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getsmarty

Immortal
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33,485
all-stars_20180820.jpg



REPRESENTATIVE


New Zealand Maori side to face Indigenous All Stars in 2019
Author
Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Timestamp
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 11:58 AM

An All-Star New Zealand Māori team will square off against the Australian Indigenous All Stars in a mens and womens double-header in Melbourne next February to open the 2019 NRL season.

The NRL has revamped the All Stars concept after a one-year break following last year's World Cup, replacing the World All Stars with a New Zealand Māori side to add some passion, culture and tribalism to the event which started in 2010.

The match, which will be played at AAMI Park on Friday, February 15, will pin the likes of Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga up against Greg Inglis and for the first time will also include a women's match with the same teams.

South Sydney centre Dane Gagai is one of four players eligible for both teams (along with Reimis Smith, Javid Bowen and Josh Hoffman) and will have to pledge his allegiance to one of the teams in the coming months before the January voting window.

One of the criticisms of the original All Stars concept was the lack of motivation for the World All Stars in comparison to the Indigenous side, with a large number of players withdrawing from the match.

There was also a lack of interest from fans in supporting the WorldAll Stars, but there will be no such concerns with a Māori team, especially when you consider the number of Kiwis living in Melbourne.

Storm stars launch new All-Stars concept

The NRL had every intention of reviving the Indigenous All Stars, and they used this year's hiatus to research and survey fans and players about the match in order to improve the spectacle and ensure more people feel connected to the match.

The least supported concept was the original World All Stars team, with the New Zealand Māori side earning greater support than a Pacific All Stars team combining players from Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

There were some cultural sensitivities around a potential combined Pacific team which also contributed to the decision to appoint a NZ Māori team.

The pre-game Māori haka and Indigenous war cry will be a feature of the event.

Some of the biggest names eligible for the New Zealand Māori team include Ponga, Gagai, Jordan Rapana, Corey Norman, Valentine Holmes, Issac Luke, Jordan McLean and James Tamou.

Gagai, Tamou and McLean are the three players who have represented Australia at Test level eligible for the New Zealand Māori team.

The Indigenous side is blessed with a wealth of riches in the backline, with fans to choose from the likes of Inglis, Gagai, Josh Addo-Carr, James Roberts, Latrell Mitchell, Will Chambers, Blake Ferguson, Alex Johnston, Tyrone Peachey and Jack Wighton.

It could also be a farewell game for the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday, who will both retire at the end of this season.

Johnson excited by Maori All-Stars concept

It's expected Laurie Daley will continue as coach of the Indigenous side but it is undecided who will take control of the inaugural Māori team in the battle for the Preston Campbell Trophy.

It will be the first time the All Stars game will be played in Melbourne having previously been hosted in Brisbane, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.

The NRL has a one-year deal with the Victorian government to stage the event as part of a commitment to the region to build the sport, however with new stadiums in Townsville and western Sydney to open in the next 12 months, the match could move to another state in 2020.

A two-week voting window will open to fans in January, while tickets for the match go on sale to members today and general public on Tuesday.

Potential Indigenous All Stars team
1. Greg Inglis, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. James Roberts, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Johnathan Thurston/Ash Taylor, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Jack Bird. Reserves: 14. Tyrone Peachey, 15. Sam Thaiday, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. David Fifita.

Other big names eligible: Will Chambers, Jack Wighton, Blake Ferguson, Alex Johnston, Bevan French, Connor Watson, Aiden Sezer, Corey Thompson

Potential New Zealand Māori team
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jordan Rapana, 3. Dylan Walker, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Tohu Harris, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elijah Taylor. Reserves: 14. Kodi Nikorima, 15. James Tamou, 16. Joseph Tapine, 17. Russell Packer.

Other big names eligible: Adam Blair, James Fisher-Harris, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jordan Kahu, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kevin Proctor


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...ri-side-to-face-indigenous-all-stars-in-2019/
 

Old Kogarah Boy 1

First Grade
Messages
5,415
See that Rothfield named his 2018 team of the year and guess what, not one Dragon listed ......... who would of thought that. The guy is a absolute joke.


https://www.nospam21.com/rothfield-selects-his-2018-dally-m-team-of-the-year-35805/

Rothfield’s 2018 Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle)

Winger: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne)

Centre: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney)

Five-eighth: James Maloney (Penrith)

Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Sydney)

Lock: Sam Burgess (South Sydney)

Second row: Billy Kikau (Penrith)

Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney)

Front row: Dave Klemmer (Centerbury)

Coach: Stephen Kearney (New Zealand)

Rookie: Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane)
 
Last edited:

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Dragons announce change of ownership
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 06:00 PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons have a new ownership structure with WIN taking on responsibility for the Illawarra component of the joint venture.

Following a lengthy and considered process, the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Illawarra Steelers and WIN today announced the transaction which will change the ownership structure, the shareholders, and the Board of Governance of the club.

The new shareholder agreement includes a matching funding arrangement between St George District Rugby League Football Club and WIN, the repayment of the Dragons loan from the NRL and a change in the structure of the club's board. The Steelers retain an interest in the club through a seat on the board.

Dragons Chairman Brian Johnston welcomed the agreement saying the decision would allow the Dragons to remain an iconic club and brand, with successful business, community and rugby league programs for long-term sustainable success.

"Today is a momentous day in the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons as we welcome WIN as a partner in our club," Johnston said. "The Gordon family through WIN bring a great passion for the Dragons and have been a supporter of rugby league for decades, first with the Steelers in 1982 and then the Dragons.

"This is an exciting launching point for the next stage of the Dragons. This arrangement ensures a bright future for our club, particularly as a Pathway and Development Club, in that our male and female pathways from grassroots to NRL remain strong and continue to grow.

"The continuing involvement of the Illawarra Steelers is a welcome and valued part of the ongoing structure."

WIN owner Bruce Gordon said the new partnership would enhance the commercial strength of the club while ensuring the work of the Steelers in crafting strong representation for the Illawarra region in first class rugby league continues to be honoured.

"WIN has long partnered with the Steelers to bring world class rugby league to the Illawarra and we want that legacy to continue. We have worked closely with Peter Newell, Bob Millward and Sean O'Connor in particular throughout that time," Gordon said.

"The change of ownership allows us to underpin the amazing heritage of the St George Illawarra Dragons with strong commercial strategy while locking in the pathways for junior players to rise through the ranks of the Steelers to the NRL."

While Illawarra and Dragons supporters will see no change to the club, the new affiliation is expected to strengthen its corporate structure as it reshapes the business away from the traditional club-funded model.

WIN Executive Chair Andrew Gordon said: "WIN is extremely excited to be partnering with the Dragons. We have meticulously worked through this arrangement to ensure that the Illawarra legacy and the St George heritage are fully respected."

As part of the restructure Brian Johnston will step into the role of CEO, replacing Peter Doust who announced his retirement earlier this year, while Andrew Gordon will take on the role of Chairman. The positions are effective from November 1 and October 1, 2018 respectively.

johnston_gordon.jpg

(L-R) Incoming CEO Brian Johnston and Chairman Andrew Gordon will spearhead the Dragons' new ownership structure
Steelers Chairman Peter Newell said the desire to improve the financial sustainability of the Steelers, to be an ongoing part of the Dragons' Board and to continue to see world class rugby league remain in the Illawarra were fundamental and mandatory to the decision to partner with WIN.

"Today's announcement underlines the close association between WIN, the Gordon family and the Steelers as an iconic Wollongong name now joins another iconic name in St George, in presenting the greatest game of all at home and away," Newell said.

"The Steelers, with the help of our St George colleagues and including WIN, have worked for the past two decades to fulfill our charter of keeping world class rugby league in Wollongong.

"It has been a challenging quest at times, and I am pleased the game at the elite level under the Dragons brand will continue to proudly go forward in our district with two committed joint-venture partners.

"Importantly, all parties share a commitment to ensuring local juniors have the opportunity to represent our district at the highest level."

St George Illawarra Dragons key facts

The new board

St George District Rugby League Football Club Directors: Brian Johnston, Ralph Piggott, Craig Young, Peter Black

WIN Directors: Andrew Gordon, Andrew Lancaster, Craig Osborne and Graeme Gulloch (Steelers)

St George Illawarra Dragons

- New Joint Venture Partnership arrangement between St George District Rugby League Football Club and WIN

- New Board of Directors, Chairman and CEO

- Removal of NRL loan and formal business arrangements with the NRL

- Club and brand remains as St George Illawarra Dragons

- Home Venues, namely Jubilee Stadium and WIN Stadium unchanged

- St George Illawarra Dragons will continue their current funding commitments to the St George, Illawarra and South Coast districts

St George District Football Club

- No change to the St George District Football Club Joint Venture arrangements or commitments

- Ralph Piggott will replace Peter Doust as a representative of St George District Football Club on the Dragons Board in November 2018.

Steelers

- Reached a settlement directly with WIN for their shares for a "commercially in confidence" sum

- Illawarra remains in the name and brand of the Club

- Steelers will have one Director on the new Board

- Harold Matthews (U16), SG Ball (U18) and Tarsha Gale teams in the Illawarra continue as Steelers

WIN

- New 50 per cent owners of the St George Illawarra Dragons, with the St George District Rugby League Football Club

- Reached a settlement directly with the Illawarra Steelers for their shares for a "commercially in confidence" sum

- Four decades of support for rugby league in the Illawarra and the Dragons

Brian Johnston

Johnston's extensive management experience across a variety of sectors with companies such as Suncorp, IAG and Office National has seen him consistently achieve exceptional results since he were last Dragons CEO. Since his previous role at the Dragons, Johnston has successful earned three Masters Degrees: Masters of Business Coaching; Masters of Science, and; Masters of Business Administration.

Andrew Gordon

Gordon has been a Dragons board member since 2006 and currently holds the Executive Chair of WIN Corporation. Gordon held key Executive roles for over a decade in the 90s and 2000s in television and radio. His board roles have included SP Telemedia, Crawford Productions, Mildura Digital Television, Western Digital Television, Broadcast Transmission Services and MediaHub.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/20/dragons-announce-change-of-ownership/
 

JDHD

Juniors
Messages
1,082
See that Rothfield named his 2018 team of the year and guess what, not one Dragon listed ......... who would of thought that. The guy is a absolute joke.


https://www.nospam21.com/rothfield-selects-his-2018-dally-m-team-of-the-year-35805/

Rothfield’s 2018 Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle)

Winger: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne)

Centre: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney)

Five-eighth: James Maloney (Penrith)

Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Sydney)

Lock: Sam Burgess (South Sydney)

Second row: Billy Kikau (Penrith)

Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney)

Front row: Dave Klemmer (Centerbury)

Coach: Stephen Kearney (New Zealand)

Rookie: Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane)

Kearney as coach over Seibold and Klemmer at prop over Tom Burgess/James Graham/Marty Taupau. Righto.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
leilual--scores-a-try-.jpg



NRL NEWS


Frizell, Leilua make NRL.com TOTW
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Tue 21 Aug 2018, 09:29 AM

Young guns produced the heroics and teams outside the eight sprung some stunning upsets as the race for finishing positions in the finals was thrown wide open in round 23.

Here's the best 17 of the week according to the fans, with a full breakdown of how they voted below.

twitter-team-of-the-week_201800821.jpg

Who was the best of the fullbacks in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the wingers in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the centres in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the five-eighths in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the halfbacks in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the locks in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the second-rowers in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the props in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018
Who was the best of the hookers in round 23?#NRL

— NRL.com (@NRLcom) August 19, 2018

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/21/frizell-leilua-make-nrl.com-totw/
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,406
See that Rothfield named his 2018 team of the year and guess what, not one Dragon listed ......... who would of thought that. The guy is a absolute joke.


https://www.nospam21.com/rothfield-selects-his-2018-dally-m-team-of-the-year-35805/

Rothfield’s 2018 Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle)

Winger: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne)

Centre: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney)

Five-eighth: James Maloney (Penrith)

Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Sydney)

Lock: Sam Burgess (South Sydney)

Second row: Billy Kikau (Penrith)

Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney)

Front row: Dave Klemmer (Centerbury)

Coach: Stephen Kearney (New Zealand)

Rookie: Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane)

Come on OKB1 - you surprise me , especially after 40years in the building game ! When a supplier receives a $6million dollar cheque he always looks after his contacts . Me thinks that there was a little gift waiting for Dil Rothchilde when he arrived at work on Monday morning , undoubtedly the reason why he was so absent minded . 1470811D-1A67-4BCA-A35E-B79F345AACBC.png
 
Last edited:

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


University of Wollongong extends partnership to Women's Premiership
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Tue 21 Aug 2018, 05:27 PM

St George Illawarra are proud to announce the University of Wollongong (UOW) as a foundation partner for the Dragons' inaugural NRL Women's Premiership team.

Last year's extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Dragons and UOW through to 2020 underpinned the mutually beneficial relationship between the two organisations; a relationship which has now extended to support the NRL Women's Premiership team that will compete in the elite women's competition in September.

University of Wollongong branding will reside on the back of the Dragons' Women's Premiership jerseys in another positive initiative between the club and UOW.

The NRL Women's Premiership squad have also continue to utilise the training facilities available on UOW's campus since their pre-season commenced at the beginning of August.

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, said the University was proud to extend its nine-year partnership to include the fastest growing segment of rugby league.

"We have been pleased to see rapid growth in female participation in all levels of higher education over many years, and so we are naturally proud to support the Dragons in establishing an elite women's NRL team as part of this exciting new era for the game," Professor Wellings said.

"Since 2009, the partnership between UOW and the Dragons has delivered positive outcomes for both organisations

St George Illawarra Chief Operating Officer Michael McDonald was delighted to see the relationship between the Dragons and UOW extend to the club's Women's Premiership team.

"The Dragons took a one club approach when establishing our elite women's team, and we're pleased that the University of Wollongong have chosen to extend their partnership by becoming foundation partners for the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership," McDonald said.

"While our players will proudly showcase UOW branding on the back of their jerseys, this partnership also allows the squad to utilise the first class facilities available on the Wollongong campus, ensuring our team can reach the highest level of professionalism in preparation for the Premiership's commencement in September."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...ng-extends-partnership-to-womens-premiership/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Dragons suffer NRL finals blow with injured Paul Vaughan ruled out for the season
Steve Zemek, AAP
August 21, 2018 8:40pm
ST GEORGE Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan’s comeback has been cut short after he was cruelly ruled out for the rest of the NRL season.

Vaughan suffered what has been described as a freak foot injury during training in Wollongong on Tuesday.

The session was his first after recovering from a syndesmosis injury in his ankle, and he was in line to take on Canterbury on Sunday.



ceee03dbf462ffc0654e8a017095f2f1

More bad news for the Dragons. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Vaughan looked unhindered during the session, taking part in all contact drills, but limped off the ground at the end of the session.

Teammates and club officials dismissed it as just a bit of soreness after the NSW Origin front-rower missed the past two weeks.

He was even named by coach Paul McGregor on an extended bench in the side to take on the Bulldogs.

However, after undergoing scans on Tuesday afternoon and being examined by the club’s doctors, it became apparent he would miss the final two regular-round matches and the finals.



“I’m devastated that my season has come to an end so suddenly today,” Vaughan said.

“However, I’ll continue to support the boys for the rest of the year and I look forward to coming back bigger and better in 2019.”

Vaughan’s injury is on a different leg to that which was hurt in the round 21 loss to the Warriors.

His loss is a massive blow for the Dragons engine room and it will place pressure on the rest of the pack.

Leeson Ah Mau has been named to partner James Graham in the front row to take on the Bulldogs at Jubilee Oval on Sunday.

In better news for the Red V, retiring winger Jason Nightingale has been named to return from a neck problem for what will be his final game at Kogarah.

The injury means he will miss the last two rounds of the regular season and the finals series.


https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/42a29382e7723da310568316a956d5f6
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Westfund extend partnership to Women's Premiership
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 22 Aug 2018, 06:48 PM

St George Illawarra are proud to announce that Westfund Health Insurance have strengthened their ties to the club by becoming a partner of the Dragons' inaugural Women's Premiership team for at least the next two seasons.

Westfund Health Insurance – who joined the Dragons as an apparel partner on the sternum of the NRL jerseys – have agreed to feature their brand on the sternum on the Women's Premiership jerseys for their maiden campaign.

Westfund is a not-for-profit health fund that has a presence in 12 regional areas across New South Wales and Queensland (including Wollongong), and is accessible nationally.

An Australian-owned and operated fund, Westfund aims to promote health and wellbeing, particularly in regional areas.

As well as extending their partnership to the Dragons' Women's Premiership team, Westfund will supply mouthguards to the 22-woman squad.

dsc_2881.jpg

(L-R) Anneka Stephens, Oneata Schwalger and Talia Atfield
Westfund Executive Manager of Operations Ron Charlton said the private health insurer was pleased to be involved in the Dragons’ maiden foray into women's rugby league.

"As a national health insurer, we're thrilled to be involved in partnering with and promoting rugby league as a sport of prominence," Charlton said.

"To participate in the foundations of the development of women’s rugby league on an international stage is something of which, as an organisation, we are justifiably proud.

“We wish the squad all the very best for the upcoming four-team competition."

Dragons Chief Operating Officer Michael McDonald welcomed Westfund's commitment to the club's NRL Women's Premiership team for the inaugural competition.

"The Dragons' partnership with Westfund Health Insurance has continued to develop positively throughout the 2018 season, and we are delighted that they have chosen to extend this to actively support our Women's Premiership team," McDonald said.

"Our elite women's squad are deep into preparations for September's inaugural NRL Women's Premiership, and to know they have the support of foundation partners such as Westfund is a great boost ahead of the season commencing."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/22/westfund-extend-partnership-to-womens-premiership/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Apps backs local products
Dragons Den
r0_542_5194_3462_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

Excitement growing: Dragons forward Kezie Apps looks on as teammate Oneata Schwalger has her mouthguard fitted for the upcoming NRL Women's premiership. Picture: Robert Peet.

The strength of the Illawarra women’s rugby league competition is the secret weapon that will help the St George Illawarra Dragons in the upcoming NRL Women’s premiership according to Jillaroo Kezie Apps.

Apps has played in the league since 2014, scaling NSW and Australian representative heights in the process.

With the Dragons making a clear intention to fill the squad with the Illawarra’s best rugby league talent, it’s that familiarity of weekly competition with and against St George Illawarra teammates that will hold the NRL Women’s team in good stead, Apps believes.

“Yes, 100 per cent it’s a talented group of girls,” Apps said. “I’m pretty lucky that I get to play against the local girls in our local competition, so I know how good they are and that’s what makes it really exciting.

“They have this opportunity now to showcase their talent on the big stage, a lot of the other girls from other teams don’t know how they’re going to play, so it’s a bit unknown for them. But for me and a few of the other girls we know how they play, so I’m really excited to see them get out there and rip in.”

Apps has been forced to miss Helensburgh’s past three clashes with an ankle injury, and while there were initial fears she could miss the start of the landmark competition, the 27-year-old is confident she’s on track to return for the team’s round one match in two week’s time.

“My ankle’s going alright, it’s going better than the physios expected, so that’s a real positive.

“I’m starting to run this week so that’s another positive, so hopefully I’ll be right by round one and really focusing on strengthening it up again.”

Coach Daniel Lacey has combined his local expertise with top-level experience to formulate a squad boasting Illawarra talent including Apps, Sam Bremner and Rikeya Horne, alongside Queensland and international stars including Annette Brander, Honey Hireme and Raecene McGregor.

With the injury limiting her involvement in training sessions, Apps has been forced to watch the team train from afar. She has been impressed by what she’s seen.

“The team’s looking really good. I’ve sort of been doing my own rehab stuff away from the team, but once I finish all that, I’m straight out on to the field and seeing what they’re up to and they’re all good.

“It’s really exciting to see it all coming together in our sport. We’ve got our full squad at the moment, so it’s exciting to have everyone together and getting to know how everyone plays, what positions they are and just to get to know them in general as people, so it’s exciting.”

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5602905/apps-backs-local-products/?cs=3713
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
dsc_0498.jpg



NRL COMMUNITY


Ken Stephen Medal nominees finalised for 2018
Author
Tanisha Stanton
Timestamp
Mon 20 Aug 2018, 11:01 AM

Most people only see their efforts on the field, but for many NRL players their off-field dedication to making a difference within the community is also of a high standard.

The winner of the 2018 Ken Stephen Medal will be crowned at this years' Dally M Awards. It will be a reward for positive contribution made in the community through charity work, youth development or other community initiatives.

All but two NRL clubs have nominated a player for the work they have done over the last 12 months.

NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder is proud to see our players not only impacting people on the field but more importantly off it.

"As a sport, we have a powerful voice and an even greater opportunity for everyone involved to continue to look out for one another, support each other when times are tough, and ensure that together, our communities are prosperous," Boland-Rudder said.

merrint-18021701nh.jpg

Panthers lock Trent Merrin. :copyright:Nathan Hopkins/NRL Photos
"These nominees are just some of the many players within clubs and communities that lend a helping hand where and when they can to all number of charities, hospitals and others in need.

"Many of the stories and acts of kindness go unnoticed and untold, although we regularly hear from members of the public about a player taking time out to give back and make a difference for the better."

In previous years, Sam Tagataese, Trent Hodkinson, Jonathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday, Nathan Hindmarsh and Preston Campbell have been celebrated as winners of the medal.

The nominees for the 2018 award are: Darius Boyd, Sam Williams, Adam Elliot, Edrick Lee, Ryan James, Joel Thompson, Christian Welch, Kalyn Ponga, Jake Granville, Cameron King, Trent Merrin, Matty Dufty, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Aloiai.

Click here, for more information on the Ken Stephen Medal and NRL Community Awards.

This year's Ken Stephen Medal is proudly supported by P & O Cruises and SkillsRoad, via the New South Wales Business Chamber.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/23/ken-stephen-medal-nominees-finalised-for-2018/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
img_2073.jpg



WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


Bremner to captain Dragons' Women's Premiership team
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Fri 24 Aug 2018, 12:28 PM

St George Illawarra are proud to announce that Helensburgh Tigers junior Sam Bremner has been named the inaugural captain of the Dragons' maiden NRL Holden Women's Premiership team.

The two-time Women's Rugby League World Cup winner has come from humble Helensburgh beginnings where she instigated the female game in the area by establishing the Helensburgh Tiger Lilies.

Bremner is one of the most decorated women's rugby league players ever having featured for the NRL All Stars, New South Wales and Australia Jillaroos since 2011.

The 2018 National Championships MVP played a crucial role in the Dragons securing a side for the inaugural four-team NRL Holden Women's Premiership as she was involved from the license application bid.

Bremner will be deputised by teammate and fellow representative star Kezie Apps.

"It's already such an honour to represent the Dragons as a player, and this is just an extra bonus for me. I was already overwhelmed to play under the St George Illawarra banner and now I'm so honoured that I was considered to be captain," Bremner said.

"What makes it so much more important to me is that I'm invested in this area. I do everything here. I was born here, bred here, played my first footy here and I still play here to this day.

"It means even more to me that I get to captain the side in an area where it all began for me."

Dragons Women's Premiership coach Daniel Lacey was honoured to hand the inaugural captaincy to Bremner.

"Sam has played her part at every level of rugby league, from the juniors to now. From a Dragons perspective, she helped with the licence proposal and helping the initial squad selection and planning," Dragons coach Daniel Lacey said.

"We can do no wrong with Sam as captain. Not only for the work that she has done but for her infectious, contagious personality. She is always upbeat, bubbly and leading by example.

"She's a figure in our local community that younger girls look up to and that's including the ones in our playing roster. She is deserving of having the Sam Bremner schoolgirl tournament named after her which is also a reflection of her as a person and a player."

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said there was no more appropriate person for this prestigious honour.

"Sam is an icon for female rugby league in our region, she started the Helensburgh Tiger Lilies and has been a passionate advocate for the game for many years," Doust said.

"She has already inspired so many young females across our region with not only her ability but also her attitude, passion and commitment. She thoroughly deserves this honour.

"The Dragons will continue to invest in a 'pathway' for female rugby league players and Sam will continue to play a lead role as captain of the Dragons.

"Everyone at the Dragons is extremely proud of Sam and we know that she will be an outstanding leader for our team both on and off the field."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/24/bremner-to-captain-dragons-womens-premiership-team/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Dragons 2018: Latimore out to make it count
Dragons Den
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FINAL COUNTDOWN: Dragons veteran Jeremy Latimore has urged his side to make the most of their 2018 finals charge. Picture: Robert Peet


HE'S played more than 150 games with five clubs and Dragons veteran Jeremy Latimore is well aware that finals football is a privilege and not a right in the NRL.

Just five of Latimore's 160 NRL appearances have come in the finals arena. He was with the Panthers in 2014 when they upset the Roosters in week one of the finals and fell just short of a fairy tale grand final berth.

He was also with the Panthers when they were pushed out in week two by the Raiders and the Cronulla side that was upset by eventual grand finalists North Queensland in week one of the finals last season.

The 31-year-old has gone without finals action altogether in seven of his 10 seasons in the NRL, leaving him desperate to make the Dragons finals push count.

“I've played finals the last two years and both years I thought we were a really good chance,” Latimore said.

“We made the second week with the Panthers [in 2016] and last year [Cronulla] bowed out to the Cowboys. In 2014 we had a really good team at Penrith, we beat the Roosters first week of the finals and I remember going to the prelim thinking 'how good's this, we're going to make a grand final’.

“We lost to the Bulldogs and then the year after that we were playing [to avoid] the wooden spoon in round 26 against Newcastle. That's something I've tried to tell the boys, these opportunities don't come around a lot.

“I'm getting a bit older and next year could be my last year so I'm all in at the moment, I'm ripping in at training, making some sacrifices off the field and just trying to give my all. Hopefully we get the reward come finals time.”

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5606433/latimore-making-it-count/?cs=3713
 

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


How red-headed rogue Lance Thompson became cult hero
Author
Dan Walsh & Brad Walter
Timestamp
Fri 24 Aug 2018, 03:10 PM

"Don't worry mate, let me handle this."

Jason Stevens is running a high school coaching clinic in the mid 1990s in the St George area.

And Lance Thompson, still well and truly young enough to be wearing a PE uniform and looking up at the first-grade prop, is pushing him aside to take charge of the drill.

"That was Thommo," the former NSW and Australian representative told NRL.com.

"When he came on so early, he was already showing you up, already taking charge. He was already bench-pressing more than seasoned players in the gym. He was just so naturally strong.

"I remember in his first game [against Cronulla in 1995 when Thompson was still just 17] I tipped the ball onto him for his first touch.

"He broke the line and made a massive run, and there wasn't much of a gap for him to go through but he was just so skilful early on in his career."

Like countless ex-teammates, coaches, friends, family and the wider rugby league land, Stevens was shocked by the death of Thompson, aged 40, the red-headed rogue who grew larger than life in the red and white.

Vale, Lance Thompson

A few months after his 18th birthday Thompson was playing in 1996 grand final for St George, a loss to Manly that left him broken on the SFS turf, his impending HSC exams later that year the furthest thing from his mind.

From those same formative years, the legendary tale along the lines of Thompson being so determined not to miss a game while still at school that he pulled out his braces with a pair of pliers.

“I remember something like that,” said Anthony Mundine, another former Dragons teammate.

“Thommo wasn’t the biggest guy, he wouldn’t have been 100kg and he was a rugged player, very tough and had that mentality and will that drove him.”

Mundine and Thompson go back to their schoolyard days together, finding their way to the top grade with St George and then when the club merged with Illawarra in 1999.

Success came to the joint-venture club immediately given the strong combined rosters and generous salary cap concessions that brought them together.

The inevitable tension in amalgamating two proud clubs surfaced too, with Thompson once again handling it.

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Lance Thompson 1978-2018

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Lance Thompson with the Dragons in 2005 against the Broncos.

Lance Thompson 1978-2018

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Lance Thompson 1978-2018

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Lance Thompson playing for the Dragons in 2005.
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Lance Thompson 1978-2018

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Lance Thompson (right) on the defensive with the Dragons in 2005.
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Lance Thompson 1978-2018

“There was a lot of passion there for his beloved St George and I had chats with him because there was a bit of Wollongong versus St George," Andrew Farrar, co-coach of that first Dragons side, said.

"But he was one of the blokes who really embraced the joint venture. He was just that keen to play footy, he was always first there and always keen to train. He was old school. He played busted.

"That was never a problem for Thommo. He was never the first into the physio room or the medical room, he was probably the last."

Brian Smith – the man who gave Thompson that debut against Cronulla – knew the talent he had on his hands back then.

But the competitive drive across 239 games with the Dragons and Sharks trumped the natural ability in both impressions then and memories now.

"I admired his passion for his sport and his competitive attitude throughout his career," Smith said.

"Lance always wanted to win every battle, from the match he was in, to the loose ball on the ground. He was a great clubman and teammate and will be sadly missed by all who knew and respected him."

When Thompson parted ways with the Dragons at the end of 2005, they copped the brunt of his fire.

The local junior stormed out of their end-of-season presentation night under the belief he was being shuffled out to ease salary cap pressure.

Always able to throw fists with the best of them – fighting twice on Mundine's undercards while still playing first grade – Thompson fought on first via the press, and then at arch-rivals Cronulla for another two seasons.

Thompson battled off-field issues at different stages of his career. A marriage breakdown rocked him. Alcohol took its toll at times, most famously when he fronted for a pre-season recovery session still celebrating his 26th birthday with a beer in hand.


His sudden death in his Cronulla apartment aged 40 has prompted questions, though police have said there was no evidence of self-harm or suspicious circumstances.

Friends and those who had come across Thompson recently reported him to be in good spirits, the former back-rower first managing footballers including Andrew Fifita and the Stanley brothers Chas and Kyle, and then running restaurants in the south of Sydney after hanging up his boots.

"I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and he seemed great," Mundine said.

"Me and Thommo always got along. I miss the brother, just knowing he is not here. I am going to be rocked and shocked for a couple of weeks before I come to terms with reality.

"For me he was a loving guy, his family loved him, his friends loved him."

Among all the fond Thompson memories – THAT Falcon as Melbourne rattled up a 70-10 demolition job on his side in 2000, his front row seat for Nathan Brown's slap on Trent Barrett three years later – family surfaces immediately.

Ben Creagh – a Thompson favourite as "another ranga back-rower coming through the club" – remembers a particular devotion to his daughter, Shalisse.

Finally called it a day in 2008, asking then-Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart for one last game to farewell the fans, it was because Thompson couldn't keep up with young Shalisse at the local park.

Thompson's extension of simple, but rare kindness to Creagh's own kin speaks to numerous other tales of a popular figure, mourned by many.

He was a loving guy, his family loved him, his friends loved him.

Anthony Mundine
"When I was still just a young guy at the start of my career, he always took the time out after training or after games to find my parents and go and have a chat with them," Creagh said.

"My mum and dad always remembered that, and for a club legend to go out of his way to find your family and welcome them, keep coming back to them as they were like me, still working out football as a career, they really appreciated that.

"The other thing about Thommo, he really did seem like a great dad.

"His daughter was always at our captain's runs and training, jumping all over him at training and she was a big part of his life. She was really important to him and it's a really sad day for his family."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/08/25/how-red-headed-rogue-lance-thompson-became-cult-hero/
 

getsmarty

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Lights, camera . . . and this time there's finals action for Dragons
Christian Nicolussi25 August 2018 — 8:00pm
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St George Illawarra filmed an NRL finals promotion this week – and at least this one will make the screen.

The Dragons lost to Canterbury in the final round last year to finish ninth and sensationally drop out of the September race.

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Too soon: The Dragons shoot a finals promotion in 2017, however, they fell short of the play-offs.

Photo: St George Illawarra Dragons
What made the stunning exit more humiliating was the fact that the players had only a few weeks earlier shot a TV commercial intended to feature during the footy finals.

It evoked memories of the club inquiring about grand final T-shirts in August, 2009, only to bow out in straight sets.

Last year's TV segment took a few hours to film as the cameras captured around 50 fans rubbing shoulders with the club's stars on the hill near Wollongong lighthouse.

Related Article

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'There's bad people out there': How Hunt deals with army of critics
The latest promo, again filmed in Wollongong, will make the final cut as the Dragons are not only assured a finals berth but possibly a top-four spot.

They will do their chances no harm if they can beat their 2017 nemesis, the Bulldogs, convincingly at a packed Kogarah Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Several other clubs have already fronted the cameras for their fresh finals material, including South Sydney, who happily shot their ad at Allianz Stadium – home of bitter rivals and title threats the Sydney Roosters.

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Better luck this time: Tariq Sims and Jack de Belin get ready to star in last year's finals promotion.

Photo: St George Illawarra Dragons
Dragons representative forward Jack de Belin had a laugh when Fairfax Media reminded him of the TV footage that never saw the light of day.

"That's right . . . I remember being at the lighthouse and the fans walking up the hill,'' Dragons' representative forward Jack de Belin told Fairfax Media.

"At least now we're guaranteed to be in the finals. We've still got a lot to play for, especially with the top four.

"We feel like we can beat anyone on our day, and we've shown that throughout this year.

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Down and out: Josh Dugan and Nene Macdonald after the Dragons lost to the Bulldogs in round 26 last season.

Photo: AAP
"From one to 17, we're pretty stacked.

"We didn't play our best last week [against the Wests Tigers] but a win is a win, and it was a step in the right direction. We're definitely on the right path to getting back to where we want to be.''

De Belin recalled the heartbreak felt after the full-time siren last year as the Bulldogs celebrated.

"They had nothing to play for, they were already about their Mad Monday, and we probably had our heads around the fact we were already playing finals,'' de Belin said.

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Unlike Souths and Manly, Dragons survived without selling off farm
"We just didn't turn up.

"The Dogs aren't the best side, but they are a team who will grind and be there to the end. They've been good of late.

"Our destiny is in our hands.''

The Dragons will have extra incentive to lock down the top-four spot after Penrith's heavy loss against the New Zealand Warriors but have Cronulla breathing down their neck for that all-important double chance in the finals.

De Belin's NSW teammate, David Klemmer, is the Canterbury danger man up front and will pose the biggest threat.

"Klem is their go-forward man, he's always strong with his carries and the boys get off the back of him,'' de Belin said.

"We have to make him work in defence, and if we can do that we'll take some of that zap out of his carries.''

The Dragons appeared headed for their traditional late-season fadeout until they beat the Tigers at a packed Leichhardt Oval.

There will be standing room only at suburban fortress Kogarah. The Dragons lost Paul Vaughan to a foot injury on Tuesday as he trained for the first time after being sidelined with an ankle problem.

There will be plenty of emotion given the sudden death of former Dragon Lance Thompson on Thursday.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/li...inals-action-for-dragons-20180825-p4zzqb.html
 

getsmarty

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'There's bad people out there': How Hunt deals with army of critics
Andrew Webster25 August 2018 — 12:00am

The voices follow Ben Hunt wherever he goes.

They come from over the back fence, from the safety of the hill, reminding him of his past mistakes.

“Remember 2015?!” they shout, a reference to Hunt’s knock-on from the kick-off in golden-point while playing for the Broncos that gifted the Cowboys the premiership. “You’re going to drop it again!”

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'If we’re going bad, I knew I’d wear it': Ben Hunt was aware he would be a target should the Dragons fare badly.

Photo: John Veage
Sometimes, the voices remind him of the money he’s now on at the Dragons. They come from his own fans.

“One-point-two!” yell some, a reference to Hunt’s reported $1.2 million-per-season contract.

Then there’s the putrid voices from the swamp of social media.

“Your [sic] unworthy of rep footy,” said one post on Hunt's Instagram after Queensland lost Origin II. Said another: “Your [sic] trash.” Said another: “Go jump off a cliff.”

Then there’s the voices that belong to the coterie of former — and, sometimes, current — players who fill hours of airtime on TV and radio.

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Heavy load: Ben Hunt bears the burden of unrealistic expectations.

Photo: AAP
“We can single out Ben Hunt because he’s come to the club as the marquee man, as the No.7, and did he have any impact on the game the other night?” asked former Sharks hooker Michael Ennis on Fox Sports days after the Dragons' 40-4 loss to Parramatta in round 22. “No he didn’t. None at all.”

Hunt can roll with all of this. He can brush it off like most professional athletes do, realising it goes with the territory, with being the halfback, with being the marquee signing, before dusting himself off and going again.

But the voice that really hurts is the voice that he respects, so when retired Australian and Queensland star Johnathan Thurston lines Hunt up like he did on Channel Nine after the Origin II defeat, that’s when it stings.

As for the money ... people are throwing around numbers that they don’t even know about. There’s a bit of GST put on most of them.

Ben Hunt
Thurston, you might recall, blasted Hunt for his attacking kick in the 69th minute which rolled over the dead-ball line. It was the third tackle, the Blues were down to 12 men with James Roberts in the sin bin.

“The first set that they had, Ben Hunt kicks it dead for a 20m restart,” Thurston fumed. “That’s a brain explosion on the third tackle.”

The criticism stung when Hunt heard it the next day.

“JT's got every right to have his opinion and I respect it because I know what he’s talking about," he says. "Some ex-players are talking for the sake of talking. Here’s your topic and you’ve got to come up with something. I have my feelings on who those guys are and I just don’t worry about them.

“But JT’s opinion matters. We’ve spoken since. I wouldn’t say it’s hurtful but it makes me more disappointed in myself because of who it’s come from. That gets you down.”

Ever since that match, Hunt has become the game’s most whacked punching bag. Whack! Whack! Whack! He was apparently the best halfback going around before Origin, worth every cent of the “one-point-two”, but now he’s a dud. Apparently. Whack! Whack! Whack!


If Hunt is feeling like the hunted, he’s not showing it when we meet at a cafe in the Sutherland Shire ahead of the Dragons’ match against the Bulldogs on Sunday at Jubilee Oval.

In many respects, Hunt’s first season in the Red V reminds me of halfback Brett Kimmorley, who left Melbourne in 2000 to join the Northern Eagles for numbers that belonged in a telephone book.

“If we start losing matches,” Kimmorley said at the time, “I know exactly who they will come after.”

He was right. The Eagles finished 10th, Kimmorley was blamed for them missing the finals and he duly took off to Cronulla just one season into his mega-deal.

When Hunt joined the Dragons on a deal reportedly worth $6 million over five years — which equates to "one-point-two!” a season — he did so knowing the contract provided security for him and his family.

He also knew it came with the kind of pressure Kimmorley spoke about all those years ago.

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Brutal loss: Ben Hunt after the 2015 grand final.

Photo: AAP
“Yeah, I did think about that,” Hunt says. “I knew changing clubs, being the halfback, would bring that. If we did go well they would be saying, ‘This is the best signing of the year’. If we’re going bad, I knew I’d wear it. That was in my mind.

“As for the money, the majority of the time people are throwing around numbers that they don’t even know about. There’s definitely a bit of GST put on most of them. Everyone keeps rounding up the numbers. That’s just the way our game is. Every time someone signs, everyone seems to know how much it’s for and for how long.”

Wearing the Dragons’ No.7 jersey brings added pressure because the club has struggled to find a genuine organising halfback since, well, Billy Smith in the 1970s.

Coach Paul McGregor and recruitment manager Ian Millward years ago identified Hunt as the playmaker the coach wanted alongside five-eighth Gareth Widdop. They started negotiations as far back as late 2016.

“They were very keen from the start,” Hunt says. “They were a lot keener than I was, to be honest. I was never interested in leaving Brisbane. I’m from the bush and Brisbane was big enough for me.”

Playing halfback for the Broncos brings its own brand of expectation, especially after dropping a ball in golden point that allows Thurston to land a wobbly, premiership-winning field goal.

That dropped ball. Replays of the moment seem to pop up on television screens with alarming regularity. The camera zooms in on Hunt. He’s down on his haunches, his index fingers buried into his forehead.

Broncos captain Justin Hodges told him in the dressing-room afterwards “you didn’t lose us the grand final”. Hunt had people knocking on his door for weeks trying to tell him the same thing. He shunned them all, preferring to go away with his family.

“Everyone offered help and wanted to talk to me but I deal with things in my own way," he says. "It’s part of my history. It will always follow me.”

It followed him all the way to Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night when the Dragons played the Wests Tigers.

The voices on the other side of the fence were telling him he was going to drop a kick-off in the second half. Hunt barely listened to them. He hadn’t fumbled a kick-off since the 2015 grand final.

Then he dropped it.

“As soon as I dropped it, I thought, ‘You got me’,” Hunt grins. “There were three or four blokes behind me who were into me before the kick even came. They’re not the first fans to get stuck into me. People bring it up all the time. Random fans. There’s some rough ones out there.”

Days before that match, Hunt’s wife, Bridget, unleashed a 250-word post on her Instagram account about the criticism being levelled at her husband by the media and fans.

“Words have meaning! You may not think they affect the person, but they have meaning!” she posted. “It’s funny, that Ben is apparently being blamed for the Dragons’ performances of late, but it’s funny, last time I checked it’s his first year at the Dragons, and this has happened three years in a row.

“And it’s funny that there’s 17 people in a whole side, yet it’s all his fault!

“Players make errors when they are loosing [sic], and players make errors when they are winning too! Rugby league should not be condoning this culture!”

Hunt knew she was going to post the message, which drew plenty of positive comments from fans. While he isn’t wounded by social media hate, he makes the interesting claim that other players have walked away because of the pressure.

“I’ve had former teammates who have had the same treatment on social media who act like big tough footballers but it’s really gotten to them,” he says. “People just rip in. I’ve blocked a lot of people — and then they start on her [his wife]. I’ve told her that many times to not worry about it and not to retaliate but it got to the point where she wanted to say her bit.

“It wasn’t just about me: it’s about players I have played with and I am still playing with who have copped it over the years and who have dropped out of the league because they have taken it harder than I have. There are some bad people out there.”

It’s important to note that Hunt isn’t playing the victim. Footy’s always been tough, especially for the halfback, especially if you’re the halfback for the Broncos or Dragons or Queensland. Criticism and praise ebb and flow with the result, like it always has.

"It can turn quickly," Hunt smiles. "People forget what they've said pretty easily."


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...als-with-army-of-critics-20180824-p4zzj9.html
 

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