Lance THOMPSON [
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Mon September 15, 2008
by Matthew O'Neill
Nathan Brown's exit from the Dragons on Saturday night was unfortunately a symbol of the way his coaching career went in his six years there.
The Dragons had the opportunity to finish in 5th position if they defeated the Roosters in the final round, but chose to play dry weather football on a very wet track and the Roosters forward pack just zeroed in on the Saints and bashed them into submission. The Dragons are relegated to 6th position and an embarrassing display of goal kicking by Hazem El Masri (from 2002 to 2006 the best kicker in the game) sees the Dragons relegated into 7th spot by two differential points with Canberra jumping ahead of them. Normally El Masri at worst would kick four from six and maybe miss two in a row - never four in a row.
Ben Rogers had served the Dragons capably in the absence of Jamie Soward leading into the finals, but he came up short against the Roosters in the final round and Soward was fit and ready to go. Brown attempted to play mind games, except on his own players and said to Rogers that he wouldn't be playing if it was going to be a wet track on Saturday night. Brown took the gamble and the decision to play Rogers before Soward backfired and unfortunately was a symbol of Brown's six years at the Dragons.
Brown is one of the most likable, honest and approachable people in the game. He is a breath of fresh air and doesn't mind saying what he believes. Brown really got up the Storm in regards to their wrestling techniques and since that time the Storm haven't been the same ruthless side - although they continue to wrestle relentlessly.
Before Brown got into coaching he enjoyed a fine career at the Dragons playing 172 first grade games from 1992 to 2000 and played in the 1993, 1996 and 1999 grand finals with the Dragons going down in all three. With a bit of luck they could have won all three titles and the 1999 decider was controversial to put it nicely.
Brown's career ended in a trial match against the Bulldogs in 2001 when an elementary tackle on Bulldogs utility Craig Polla-Mounter went horribly wrong. Brown had to be air lifted out of the ground and suffered a serious neck injury forcing him into an early retirement.
Brown took on various training jobs at the Dragons before being handed the coaching position for their Jersey Flegg side in 2002. Brown coached them all the way to the Grand Final only to be defeated by the Roosters.
The Dragons sacked Andrew Farrar as first grade coach and awarded Brown the job at such a young age. Brown struggled in his first season, which was forever tainted by a slapping incident involving former team-mates Trent Barrett and Lance Thompson. His relationship with both players after that moment wasn't the smoothest and he struggled coming from player to coach.
St George Illawarra qualified in 5th position in 2004 and became the only side 5th placed or higher in the ten years of the McIntyre farce to be eliminated in the first week of the finals. Normally there is one upset in the opening week of the finals, but in 2004 the Cowboys upset the Bulldogs and the Storm were too good for Brisbane - who limped into 3rd position. Luck deserted the Dragons and there was more poor luck to come.
The Dragons qualified nicely into 2nd position in 2005 and in the grand final qualifier had to play the inform Wests Tigers, who were experiencing the best ten weeks of football any side could dream of playing. The Dragons didn't produce the goods on the night and the Tigers came up trumps winning 20-10. The best opportunity the Dragons would have of winning a premiership was gone.
Brown was coach again in 2006 when they came from 6th position to defeat top five sides Brisbane and Manly comfortably to face off to minor premiers Melbourne in the game before the decider. The Storm weren't at their best on the night, but the occasion once again got to the Dragons players as they lost 22-10.
Injuries ruined the Dragons season last year and they could never get a settled side on the field finishing well down on the table.
Brown desperately needed to have a good start this year if there was any chance of having his coaching contract renewed. The Dragons started off very poorly in the opening six weeks defeating the Dragons in Round 2. In that time the Dragons decided to appoint Wayne Bennett as coach for the 2009 season ending Brown's 17 year assocation as a player or coach.
The Dragons found form once a new coach for 2009 was announced - again a symbol of Brown's poor luck and timing. A poor start to the season and a few losses on the trot during the second half of the season was always going to keep the Dragons away from the top three. However, had a chance to finish 4th if results went their way. Instead they all went against them.
St George has been and always will be a great club. They have for some reason been cursed ever since they last won the premiership in 1979. Just some moments that have plagued the Red and Whites:
- Eric Grothe scores in the last minute in the 1984 preliminary final and for 78 minutes the Saints had control of the match. Parramatta get worked up into good field position following a succession of penalties from Kevin Roberts.
- Andrew Farrar kicks the only drop goal in his 185 first grade grades for Canterbury that seperates the two sides in the 1985 decider. The Dragons qualify for the Grand Finals in all three grades. They opt against using any fresh replacements whereas Canterbury had David Gillespie, Mark Bugden, Greg Mullane, Darryl Brohman and Phil Gould ready to come on. Canterbury earlier in the finals series that season had reserve grade playing in the opening two weeks, but coach Warren Ryan opts to pick a squad of 15 and have two fresh reserves up his sleeve. That day the rules for catching a bomb in the ingoal changed and Steve Mortimer farewelled that in style. Glen Burgess was never the same player after 1985.
- The Dragons were never expected to beat Brisbane in 1992, but came up against them again in 1993. The Broncos the week before got over the Bulldogs in a classic game. That year the Dragons smashed the Bulldogs twice and edged them out once. In the final round before the finals St George defeated Brisbane away from home and headed into the finals as the team to beat. On the big day their attack went missing, their football was ultra conservative and mind games between Wayne Bennett and Brian Smith created plenty of controversy.
- St George struggled to field a team at the start of 1996 and their season never really got going, but won enough games to finish in 7th position. They were up against Canberra in the opening week of the finals and win that controversially 16-14. The Dragons proceeded to belt the Roosters and Bears to qualify for the Grand Final. It was their performances in 1996 and Canterbury's the year before using the bottom half of the top eight to build momentum that caused the McIntyre system to be introducd when the next top eight finals series was played in 1999. The Dragons face up to Manly in the decider and whilst Manly had control of the game a controversial try on half-time to Steve Menzies was the moment that crushed the Dragons. Matthew Ridge was held in the tackle and was still allowed to play on advancing play a further 30m.
- Much has been discussed about the 1999 grand final. The Dragons came in 6th position and built up a nice finals campaign where they defeated the Storm, Roosters and Sharks to qualify for the decider. They had the game in the bag leading 14-2. If only Anthony Mundine was a team player and passed the ball to an unmarked player it would have been all over. A forward pass try to the Storm got them back into the match. The Dragons were leading 18-14 when a penalty try was awarded to Storm winger Craig Smith. Matt Geyer coverted and the Storm hung onto win 18-14.
The curse of the Dragons followed into Brown's coaching career. Wins and losses stacks up nicely for Brown and his record at St George was no worse than Roy Masters six years at the Dragons from 1982 to 1987. However, a club as successful and traditional as St George demands success and next year will be 30 years without a title for the long suffering, but very faithful and passionate St George supporters.
Bennett is going to have the world on his shoulders and has to deliver miracles. The one thing in Bennett's favour is that he'll be able to mould his own side and will benefit from Mark Gasnier, Jason Ryles and Trent Barrett not being there.
Brown now embarks on a new career at English Super League club Huddersfield - the area where the game was born in 1895. Brown got the Huddersfield job ahead of Steve Folkes and Royce Simmons, the first time luck has sided with the likeable Brown. Hopefully for Brown the Giants enjoy success and he gets the rewards from coaching that he deserves. He was given six years at the Dragons, but never at any one stage did his time as coach really get off the ground.
Saturday's loss against Manly and the decision to play Rogers over Soward was sadly just a symbol of Brown's career at the Dragons. He took a punt and it backfired and the Dragons fell up short once again.
Thu April 17, 2008
Source: www.sharks.com.auSharks forward Lance Thompson announced at a press conference today that Saturday night's match against Penrith will be his last.
As a result of the ongoing difficulties he has with both his knee and partly due to his struggles with diabetes, Thompson has found it increasingly difficult to get his body right to endure the rigours of playing NRL football on a weekly basis, hence his decision to retire following the Panthers clash.
A stalwart of 238 games in the NRL in a career stretching back to 1995, Thompson was emotional at his press conference but was also looking forward to the next phase of his life.
"Retiring will give me the chance to deal with my injuries and with my diabetes and I will also have time to watch my daughter grow up," Thompson said.
"It has been a hard six months getting my knee and health right and I knew it was time to retire from this great game."Thompson has been included in the Sharks 17-man squad for the match which will mark the re-opening of the newly renovated Toyota Stadium, with a big screen tribute planned for Thompson before the match and a lap of honour after the full time siren.
News sent by:
www.sharks.com.au
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 2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
2 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 4 [05 Apr 08] W 18-16 v Dragons (A). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [19 Apr 08] L 20-21 v Panthers (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
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2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
13 games; [View] Round 1 [17 Mar 07] W 18-0 v Panthers (H). [SR]
[View] Round 2 [26 Mar 07] L 16-18 v Gold Coast (A). [SR]
[View] Round 3 [31 Mar 07] L 16-26 v Rabbitohs (H). [SR]
[View] Round 4 [09 Apr 07] W 40-4 v Dragons (H). [SR]
[View] Round 5 [15 Apr 07] L 12-14 v Tigers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 7 [30 Apr 07] L 16-20 v Knights (A). [SR]
[View] Round 8 [05 May 07] W 22-20 v Warriors (A). [SR]
[View] Round 9 [11 May 07] W 16-8 v Broncos (H). [SR]
[View] Round 10 [20 May 07] W 30-20 v Bulldogs (A). [SR]
[View] Round 11 [26 May 07] L 12-13 v Roosters (H). [SR]
[View] Round 15 [24 Jun 07] L 12-16 v Rabbitohs (A). [SR]
[View] Round 17 [08 Jul 07] L 12-14 v Bulldogs (H). [SR]
[View] Round 18 [14 Jul 07] L 12-23 v Roosters (A). [SR]
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2007 City vs Country
City Origin
1 games; [View] Place of Origin [03 May 07] W 12-6 v Country Origin (A). [PR]
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
22 games; 4 tries, 1/1 goals, 18 points.
[View] Round 2 [18 Mar 06] L 12-16 v Broncos (H). [SR]
[View] Round 3 [25 Mar 06] L 18-20 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR]
[View] Round 4 [01 Apr 06] W 24-22 v Rabbitohs (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [08 Apr 06] L 24-28 v Roosters (H). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [16 Apr 06] L 16-42 v Tigers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 7 [22 Apr 06] W 24-22 v Cowboys (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 8 [28 Apr 06] W 40-12 v Panthers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 9 [07 May 06] W 30-12 v Dragons (H). [SR] 6 Pts; 1t, 1/1g
[View] Round 10 [14 May 06] W 38-28 v Raiders (A). [SR]
[View] Round 14 [10 Jun 06] W 26-4 v Cowboys (A). [SR]
[View] Round 15 [17 Jun 06] W 15-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [SR]
[View] Round 16 [24 Jun 06] W 26-16 v Knights (A). [SR]
[View] Round 17 [02 Jul 06] L 12-26 v Broncos (A). [SR]
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 06] L 10-22 v Tigers (H). [SR]
[View] Round 19 [16 Jul 06] L 32-38 v Roosters (A). [SR]
[View] Round 20 [21 Jul 06] L 12-28 v Storm (A). [SR]
[View] Round 21 [28 Jul 06] L 18-22 v Knights (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 06] L 10-12 v Warriors (A). [SR]
[View] Round 23 [12 Aug 06] L 14-34 v Eels (H). [SR]
[View] Round 24 [19 Aug 06] L 28-32 v Panthers (H). [SR]
[View] Round 25 [26 Aug 06] L 4-18 v Dragons (A). [SR]
[View] Round 26 [02 Sep 06] L 24-26 v Raiders (H). [SR]
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2006 City vs Country
City Origin
1 games; [View] City v Country [12 May 06] L 10-12 v Country Origin (A). [SR]
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
St George Illawarra Dragons
26 games; 7 tries, 28 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 05] L 28-46 v Bulldogs (A). [SR]
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 05] L 12-46 v Storm (H). [SR]
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 05] L 8-18 v Panthers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 4 [02 Apr 05] L 22-42 v Raiders (A). [BE]
[View] Round 5 [09 Apr 05] W 32-6 v Sea Eagles (H). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [17 Apr 05] L 24-34 v Broncos (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (2nd)
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 05] W 26-24 v Roosters (A). [SR]
[View] Round 8 [01 May 05] W 40-32 v Tigers (A). [SR]
[View] Round 9 [07 May 05] W 42-10 v Souths (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (43rd)
[View] Round 10 [13 May 05] W 34-12 v Panthers (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (10th)
[View] Round 11 [21 May 05] W 18-16 v Knights (A). [SR]
Judiciary: High Tackle, Careless Grade 1 Guilty, 0 matches
[View] Round 12 [29 May 05] L 16-24 v Storm (A). [SR]
[View] Round 13 [04 Jun 05] W 32-18 v Warriors (H). [SR]
[View] Round 14 [12 Jun 05] W 34-4 v Cowboys (H). [PR]
[View] Round 15 [19 Jun 05] W 28-10 v Souths (A). [SR]
[View] Round 16 [26 Jun 05] L 24-32 v Tigers (H). [SR]
[View] Round 18 [08 Jul 05] L 14-40 v Eels (A). [PR]
[View] Round 19 [17 Jul 05] W 36-10 v Sea Eagles (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (79th)
[View] Round 20 [24 Jul 05] W 20-10 v Sharks (H). [SR]
[View] Round 21 [29 Jul 05] W 44-6 v Roosters (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (80th)
[View] Round 22 [05 Aug 05] W 36-16 v Cowboys (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (27th)
[View] Round 23 [14 Aug 05] W 24-4 v Broncos (A). [SR]
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 05] W 25-22 v Eels (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (19th)
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 05] W 36-28 v Knights (H). [SR]
[View] Finals Week One [10 Sep 05] W 28-22 v Sharks (H). [SR]
[View] Qualifying Finals [24 Sep 05] L 12-20 v Tigers. [SR]
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
St George Illawarra Dragons
2 games; [View] Round 1 [14 Mar 04] L 12-21 v Raiders (H). [SR]
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] W 16-10 v Warriors (A). [PR]
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Thompson, Lance
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