The AMP Men of League Ball is one of the highlights of the Grand Final build up and this year the Men of League Foundation named the Greatest St George team from the Dragons record breaking run of 11 premierships.
More than 760 guests were on hand to honour the Magic Dragons including the likes of Ricky Stuart, Noel Kelly, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote and of course the 10 living members of the Greatest St George XIII from 1956-66:
1. Graeme 'Changa' Langlands
2. Eddie Lumsden
3. Reg Gasnier
4. Billy Smith
5. Johnny King
6. Brian 'Poppa' Clay (dec)
7. Bob Bugden
8. Johnny 'Chook' Raper
9. Norm 'Sticks' Provan
10. Harry Bath
11. Billy Wilson (dec)
12. Ken 'Killer' Kearney (dec)
13. Kevin Ryan
Parramatta's original 'guru', Eric Grothe sung a proud and inspiring rendition ot the National Anthem with his acoustic gituar.
The night also saw RexMossop and Harold 'Mick' Crocker inducted as Men of League's â??McDonalds Honourees'. Previous inductees include Frank Hyde, Jack Gibson, Jack Rayner, Keith Holman, Kel O'Shea, Barry Muir and Harry Bath.
The centre piece of the celebration, however, were the Magic Dragons.
2006 marks the 50th anniversary of when the Saints kicked off their 11 year run.
St George teams in that era featured some of game's greatest names and from those 11 teams 13 players will be named as the best ever.
League legend and Men of League President Ron Coote who said:
"The night was a true celebration of the great work done by the Men of League to assist rugby league players, coaches, officials and members of their families who have, for various reasons, fallen on hard times."Whether it be a wheelchair, medical bills, food vouchers, transport, rental assistance, a hospital visit, funeral arrangements, flowers or a bowl of fruit for the sick, we have made a difference to the lives of men who helped make the game what it is today."
Grants are allocated to all those in dire need who have contributed to rugby league, no matter what level, from the grass roots to playing for Australia.
Over the past 12 months the Men of League Foundation has assisted so many people including those listed. With their permission we publish their names below:
- 22 year old Goodna resident Ronald Holmes who was playing for Normanby UQ in Brisbane when diagnosed with bone cancer.
- The late David Murray who lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease was a Canterbury junior who finished his career with the Port Macquarie Sharks
- Anthony Waterson injured his neck playing reserve grade for the Temora Dragons.
- Cancer patient Trevor Hart who was secretary of South-Eastern in the South Sydney A-Grade competition.
- Noel McGraw, touch judge in the 1964 Australia v France Test Match at Lang Park, who is battling cancer in a Brisbane Hospital.
- Stroke victim Bruce â??Larpa' Stuart - Ex South Sydney and Roosters first grader
- The late Owen â??Ozzy' Bevan who played for St George before moving to England to play along side his brother - the legendary Brian Bevan - at Warrington.
The AMP Men of League Ball is the Men of League Foundation's major fundraising activity for the year.
Further enquiries: Operations Manager Martin Cook 0414 393 703.