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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
Players N-O
[A-B] [C ] [D-E] [F-G] [H-I] [J-K] [L] [M-Mc] [N-O] [P-Q-R] [S] [T-U-V] [W-X-Y-Z]
A full list of players that have played first grade for the Dragons club since 1921.
S: St George I: Illawarra SI: St George Illawarra Games may also mean interchange repl: replacement * current player
Name Details Notes / info links
Naiqama, Wes
'Bula'
Wes Naiqama
SI, 2005-2007,
38 games.
16t, 48g (160pts)

Winger. Centre. Goal kicker.
Born: 19 Oct 1982 in Sydney (Sutherland Hospital) to Fijian parents.
School: James Cook Boys Technology High School (Kogarah).
Junior club: Arncliffe Scots (St George).
First Grade Debut: Saturday, 2nd April, 2005 (Rd 4), Dragons 22 v Raiders 42 at Canberra Stadium.
Career Summary
Not every rugby league player has had a roller coaster ride like the one experienced by Wes Naiqama.
Naiqama first came to notice in 2001 at 18 years of age. Playing at fullback, he ran in four tries and set up four more tries for Combined High Schools as they demolished their CAS opponents by 78-7.
On June 18, 2002, while playing Jersey Flegg (third grade), Naiqama secured an all grades club record by scoring 38 points against North Sydney. Naiqama crossed for five tries and kicked nine goals from as many attempts to surpass the joint record of 36 points held by Les Griffin and Jack Lindwall.
Griffin scored two tries and kicked 15 goals in 1935 while playing in the first grade for St George and Lindwall made his mark with six tries and nine goals in 1947 while also donning the ‘Red V’.
Also in 2002, Naiqama played for the Dragons in the Jersey Flegg Grand Final. The young Flegg players charged into the decider as red-hot favourites, only to be pipped 23-22 on the bell by the Roosters.
In 2003, Naiqama was selected for Fiji in the Sydney Rugby League World Sevens tournament.
But injury sidelined Naiqama's career, hampering his promotion in the Dragons first grade. Earmarked as a star of the future, Naiqama was employed by St George Leagues Club as a bartender.
In 2004, a crowd 87,000 people saw Wes Naiqama rip into the defence as Saints went down in the Premier League (second grade) Grand Final.
On Saturday 2 April, 2005 (round 4), Naiqama finally debuted in the top grade when Saints travelled to Canberra to take on the Raiders, the press referring to him as a 'rookie winger'.
In 2005, Naiqama scored nine tries and 25 goals for a personal tally of 86 points, the club's second highest scorer for the season.
2006 saw more injuries for Naiqama when he suffered a 'season ending' ankle injury. But Naiqama made a full recovery ahead of schedule and was recalled (replacing Colin Best) for the round 24 clash as Saints mounted their charge into the finals.
On the 12th December 2006, Naiqama's career took a turn for the worse when he pleaded guilty in Waverley Court for driving while disqualified.
In February 2007 he was sentenced to to serve a maximum of 12 months periodic detention; it was his fourth driving offence.
In June 2007, the 24-year-old Naiqama appealed against the sentence, appearing in court on crutches after suffering a season-ending knee injury in May. The sentence was reduced to eight months with a four-month minimum term. Naiqama began serving his periodic detention mid-week, beginning on June 14.
Naiqama was contracted with Saints until 2007, with the club offering support before he was signed by the Knights beginning in 2008.
more: 2005

Narvo, Frank S, 1952-53, 4 games.
2t (6pts)
Newcastle junior played most of his career with Newtown.
Son of Herb Narvo.

Narvo, Herb (c)
Herb Narvo

S, 1946, 13 games.
3t, 8g (25pts)
Forward.
NSW rep (1938-39).

Aust rep (1937-38).
Served in the RAAF as fitness instructor during WWII.

Cricketer, boxer, cyclist and captain of St George in 1946, leading them to the club championship that year.
A great influence on younger players, Herb Narvo was an Australian Heavyweight Boxer during his football career. During the post war period, he was a household name in Sydney. He originally won his Heavyweight title in 1945 when he defeated Billy Britt in just 23 seconds.
He then lost the title in 1946 to Jack Johnson and got up the next day to captain St George.
Passed away in 1958 following a battle with cancer at just 45 years of age.

Father of Frank Narvo.

more: 1946
Ndaira, George
'Nads'
George Ndaira 2006
SI, 2006, 3 games
(0pts)
Hooker.
Born: 22 Feb 1985.
Played school football at Marist College, Kogarah.
Junior Club: Arncliffe Scots.
Height: 177cm
First grade debut: Dragons (v Panthers) 19 March 2006, WIN Stadium (Rd 2).

A St George junior and Kogarah local, Ndaira played with the Dragons (Harold Matthews Cup) in 2001.
He was part of the 2005 Jersey Flegg premiership winning side. A natural leader on the field, Ndaira was promoted to the first grade in 2006, playing three matches for Saints.
George Ndaira has signed a two year contract to play with the Sydney Roosters, beginning in 2007.
Neal, Kevin S, 1959-60, 2 games. (0pts)  
Neale, S S, 1922, 6 games. (0pts)  
Neary, E S, 1932, 1 game. (0pts)  
Neil, Michael I,  1992-93, 15 games + 6 repl. 2t (8pts) Five eighth. Halfback.

Nero, Chris
Chris Nero

SI, 2003, 7games
2t (8pts)

Lock forward. Second row forward. Centre.
Born 1981, Manly, NSW.
Manly junior (Harbord United).
Played in Saints' first division grand final side of 2002.
First Grade Debut: Saints v Wests Tigers at Telstra Stad., Mar 15, 2002.
Signed with English Super League for 2004.
more: 2003

Newham, Garry S, 1980 & 1983, 4 games + 2 repl. (0pts)  
Nightingale, Jason
"Florence' *
Jason Nightingale 2007
SI, 2007-08
40 games.
20t (80pts)

Winger. Fullback.
Born: 20 Sept 1986
Height: 183cm
Junior Clubs: Renown United (St George).
Rep honours: New Zealand Kiwis
First Grade Debut: Round 4, 4/5/2007, Dragons 28 v Panthers 16 at Kogarah.
In 2005, Nightingale scored a try in the NSWRL Jersey Flegg (third grade) grand final, Saints coming away with a 30-20 win to take out the 2005 Flegg premiership.
In 2007, Nightingale stepped up well to the top grade, scoring a try on debut and proving to be an attacking outside back.
The opening half of 2008 saw Nightingale as the leading try scorer in the NRL, but the try-fest dried up in the latter part of the season. Nevertheless, Nightingale crossed for 13 tries in 2008 to be the club's second highest try scorer.
Also in 2008, Nightingale gained international representative honours, playing for New Zealand in the Anzac Test match.
Nightingale gained his second Kiwi cap in the World Cup (8/11/08), scoring a try for New Zealand against England in the game's Centenary year downunder.
In 2009, Nightingale was again selected for New Zealand in the Anzac Test against Australia.
More: 2007, 2008

Ninness, Max S, 1969, 1 game.
(0pts)
Former PE teacher. Went to become Dragons' lower grade and assistant coach. Recognised for his activities behind the scenes, coach Brian Smith once described Max as being the 'smartest man in football'.
Niu, David S, 1990-91, 16 games.
2t, 1g (10pts)
St George junior.
Met his future wife on the team's end of season trip to Hawaii and moved to the USA playing RL there. Represented USA (Patriots) v Canada in a 1994 'Test' match at Lake Placid.

Went on to become CEO for the American National Rugby League (AMNRL).
Nixon, A S, 1941, 1 game. (0pts)  
Noke, Billy S, 1982-87 & 1989-90, 54 games + 37 repl.
6t, 13g (30pts)

Second row forward.
Dubbo junior with a good kicking game.

Australian Schoolboys rep in 1979 (unbeaten tour of England).

Played in 1985 grand final side.

Norrie, Bryan
Bryan Norrie
SI, 2004-05, 7 games. (0pts) Lock forward. Second row forward, Prop forward.
Born 14 Oct 1983 in Forbes (NSW).
Yanco High School junior.
Australian Schoolboys rep, tour Great Britain.
First Grade Debut: Dragons v Eels at Parramatta Stadium, May 21, 2004 (Round 11).
In 2005, Norrie won the club's Mark Coyne Award for Premier League Player of the Year.
Norrie has signed with Penrith Panthers for 2006.
Norton, Brian S, 1971-74, 43 games + 1 repl.
5t (15pts)
Forward.
Went on to captain coach Tamworth in 1976 and represent Country Firsts.
O'Brien, Kevin
Kevin O'Brien
S, 1954-58, 65 games.
38t, 16g, 1fg (148pts)
Utility back.
NSW rep (1956).

Aust rep (1956-57).
From Inverell

Played fullback, centre, winger and five eighth.
Gifted with a good change of pace and and excellent hip 'bump', Kevin scored 14 tries in 1955 and 15 tries in 1956.

Played as centre and scored a try in Saints 18-12 Grand Final victory over Balmain in 1956.

more: 1956, 1958
O'Bryan, Dinny
Dinny O'Bryan 1962
S, 1962, 15 games.
4t (12pts)
Halfback.
A professional runner, O'Bryan will unfortunately be remembered as being outplayed by the champion Great Britain side in 1962 while filling in at halfback.

Father of Shaun O'Bryan.

more: team 1962, 1962
O'Bryan, Shaun S, 1988 & 1992, 3 games +3 repl.
1t (4pts)
Injured in a car accident in 1989 which saw Geoff Selby tragically killed.
Son of Dinny O'Bryan. 
O'Callaghan, D S, 1968-69, 13 games + 2 repl.
3t (9pts)
 
O'Connell, Seamus I, 1985-86, 15 games. 2t (8pts)
S, 1987-88, 17 games + 2 repl. (0pts)
 
O'Connor, Dick S, 1937-38, 5 games.
3t (9pts)
Part of premiership winning Reserve Grade team in 1938, the first upper grade team to win a premiership.
O'Connor, Michael 'Snoz'
Michael O'Connor
S, 1983-86, 71 games + 7 repl.
33t, 130g, 9fg (401pts)
Centre.
NSW rep (1985-91).

Aust rep (1985-90).

Australian Schoolboy rep in 1977. Dual international, played 13 Tests with the Wallabies. Established a number of RL point scoring records at Test and Origin level.

Went on to administration roles in both RL & RU.

more: 1983, 1985, 1986
O'Connor, Sean I,  1985 & 1987, 14 games. 1t (4pts)  
Offiah, Martin
Martin Offiah
S, 1991, 14 games.
11t (44pts)
Winger.
Record try scoring flankman from Great Britain. RU convert played most of his career with Wigan (UK). GB Test representative.

Gained the reputation as the fastest man in the game when he won a RL foot race at Sydney's Wentworth Park in 1988 (he was however beaten by Parramatta's Lee Oudenryn a few years later).
Went to score more than 500 career tries and was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league.

more: 1991
O'Grady, Graham S, 1983-85, 52 games +9 repl.
5t (20pts)
Five eighth. Lock forward.
NSW rep (1981).

Amco Cup 'player of the series' in 1977 while playing with Wests.

Played with Saints in '85 grand final.

more: 1983
O'Hanlon, Peter S, 1967, 2 games. (0pts) Illawarra junior.
Ollsenan, C S, 1954, 1 game. (0pts)  
Olson, Frank S, 1964-66, 13 games + 2 repl.
6t (18pts)
 
O'Meara, Brendan I,  1991-96, 57 games + 11 repl.
23t, 3g (98pts)
 
O'Neill, Gerry S, 1982, 2 games. (0pts)  
Orford, Jeff S, 1995, 7 games.
1t (4pts)
Eastern Suburbs back played one season with St George.
Orrock, Bryan
Bryan Orrock
S, 1953-58, 69 games.
9t (27pts)
Prop forward.
NSW rep (1955-56).

Aust rep (1956-57).
Played for Sydney Colts against France in 1952.
Passed residential qualification after marrying a local girl in the St George district in 1953.

A Souths junior, Orrock has been rated highly as one of the forwards who helped set up St George on-field dominance of the late 50s-early 60s.
Member of the team that won the 1956 Grand Final despite being a man down and played on in the 1957 Grand Final victory despite dislocating his shoulder.

more: 1956
Osborne, Jack S, 1938, 3 games.
(0pts)
Part of premiership winning Reserve Grade team in 1938, the first upper grade team to win a premiership.
Osborne, Paul
Paul Osborne
S, 1986-91, 69 games + 15 repl.
1t (4pts)
Prop forward.
Member of team that won the 1988 Panasonic Cup.

Later went into politics and was elected as an Independent Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

more: 1988
O'Sullivan, Kevin S, 1971, 5 games. 2t, 1g (8pts)  
O'Sullivan, Vince S, 1977, 1 repl. (0pts)  

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