Raiders maintain hoodoo over Dragons

Raiders match-winner Josh Dugan.

It seemed Jamie Soward could do ANYTHING with his right foot and a football – even end a 4041-day hoodoo. That was until Josh McCrone came along and made the Dragons relive their Canberra nightmares all over again.

McCrone trumped his opposite number’s miraculous 79^th minute, 40-metre field goal by rolling in a grubber for Josh Dugan to score the match-winning try in the final minute of the Raiders’ 24-19 victory at Canberra Stadium tonight.

The Dragons looked set to score their first win in the nation’s capital since July 1, 2000 when Soward potted a point from 40m out with less than a 100 seconds on the clock to make the score 19-18.

The NSW Origin pivot had earlier put on a clinic of general kicking before seemingly sealing his side’s drought-breaking triumph.

However, the Raiders got the ball back from a short kick-off via a Mark Gasnier fumble and advanced to field goal range, where McCrone gathered on the fifth tackle, avoided the oncoming defence and put in a kick.

Dugan, who made his Origin defence earlier this year, won the race to the ball and touched down to maintain his club’s dominance over the defending errors.

The dynamic fullback admitted the result looked unlikely after the Dragons led 18-6 at halftime.

“We stuck at it for the whole game, to the boys’ credit they stuck at it full the full 80,” Dugan said.

“We clawed our way back in and put them under some pressure and it worked.”

The Dragons looked like two-time premiers-in-waiting in the first stanza, with their left edge of Matthew Cooper and Brett Morris in devastating form while Soward’s boot caused havoc amongst the Raiders’ back three.

Incredibly, the Dragons put together a perfect 20-from-20 completion rate in the first 40 minutes, during which Morris, Cooper, Ben Creagh and Gasnier crossed the line while McCrone scored for the Raiders.

Although his general kicking was dynamic, Soward completed just one of four conversions.

The Raiders knotted the scores at 18-18 in the 63^rd minute after Jason Croker’s sideline conversion of Blake Ferguson’s try, which came after a solo effort from Dugan in the 52^nd minute.

Hayden can't escape Heat, back into Twenty20 kitchen

Prized Brisbane Heat recruit Matthew Hayden.

The Brisbane Heat have lured former Test opener Matthew Hayden out of retirement for the inaugural Big Bash League, which starts in December.

Hayden, who retired from Test cricket in January 2009 and has not picked up a bat in 12 months, today confirmed he would play for the Queensland franchise.

The burly Queenslander, who was the Indian Premier League’s top rungetter in 2009, is the 14^th player signed by the Heat.

Hayden declared he had little interest in playing Twenty20 cricket domestically while it was run by the existing state associations.

“I have had little interest in the T20 format domestically whilst it remained a state based format, which to me, was a pathway or development program to National interests,” Hayden said.

“But an eight-team Big Bash League structure – involving separate organisations running these entities with private equity stakeholders in the future – has launched the ‘Business and Cricket’ and relaunched my interest as a highly valuable business decision.

“I am exciting about being part of the Heat and the first ever Big Bash League and I will be doing my utmost to make the Heat a success both on and off the field.

“I am looking forward to getting back into top form and working with (Heat coach) Darren (Lehmann) and the Brisbane players.”

Hayden will have to step down as a Cricket Australia director and the Queensland Cricket Board, as current players are barred from holding such positions.

Lehmann was thrilled his former Test and ODI teammate signed with the Heat.

“I took no time at all to say ‘yes’ when the possibility of Matt playing for us was first floated,” he said.

“The man is a legend of our game and he brings so much to any team he plays for.”

Clarke blows off Big Bash

Captain Michael Clarke will not play in the Big Bash League so he can concentrate on Australia’s testing looming Test campaign.

The eight teams for the inaugural Twenty20 competition finished putting together their rosters today but Clarke, Australia’s Test and one-day skipper, will join fellow baggy greener Mitchell Johnston on the sidelines.

Clarke retired from international Twenty20 cricket earlier this year and will stay on the sidelines to prepare for Australia’s home series against New Zealand and India, which follow tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa.

“With the greatest respect to everybody involved in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League, I will not be committing for this year,” Clarke said.

“My goal is to play Twenty20 cricket domestically, for sure.

“But at the moment, I want to prioritise my time and commitment to role with the Australian team.

“We have a big six months ahead, and my commitment and focus is with those teams.”

Clarke’s vice-captain Shane Watson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin signed with the Sydney Sixers this week, along with Steven O’Keefe.

Players were allowed to sign with any franchise.

Click HERE for all Big Bash League signings.

NRL Power Rankings - Round 19

1. St George Illawarra: Roared (would Dragons roar, if they existed?) back to life against the Sharks. Their left edge was absolutely lethal in the first half. Beware the Red V. With Dean Young, Beau Scott and skipper Ben Hornby still to come back, the odds of repeat are locking good.

2. Melbourne Storm: Went to Canberra, a team that beat them earlier this year, and held them to nil. Enough said? No? Very well. Cooper Cronk is in career-best form and Cameron Smith and Billy Slater are not far behind. The loss of Adam Blair to the Tigers won’t hurt til next year.

3. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles went to Newcastle, which has always been an unhappy hunting ground, and touched up the Knights. Sunday’s triumph – which came without Jason King, William Hopoate and Tony Williams – was arguably Manly’s best outing of an impressive 2011 season.

4. Brisbane Broncos: Came back from the bye and scored a regulation win over the woeful Gold Coast Titans. Still looming as a premiership threat and the ‘Lockyer factor’ will be a factor as the season progresses.

5. North Queensland Cowboys: Missed Thurston and Matthew Scott in their loss to the Tigers. The Cowboys looked tired after the short turnaround from their victory over Newcastle last Monday week. Perhaps Saturday’s defeat was a reality check for the Townsville club.

6. New Zealand Warriors: Did what they had to do against a miserable Bulldogs line-up on Friday night. The Warriors looked in danger after they fell behind 12-0, but came back in a big way. Looking good for the back end of the season.

7. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: Fools gold? Four wins in a row followed by a shellacking from the Dragons. They were better in the second half after being down 24-0 at oranges, but were hopelessly outclassed when the game was still alive.

8. Penrith Panthers: Got out of jail in a big way against the Eels on Saturday night. Miracle victories like the one the Panthers pulled off against their archrivals can provide teams with all-important self-belief as the finals near.

9. Wests Tigers: This week’s big movers – and fortunately for the Tigers’ faithful, it is in an upwards direction. Benji Marshall was back to his electrifying best against the understrength Cowboys. If the joint venture club can get everyone on the same page, they will be major threats come play-off time.

10. South Sydney Rabbitohs: For once, the Bunnies came up trumps in a tight contest. The Redfern club battled away all night against archrivals Easts, forcing golden point before Chris Sandow’s miraculous field goal snatched victory.

11. Newcastle Knights: In a worrying tailspin. Last week’s defeat against the understrength Cowboys could be put down to complacency, but Sunday’s loss to Manly was simply a case of the Knights being outclassed and out-enthused. Have to right the ship ASAP or the finals could slip out of reach.

12. Parramatta Eels: Desperately unlucky against the Panthers – only the Eels could give up a six-point lead with one SECOND remaining. The loss all but ended their finals hopes.

13. Sydney Roosters: Were unfortunate against the Rabbitohs after being the better team for most of the match. Their halves combination of Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney are firing again, which means the Roosters could cause a lot of problems as September nears.

14. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Would be lower on the list except the teams below them are so bad. Started well against the Warriors but fell in a heap, conceding 36 straight points. Kevin Moore’s resignation at least clears up the club’s short-term future.

15. Canberra Raiders: Blanked at home for the first time in the club’s history by Melbourne. The only positive to come out of Sunday’s historical failure was that no one got hurt.

16: Gold Coast Titans: How bad are these guys? Looked an even-money bet at half-time in their clash with the Broncos, but fell away in the second half. When will the rumblings about John Cartwright’s future begin?

Cooper, Morris steal the limelight at Gaz's farewell party

Tonight’s derby against the Sharks at Kogarah should have been all about Mark Gasnier.

Instead, centre partner Matt Cooper and left winger Brett Morris stole the show as St George Illawarra humiliated their neighbours 38-8 at WIN Jubilee Stadium.

The highly anticipated showdown was marketed as a farewell to the Dragons’ superstar Gasnier, who announced his retirement at the end of 2011 last Thursday.

However, it was left half of the Dragons’ iconic centre combo, Cooper, who stole the headlines with the opening try of the rout and a trademark hard-as-nails effort in defence.

Morris scored an even more spectacular try in the eight minute before both left-edge predators were denied tries later on in a first stanza the Dragons dominated 24-0.

The closest Gasnier – the nephew of Dragons Immortal Reg Gasnier – came to scoring was in the 76^th minute, when he was forced to pass to Jason Nightingale before being bundled into touch.

Gasnier – who will walk away from rugby league for the second time with three years and leave a seven-figure sum on the table – had to content himself with hit-ups out of dummy half and first receiver.

Although he didn’t get a fairytale four-pointer in his regular season farewell to Kogarah, the Dragons faithful amongst the 16,879 on hand gave him a stirring send-off.

“It was a good way to farewell Kogarah, I didn’t touch much ball and I went to that side a couple of times but it was a great team performance, it will put us is good stead with the semi-finals approaching,” Gasnier.

“If we keep getting results like this, I couldn’t care less how much ball I get, they’re (Cooper and Morris) are a great combo.”

Gasnier said the Dragons spiritual home at Kogarah meant ‘everything’ to him.

“I played under 7, under 8, under 9 grand finals here and it’s great to be able to leave on the right note,” he said.

Cooper, who was named man of the match in a rare stint as captain in the absence of Ben Hornby, paid tribute to his centre partner.

“It was good to see him get a win tonight, he’s been a big part of Kogarah,” Cooper said.

“It’ll be good to see Ben Hornby and Dean Young back in a couple of weeks.”

Gasnier has scored 90 tries in 161 games with the joint venture since making his debut in 2000.

He scored the opening try of last year’s drought-breaking grand final win over the Sydney Roosters.

He has played 11 times for NSW and 15 Tests for Australia.