St George - Illawarra Dragons

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

The St George Illawarra Dragons were formed at the close of the 1998 NRL season between the St George Dragons and the Illawarra Steelers. It was the game's first ever joint venture as rationalisation toward the 14 team competition of 2000 gained momentum. With substantial financial incentives and relaxing of salary cap requirements, the 1999 Dragons were always going to present a formidable squad.

The Dragons were able to retain the cream of their partner clubs - Ainscough, Barrett, Patten, Treacy, Blacklock, Mundine, Brown, Thompson, Bartrim, Timmins, McGregor, Coyne, Smith, Mackay, Fitzgibbon, Rodwell and Wishart. But just how well would the new combination perform when it took to the field?

As it turned out, their first up result was astounding - and a huge advertisement for the benefits of Sydney clubs forming joint ventures. The St George Illawarra Dragons came within minutes of winning the Grand Final at the end of their first joint venture season.

The Dragons understandably started slowly as they sought to find their combinations and own style of play - they won none of their trial games. St George - Illawarra met Parramatta in Round 1 before a crowd of 104,583 at the Olympic Stadium, losing 20-10. By the fulltime siren in the Round 3 game at Canberra they still hadn't won a match - but an after the siren converted try from a cross field kick secured the Dragons a heartening debut win.

In the semi-finals the Dragons out-gunned Melbourne at Olympic Park by 34-10, before returning to Sydney to dispose of the Roosters (28-18) and Cronulla (24-8) to reach the Grand Final.

With a sparkling first half performance from Nathan Blacklock and Anthony Mundine the St. George - Illawarra Dragons took a 14-0 Grand Final lead into the break. The fairytale of a maiden title in their first year seemed to be coming true.

But Melbourne recovered from their poor start and into the final minutes of the game the Dragons led 18-14 but were forced to drop out from their own line. On the fifth tackle Kimmorley kicked high into the Dragon's corner. As the Storm's winger Craig Smith caught the ball over the try-line he was knocked unconscious in a head high tackle by Jamie Ainscough and lost the ball. Referee Bill Harrigan deferred to the video referee who ruled a penalty try giving Melbourne a 20-18 lead and the title.

The Dragons gained Solomon Haumono and Lee Hookey for 2000 to offset the loss of Mark Coyne, Rod Wishart, Brad Mackay and Paul McGregor. Expectations were understandably high for their second season, but few forsaw the drama and ill-fortune that was to befall the Dragons as the year unfolded.

After winning only one game in their first four, St George - Illawarra travelled to the MCG to face Melbourne. The Dragons received a shattering blow when they were routed by the Storm 70-10. Anthony Mundine was signalling his future attentions were away from rugby league as he contemplated a boxing career.

Chief executive Brian Johnston soon delivered his own shock resignation, before Mundine followed a few weeks later. Andrew Farrar was thrown into the head coach role when David Waite walked out after being told he would not be required for 2001. Then came the injuries, with at one stage fourteen of their regular 25 man squad out of action.

The loss of Mundine had provided one positive - it unleashed Trent Barrett from his reluctant half-back role. By season's end Barrett was the Dally M Player of the Year even though the Dragons finished in a disappointing 9th position. The club lost Luke Patten to Canterbury and Junior Langi to the Storm, while gaining Willie Peters (Souths, Wigan) and Mark Riddell (Roosters) for 2001.

The new season produced an improved result as the club again made it back into the semi-finals, although injuries had ensured they were held to 7th place. Hooker and captain Nathan Brown had earlier seen his career end after neck injury in a pre-season game. The Dragons beat Canterbury by 23-22 in a thrilling play-off at the Sydney Showground, before the season came to an end at the hands of Brisbane 44-28 the next week.

At the end of the premiership four players made the 2001 Kangaroo Tour to England - Blacklock, Barrett, Gasnier and rookie prop Jason Ryles.

The joint venture's following seasons were much the same. Despite putting teams on the field of undisputed talent, the St George Illawarra Dragons spent most of the time on the fringe of the Top 8.

The 2003 season heralded a return to Kogarah Oval but produced disappointing on-field losses. In 2004 the Dragons finished in fifth place, but were eliminated in the first round of the play-offs after losing to Penrith by a point.

On the back of staunch supporters at both Wollongong Showground and Kogarah Oval, the 'Dragon Army' were able to turn their grounds into intimidating fortresses for visiting teams. The Dragons seemed set to reach the 2005 Grand Final, but were unexpectantly beaten by Wests Tigers in the Final. With the playing roster much the same for 2006, a premiership triumph for St George Illawarra remains a distinct possibility.

Copyright © 2006 - Sean Fagan. All rights reserved - the article above may not be reproduced (in full or part) in any form without written permission.