The St George Dragons were founded in 1920 and ceased to exist in 1998, when they merged with the Illawarra Steelers to form the team we know as the St George Illawarra Dragons.
They have had a bevy of champion players and are best known for winning 11 consecutive premierships from 1956-66, a record unmatched in world sport.
1. Graeme Langlands: 45 Tests for Australia, 35 games for NSW, Clive Churchill Medal
‘Changa’ was the Dragons’ greatest point scorer and a marvel of an attacking. He had long strides, and he moved so gracefully he could move left or right then suddenly explode diagonally in the opposite direction, making defences look paper-thin. Plus his telepathic connection with Billy Smith made him the finest attacking fullback from his time. He was known for his famous white boots and scoring the best no try ever against England.
2. Johnny King: 15 Tests for Australia, ten games for NSW
He formed a great partnership with Reg Gasnier. He was an intelligent winger who was rarely out of position. His speed and aforementioned footy smarts helped him become the Dragons’ leading try scorer of all time. He overcame a partially severed foot from a lawnmower incident and still played on for many years after that.
3. Reg Gasnier: 40 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW
The greatest centre to ever play and an Immortal, Gasnier was simply a once in a lifetime sort of player. He was the sort of player that scored 127 tries in 125 games yet he was known as an unselfish player. His swerve, acceleration and strength were all combined together to produce a player who could beat you in a multitude of ways. He was commonly referred to as the ‘Prince of Centres’. He became Australia’s youngest ever captain at age 22. His career was cut short at 28 but his legacy lives on.
4. Mark Coyne: nine Tests for Australia, 19 games for Queensland
He was key to the Dragons of the ’90s. He famously rallied support for the Dragons stopping a merger with the Roosters. He was an all-round player who should have played more Tests. He is most famous for scoring the “it’s not a try, it’s a miracle” try for Queensland.
Mark Coyne. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
5. Eddie Lumsden: 17 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW
He was a powerhouse of a winger who used his brute strength to bulldoze his way to an impressive 136 tries from 256 games. His teammates often stated once he had the ball close to the line, they started walking back for the kick-off as they knew he would score.
6. Brian Clay: nine Tests for Australia, eight games for NSW, Clive Churchill Medal
Known as ‘Poppa’ for being bald, Clay was more of running player who ran like an extra forward, which helped his backs of Gasnier and King to find space to score out wide, while in defence he was not afraid of tackling players in half. He retired with helping the Dragons win their 11th straight premiership.
7. Billy Smith: 27 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW
He was a West Australia-born player who was a tenacious little player. He didn’t let his size deter him from being one of the better halves in the game. His pace and kicking game provided the Dragons another dimension in attack that made them close to unbeatable.
8. Norm Provan: 14 Tests for Australia, 19 games for NSW, Clive Churchill Medal
The late, great Immortal was an incredible leader and warrior who led the Dragons to ten straight grand final wins. He was a professional who was the soul behind the Dragons’ dynasty. His actions off the field and the way he conducted himself provided a guidance to his teammates on how a rugby league player should approach the game. Perhaps his photo with Arthur Summons, which is used for the NRL trophy, is the most iconic photo in Australian sports.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
9. Ken Kearney: 33 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW
‘Killa’, as he was known, played for the Wallabies and was captain of the Dragons for six straight grand final wins. His aggressive nature gave the Dragons’ defence a steel that helped pave their success. He was often referred to as the brains of the Dragons’ dynasty.
10. Craig Young: 21 Tests for Australia, five games for NSW, two-time prop of the year, Clive Churchill Medal
He was a large prop who was known as ‘Fat Albert’, who used his size to bully his opponents. Young was a highly sought-after junior prospect who also excelled at football. He was vital in their final grand final win in 1979. Young was captain at age 22 and led the Dragons admirably.
11. Brad Mackay: 12 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW, Clive Churchill Medal
He could play many positions. Mackay was important in the Dragons’ teams in the ’90s making grand finals. He in one of only four players to win a Clive Churchill Medal in a losing side. He was always in Bradley Clyde’s shadow but was a great player himself.
12. Rod Reddy: 19 Tests for Australia, one game for Queensland
‘Rocket Reddy’ was a bruising player whether it was in attack or defence. He would dish out punishment and be the team’s enforcer. A perfect example was when he belted Parramatta in the 1977 grand final replay.
13. John Raper: 39 Tests for Australia, 24 games for NSW, Clive Churchill Medal
One of the finest locks and an Immortal, Raper had rare instinct and endurance uncommon for a lock. He could cover at five-eighth and was a good defender with his famous cover tackle. His performance for Australia in the ‘Swinton Massacre’ has been rated by some as the best individual performance ever.
Bench
Ted Goodwin, Billy Wilson, Harry Bath and Kevin Ryan.
What a collection of talent. The back row of Raper, Mackay and Reddy have a mix of skill, aggression, and bone-crushing defence.
Billy Smith will have many backs to choose from. Langlands and Gasnier are two of the best players ever and those two combined is almost unfair.
And on top of that, you have two great wingers, who will finish any opportunity handed to them.
To cap it off you have Norm Provan leading this team, making them extremely difficult to beat.
They for sure will be a force in best team ever tournament as they have four Immortals.
Who will stop these Dragons from marching?
David Whittle
Guest
I would've had Mark Gasnier instead of Coyne and Elton Rasmussen should've been in there somewhere.
Roy Norman
Guest
Spent many Sunday's watching Saints at Hurstville Oval, played in junior comp. Great days....
mach4
Roar Rookie
Reddy didn't belt Parra in 1977 he belted Price lol.
Yoyo
Guest
Really strong team but I think the bench and halves are OK and lack a true star.
mach4
Roar Rookie
I am a Dogs supporter and would add HenryTatana, such a fun guy to have a drink with lol.
BillV
Guest
Not sure. Maybe Alfie was right?
Tony
Roar Guru
Can you guess why no players from the last two decades have been named :laughing:
BillV
Guest
Sadly, we are speaking of players from bygone eras. Not a player listed inside the last two decades, albeit Mark Gasnier and Brett Morris glaring omissions. Maybe focus more on the present, and less resting on laurels.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
It’s THAT Origin Try for Mark Coyne that keeps him in people’s memories and probably swayed the judging. Like you I think Mark Gasnier was a better centre for the Dragons but then they already had enough NSW representatives and probably needed to throw in a QLDer to appease the natives north of the NSW border.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Glad to see Brad Mackay made the list. I remember having a drink with him at St George Leagues Club in 1989 and telling him he was going to play Origin and for Australia. He thought I was having him on. Then he got selected to play for NSW later that year and for Australia the following year. True story. I remember he was a nice guy to give me the time of day and humour me. He must have thought I was from the future a year later though. Ahead of my time I guess. :silly:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Saints had heard about Fulton and wanted him as their annual recruitment of the star country rookie. Ken Arthurson travelled down to Fulton's home and convinced him Manly was a better option than a team full of ageing stars.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Oh, that would be because Noel offered the selectors the certainty that, if he bunged on a blue with the Pommie forwards - a legitimate "game plan" tactic of those times, and was sent off for it, the other bloke would depart the field too, walking off with Noel or on a stretcher. :stoked: Back then belting the likes of Vince Karalius, winning the rugby league Ashes and fronting the Pommy judiciary was worthy of the ARL Rothmans Filter Player of the Year award!
Tony
Roar Guru
Good stuff Mick, and I never understood what you guys were up to in the scrums. :happy:
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"Ryan lining up on the wing" ... I played where Kevin played and, like him, I cannot remember ever visiting that part of the field, in either code, to discover or try to understand what the bludgers out there did for a job. :stoked: A good china somewhat older than me attended his first race meeting with Kevin Ryan, at Kilcoy, near where they grew up. He led an interesting life with many successes in varied fields. I recall seeing him at Belmore Oval, standing on the sideline fuming after being sent off - he always appeared as a tall bloke with broad shoulders. As he turned to walk away he pulled off his jersey and I was surprised to find there were no shoulder pads (which were fairly common at the time) - it was all him! His discipline and demanding fitness regime seriously tested the local tearaways at Canterbury-Bankstown! :silly: He was one of the first to perfect the ball and all tackle, to counter slipping of the ball - up high, using his size to advantage by wrapping his arms around and going to ground with the tackled player beneath him to control and cushion the fall. If only the League had set that as the required minimum standard they wouldn't have anything like the problems they face with dangerous high non-tackles.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Billy Wilson played 12 seasons between 1948 and 1962 winning 6 premierships. He was sent off a minute before half time in the 1962 grand final for flattening Wests second rower Jim Cody. His planned retirement came forty minutes earlier than expected. He was a friend of my grandfather.
Zak
Roar Rookie
I’m too young to know pre-1980’s but from what I’ve read apparently Ian Walsh was one of the finest hookers ever. I thought I read in Rugby League Week once that Walsh was pipped at the post by Ned Kelly as Hooker for team of the century??
The Bear
Guest
How about Ben Hornby as a utility on the bench? Captain and half back for the 2010 premiership side. Not as brilliant as the others but dependable in big matches.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd have loved to have seen that. Bozo used to do my head in when I was a young fella, mostly because he was so bloody good.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Ferguson played for Saints in 72-76 and he was very useful against Manly who were the team to beat. I was in the Noble/Bradman stand and remember seeing him knock the stuffing out of the great Bob Fulton in a legal tackle. Bozo looked a bit sick.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The painkilling injection that hit a nerve and ruined the 1975 grand final was not the fault of the doctor. Chang had so many leg and knee injuries the nerves were not in the normal places.