Carstairs, George (c)
'Bluey'

Cooper, Matt (c)*
'Coops'

SI, 2000-08
161 games.
87t (348 pts)

Centre. Winger.
NSW rep (2004-2008).
Aust rep (2004-2006).
Height: 186cm
Born in Port Kembla 18 April 1979 and a Shellharbour Sharks junior, Matt Cooper enjoyed athletics when young and was involved with the local surf club. Weighing 92kg and standing at 188cm, Cooper posseses natural speed and took some stopping in 2003.
One of the games most underated centres, Cooper was nominated for the club's Integral Energy Dragons Medal (won by Ben Hornby) and was awarded the the club's Geoff Selby Memorial NRL Coaches Award in 2003. Winner of 2004 'Red V Members Player of the Year', voted by Dragons supporters.
Cooper was selected for Country Origin in 2003 and again in 2004.
In 2004, following a series of stand-out performances, he was selected for NSW in State of Origin 3 and was later named in Kangaroo squad for the 2004 Tri-Nations series, touring to the UK as well as France and the USA.
Also in 2004, Cooper was the club's leading first grade try scorer, posting 17 tries from 23 appearances.
He gained rep honours again in 2005, cementing a centre spot in the NSW side alongside team mate Mark Gasnier. He was then selected in the Kangaroo Tri-Nations squad of 2005, playing in four Tests including the Tri-Nations Final at Elland Road in Leeds. On the same tour, Cooper also played for Australia in a one-off Test match against France in Perpignan.
In 2006, Cooper was again selected for Australia, scoring a try in the Anzac test match against New Zealand. In the same year, Cooper was ruled out of State of Origin I with a hamstring injury. He was recalled into the NSW side for in Origin III.
In 2007, Cooper played all three State of Origin matches for NSW.
Also in 2007, Cooper was the leading try scorer in first grade with 11 tries. In round 12 of the same year he played a one-off match as Dragons captain (Dragons def Broncos 11-4 at Kogarah).
Cooper was also awarded the St George Bank Immortals Trophy at the 2007 club awards.
In 2008, Cooper was again selected for NSW, playing in all three State of Origin clashes. He was also named in the 46-man preliminary training for the World Cup and was considered a likely replacement for injured Broncos centre Justin Hodges. But a groin injury forced Cooper to withdraw.
Also in 2008, Matt Cooper agreed to terms with the Dragons for a further three years, until the end of 2011.
more: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Coyne, Mark (c)

S, 1989-98, 1989-98, 207 games. 56t (224pts).
SI, 1999, 15 games. 5t (20pts).
TOTAL: 1989-1999, 222 games. 61t (242pts).

Creagh, Ben*

SI, 2003-08
106 games (incl repl).
20t (80pts)

Winger. Centre. Second row forward.
Born: 6 Feb 1985, Blacktown, NSW.
Wollongong University junior.
Aust rep (2005).
A promising schoolboy basketballer and member of the Wollongong Hawks youth squad.
Debuted for Saints on Sunday 10th August, 2003 at Kogarah Jubilee Oval.
Initially a winger, Creagh became a valuable utility player at centre before slotting into the back row. Selected in 2004 Junior Kangaroos squad.
In 2005, Ben Creagh was named in the 23-man Australian Tri-Nations squad which toured New Zealand, Great Britain and France. He gained selection in the second row for the Kangaroos on November 12 when Australia defeated France 44-12 in Perpignan
In 2006, Creagh was a Country Origin rep.
In June 2006, Creagh agreed to terms with St George Illawarra for a further three seasons, until the end of 2009.
In 2007, Creagh played in every match on offer (24 appearances) and was rewarded with the club's best player award, the St George Bank Medal. He was also awarded the 'Red V Members Player of the Year' as decided by supporters.
On the 2007 representative scene, Creagh played one match for NSW Country but was never far away from state and international considerations.
more: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007