladder after eight straight losses.
"It's fine. People get paid to give their opinions," he said.
"I've worked in the media, I know what it's like.
"At the end of the day, I'll never apologise for planning breaks for the team and the staff. Mental health, physical health, all those things play a big part in it.
"I preach to the players that family is number one, footy is number two. So in that break, spend some time with your family. If I'm leading that and preaching that, I'm going to do that too."
The bye was the Tigers' first since round one, with 10 straight weeks of NRL football taking a mental and physical toll on the players.
Marshall said the benefits from the break were there to see on the training paddock ahead of his side's clash with 12th-placed St George Illawarra on Friday.
"The freshen-up has been good. I noticed a real difference in training this week with the energy and the confidence," he said.
A bunch of fresh faces have been thrust into the squad as well.
Teenage five-eighth Lachlan Galvin is back in the side after making a speedy recovery from a broken hand, while prop Reuben Porter will make his NRL debut and Alex Lobb has earned his first senior start on the wing.
Marshall has also shuffled his forward pack, with David Klemmer suspended and Isaiah Papali'i still unavailable due to the ankle injury he suffered from Valentine Holmes' hip-drop tackle last time out.
The rejuvenated Tigers have a tough task against the Dragons, who are hot off a 22-10 giant-slaying of three-time reigning premiers Penrith.
