| | | St George Dragons Rugby League History
Since
1921 - Our Proud History
2007 |
|
 |
SAINT SOWARD SHINES
ON DEBUT
 Kogarah
Jubilee Oval, Friday 1 June 2007: With a team largely made
up of reserve graders, an enthusiastic Dragons outfit were able
to roll a full strength Brisbane Broncos by 11-4 at Kogarah's
'OKI' Jubilee Stadium. Jamie Soward, a Roosters reject
who only signed up with Saints during the week, put together a
near perfect kicking display as the young Dragons forwards were
able dominate the experienced Brisbane pack. The win was all the
more impressive given that the Broncos were in red hot form following
their 71-6 shellacking of the Newcastle Knights the week before.
Other match standouts for the Dragons included prop Jason Ryles
and full back Josh Morris.
Season
Snapshot
In 2007, the Dragons spent September watching from the sidelines
after finishing 13th, and only one loss away from
the wooden spoon. |
The victory continues a winning streak and a dominance that Saints
have held over the Broncos since 2005.
Round 12 - Friday :: June 1st, 2007 07:30PM
St George Illawarra Dragons 11 (J Morris, J Nightingale tries.
J Soward 1/2 goals. J Soward 1/1 field goals)
Brisbane Broncos 4. (S Michaels try. D Lockyer 0/1 goals)
Referee: Shayne Hayne. Crowd: 10,302
DRAGONS CRUSH RAIDERS IN WINDY WIN
 WIN
Stadium, Wollongong, Sunday 8 July 2007: Played in windy
conditions, the Dragons thrashed the Canberra Raiders 58-16
in Wollongong. The biggest winning margin of the year for Saints.
The Raiders opened the scoring before Simon Woolford,
Justin Poore and Dan Hunt made inroads up the
middle of ruck to deliver Hunt his first try of 2007.
Trailing by 22-10, the Raiders had the wind at their backs in
the second half and the match was still up for grabs.
The Raiders had the momentum for the opening minutes of the
second half, but the Dragons scored next when outside back Josh
Morris ran 80 metres to score under the posts, thereby setting
the theme for the remainder of the match.
In all, St George Illawarra ran in 10 tries to three and ultimately
dominated all aspects of the encounter. Top scorer for the match
was goal kicker and halfback Jamie Soward who posted
a personal tally of 22 points.
Round 17 - Sunday :: July 8th, 2007 02:00 PM
St George Illawarra Dragons 58 (R Chase 2, D Hunt, J Soward,
C Stanley, B Ellis, J Morris, J Poore, B Scott, M Cooper tries.
J Soward 9/10 goals)
Canberra Raiders 16 (T Carney 2, R Hinchcliffe tries. T Carney
2/3 goals)
Referee: Sean Hampstead. Crowd: 7,561
|
Worst season ever?
2007 was arguably the worst season ever for the Dragons.
In finishing 13th, and on 20 competition points, St George
Illawarra narrowly managed to avoid the wooden spoon.
The last-placed Panthers ended up on 18 points but did
so with a differential of -68. The Dragons, struggling
with a differential of -78, were just one loss away from
adding the spoon to an already woeful season.
There have been worse seasons for the joint venture partners.
Since their formation in 1982, Illawarra have at times
struggled at the lower end of the ladder, the Steelers
finishing with the wooden spoon three times. The St George
club too has seen darker days, some 70 seasons ago. Indeed,
the last time a St George team saw the wooden spoon was
in 1938, finishing last in an eight team competition.
It still remains, however, that since the club's formation
in 1921, no first grade rugby league team bearing the
Dragon emblem has ever finished 13th on the competition
ladder.
The Dragons season of 2007 was consistently poor. The
team only managed two consecutive wins on one occasion,
in rounds 16-17. After defeating eventual grand finalists
the Sea Eagles 26-22 and backing up to thrash the Raiders
58-16 one week later, the Dragons gave fans slim hope
that the annual charge towards the semis was still on
the cards. But in round 18, Saints came crashing back
to earth after suffering a 44-16 defeat at hands of the
Warriors. For all intents and purposes, the Dragons of
2007 were a write-off and from that moment on, the question
was one of survival.
Injuries - root cause for dismal season?
Dragons officials pointed to an inexperienced squad being
hit hard by injuries. It is true that Saints have had
another season of players being repeatedly sidelined.
When Mark Gasnier suffered a pectoral injury in
the pre-season Charity Shield clash, it set the pattern
for a horrendous run of injuries in the opening rounds
of competition.
In 2007, Saints used no less than 32 first graders, including
11 first grade debutants. To put this in perspective,
you have to go back to 1995 to find the last time a Dragons
side used more than 30 first grade players in a season.
The most players a Dragons team has ever used in one season
were 35 (1971, 1982 and 1983). The Dragons club of 2007
busted through the 30 player barrier after just 12 rounds
of competition.
Nevertheless, the casualty ward only tells part of the
story. In the latter part of the season, with players
coming back from injury, the Dragons still couldn’t
win the games that mattered.
Is the coach to blame?
 The
coach is applauded during the good times, so it stands
to reason that he must shoulder some of the blame during
the lean times. Many fans were calling for the head of
Coach Nathan Brown in 2007, club CEO Peter Doust
responded by giving ‘Brownie’ his full support.
For the time being at least, Brown’s 2008 contract
as head coach of the Dragons will remain intact.
Nevertheless, the Dragons struggled for form throughout
the season. Lack of discipline (the Dragons conceded 176
penalties) as well as poor options in both attack and
defence severely hampered the team's chances in 2007.
BIGGEST WIN 2007:
58-16 (v Canberra in Wollongong, round 17, July
8)
BIGGEST LOSS 2007: 40-4 (v Sharks in Woolooware,
round 4, April 9)
HIGHEST TEAM SCORE 2006: 58 (v Canberra
in Wollongong, round 17, July 8)
LOWEST TEAM SCORE 2005: 4 (v Sharks in Woolooware,
round 4, April 9; v Roosters at SFS, round 7, April
25)
|
More
> draw and match results for 2007 - click here
|
|
2007
NRL Ladder
(top 8 in semis)
| Melbourne | 44 |
| Manly | 38 |
| Cowboys | 32 |
| Warriors | 29 |
| Parramatta | 28 |
| Canterbury | 26 |
| Souths | 26 |
| Brisbane |
24 |
| Wests Tigers | 24 |
| Easts | 23 |
| Sharks | 22 |
| Gold Coast | 22 |
| St George |
20 |
| Canberra | 20 |
| Newcastle | 20 |
| Penrith | 18 |
p = Season Premiers
AFTER 25 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw-Bye
Points For 431 (13th best attack) Points Against 509 (8th
best defence) | | MP Standing
13th
(16 teams) |
FINALS Points For 0 Points Against 0 | | Final
Standing
13th | | Saints did not
qualify for 2007 finals |
| TOTALS
25 matches |
Points For 431
78 tries
59 goals (86 att)
1 field goal
Points Against 509
88 tries
77 goals (106 att)
3 field goals |
Season at a glance - 2007
|
R
|
Vs
|
W/L
|
Score
|
|
1
|
GCoas
|
W
|
20-18
|
|
2
|
Newca
|
L
|
16-12
|
|
3
|
NQCow
|
L
|
22-18
|
|
4
|
Sharks
|
L
|
40-4
|
|
5
|
Melbo
|
L
|
24-10
|
|
6
|
BYE
|
B
|
-
|
|
7
|
Easts
|
L
|
18-4
|
|
8
|
Penri
|
W
|
28-16
|
|
9
|
WTige
|
L
|
27-8
|
|
10
|
GCoas
|
W
|
28-10
|
|
11
|
Canbe
|
L
|
30-6
|
|
12
|
Brisb
|
W
|
11-4
|
|
13
|
Sharks
|
L
|
20-16
|
|
14
|
Parra
|
L
|
20-12
|
|
15
|
Melbo
|
L
|
28-6
|
|
16
|
Manly
|
W
|
26-22
|
|
17
|
Canbe
|
W
|
58-16
|
|
18
|
NZWar
|
L
|
44-16
|
|
19
|
Penri
|
W
|
38-20
|
|
20
|
Cante
|
L
|
28-24
|
|
21
|
Newca
|
W
|
20-4
|
|
22
|
South
|
L
|
24-14
|
|
23
|
NQCow
|
L
|
24-14
|
|
24
|
Parra
|
W
|
14-6
|
|
25
|
Manly
|
L
|
28-24
|
|
Best Winning Streak:
2
(Rounds 16-17)
|
|
Worst Losing Streak:
5
(Rounds 2-7, bye R6)
|
|
Home Wins/Losses:
6 wins, 6 losses
|
|
Away Wins/Losses:
3 wins, 9 losses
|
|
Player movements
PLAYER ISSUES
Player retention is an ongoing concern for the Dragons.
While the injury woes of 2007 gave opportunities to future
stars such as Chase Stanley, Dan Hunt, Rangi Chase and
Jason Nightingale, there has also been a steady stream
of players leaving over the last two seasons with more former
Saints set to wear another club’s jersey in 2008. Moreover,
the club’s decision to ditch the Jersey Flegg competition
one year early (in 2006) in readiness for the National Under
20s Competition of 2008 (Toyota Cup) appears to have left
holes in the lower ranks. In addition, the Dragons will
not be fielding a Premier League side in 2008, thereby relying
heavily on the less competitive Jim Beam Cup while placing
a truckload of faith in the upcoming Toyota Cup competition.
While the Dragons have done well to retain a number of players,
they also have numerous players with first grade experience
departing. Add to this a new untested competition happening
in the lower tiers, coupled with a policy of developing
south coast juniors, and it does begin to look like a game
of chance taking place. For the foreseeable future, the
Dragons are locked into a roulette-style policy of repeatedly
blooding rookies.
Will the gamble pay off?
Without a doubt more future stars run out in the red
V in the season ahead, and this is essential for further
junior development.
By default, however, the Illawarra provides a backyard of
talent for clubs throughout the NRL landscape, and these
same clubs will be fielding teams against the Dragons.
Best player – Ben Creagh
 Backrower
Ben Creagh is the only player to have played all
24 games for the Dragons this year and is easily the club's
most consistent performer. Starting as a winger in 2003,
Creagh quickly progressed into the centres before finding
his place in the second row and lock forward positions.
At only 22-years-old, Creagh has made 90 appearances for
the Dragons and is perhaps the youngest 'veteran' in this
year’s injury-ravaged squad.
Creagh topped the stats in many of the games main areas,
making 643 tackles (150 more than any other team member),
331 hit-ups with 51 tackle breaks and 10 offloads.
Creagh’s efforts were recognised by the Club and supporters,
the Wollongong junior winning the prestigious St George
Bank Medal for “Player of the Year” as well as
the supporters Red V Members “Player of the Year”
Award.
Already an Australian rep, Creagh will no doubt feature
in future representative fixtures.
Best rookies
 With
so many players being blooded in 2007, it’s hard to
single out a standout rookie.
17-year-old Chase Stanley definitely deserves a mention.
After scoring on debut (round 2) Stanley found his way the
line with six tries in 2007. Playing at centre and on the
wing, Stanley has the hallmarks of a future back rower,
his mobility and pace is matched by his ability to hit the
line hard. A future international, Stanley came to the notice
of Kiwi selectors and was named in the New Zealand train-on
squad for 2007 Test series.
The twin brother of Brett Morris, and son of Steve
'Slippery' Morris, Josh Morris debuted
in round one and had an immediate impact in the outside
backs. His blistering pace proved too good for the Storm's
Billy Slater in round five and in round 12, Morris had no
trouble in standing up Broncos and Queensland full back
Karmichael Hunt. Josh fell off the pace late in 2007.
Other rookies who deserve mention are five eighth Rangi
Chase, winger Jason Nightingale, hooker Ben Ellis,
and forwards Lagi Setu and Dan Hunt.
Best signing – Jamie Soward
 The
Dragons have had a policy in recent years of developing
juniors, and therefore have only few new signings to choose
from.
Discarded by the Roosters, Jamie Soward made an impact
in round 12 when Saints outclassed the Broncos. Soward proved
his worth in 2007 and should have done enough to cement
a spot in the halves in 2008. |
2008
and beyond
NEW SIGNINGS
In 2007 the Dragons playing their first season in a
long time without the likes of Trent Barrett (gone
to the UK) and Luke Bailey (Gold Coast). After years
of playing finals football but never quite getting across
the line, the Dragons spent September watching from the
stands.
An exodus followed with numerous players departing, several
of whom stuck together and headed to Newcastle.
Ironically, one of the Dragons' signings for 2008 is Newcastle
reject Kirk Reynoldson who is expected to bring some
experience to the Saints' pack.
HOME GROUND ISSUES
2008 could be a tough year for the joint venture club. With
news that the development of Kogarah’s Oki Jubilee
Stadium has been postponed, the Dragons will be playing
much of their season at the vacuous Telstra Stadium in Homebush.
On previous occasions when the Dragons moved away from Kogarah,
history has not been kind to their on-field fortunes.
While the club will point to funding issues such as the
government 'pokie tax' as partly responsible for the shift,
others have been far less accommodating. Local businesses,
councillors and fans have all been critics of the move.
In particular, support group R2K has stated that the redevelopment
of OKI Jubilee Stadium could be delayed until July next
year so that five NRL matches could be staged at Kogarah
for 2008, the Centenary season of rugby league in Australia.
To the casual observer, it seems like an opportunity lost.
The Club, however, views the financial kickback from Telstra
(reportedly $500,000) as a positive outcome in the decision
to move to Homebush.
LOWER GRADE SHUFFLE
In 2008, the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL)
Premier League competition will be known as the 'NSW
Cup. The Dragons Club will not be fielding a team
in the NSW Cup of 2008, instead the National Rugby
League (NRL) side will be relying on feeder arrangements
in the Illawarra juniors and Jim Beam Cup, as well
as a loose arrangement with QRL Club the Burleigh
Bears.
U20s on target for 2008
The Dragons did not field a Jersey Flegg side in 2007.
There will be a NRL-backed U20s National Youth Competition
in 2008.
The end of an era as Saints exit the NSWRL
It what could be the final season of a Dragons team
taking part in the old 'first grade' competition,
the St George Illawarra Dragons 'reserve grade' qualified
for the NSWRL Premier League finals.
On September 9th, Minor Premiers the Bulldogs defeated
the Dragons 46-12 at Belmore Oval, thus ending the
Dragons season and the St George involvement in what
used to be known as the 'Sydney First Grade Comp'.
|
|
Prediction for 2008
ACCEPTANCE OF MEDIOCRITY?
Despite the spin of good intentions, the Dragons will struggle
to find on-field success in 2008. The Club will deny this apparent
acceptance of mediocrity as they point to previous years of ‘top
four finishes’, but many supporters are not so easily convinced.
The bottom line is that the immediate future of the Dragons
is a grim one.
Club officials have just two seasons to conjure up a NRL grand
final team, or become the first Dragons administration in history
to go through a decade without a first grade team appearing in
a premiership decider.
With no Kogarah and too many ‘away’ games scheduled,
the Dragons will struggle to improve on this year’s efforts.
But if injuries are kept in check, and the rookies of 2007 step
up to the crease, the Dragons just may be able to jag a top eight
spot.
How high the Club is willing to aim is another matter entirely.
If a top eight spot is seen as a measure of success, then the
Dragons of 2008 will once again find themselves languishing at
the bottom of the ladder, and on the outside looking in. |
|
PLAYERS 2007
First Grade Players: 32 (14 with previous NRL experience
with Dragons, plus 18 on debut for Dragons including 11
NRL debutants)
(d) =
First grade debut for the Dragons (preceded by round number)
(c) = Club Captain
|
Player
|
Position |
T
|
G
|
FG
|
Pts
|
Total
2007 first grade
appearances
|
| TONY
CAINE 1(d) |
Hooker |
|
|
|
|
9
|
| RANGI
CHASE 3(d) |
Hooker,
Half back, Five-eighth |
5
|
|
|
20
|
14
|
| MATT
COOPER (capt: R 12) |
Centre |
11
|
|
|
44
|
20
|
|
BEN
CREAGH
(capt: R 16)
|
Utility |
3
|
|
|
12
|
24 (every game)
|
| BEN
ELLIS 5(d) |
Hooker,
Lock |
2
|
|
|
8
|
14
|
| MARK
GASNIER (c) |
Centre,
Five-eighth |
2
|
|
|
8
|
6
|
| MATHEW
HEAD |
Halfback
|
|
6/7
|
|
12
|
6
|
| TOM
HEWITT 5(d) |
Winger,
Fullback |
4
|
|
|
16
|
5
|
| BEN
HORNBY (c) |
Utility
back |
1
|
|
|
4
|
17
|
| CHRIS
HOUSTON 3(d) |
Front Row |
|
|
|
|
16
|
| DAN
HUNT 1(d) |
Front Row |
2
|
|
|
8
|
18
|
| SAM
ISEMONGER |
Second row
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
| CHARLES
LEANEO |
Prop forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
| KEITH
LULIA 1(d) |
Centre |
2
|
|
|
8
|
7
|
| LUKE
MACDOUGALL 1(d) |
Winger,
Centre |
1
|
|
|
4
|
4
|
| BRETT
MORRIS |
Winger,
Fullback |
|
|
|
|
2
|
| JOSH
MORRIS 1(d) |
Wing, Fullback,
Centre |
6
|
|
|
24
|
23
|
| WES
NAIQAMA |
Winger |
3
|
15/22
|
|
42
|
9
|
| JASON
NIGHTINGALE 8(d) |
Fullback,Winger |
7
|
|
|
28
|
16
|
| COREY
PAYNE |
Second row
|
1
|
|
|
4
|
18
|
| ADAM
PEEK 1(d) |
Front Row |
1
|
|
|
4
|
19
|
| JUSTIN
POORE |
Prop forward |
1
|
|
|
4
|
19
|
| JASON
RYLES (c) |
Prop forward
|
1
|
|
|
4
|
17
|
| BEAU
SCOTT 1(d) |
Centre,
Second row |
5
|
|
|
20
|
18
|
| LAGI
SETU 2(d) |
Lock, Second
row |
|
|
|
|
12
|
| ASHTON
SIMS |
Prop forward
|
1
|
|
|
4
|
12
|
| JAMIE
SOWARD 12(d) |
Half back |
7
|
38/57
|
1
|
105
|
15
|
| CHASE
STANLEY 2(d) |
Winger |
6
|
|
|
24
|
18
|
| RICKY
THORBY 12(d) |
Forward |
|
|
|
|
5
|
| DANNY
WICKS |
Second row |
|
|
|
|
12
|
| RICHARD
WILLIAMS 1(d) |
Centre,
Five-eighth |
5
|
|
|
20
|
8
|
| SIMON
WOOLFORD 1(d) |
Hooker |
|
|
|
|
18
|
| DEAN
YOUNG |
Utility |
|
|
|
|
3
|
| TOTALS:
32 players used |
|
78
|
59/86
|
1
|
431
|
|
Dragons
2007 stats, first grade
Most games (out of 24): Ben
Creagh (24); Josh Morris (23); Matt Cooper (20)
Most tries: Matt
Cooper 11 tries (from 20 games)
Most goals: Jamie
Soward 38
goals (57 attempts)
Most
field goals: Jamie
Soward
1
Most
points for 2007: Jamie
Soward
7t + 38g + 1 fg = 105 points (15 games)
More
> full 2007 first grade team list & stats
|
| SEASON
2007 - BITS AND PIECES |
 3
Mar: SAINTS DEFEAT RABBITOHS IN CHARITY
SHIELD BUT LOSE GASNIER
St George Illawarra reclaimed the Charity
Shield with a 16-14 victory over the Rabbitohs
in front of 23,053 fans at Homebush. The
victory however was soured with Captain
Mark Gasnier suffering a ruptured pectoral
muscle, sidelining him for 5-6 months.
Since its inception in 1982, the Dragons
have won 14 Charity Shield clashes, Souths
have won seven and there have been three
draws. |
 23
Apr: ROBERT STONE, BILLY WILSON INDUCTED
INTO LEGEND'S WALK ON ST GEORGE'S DAY
Robert Stone and Billy Wilson are officially
inducted into the “Legends Walk”
at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, Monday, St George’s
Day – April 23, 2007.
Special Guests on the day include families
of the departed legends as well as Australian
Prime Minister John Howard.
Other Dragon legends already inducted
into the “Legends Walk” including
Norm Provan, Graeme Langlands MBE, Reg
Gasnier AM, Johnny Raper MBE, Johnny King,
Billy Smith, Ken Kearney, Matt McCoy,
Noel Piddington, Rod Reddy, Kevin Ryan,
Eddie Lumsden, Ian Walsh, Brian Clay,
Craig Young and Mark Coyne. |
|
 June:
SAINTS LET WES GO
Dragons announce that winger Wes Naiqama
has signed with the Newcastle Knights
for 2008. In 2006, Naiqama pleaded guilty
in for driving while disqualified. It
was his fourth driving offence. Following
his court appearance in February 2007,
he was sentenced to periodic detention,
later reduced to four months. A knee injury
in May sidelined Naiqama for the remainder
of the 2007 season. |
|
|
 CREAGH
WINS ST GEORGE BANK MEDAL
Wollongong, 20 September 2007: St George
Illawarra Dragons Lock Forward Ben Creagh has
tonight won the prestigious St George Bank Medal
for “Player of the Year” at the Clubs
Medal Award presentation evening at the WIN
Entertainment Centre, Wollongong. Creagh, 22
was the only player to play in every single
match throughout 2007 for the Dragons.
Further, he was rewarded for his brilliant form
by being selected to represent Country in the
annual match, chosen as the NSW 18th man for
State of Origin III along with selection in
the Kangaroos Train-On Squad for the one off
Test against New Zealand. Unfortunately minor
surgery forced him to withdraw from the squad.
The Wollongong University junior also won over
the fans winning the Red V Members “Player
of the Year” Award which provides opportunity
for the Red V Members to vote on a 3, 2, 1 basis
as to who they believe has been the Dragons
best player throughout the year.
Creagh topped the stats in many of the games
main areas including making 643 tackles (150
more than any other team member), 331 hit-ups
with 51 tackle breaks and 10 offloads.
Matt Cooper was another of the Dragons most
consistent throughout the year and after representing
NSW in all three Origin matches this year he
has added the St George Bank Immortals Trophy
to his achievements for 2007. The award is selected
by the “St George Immortals” in consultation
with the Dragons’ coaching staff.
As a new introduction for 2007 the Dragons have
introduced the “Mark Coyne Career Development
Award” which was won by Chase Stanley.
Stanley who is still currently studying for
his Higher School Certificate successfully juggled
his NRL commitments along with his education
to have an extremely successful rookie year
in the NRL playing 18 matches and scoring 6
tries.
2007 DRAGONS AWARD WINNERS
Ben Creagh: St George Bank Medal
Matt Cooper: St George Bank Immortals Trophy
Beau Scott: Geoff Selby Memorial NRL Coaches
Award
Ben Creagh: Red V Members Player of the Year
Award
Chase Stanley: Mark Coyne Career Development
Award
Matt Prior: Paul McGregor Premier League Player
of the Year
PREVIOUS MEDAL WINNERS
Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles (2006), Luke
Bailey (2005), Mathew Head (2004), Ben Hornby
(2003), Shaun Timmins (2002), Jason Ryles
(2001), Trent Barrett (2000), Jamie Ainscough
(1999)
| |
| |
REPRESENTATIVE
NEWS 2007
GASNIER CAPTAIN of PMs XIII
Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:02 PM
The ARL is pleased to announce Mark Gasnier as captain
of the Prime Minister’s XIII following Craig
Fitzgibbon’s unavailability.
The Australian selectors today called Sydney Roosters’
Craig Wing, Brisbane’s Tonie Carroll and Cronulla’s
Ben Pomeroy into the Prime Minister’s XIII squad
to play Papua New Guinea next week.
Wing was named at hooker for the injured Robbie Farah,
with Carroll and Pomeroy on the interchange.
Other changes to the starting side included Braith
Anasta’s move to lock and Paul Gallen into second-row.
Prime Minister’s XIII v Papua New Guinea Kumuls
- Sunday 23 September, 2007
Lloyd Robson Oval, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
REP SUMMARY 2007
Matt Cooper - NSW 3 matches (Origin I May 23, Origin
II Jun 13, Origin III July 4).
Ben Creagh - Country 1 match (May 3); plus 18th man
for NSW (Origin III July 4) and in the train-on squad for
Aust (v NZ APR 20) but did not play.
Josh Morris - Country 1 match (May 3) |
 St
George mourns John Fleming's passing
10 December 2007: John Fleming, the Secretary
of the St.George Dragons from 1978 to 1988, passed away
in the early hours of Saturday morning at Beaudesert in
Queensland.
Mr Fleming was the Secretary of the Club when the Dragons
won their last premiership and was also at the helm when
St.George won the Panasonic Cup in 1988. He became Club
Secretary when Frank Facer passed away in 1978.
Mr Fleming first became a member of the St.George committee
in 1969 and played a key role as a selector and Reserve
Grade Secretary before he succeeded Frank Facer as Secretary.
He will also be remembered for managing the unbeaten 1986
Kangaroos on their campaign in France and England. In early
1988 he helped to ensure that Kogarah's new grandstand was
approved by Kogarah Council. Geoff Carr succeeded John Fleming
as Club Secretary in December 1988.
During the 1990s, Mr Fleming played a key role on the Board
of the St.George Leagues Club and will be fondly remembered
by Dragons' supporters and Club members.
R2K would like to extend its sympathy to the Fleming family
and the St.George District RLFC of which John was made a
life member in 1980.
(www.r2k.info/news/johnfleming.html) |
 MATT
McCOY PASSES AWAY
Wednesday, 21 February 2007: Rugby League today
mourns the loss of former St George, NSW and Australian
Test centre Matt McCoy, who passed away in hospital last
night, aged 83.
Renowned for his ability to give his wingers exceptional
service, McCoy played five seasons with St George (1948-52),
scoring 26 tries and 65 goals for a total of 208 points.
Originally from Bega, McCoy was a key member of the 1949
premiership-winning St George side, a year where he also
won an Australian jumper for two Tests against New Zealand.
A tough, robust individual, McCoy’s pinpoint service
was complemented by a strong fend and an elusive running
style, which made him difficult to contain on the field.
He saw out his career in North Queensland after a serious
knee injury prematurely ended his 65-game career at St George.
(www.nswrl.com.au/article.php?id=204)
FACT FILE - Matt McCoy
1948-52, 65 games.
26t, 65g (208pts)
Centre.
NSW rep (1949). Aust rep (1949).
Originally from Bega, Matt McCoy is rated as one of the
best centres to wear the red and white.
Kicked seven goals for City over Country during heavy rain
in 1949. Capped off a great year when he played in Saints'
1949 premiership winning side. |
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Seasons
In Review
