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Seasons In Review
(Contents)

Introduction

1907 - 1920

1921 - 1925

1926 - 1929

1930 -1934

1935 -1939

1940 -1944

1945 -1949

1950 -1955

1956 -1959

1960 -1963

1964 -1966

1967 -1969

1970 -1973

1974 -1979

1980 - 1984

1985 - 1989

1990 - 1993

1994 - 1995

1996

1997 - 1998

1999

2000 - 2002

2003 - 2005

2006

2007

St George Dragons Rugby League History
Since 1921 - Our Proud History
2006
Saints fall short of grand final berth
Luke Bailey - St George rugby league historyTelstra Stadium, Saturday 23 September 2006:
St George Illawarra have been defeated 24-10 by minor premiers Melbourne Storm, ending their 2006 finals campaign. The preliminary final loss sees the Dragons fall one match short of the grand final for the second consecutive year.
Saints fans turned up in force and with Sydney's Telstra Stadium bathed in red-and-white , the visiting Storm outfit ran in two tries to one in the first half to post a 12-6 lead at the break.
Following close calls for both sides, the first try came with rookie sensation Greg Inglis crossing in the 14th minute. The Dragons struck back in the 25th minute with centre Matt Cooper running onto a tremendous offload from backrower Ashton Sims. Less than two minutes later, Storm centre Matt King pull down a precision kick from half back Cooper Cronk to put Melbourne ahead by six points.
The road to the finals
In a mixed season, the Dragons did hit form with successive victories just prior to the finals. Wins over the Wests Tigers 46-16 (round 24 at Kogarah), the Sharks 18-4 (round 25 in Wollongong), and the Roosters 36-16 (round 25 at the SCG) set Saints up well for their finals charge.
A comprehensive 20-4 victory over the Broncos in week one of the finals followed by an emphatic 28-0 drubbing of the Sea Eagles the following week had supporters thinking the Dragons were ready to go all the way. The purple patch was highlighted by the impressive statistic that the Dragons had not conceded a single point in the second half since round 24.
It took minor premiers Melbourne to end the run and continue their winning streak over the Dragons, the red and whites last defeating the Storm in 2004.
LOWER GRADES
Dragons Premier League and Jersey Flegg sides were also defeated in their respective preliminary finals. On Saturday 23/9/2006, the Premier League side were bundled out 38-28 by the Newtown Jets at Telstra Stadium. The following day, the Dragons (defending Jersey Flegg premiers) ended their season after being defeated 23-22 by minor premiers, the Newcastle Knights at Leichhardt Oval. A Knights' field goal in the final minute of play broke the deadlock.
The second half developed into an arm wrestle as the stakes in the sudden-death clash were raised. However, quick play-the-balls and mounting pressure on the back of a solid defensive effort saw the Storm gain the ascendancy
The turning point came in the 61st minute when Melbourne winger Steve Turner scored out wide after an overlap developed.
Saints were still in the contest when winger Brett Morris scored out wide, the Dragons found themselves eight points behind with as many minutes remaining. But with time running out, Storm forward Antonio Kaufusi scored under the posts to confirm the result and end the Dragons' season.
Melbourne Storm 24 (G Inglis, A Kaufusi, M King, S Turner tries. M Geyer 1/1, C Smith 3/3 goals)
St George Illawarra Dragons 10 (M Cooper, B Morris tries. A Gorrell 1/1, M Head 0/1 goals)
Referee: Steven Clark. Crowd: 40,901


SON OF SLIPPERY STAGES SENSATIONAL MATCH WINNER

Brett Morris - St George rugby league historySuncorp Stadium, Friday 16 June 2006: Season 2006 saw the first grade debut of winger Brett Morris. The son of St George legend Steve Morris, Brett debuted in round 9 at Toyota Park against the Sharks but he to wait until round 15 to score his debut try in first grade. But it was timely effort and one which quickly elevated the rookie winger to a favourite amongst fans.
In a thrilling encounter, Morris scored what was ultimately the winning try against the Broncos in Brisbane. With just 90 seconds left on the clock, and Saints down by four points, Morris leapt high to a cross field kick from halfback Mathew Head. Morris gathered the ball in and touched down in the corner, bringing the large Dragons contingent to their feet.
It was left to hooker Aaron Gorrell to kick the conversion from the sideline, which he did in fine style, the Dragons winning the nail-biter by 18-16.
Brett Morris continued to impress in 2006, totalling 12 tries in 19 matches. He is set to be joined by brother Josh in 2007, making for interesting combination should they play on opposite wings, the two brothers being identical twins.
St George Illawarra Dragons 18 (Tries: C Best, M Cooper, B Morris tries. M Head 2/2, A Gorrell 1/1 goals)
Brisbane Broncos 16 (S Berrigan, G Eastwood tries. D Lockyer 4/5 goals)
Referee: Tony Archer. Crowd: 32,914
2006
NRL First Grade
Ladder

(top 8 in semis)
Storm44
Bulldogs36
Broncos p32
Knights32
Sea Eagles 32
Dragons32
Raiders30
Eels28
Cowboys26
Warriors24
W Tigers24
Panthers24
Sharks22
Roosters20
Rabbitohs10
p = Season Premiers

Dragons
2006
AFTER 26 ROUNDS
Minor Premiership
Won-Lost-Draw-Bye
W
L
D
B
14
10
0
2
Points For 519
(8th best attack)
Points Against 481
(6th best defence)
MP Standing
6th

(15 teams)

FINALS
W
L
2
1
Points For 58
Points Against 28
Final Standing
3rd
9Sep vBroncos W 20-4
15Sep vEagles W 28-0
23Sep vStorm L 24-10

TOTALS
27 matches
W
L
B
16
11
2
Points For 577
103 tries
81 goals (116 att)
3 field goals
Points Against 509
88 tries
77 goals (106 att)
3 field goals

More > draw and match results for 2006 - click here

Bailey, Timmins and Barrett head list of departures
Bailey, Timmins, Barrett - St George rugby league historyClub captain Trent Barrett topped a list of players who departed the Dragons in 2006. After exercising a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Australia, Barrett agreed to three year deal with Wigan, starting in 2007.
Luke Bailey was another notable departure, the powerhouse prop having already agreed to four year deal with the Gold Coast Titans some 18 months earlier. Meanwhile, Shaun Timmins finally decided to hang up his boots, the backrower finally succumbing to knee injuries which had plagued his career.
Other departures include hooker Aaron Gorrell and fullback Clint Greenshields, both players signing with the Catalans Dragons (Perpignan, France) under the guidance of his former Dragons fullback and second grade coach Mick Potter.
Forward Michael Henderson will join Bailey on Gold Coast in 2007 and the popular back Reece Simmonds found a new home with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
In addition, Colin Best, Matt Bickerstaff, Darryl Millard, Chris Sheppard, Andrew Price and George Ndaira were all released.
Dragons defeat eventual premiers, three times
Despite the disappointment of falling short in 2006, the Dragons can take something from a season where they had the measure of the eventual premiers, the Brisbane Broncos. A bogey team for the Dragons in the 1990s, Brisbane were defeated in all three encounters when the two teams met in 2006.
The Dragons defeated the Broncos 26-12 (round 4 in Wollongong), 18-16 (round 15 in Brisbane), and a convincing 20-4 finals victory (finals week 1 in Brisbane).
The Broncos qualified for the grand final (defeating the Bulldogs) and then watched with some relief as Saints were defeated by Melbourne in the sudden death preliminary final. The Broncos went on to defeat the Storm 15-8 in the grand final.
REPRESENTATIVE NEWS 2006
Mark Gasnier - St George rugby league history
The Dragons had representation in every fixture on the rep calendar in 2006.
Centre / five eighth Mark Gasnier led the way, playing in every international for the Kangaroos and all State of Origin clashes for New South Wales. In Origin III, NSW selectors followed the club trend and named Gasnier at five eighth.
Gasnier's centre partner Matt Cooper starred in the Anzac Test for Australia but was overlooked for the subsequent Tri-Nations Test series, thus ending the two year representative partnership for the duo.
Cooper was later recalled into the NSW side for Origin III, filling the centre spot after Gasnier was moved into the five-eighth position.
2006 was also a standout year for Ben Hornby who debuted for Australia at half back. He was also called into the NSW side as utility interchange on the bench. In addition, Hornby was selected at fullback for Country Origin earlier in the year.
Prop Luke Bailey was named in two matches for NSW while utility forward Ben Creagh was named in the Country Origin side.
Meanwhile, backrower and hooker Dean Young was named as 18th man for NSW just prior to Origin III. Young was denied the opportunity to pull on the Blues jersey, but training with the NSW squad was perhaps a sign of things to come.
SUMMARY
Mark Gasnier - Australia (6 Tests), NSW (3 matches)
Ben Hornby
- Australia (1 Test), NSW (1 match), Country (1 match)
Matt Cooper
- Australia (1 Test), NSW (1 match)
Luke Bailey
- NSW (2 matches)
Ben Creagh
- Country (1 match)
DETAILS
Matches played and points scored (in brackets) by Dragons rep players in 2006:
Internationals
Anzac Test
(5 May): Aus 50 v NZ 12
Matt Cooper (1 try), Mark Gasnier (1 try)
- TN 1 (14 Oct): Aus 30 v NZ 18
Mark Gasnier (1 try)
- TN 2 (21 Oct): Aus 20 v NZ 15
Mark Gasnier (1 try)
- TN 4 (4 Nov): GB 23 v Aus 12
Mark Gasnier (0), Ben Hornby (0)
- TN 6 (18 Nov): Aus 33 v GB 10
Mark Gasnier (1 try)
- TN Final (25 Nov): Aus 16 v NZ 12
Mark Gasnier
(0)
State of Origin
- SOO I
(24 May): NSW 17 v Qld 16
Mark Gasnier (0)
- SOO II (14 June): Qld 30 v NSW 6
Luke Bailey (0), Mark Gasnier (0)
- SOO II (24 June): Qld 16 v NSW 14
Luke Bailey (0), Matt Cooper (0), Mark Gasnier (0), Ben Hornby (0)
City v Country
- (12 May): Country 12 v City 10
Ben Creagh (0), Ben Hornby (0)
FIRST GRADE DRAGONS 2006
2006 Stats
Pic
Notes
Luke BAILEY
Prop forward
19 appearances
1t (4pts)
Luke Bailey - St George rugby league history Joining Gold Coast Titans
Trent BARRETT (c)
Five-eighth
20 appearances
5t, 1 fg (21pts)
Trent Barrett - St George rugby league history Joining Wigan Warriors (Super League)
Colin BEST
Winger
19 appearances
6t (24pts)
Colin Best - St George rugby league history Joining Canberra Raiders
Matt BICKERSTAFF
Second row
25 appearances
4t (16pts)
Matt Bickerstaff - St George rugby league history Off contract
Matt COOPER
Centre
23 appearances
15t (60pts)
Matt Cooper - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2008
Ben CREAGH
Utility forward
23 appearances
1t (4pts)
Ben Creagh Contracted to Dragons >> 2009
Mark GASNIER
Centre
23 appearances
18t, 1g (74pts)
Mark Gasnier - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2011
Aaron GORRELL
Hooker
26 appearances
5t, 55g (130pts)
Aaron Gorrell - St George rugby league history Joining Catalan Dragons in France (ESL)
Clint GREENSHIELDS
Fullback
18 appearances
7t (28pts)
Clint Greenshields - St George rugby league history Joining Catalan Dragons in France (ESL)
Mathew HEAD
Halfback
14 appearances
15g (30pts)
Mathew Head - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2008
Michael HENDERSON
Prop forward
17 appearances
(0pts)
Michael Henderson - St George rugby league history Joining Gold Coast Titans
Ben HORNBY
Fullback, halfback
27 appearances
5t, 2g, 2 fg (26pts)
Ben Hornby - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2008
Sam ISEMONGER
Second row
16 appearances
1t (4pts)
Sam Isemonger - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2007
Charlie LEANEO
Prop forward
6 appearances
3t (12pts)
Charlie Leaneo - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2009
Darryl MILLARD
Centre
12 appearances
4t (16pts)
Darryl Millard - St George rugby league history Joining Canterbury Bulldogs
Brett MORRIS
Winger
19 appearances
12t (48pts)
Brett Morris - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2008
Wes NAIQAMA
Winger
9 appearances
4t, 8g (32pts)
Wes Naiqama - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2007
George NDAIRA
Hooker
3 appearances
(0pts)
George Ndaira - St George rugby league history Joining Sydney Roosters
Corey PAYNE
Second row
12 appearances
2t (8pts)
Corey Payne - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2007
Justin POORE
Second row, lock
25 appearances
1t (4pts)
Justin Poore - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2009
Andrew PRICE
Second row, prop
5 appearances
1t (4pts)
Andrew Price - St George rugby league history Off contract
Jason RYLES
Prop forward
18 appearances
(0pts)
Jason Ryles - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2007
Chris SHEPPARD
Halfback
3 appearances
(0pts)
Chris Sheppard - St George rugby league history Off contract
Reece SIMMONDS
Winger
6 appearances
2t (8pts)
Reece Simmonds - St George rugby league history Joining South Sydney Rabbitohs
Ashton SIMS
Prop forward
20 appearances
1t (4pts)
Ashton Sims - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2008
Lee TE MAARI
Lock forward
2 appearances
(0pts)
Lee Te Maari - St George rugby league history Joining Canterbury Bulldogs
Shaun TIMMINS
Second row, lock
11 appearances
(0pts)
Retired
Danny WICKS
Second row, prop
17 appearances
2t (8pts)
Danny Wicks - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2007
Dean YOUNG
Hooker, lock forward
21 appearances
3t (12pts)
Dean Young - St George rugby league history Contracted to Dragons >> 2009
29 Players27 App103 T81 G3 FG577 Pts
Appearances/games include interchange, t= tries, g=goals, fg=field goals, pts=total points for season 2006

SEASON 2006 - BITS AND PIECES
Charity Shield - St George rugby league history18 Feb: RABBITOHS DEFEAT SAINTS IN CHARITY SHIELD
The South Sydney Rabbitohs started 2006 on a winning note defeating the Dragons 14-12 in the Charity Shield trial at Telstra Stadium.
Since its inception in 1982, the Dragons have won 13 Charity Shield clashes, Souths have won seven and there have been three draws.
WIN TV - St George rugby league history16 Mar: WIN CORP BUYS INTO STEELERS
WIN Television Corporation purchased a quarter share of the St George Illawarra NRL club for $6.5 million. The deal sees WIN Corp acquire a 50% share of the Illawarra Steelers share of the joint venture.
The money put forward by the regional television network will help ease the financial burden on the Steelers Club, the Illawarra arm of the Dragons, which is struggling to pay back a loan of $8 million to its joint venture partner, the St George Leagues Club. The financial boost, for which WIN will acquire 24 per cent of the joint venture, will see Wollongong maintain its quota of hosting half of the Dragons' NRL matches at WIN Stadium each year and enable to Steelers Club to work towards financial viability.
Full press release - click here
WIN Stadium - St George rugby league history17 Mar: DRAGONS AND WOLLONGONG TRUST EXTEND AGREEMENT TO 2011
The Wollongong Sportsground Trust and the St George Illawarra Dragons announce an extension to the Venue Hiring Agreement for WIN Stadium.
Full article - click here
Nathan Brown - St George rugby league history30 Mar: BROWN EXTENDS CONTRACT
32-year-old Nathan Brown has signed a two-year contract extension to coach St George Illawarra Dragons until the end of the 2008 season.
Thumbs down - St George rugby league history8 Apr: KNIGHTS SMASH DRAGONS 54-6
In a season lowlight, Saints suffered their worst defeat of the year when Newcastle Knights ran in nine tries to one, piling on 52 points in 43 minutes.
Trent Barrett - St George rugby league history25 APR: DRAGONS DOWN ROOSTERS ON ANZAC DAY
Dragons win the annual Anzac Trophy with a solid 22-12 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium.
Trent Barrett - St George rugby league history4 May: BARRETT CONFIRMS UK MOVE
Five eighth Trent Barrett confirms that he will be exercising a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Australia to the end of 2006. The 28-year-old signs a three year deal with English Super League club, Wigan.
Mark Gasnier - St George rugby league history25 May: GASNIER STAYS A SAINT
Centre come five eighth Mark Gasnier signs a five year contract with the Dragons. Gasnier, 24, rejected an offer from rugby union and will remain a Dragon until 2011.
Channel Nine 9 - St George rugby league history31 May: CHANNEL NINE'S TAIL WAGGING THE NRL DOG
Trent Barrett
was suspended for six weeks in extraordinary circumstances after a Channel 9 employee, Rohan Carroll, reported a previously missed high tackle in the Dragons v Knights clash of 27 May. The Dragons won the match 38-12, going someway to reverse last April's result. But in an unprecedented event, Barrett was cited by the NRL judiciary after the TV network employee by-passed normal procedure and reported a high tackle on Newcastle's Brian Carney. While no one doubted that Barrett's tackle was illegal, the circumstances which led up to the citing drew much criticism. The NRL judiciary claimed it was correct in acting on the report from a third party in the TV network, but no further TV reports were made for the rest of the season.
Supports flag - St George rugby league history2 Jun: SAINTS BEAT PARRA 8-1 AS KOGARAH LIGHTS UP
First match at Kogarah under lights since 1999. Heavy drenching rain saw rare 0-0 half time score. Eels went 1-0 up with 10 min to go. Half back Ben Hornby potted two field goals for an extraordinary 2-1 score line. Centre Matt Cooper bagged a late try.
Kogarah Jubilee Oval - St George rugby league history5 Jun: NSW PROVIDES $7M FOR KOGARAH
The ongoing redevelopment of Kogarah's Oki Jubilee Stadium received a massive boost today with a $7 million contribution from the NSW Government.
Sweeper - St George rugby league history16 Jun: TIMMINS FINED FOR PRACTICAL JOKE
Shaun Timmins
is charged and fined after commandeering a street-sweeping machine in Brisbane..
Nathan Brown - St George rugby league history8 Aug: BROWN FINED FOR REF COMMENTS
Dragons coach Nathan Brown is fined $15,000 by the NRL. Brown is quoted as saying his players are more harshly treated by referees because of the side's past reputation.
Luke Bailey - St George rugby league history20 Aug: DRAGONS THRASH TIGERS
Scoring 9 tries to 3, the Dragons post their biggest win of 2006 in defeating last year's premiers Wests Tigers 46-16. Saints led 20-0 after 19 minutes and put together a faultless opening first half hour.
Nathan 'Tingha' Blacklock - St George rugby league history23 Aug: TINGHA RETIRES
Super League media (UK) reports that Hull FC have agreed to release Nathan 'Tingha' Blacklock.
The former St George and Australian winger has been plagued by a knee injury during the season and will retire from the game and return home to Australia.
From 1997-2004, Blacklock scored 120 tries for the Dragons. He was the competition's top try scorer for three years running (1999, 2000, 2001) and the Club's top try scorer on five occasions (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003).
Blacklock SOTV website
27 Oct: DRAGONS DROP FLEGG IN FAVOUR OF NEW U/20 COMPETITION
Dragons announce that the Club will not be entering a team in the 2007 Jersey Flegg competition. Instead, the Club have made moves to join the proposed National Youth Competition - an Under 20 competition where all NRL teams will have an Under 20 team to play prior to their matches for each of the 26 weeks of the regular season.
Full press release - click here
Wes Naiqama - St George rugby league history12 Dec: WES PLEADS GUILTY
Dragons announce that winger Wes Naiqama pleaded guilty in Waverley Court for driving while disqualified last month. He is due to appear in court again in February 2007.
Jason Ryles - St George rugby league historyGASNIER AND RYLES SHARE ST GEORGE BANK MEDAL
Sydney, 6 October 2006:
St George Illawarra Centre Mark Gasnier and Prop Jason Ryles have jointly won the St George Bank Medal for Player of the Year at the Clubs Medal Award presentation evening at Sydney Town Hall. This is the second time Ryles has received the club's top honour, having also won the award in 2001.
Gasnier, 25 was the Dragons leading try scorer in 2006 (18 tries in the regular season). The award caps off a tremendous year for Gasnier who was also named the Dally M Centre of the Year, NSW State of Origin selection and Kangaroos Tri-Nations squad selection.
2006 DRAGONS AWARD WINNERS
Mark Gasnier/Jason Ryles - St George Bank Medal
Ben Hornby - St George Bank Immortals Trophy
Dean Young - Geoff Selby Memorial NRL Coaches Award
Ben Hornby - Red V Members Player of the Year
Chris Houston - Mark Coyne Award Premier League Player of the Year
Jason Nightingale - Paul McGregor Award Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.
Rnd
Opponent
W/L
Score
1
Tigers
L
24-15
2
Panthers
L
13-12
3
Rabbitohs
W
44-14
4
Broncos
W
26-12
5
Knights
L
54-6
6
Sea Eagles
W
26-24
7
Roosters
W
22-12
8
Storm
L
24-10
9
Sharks
L
30-12
10
Warriors
W
22-16
11
Bye
B
-
12
Knights
W
38-12
13
Eels
W
8-1
14
Panthers
W
20-10
15
Broncos
W
18-16
16
Cowboys
W
34-14
17
Bye
B
-
18
Rabbitohs
W
38-28
19
Bulldogs
L
22-16
20
Raiders
L
31-12
21
Storm
L
34-24
22
Eels
L
28-6
23
Bulldogs
L
26-10
24
Tigers
W
46-16
25
Sharks
W
18-4
26
Roosters
W
36-16
F1
Broncos
W
20-4
F2
Sea Eagles
W
28-0
F3
Storm
L
24-10
Dragons 2006 stats, first grade
Aaron Gorrell - St George rugby league history
Aaron Gorrell

Most games (out of 27):
Ben Hornby (27); Aaron Gorrell (26); Matt Bickerstaff (25); Justin Poore (25)
Most tries: Mark Gasnier 18 tries (from 23 games)
Most goals:
Aaron Gorrell 55 goals (72 attempts)
Most field goals: Ben Hornby 2

Most points for 2006: Aaron Gorrell 5t + 55g = 130 points (26 games)

More > full 2006 first grade team list & stats

BIGGEST WINS 2006: 46-16 (v Wests Tigers at Kogarah Jubilee, round 24, 20 August); 44-14 (v Souths at Telstra Stadium, round 3, 26 March)
BIGGEST LOSS 2006: 54-6 (v Newcastle at WIN Stadium, round 5, 8 April)
HIGHEST TEAM SCORE 2006: 46 (v Wests Tigers, round 24)
LOWEST TEAM SCORE 2005: 6 (v Newcastle, round 5 and v Eels, round 22)

Woolford confirms deal with Dragons
Simon Woolford - St George rugby league history
Wednesday 21 June 2006: Following discussions with coach Nathan Brown, hooker Simon Woolford has agreed to a two-year deal with the Dragons, the former Canberra Raiders captain stating that a change of scenery are behind his decision. Utility forward Dean Young is expected to shift to the back-row to make way for Woolford.
The 31-year-old Woolford has played a total 223 career games in the first grade, debuting with the Raiders in 1994 (v Sydney Roosters, 29 May 1994). He has scored 35 tries and kicked one goal (142 pts). In 2002, Woolford played one rep game for Country Origin.
In his NRL profile, Woolford has stated that as a junior player, his favourite club was the Dragons.
More > full 2007 playing roster

DRAGONS LEGEND 'KILLER' KEN KEARNEY PASSES AWAY
'Killer' Ken Kearney - St George rugby league history18 August 2006: St George rugby league legend Ken Kearney has passed away following a heart attack at his Gold Coast home today. He was aged 82.
A ruthless professional and champion hooker, 'Killer' Ken Kearney instigated revolutionary coaching methods and was captain and coach during the St George Dragons' premiership reign that stretched for a world-record 11 years from 1956 to 1966.
His passing comes only weeks short of the 50th anniversary of his first grand final win, and the first of the 11 grand final victories, on September 8.
Kearney captained Saints to six grand final victories from 1956-61 and played in the 1953 grand final as captain-coach. He remained in the dual role until 1956 before Norm Tipping became coach with Kearney as captain in that premiership winning year. Kearney took back the captain-coach role in 1957.
A rugby union convert, Kearney served with the RAAF in World War Two before representing the Wallabies in seven Tests. He then switched to rugby league in 1948 whilst in England, playing with Leeds before returning home to Australia and linking up with St George in 1952.
A giant in the history of Australian rugby league, 'Killer' led by example captaining Australia in 1956-57 before a knee injury forced him into retirement in 1962.
During a remarkable career, Kearney also coached Parramatta from 1962-65 and the fledgling Cronulla club from 1967-68.
NRL CEO David Gallop today joined others in paying tribute to Kearney.
"Ken Kearney had a huge impact on the way the game was played and his contribution can never be forgotten," said Gallop.
Australian Rugby League chairman Colin Love said Kearney was a hugely influential figure in the proud history of St George.
"Ken Kearney was a giant of Australian rugby league through the 1950s and into the 60s," said Love.
"Perhaps no other player in the game's history has ever had such a profound influence on a single club as him.
"He possessed a brilliant tactical understanding of the game and it was Kearney who devised, as captain-coach, the blueprint that made Saints virtually unbeatable."
FACT FILE
'Killer' Ken Kearney - St George Dragons

1952-61, 153 games. 18 tries, 2 goals (58 points).
Hooker. Captain-coach 1953-1955, captain in 1956 and captain-coach again in 1957-1961. Remained as coach in 1962.
NSW rep (1953 & 1955-58); Aust rep (1952-58).
RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF HARRY EDEN
Harry Eden - St George rugby league history
Click on pic for larger image
15 December 2006: The rugby league community today is mourning the passing of Harry Eden who lost his battle with cancer at St George Hospital overnight, aged 64.
Eden played 81 first grade games from 1969-1975, mainly in the forwards. Initially a centre with Eastern Suburbs (Roosters), Harry Eden was put in the front row in the 1971 grand final by St George coach Jack Gibson. Eden put together a powerhouse display for the Dragons in their 16-10 loss to South Sydney and played out the rest of his career in the forwards.
A tough competitor on the field and highly respected off the field, Harry Eden came from a large family of 16 children.
After retiring from first grade in 1975, Eden prided himself on his physical fitness and was playing as recently as 2004 when he took part in a fund-raiser for the ‘St George Dragons Allstars’. Proceeds from the match were donated to the Joanne Mackay Breast Cancer Foundation..
FACT FILE
Harry Eden

Easts (1969) 9 games, 3 tries.
St George (1971-73) 34 games (including replacements), 7 tries.
Souths (1974-75) 38 games, 17 tries.
Corrections and enquiries: [email protected]

www.jubileeavenue.com.au/history