Even though his career included selection for New South Wales and Australia it was hardly surprising that Ben Hornby rated captaining St George Illawarra to their 2010 grand final triumph as the pinnacle.
Hornby was Wayne Bennett’s on-field general the year that the Dragons put aside years of disappointment and under-achievement to claim the joint venture’s first competition title. When he raised the NRL trophy to the crowd it signaled the end a 31-year premiership drought for the famous Red V and kicked off a lengthy period of celebration for the club’s long-suffering fans.
Hornby played his entire NRL career for St George Illawarra and early in 2012 he surpassed the record of legendary forward Norm Provan for most games played by a Dragons player (St George and St George Illawarra).
He will retire as the longest serving captain in the history of the joint venture.
Hornby was only 20 when he debuted for St George Illawarra late in the 2000 season and just 23 when he led the team for the first time.
He was a versatile performer, starting out at fullback before moving closer to the action at halfback and he occasionally appeared at five-eighth.
He was Dragons player of the year in 2003 and earned his representative stripes in three State of Origin appearances for NSW (2004, 2006, 2008) and in one Test match for Australia (2006).
To help give Ben the send off he deserves at WIN Stadium, the Dragons are offering one FREE child ticket with every purchase of an Adult ticket for this Saturday's game.
Leave a tribute to Ben Hornby on the Heroes to Legends site
Dean Young Stats:
| Born: | February 18, 1980, Wollongong, NSW (age 32) |
| Height: | 182cm |
| Weight: | 86kg |
| Points: | 258 (58 tries, 12 goals, 2 field goals) |
| NRL Games: | 271 |
| First Grade Debut: | St George Illawarra v Penrith at Penrith Football Stadium, 8/7/2000 (Rd 23) |
| Club(s): | St George Illawarra 2000-12 |
| Junior Football: | Corrimal Cougars |
| Junior Rep Honours: | Junior Kangaroos 1999; NSW Under-19s 1999 |
| Grand Finals: | 1 – St George Illawarra 2010 (W) |
| Country Origin: | 2005, 2006, 2008 |
| New South Wales: | State of Origins 3 (2004-08) |
| Australia: | Tests 1 (2006) |
| Other Information: | Joined St George Illawarra 1999 Captained Australian Invitational XIII 2006 Dragons player of the year 2003 Combined First Division and NSW Residents 2000 |
Fast Fact:
In 2010 Ben Hornby became only the ninth player in 90 seasons to captain the Dragons (St George or St George Illawarra) to a premiership victory.