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Top five Jamie Soward moments

12th June, 2013
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A rose between two thorns - is Benny headed back to the 'Gong? (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Roar Guru
12th June, 2013
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1375 Reads

When Jamie Soward first signed with Penrith, as a Dragons supporter, I was saddened. Firstly, because the Dragons were losing yet another important piece of their 2010 premiership puzzle.

Secondly, because I was salivating at the prospect of having Gareth Widdop as Soward’s halves partner.

When it was confirmed that Soward would be leaving the Dragons – a club at which he spent six and a half seasons – I had hoped that Soward would want to end his time as a Dragon on a happy note.

Perhaps he would start running the ball again for the club that gave his career CPR when it was on life support at the Roosters. Maybe lead us to one last finals series and win us a few more games off the back of his left boot.

But alas, it was not to be. In the weeks following his signing with Penrith, Soward played like he didn’t care anymore. This earned him a one way ticket to the Illawarra Cutters, courtesy of Steve Price.

With reports surfacing in the last few days that he wants to finish this season in England, it seems we may have seen the last of Jamie Soward in the mighty Red V.

With that in mind, I think it’s appropriate to pay tribute to Soward for all that he’s given to the Dragons – while he hasn’t given much in the last two years, he gave the Dragons a hell of a lot in the four preceding years.

So without further ado, these are (in my opinion) Soward’s top five moments/games as a Dragon.

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Number five – debut
What a debut it was for Soward. It was round 12 of the 2007 season. The Dragons, having just come off a 30-6 loss to the Raiders, were up against a red hot Broncos side who had hammered Newcastle 71-6 the week before.

No one gave the Dragons a chance, but off the back of Soward’s impressive general play kicking, and a match sealing field goal, the Dragons won 11-4 on a cold Friday night at Kogarah.

Number four – Dragons thrash the Raiders 58-16
No, there’s nothing wrong with your eyes. It’s not a typo either. But it was six years ago and it was in Wollongong, so hopefully that makes this result a tad more believable.

In a game where the Dragons ran in 10 tries to the Raiders 3, Soward scored one and kicked 9/10 conversions to rack up a personal tally of 22 points.

Number three – 2010 grand final
The fact that a grand final victory only ranks at number three in Soward’s top five moments as a Dragon speaks volumes of his contribution to the side over the years.

Compared to Churchill medalist Darius Boyd and two-try hero Jason Nightingale, Soward had a relatively quiet game, although he did set up the opening try with a beautiful cross field kick to Mark Gasnier.

He also kicked 6/7.

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Number two – ANZAC Day 2009
What’s the one thing more satisfying than scoring two tries, kicking 6/6 goals, kicking one field goal, and winning man of the match?

Doing all of that against your old club, and that’s exactly what Soward did. In what was a simply superb individual display, Soward ripped the Roosters apart and showed them exactly what they lost when they let him go to the Dragons.

Number one – grand final qualifier 2010 versus Wests Tigers
Perhaps the defining moment of Jamie Soward’s career was when he kicked that field goal to send the Dragons through to their first grand final in 11 years.

In front of 80,000 people at ANZ stadium, Soward, from 35 meters out sent the ball flying between the sticks and the entire Red V army erupted.

Soward might not have been the Dragons’ grand final hero. But the Dragons wouldn’t have even made the grand final if it wasn’t for him.

All champion players go through highs and lows. The true mark of a champion is how you respond to those lows, and get back to the highs.

There’s still half a season left. Soward may be playing reserve grade, but it’s not too late for him to end his Dragons career on a high note.

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