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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.
Gareth Widdop (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
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.
Tyson Frizell (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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?
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