Dragons name team of century: Modern players snubbed as St George reveal greatest ever side

Only one modern day player makes the cut and there are plenty of other surprises in the Dragons’ rugby league team of the century. See full squad

The Gasniers have been named starting centres as part of St George’s team of the century.

Immortal Reg is joined by nephew Mark after the star-studded team was announced on Wednesday night.

Covid-19 delayed the event from happening last year during the Dragons’ 100th year.

Mark Gasnier, who was part of St George Illawarra’s 2010 premiership win, is the only modern day player to feature in the 17-man squad which showcases the club’s great history by including four Immortals – Reg Gasnier, Norm Provan, Graeme Langlands and John Raper.

The team is naturally dominated by those who featured in the 11 consecutive premierships between 1956-66 with the four Immortals joined by former teammates including Johnny King, Eddie Lumsden, Brian Clay, Billy Smith, Billy Wilson, Ken Kearney and Harry Bath.

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St George rugby league players (L-R) Johnny Raper with Graeme Langlands and Billy Smith taking sauna in 1968.

Craig Young and Rod Reddy from St George’s 1977 and 1979 premiership wins also start in the forward pack.

The team contains a representative from every premiership winning team across the 100 years – St George in 1941, 1949, 1956-66, 1977, 1979 and St George Illawarra in 2010.

Some modern day players who missed the cut include Brett Morris, Steve Morris, Nathan Blacklock, Jason Nightingale, Brad Mackay and Matt Cooper.

Chairman of selectors and former Dragons coach Roy Masters said the selection was rigorous process.

“The selection of the final team followed a very comprehensive process where era teams were chosen, followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from each of the era selection committees, that ultimately led to the final selection by a panel of three,” Masters said.

“Some positions presented monumental challenges because of the plethora of talent available but ultimately, St George supporters should be very proud of their centenary team.

“It is arguably the greatest combination of club players in the history of rugby league”.

The club recently named their top 100 players after selecting a team of the decade for each period since the club’s inception in 1921.

Perhaps controversially, Frank Burge was chosen as the coach of the historic team despite not winning a premiership during his two stints.

Mark and Reg Gasnier are both in the side.

Burge beat out the likes of Masters, Provan, Bath and Wayne Bennett – who were all named as respective coaches of team of the decades.

Provan, Bath and Bennett won titles during their stints as coaches.

Bath won two titles as part of the famed “Bath’s babes”, Provan was captain-coach during the club’s golden era while Bennett tasted success in 2010.

Burge had two stints as St George coach, 1927-1930 and 1937-1939. Despite never winning a title, St George made finals in each of his seasons in charge.

Brett Morris, pictured after winning the 2010 grand final, was left out.

HORROR STAT HAUNTING UNDER-PRESSURE GRIFFIN

— Dean Ritchie

St George Illawarra chairman Craig Young has come out swinging in defence of Anthony Griffin, saying the Dragons coach has the unconditional backing of the club’s board and will fulfil his contract.

And Young said he was “confident” Griffin could lift the Dragons into this season’s finals series.

“He has my full support,” Young said.

Reports have emerged Griffin would be grilled over his side’s poor recent performances at a board meeting on Tuesday night but Young stressed the coach’s future was not on the agenda.

Young felt so aggrieved at the speculation surrounding Griffin that he wanted to go public with his defence of the coach.

St George Illawarra extended Griffin’s contract until the end of next year before this season started, despite the Dragons failing to reach the finals last year.

Anthony Griffin is part of the Dragons long-term plans despite a horror win percentage. NRL Imagery

“We are there to support him and his ideas,” Young said. “We are committed to the coach and his staff.

“The bottom line is we are two points out of the eight and we are confident that the players and coaching staff can get the team into the play-offs.

“We have to be confident for the fans – they are looking for confidence.

“The board supports the decision to extend the coach’s contract and we haven’t changed that view. ‘Hook’ is an experienced coach.

“His name was never on the board meeting agenda. I would have known about it.

“Do we want to get better? Yes. If we were coming first we’d still want to get better. We are always looking to get better. We have had 18 of 25 rounds – there is still a bit of water to go under the bridge yet.”

Asked to reaffirm that Griffin would remain head coach until the end of next season, Young said: “Yes, that’s exactly right.”

Dragons chairman Craig Young says Griffin has full support of the club. NRL Imagery

St George Illawarra’s defence has been fragile over the past two games, conceding 86 points against the Broncos and Roosters.

The club won seven from 10 matches between rounds six and 16 and were only pushed out of the top eight last weekend.

There have been suggestions of preferential treatment by Griffin towards some players and question marks over his coaching methods.

A mid-season presentation by Griffin to the board clearly illustrated the pathway for St George Illawarra’s impressive crop of youngsters into the NRL.

The Dragons have won just 16 of 41 games under Griffin, inclusing just eight wins so far in 2022. Picture: Getty Images.

Griffin’s Dragons face another challenging match against Manly on Friday night at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.

“There has been speculation about our young players. ‘Hook’ has a plan for them,” Young said.

“He gave a mid-season presentation to the board and that included a pathway plan for these young players.

“We are confident they will play NRL but we also have a duty of care. We have to make sure they are physically and mentally up to the challenge.

“It’s important that once they’re in the NRL that they stay there. I’ve been talking to people and (this rumour about Griffin’s future) has gotten right out of control.”

Griffin’s detractors point out he’s won only 16 of 41 games since succeeding the previously sacked Paul McGregor in 2021.