Diminutive Dragons five eighth Jamie Soward will return to the Dragons NSW Cup team, the Illawarra Cutters, for the second time in two years this weekend after being dropped from first grade.
But what is more noticeable is the trend emerging that has been recurring among football fans since the Dragons 2010 premiership win; when the Dragons lose, blame Jamie Soward.
There are few players that polarise opinion like Jamie Soward.
The difference with Soward is that he doesn’t possess many of the characteristics of a player who normally would.
He isn’t a cocky, loud mouthed type who blows his own trumpet in the media. He isn’t on the footy show every week aspiring to be a quasi actor. He isn’t a hulking forward who is so enigmatic he is often conspicuous by his absence in the play.
I was at a recent Dragons autograph signing session which featured a plethora of stars. A host of representative players such as Matt Cooper, Brett Morris, Ben Creagh, Dan Hunt and Trent Merrin were all present. But everyone there was after one signature; Jamie Soward.
This week the anti-Soward fever reached another apex when Soward missed a penalty opportunity after the final siren that would have sent the game into golden point.
With the reaction of fans post game, one could be excused for thinking Soward missed twenty tackles, made seventeen errors and kicked none from five.
In reality, Soward had a sound game. Sure, he wasn’t man of the match but he went okay considering his forward pack were on the back foot all night.
Soward scored a try and kicked three goals, two of which were from out wide. It is just as easy to argue that he was the only reason the Dragons were in the game after that final siren.
In Nick Tedeschi’s famous “Willie M” awards which are a mirror of the Dally M’s but award a 3-2-1 based on ineptitude and mediocrity, Soward did not feature. It was in fact his halves partner Nathan Fien who got the three points.
When Soward did score he was a victim of some foul play afterwards, with Ben Barba coming in late with knees in the back.
Unlike most, Soward did not get up carrying on like a pork chop or swinging vengeful haymakers ad infinitum, he had a quick word and walked back and slotted the goal from the sideline.
So why are so many fans anti-Soward?
Jamie Soward isn’t likely to go down as an immortal, but he has won the Dragons many games, often with his left boot.
In fact it is possible that his propensity to often seal a victory for the Dragons may be the reason fans turn on him when he doesn’t; the fans expect it every time.
Coaches have used varying defensive tactics with Soward to protect him and allow him to be fresh in attack. Many see this as him being soft or hiding from the hard work. In reality it is a tactic hatched by coaches such as Wayne Bennett; it seemed to work well for him.
Maybe it’s the fact that we rarely see Soward get tackled, another perception of softness. Maybe it’s the times that he drifts across the field laterally and doesn’t use an option which appears to stunt the attacking momentum.
I think one of the qualities that Soward does have that a few other players could benefit from is that he gives 100% every game.
If that means he tries twenty things in a game and eighteen of them fail, so be it, we all have off days at work, but most of our bosses are happy if we are doing our best.
Rest assured that while Jamie Soward continues to play in the NRL, he will continue to have good and bad games; he will continue to win his side games or fail narrowly trying to do so.
But as sure as death and taxes, Soward will also polarise opinion and fans will continue to love or hate him.
Clevo
Guest
What annoys me about him is he's use of referring to himself in the 3rd person. And his grumpy little sucked on a lemon troll face
Robshots
Roar Guru
I reckon you're spot on there, he has wandered away from his running which is probably only second to his kicking as his best attribute.
Robshots
Roar Guru
Nice work Bazzio, thanks for sharing.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
What a great gesture ~ Soward gave his headgear to a Newcastle ball boy after yesterday's game Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/soward-doesnt-keep-anything-in-reserve-in-return-to-cutters-20130608-2nwta.html#ixzz2VgUoYI1N
Andrew Coisman
Guest
A short quiz. 1. Name the 5/8 who played for St George Illawarra in their only Grand Final win in the past 30+ years. 2. Name the player who credits Wayne Bennett as a mentor and responsible for his rise from an unwanted Roosters player to a premiership winning, origin rep, yet chose to stay loyal to his club when a raft of players left when Wayne did. I really feel for this guy with the amount of abuse he cops week after week. You don't turn up to an NRL club off the street and ask if they need any players. It takes years of hard work and dedication to get to that level, and despite your form on the day, the fact that you're there is proof that you've put in work. Fans are so quick to kick players when they are down, especially Soward, but forget that the reason they watch Rugby League is because these men can do what they can not. Ironically, without Jamie's kick St George would not have been 2010 Premiers. Jamie's been branded a 'confidence player', but given the amount of sheer and unfounded hate that's directed at him, imagine the mental strength and resolve he has to muster to get his confidence to the level required to play 1st grade Rugby League. When did we become such unempathetic d!ck-holes? This poor kid should have been lost to our game years ago with the indignities he's had to endure. Indignities that reached their peak in the last few weeks being told that the club wouldn't extend his contract, missing a penalty goal to send a game into golden point while bottles where thrown at him (which, as the author of this article pointed out, they would never have been in the position to level the scores without Jamie), and finally being dropped from first grade and asked to give his all for the feeder team of a club that no longer wants him. Elite sportsman or not, that's not how you treat people. I am a Dragons fan, but I wish Jamie every success at the Panthers and beyond. He has earned it.
Devout Saint
Guest
Seems you are WRONG about me not playing footy Baz. I played tackle footy for the school and local club from ages 9 to 18. One would not even have to play the game to work out that Soward is AFRAID of the physicality of rugby league. If you fail to see that for yourself then your perspective of the game is very limited. One would even question if you actually played the game. There are many small players who have played the game and without fear. Soward is actually 90kg. Soward does not avoid physical contact because he has been coached to. He avoids physical contact because, because he is afraid of it, fullstop. Watch and learn Baz.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Three pics for those whose imaginations ran away & hid from from reality ~ Soward one-on-one with Dave Taylor http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/David+Taylor+NRL+Rd+6+Rabbitohs+v+Dragons+oM7_Re8ErD7l.jpg Soward one-on-one with George Burgess http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/02/19/1226275/148521-sam-burgess.jpg Soward v Cronk http://i34.tinypic.com/2qx2jo2.jpg
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Seems to me you've never played & can only criticise from the safe side of the fence.
Devout Saint
Guest
Charlie, I never even attempted to imply that you are not a Saints fan. If you interpreted that from my last statement. That statement was a response to you saying that I talk with a forked tongue and referring to me being a "So called Saints supporter". I have no desire to have any animosity towards anyone on these forums, but I have encountered much from fellow Saints fans due to my attempts to educate my fellow Saints fans about Soward. But love is blind for many of them.
Devout Saint
Guest
Charlie, there is an article in one of today's papers talking about how bad Soward's defence actually really is. I think it said that he misses 25% of all tackles he attempts to make and that is when he can't hide in defence.
Devout Saint
Guest
Soward dogs it because he is afraid of the physicality of rugby league as I previously pointed out in my initial answer. Not because he has been coached that way. Watch the points I mentioned next year when he is playing for Penrith and see for yourself. I will say that I have heaps of mates who are Saints fan. I used to ask every single one of them if they like Soward back in 09 and 10. Every single one of them liked him. Then I proceeded to tell them that he was SCARED. Every single one disagreed with me at first and I would debate with them about him being SCARED. Now I can tell you that every single one of my mates who were Soward fans can see for themselves that Soward is SCARED and none of them like him anymore. It took them about a year or so to see for themselves, but it also took someone else to points out that he was SCARED and what he will not do because of his fear.
Robshots
Roar Guru
I think you may have summed it up pretty well. There is talent there but it is not being used, we may have never seen the best of Soward. Will it change at Penrith? who knows. But like you I'd love to see him running the ball more.
Robshots
Roar Guru
Not all fans Mac, it just seems to be a disproportionate number to other players of his ilk.
Robshots
Roar Guru
He's hardly ever played with a specialist half back either, I'd hardly call Hornby or Fien gun number sevens.
Robshots
Roar Guru
I agree, it will be interesting to see if he is rejuvenated. I think the barbs and the failures of his team not only have him trying a little too hard but possibly have left him a little stale too.
Robshots
Roar Guru
You make some great points here, I'm mesmerised at the decision to play Prior in the centres again. I've often thought that Soward may be a better half back and they could look to strengthen their five eighth position, we will never know now. It is a tad frustrating when a player of Sowards ability, who has success when he does take on the line, simply doesn't do it.
Robshots
Roar Guru
I actually agree with the plan to protect smaller player in the defensive line if it can be afforded. It allows them more potency in attack. There have been plenty who have done it, I was more so questioning why Soward cops it when others have not as you correctly pointed out.
AA
Guest
I guarantee you that you will
Robshots
Roar Guru
The discussion the article has created makes me glad I penned it. I'd qualify it by saying I'm not a lover or hater of Soward & have based it on casual observations. There's certainly some interesting and revealing comments re Jamie that have come up and I'm enjoying the denate
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Every NRL coach instructs his key players to avoid unnecessarily or directly taking on bigger stronger opponents, especially when the players around him are responsible for PROTECTING their game-maker. To not do so would invite injury disaster for the primary play-maker, and THAT is why Soward backs off frome time to time (NOT always as some falsely claim). Soward is no Trent Barrett for size., and I for one take that into consideration. Speaking of Barrett ~ he alone made more dumb mistakes in any one game than Rein & Fein do together for a season.