Established in 1999, the St George Illawarra Drgaons made a grand final in their first year of existence, have won two minor premierships and a grand final.
Their all-time team will focus on players who turned out for the joint venture.
1. Darius Boyd
23 caps for Australia, 28 for Queensland, RLIF fullback of the year, Clive Churchill Medal Winner
Boyd was only at the Dragons for three years but he made the most his short time.
One of the major reasons for the Dragons’ dominance was his ball skills and positional play. He constantly created overlaps with his signature sweeping play around the back and his soft hands set his wingers up.
His amazing performance in the 2010 grand final won him the Clive Churchill Medal.
2. Brett Morris
18 caps Australia, 15 for NSW
Morris established himself as the best winger in the world at the Dragons – fast, strong, and just an all-round supreme athlete, as evidenced by his 165 tries.
Morris was often the lone NSW player in Australian team backlines, showing his elite status, and he always makes the right decision in defence.
3. Mark Gasnier
15 caps for Australia, 12 for NSW, two-time centre of the year
Gasnier had to play with burden of trying to live up to his uncle Reg, who happened to be an Immortal. But Mark was the best centre in the world before he left for French rugby.
He had a tall frame, amazing footwork and the ability to draw defenders but his greatest attribute was his balance.
4. Matt Cooper
Seven caps for Australia, 13 for NSW
Part of a great centre duo with Gasnier, Cooper didn’t receive the praise his counterpart did, but we was a fine player in his own right.
An incredible defensive centre, Cooper had a habit of neutralising his opposition and his try-saving tackles against Souths is a testament to his extraordinary strength and defensive capabilities.
5. Nathan Blacklock
Two caps for Australia, three-time winger of the year
One of the greatest try-scorers the game has ever seen, Blacklock was a total excitement machine.
He was the league’s leading try scorer for three straight years and his try in the 1999 grand final may be one of the greatest of all time.
6. Gareth Widdop
25 caps for England, four for Great Britian, five-eighth of the year
A creative five-eighth, with a great sense of how to get others to the try line, Widdop was the best player for the Dragons for a long a period of time.
He was the constant spark in attack, though injuries robbed him the chance of winning more individual awards.
7. Trent Barrett
15 caps for Australia, 11 for NSW, five-eighth of the year, Dally M Medal winner
Barrett made everything he did look so easy. He had the build of a back rower but the silky touch of a half, was great on both sides of the ball, and his 2000 season – where he won the Dally M Medal – was one for the ages.
He took a while to crack rep teams but made most of it when he did, managing over 20 representative caps in an era of great halves. Was at his best when he just decided to run the ball.
8. Michael Weyman
One cap for Australia, four for NSW
The NRL player who looked like your uncle, Weyman wasn’t a specimen but he could play. He could slow teams down with back-to-back tackles and was a handful to tackle due to his wider frame.
A vital part in the 2010 premiership-winning team.
9. Ben Hunt
Seven caps for Australia, nine for Queensland
He often plays halfback, but his speed around the ruck, passing game and ad-lib approach make him the ideal hooker, as 9 brings his key strengths to the fore.
When he doesn’t have to run the team, Hunt can just play whatever he sees in front of him. His selection as hooker for both state and country further plays to the narrative it’s his best position.
10. Jason Ryles
15 caps for Australia, eight for NSW
Ryles at full speed was a frightening sight. Standing at 194cm and 116 kilograms, Ryles could gain ten metres in his sleep.
His career was plagued by injuries, which stopped him from reaching his potential.
11. Jeremy Smith
22 caps for New Zealand
For the two years he was in the Red V, he was something special. He possessed ruthless aggression and knew how to use this to bust lines and opposition defences.
He was the best forward in the game in 2010. There was always something happening with the ball in his hands and the way he could raise the intensity of a team was remarkable.
12. Tyson Frizzell
14 caps for Australia, five for Wales, 13 for NSW
With a body like Zeus, Frizzell is a juggernaut second-rower, who uses his strength and leg speed to terrorise the edges.
Whenever there was an important run to be made, Frizzell was well equipped to do so. Close to line, good luck trying to stop him one on one. His best traits aer that he can be a threat for the entire 80 minutes, never letting the opposition have a break.
13. Shaun Timmins
Nine caps for Australia, nine for NSW, lock of the year
Timmins was a versatile player who was big enough to play lock, the movement to play centre, and didn’t look out of place as a five-eighth, where he payed for NSW and kicked the winning field goal to win an Origin match in extra time.
With a skill set uncommon in NRL, he was a true asset in any team.
Bench: Ben Hornby, Paul Vaughan, Dean Young, Ben Creagh
Coach: Nathan Brown
The standout of this squad is the backs. Morris and Gasnier combine two of the best in the world at their position, while try-scoring sensation Blacklock adds real speed that can burn anyone on the edge. Boyd has two potent options whatever side he decides to drift across.
The halves play matches up well, with Widdop and Barrett alternating taking the line on and guiding the team, while the skillfull Timmins provides a touch of class to every set, linking perfectly with Boyd sweeping across the field.
Frizzell and Smith are a damaging one-two punch that can open holes, while Hunt can play his best position and give plenty of space to do what he does best – play instinctively.
These Dragons are will keep marching in and who is going to stop them?
Dan
Roar Rookie
No love for Darius?
Andrew
Roar Pro
I wasn’t blaming it all on Barrett, he’s obviously not entirely to blame. I’m simply pointing out that he had chances at greatness & failed.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
You can't seriously blame it all on Barrett. Ridiculous comment. We didn't have the right coach. Baz was a great player
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
And Tariq Sims. Built like Tarzan runs like Jane
Marco R
Guest
Maybe as he has played for Australia and Queensland on multiple occasions at hooker .McInnes has yet not do any of that .
steggz
Roar Rookie
I love this sort of thing, because you rarely have a 13/17 that are streets ahead of everyone else. Here's my take on it: 1. Blacklock 2. B. Morris 3. Gasnier 4. Cooper 5. Nightingale 6. Soward 7. Hornby 8. Bailey 9. Mcinnes 10. Weyman 11. Thompson 12. Frizzell 13. Smith 14. Hunt/Widdop 15. Ryles 16. Vaughan 17. Creagh/Scott
steggz
Roar Rookie
Move Blacklock to fullback and Nightingale goes onto the wing. Thommo could come in if you move Smith to lock and drop Timmins to the bench?
DDQ75
Guest
Please explain how you have Ben Hunt over McInness at hooker
Andrew
Roar Pro
I was thinking about Mick but there’s already a lot of centres there
Dan
Roar Rookie
What about Mick Beattie?
Andrew
Roar Pro
Look Trent had his chances for greatness but wasn’t able to bring it home when it counted. Shame, wasted potential
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I’ve stirred the hornets nest! Princess Trent? I’m cracking up picturing him in a tutu now, and a tiara. :laughing: :silly: This footballer certainly has his detractors and admirers and never the Twain shall meet. I hope he does well with the Bulldogs, and he can wear a tiara whenever the mood takes him :silly:
Heyou
Roar Rookie
Rightio then Dan! I’ll leave it at that Dear. The subject is really not worth any more “discussion” Chill out. :laughing:
Andrew
Roar Pro
You could pick 2 pre merger teams & still not have room for everyone. Names like; Pat Jarvis Bruce Starkey Robert Stone Mark Coyne Ian Walsh Brian Johnston Brian Johnson Nathan Brown Brad Mackay Micheal O'Connor Peter Wynn Ricky Walford Gordon Tallis Scott Gourley Michael Potter Noel Goldthorpe David Barnhill Anthony Mundine Jason Stevens Wayne Bartrim Kevin Campion
Andrew
Roar Pro
What does a player have to do to get respect? Win premierships. Barrett had 3 legitimate chances & came up short. He’s a over rated princess in my opinion.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Pretty good team but there are some errors in my opinion; 6. Soward won us a Comp, was very durable didn’t miss many games & is still our highest point scorer. Widdop didn’t win us anything & spent most of the time injured on the sidelines 7. Ben Hornby captained us to premiership glory & deserves to be picked for his true believers speech alone. Also still our most capped player 274. Trent was a over rated princess who didn’t win us a comp even though he had 3 real chances ‘99 ‘05 & ‘06 He also saved his best football for rep teams. 8. Luke Bailey was a far superior Prop than Weyman. Remember his “go the Dragons” quote in ‘06 even though he was with Gold Coast. I’d argue Costigan was a better prop in 2010 he certainly was in the GF. 9. My bias leans towards Dean Young or Cam McInnes but it’s hard to argue with Ben Hunt. 11. Beau Scott is a automatic selection for me particularly with Soward in the team. I preferred Jeremy Smith at lock, but I’m leaving Timmins at 13 by a whisker over de Belin. Bench, maybe swap Dean Young for Ben Hunt, agree with Paul Vaughan & Ben Creagh but I’m adding Lance Thompson. Coach Wayne Bennett, obviously I’ve given some priority to 2010 premiership players but hard to argue with Blacklock, Timmins, Ryles, Bailey & Frizell. Honourable mentions, Matty Head the best halfback we’ve had in the JV era injury killed his career in 2005, Jack de Belin, Jason Nightingale, Wayne Bartrim, Brad Mackay, Anthony Mundine, Jeremy Smith, Mark Coyne & Tariq Sims. Great article that was fun!
Dan
Roar Rookie
Disagree all you want dear, I haven’t missed a Dragons game since 1999 (even in the last 2 seasons when they’ve been nothing short of deplorable) and I saw every game old Twent played in the Red V. Only played well when things were going his way, the game was already in the bag or when the olds and bolds gave him a serve. All I can say is lots of luck doggies fans. Twent spent too much time believing his own press, both as a coach and definitely as a player.
Cameron Warner
Roar Rookie
Piggy Riddell gets in at 9 for me on try celebrations alone
Heyou
Roar Rookie
I’m thinking back to all those games I watched him play. He did have a few shockers and even got a slap round the chops once from an inexperienced coach. But I wouldn’t describe his career with the Dragons as inconsistent. I humbly disagree with your assessment, but respect your right to express it.
Dan
Roar Rookie
What did Barrett have to do? Playing consistently might have helped.