Locke Harbour Dragons
| Locke Harbour Dragons | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||
|
Overview
The most prominent team in the PopularFreedom Rugby League (PRL), the Locke Harbour Dragons have won more championships than any other rugby team in PopularFreedom. Located in the city of Locke Harbour North, within the metropolis of Locke Harbour they are a force commonly feared especially when playing at home at the impressive Champions Heaven Stadium.
History
In 1983 when the city of Locke Harbour along with the remaining PRL teams were assembled to begin the first season of rugby play in the spring of 1984, the biggest debate focused on where the games would be played in Locke Harbour. In the southern region of the massive metropolis you had the main downtown core, and a newly built Locke Harbour Stadium. In the north however you had the aptly named Champions Heaven Stadium. Located closer to the international airport and in a more centralized location the mayors of the Locke Harbour supercity through much debate choose the superior northern facility as home to the Locke Harbour franchise.
The team since the onset of their existence has been the cornerstone of the league having won championships in eight seasons, and having participated in twelve championship finals.
- In 1984, in the inaugural PRL season, the Locke Harbour Dragons made it to the final where a try in the last few minutes clinched them a victory over the Viscount Bennett Imperialists 21-15.
- In 1987, a renewed Dragon team destroyed the Imperialists by the then biggest one sided championship score of 79-11.
- In 1988 the Dragons were able to become the first team to win back to back championships after destroying the Workers Point Bobcats 45-21.
- In 1994, after losing three of the previous five championship finals, the Dragons were able to garner revenge upon the Lenita Legions 22-0 in the first shutout in a championship in the history of the PRL.
- In 1997 the Dragons again were able to defeat the Imperialists in a thriller of a match 31-29.
- In 2001 in a pivotal match, the Dragons defeated an impressive Stanislav Lions team 33-10 to ensure that the Dragons would continue to be the most successful team at winning championships in the league. Had they lost the Lions and Dragons would have both been tied with five championships each. This win therefore ensured their continued premier status within the minds of rugby fans across the nation.
- The year 2003 brought forward one of the all time greatest defensive teams in the history of the PRL as the Dragons continued their domination of the league with their seventh title, defeating the Workers Point Bobcats 26-5.
- Year 2004 continued the success of a great dynasty team with their eight championship defeating the Bobcats again in the final, this time 39-9.
- In 2007, they were able to rebound from a disasterous 2006 season, capturing 2nd spot in tier 2 with an impressive 27-22 win in overtime in their playoff match verses the Sacredicity Saints. This victory propelled the Dragons back into tier 1 for the 2008 season.
In addition to their greatness within the PRL, they have also been successful in other tournaments. The International Rugby League (IRL) is a tournament run and played between numerous countries. In its inaugural season of 2005, the Locke Harbour Dragons proved their toughness by winning the IRL championship despite racking up a swath of injuries.
Roster
- Coach=Keith Wright
STARTERS:
- 1=Prop=Greg Hutson (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 2=Hooker=Brett Nelson
- 3=Prop=Josh Curos
- 4=Flanker=Josh Papanelo (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 5=Lock=Tom Marlin (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 6=Lock=Owen Tucker (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 7=Flanker=Matthew Brinde (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 8=8 Man=Owen Clarke (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 9=Scrum Half=Yani Michaels
- 10=Flyhalf=Art Schwarz
- 11=Inside Centre=Sam Walley
- 12=Outside Centre=Vlad Smith
- 13=Winger=Mark Anderson
- 14=Winger=Kirk Vincent (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
- 15=Fullback=Ian Portskow (recently recovered from injury in IRL)
Substitutes:
- 16=Jim Goldstone (P)
- 17=Wayne Restarn (L,8,FL)
- 18=Peter Omonte (W)
- 19=Zack Buendir (L,P)
- 20=Max Williamson (FH, FL)
- 21=Ivan Depalmon (FB)
- 22=Frank Swallorry
- 23=Stephen Messil (H, SC, C)
- 24=Justin Graves (FB, W, FL)
Stadium
Strategy
Coach Keith Wright is a former flanker so he prefers 8-man pickups, and crashing the line. In fact the dragons sell t-shirts to their fans that state, 'give it to the pack and crash'. The Dragons have a formidable pack. Their backs are okay but if it comes down to a fight between forward packs, coach Wright has them training to win every battle.
Popular Locke Harbour Dragon mottos
- 'give it to the pack and crash'
- 'hit, ruck, hit, ruck, hit, ruck; just common sense really'
- 'kicking is for them pansies from Locke Harbour South'
- 'exactly how do you obtain technique when running someone over anyhow?'
- 'why stand still when you can plow someone over?'
