Dragons end 2003 in style
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 5 September 2003: An injury-ridden Dragons outfit have lifted to outclass the Brisbane Broncos 26-25 in front of 35,597 people at old Lang Park.
With no less than 12 first graders on the sideline, Dragons' selectors called up a number of reserve graders with Mathew Head, Reece Simmonds and Ashton Sims shining against their more fancied opponents.
Written off as underdogs, Saints came out firing and ran away to early 12-0 lead with Shaun Timmins and rookie winger Ben Creagh touching down. But the Broncos recovered to score three unanswered tries and at half-time, the home side were in front 18-12.
In a tremendous second half of end-to-end football, Saints' hooker Mark Riddell played the match of his life running amok from dummy half and scoring two tries. Unable to cross the Dragons' tryline in the second half, Brisbane were kept in the match thanks to three penalty goals from Michael De Vere and a late field goal from champion fullback Darren Lockyer.
Trailing 25-24 with a minute to go, the tiring Broncos were found to be a well offside when referee Tim Mander awarded Saints a penalty from 41 metres out and 10 metres in from touch.
Despite never having kicked that far throughout the season, Riddell looked to stand-in skipper Timmins and coach Brown insisting that the kick was within his range. His request was received with enthusiastic approval and in front of a hostile packed stadium, Riddell calmly lined up the ball and piloted it between the uprights.
Saints had won by the slimmest of margins and ended the season in fine style.
Broncos 25 (Webcke, Carroll, De Vere tries. De Vere 6/6 goals. Lockyer 1 field goal) defeated by Dragons 26 (Riddell 2, Timmins, Creagh tries. Riddell 5/5 goals.)
Pic right: Luke Bailey, Dean Young and Shaun Timmins thank the large contingent of Dragons' fans who traveled to Brisbane.
Related links and match pics - click here

BRONCOS: 'ALL TIME LOW' & 'WORST DEFEAT IN HISTORY'
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Players Awards
St George Illawarra fullback Ben Hornby [pictured left] has been named the club's first grade 'player of the year' in winning the 2003 Integral Energy Dragons Medal.
Hornby, 23, made his debut as captain of the Dragons this season during the absence of the injured Trent Barrett, Lance Thompson and Shaun Timmins.
The Medal, won by Timmins last year, is determined by a mixed criteria including a voting system involving the first grade players and coaching staff, and qualitative factors taken into account by the club.
Hornby, scored five tries in 24 games, joining Mark Riddell as the only Dragons to play all premiership games this season. He also played out of his favoured fullback position at five-eighth on several occasions because of the Dragons injury woes.
Summary of award winners
Ben Hornby - Integral Energy Dragons Medal.
(other nominations were Luke Bailey, Matt Cooper and Lance Thompson).
Matt Cooper - Geoff Selby Memorial NRL Coaches Award.
Luke Bailey - Red V Members Player of the Year.
Nathan Tutt - Mark Coyne Award for Premier League Player of the Year.
Dean Young - Paul McGregor Award for Most Valued Contribution to the Club.
Player movements
The Dragons are close to finalising their 2004 roster with a number of new signings confirmed, including backrowers, outside backs, front row forwards plus “triangles”.
New Signings:
E Asotasi, N Youngquest, J Olzard, A Frew, B Scott, L Roberts, L Withers, C Greenshields, L Russell, S Katu, C Payne, S Fa'logo, N Long, D Tangata-toa, J Ellem, J Poore, T Jensen, W Palu.
FURTHER DETAILS: DRAGONS NEW RECRUITS [pop-up] click here

Players who have re-signed or extended their contracts:
Mark Gasnier (2006), Shaun Timmins (2006), Lance Thompson (2006), David Howell (2006), Nathan Blacklock (2005), Brett Firman (2005), Michael Henderson (2005), Ben Creagh (2005), Bryan Norrie (2005), Henry Perenara (2004), Reece Simmonds (2004).
Negotiations are continuing positively with captain Trent Barrett, who is under contract to the end of 2004, to extend his commitment to the club.
Other Dragons players already under contract for 2004 include Luke Bailey, Mark Riddell, Jason Ryles, Matt Cooper, Ben Hornby, Wes Naiqama, Michael Howell, Mathew Head, Aaron Gorrell, Brent Kite, Dean Young, Ryan Powell, Ashton Sims and Brett White.
Players who will not play for the Dragons in 2004:
John Cross (retiring; 2004 Steelers Jersey Flegg coach), Craig Stapleton (Parramatta), Amos Roberts (Penrith),Chris Leikvoll (Warrington, England), John Wilshere (England), Chris Nero (England),Ryan Tandy (released to Souths during the season), Wise Kativerata (released to Souths during the season), Dean Byrne (Souths), Ian Donnelly (Manly), Nathan Tutt (Manly), and Hassan Saleh.

Bailey shines as NSW win State of Origin
Suncorp Stadium, 11 June 2003: Dragons front rower Luke Bailey has been named man-of-the-match in the first game of the three match State of Origin series. Playing in front of 52,000 fans, the New Souths Wales Blues came away 25-12 victors over the Queensland Maroons.
In a tough and bruising encounter, NSW led 12-2 at half time; Bailey leading the Blues pack against a tiring Maroons outfit.
Luke Bailey and team mate Shaun Timmins continued their great form for NSW, with the Blues eventually wrapping the 2003 Origin series 2-1.
Lance Thompson takes pay cut as salary cap looms
Kogarah, 19 July 2003: The Dragons have confirmed that back rower Lance Thompson has taken a substantial pay cut so the club can retain Shaun Timmins, Mark Gasnier, and Nathan Blacklock under the salary cap.
Thompson's contract has been extended until the end of 2006.
In a competition where club loyalties are generally regarded a thing of the past, Thompson's decision has been received as refreshing news. Thompson 25, recently donated $10,000 to the St George Junior League and has indicated that he will only play for the Dragons.Season 2003 summary
Following several losses at the beginning of the season, Saints bounced back to out-muscle eventual finalists Canterbury 24-14 (round 6) thereby giving fans an indication of the team's potential.
Dragons were then able to defeat the Roosters 24-20 (round 7) after they ambushed the reigning premiers on Anzac day. To complete the double, Saints also ran out 34-28 winners over the Penrith Panthers (round 21) - the Panthers eventually went onto premiership glory when they defeated the Roosters 18-6 in the 2003 grand final.
Saints continued their good form with an outstanding first half display to defeat the Sharks 28-12 (round 8) to herald in a tremendous return to Kogarah Jubilee Oval and for intents and purposes, it looked like we were going have a good season. But they were unable to repeat the form, being defeated in the next four matches at Kogarah and in a shocking effort in round 25 when they were disgraced 42-8 by Newcastle.
Nevertheless, Saints bounced back again with a nail biting 26-25 win over the Brisbane Broncos in round 26, this being the best game of the year for the Dragons. Fielding a side of virtual reserve graders, they outclassed a Broncos outfit humiliating them in front of their home crowd at Suncorp Stadium. Saints also convincingly defeated Brisbane 32-16 (round 17) at WIN Stadium.
Season 2003 was the first year as Dragons' head coach for Nathan Brown. The NRL's youngest ever coach, Brown gave an honest analysis and was first to admit that he found himself on a learning curve.
In a season of marred by injuries and disappointment, Saints finished 10th in 2003 and two points out of the playoffs.
Overall, just as they had in the previous year, the 2003 Dragons struggled for consistency, falling way short of expectations.
Biggest win 2003: 36-16 (v Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium Townsville, round 19, 19 July).
Biggest loss 2003: 42-8 (v Newcastle at Kogarah round 25, 31 August).
Highest team score 2003: 42 (42-28 v Manly at Brookvale, round 16, 28 June).
Lowest team score 2003: 8 (42-8 v Newcastle at Kogarah round 25, 31 August).
FULL 2003 DRAW & RESULTS - CLICK HERE
Dragons 2003 top player stats, first grade:
Most games (out of 24): Ben Hornby (24); Mark Riddell (24); Matt Cooper (23); Brent Kite (23); Dean Young (22).
Most tries: Nathan Blacklock 14 tries (12 games); Matt Cooper11 tries (23 games).
Most goals: Mark Riddell 69 goals (82 attempts, 24 games).
Most field goals: None.
Most points for 2003: Mark Riddell 7t+69g = 166 pts (24 games).

Ron Roberts passes away Tweed Heads NSW, Wednesday 11 June 2003: St George League legend Ron Roberts, 75, has been laid to rest at Tweed Heads cemetery. Dragons players marked the passing by wearing black arm bands as they took the field in their match against Newcastle. In a short career which spanned 1949-1951, Ron Roberts played 51 matches for St George and scored 51 tries. He was the competition’s leading try scorer in 1949 and 1950. In 1950 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Roberts scored the winning try in the third and deciding Test against Great Britain, Australia winning the Ashes for the first time in 30 years. The try was rated by 1980s Rugby League Week poll as the ‘single greatest moment in the game’s history’. More >> click here.