Team of the Decade (2010s): Props
Our backline is beyond us. The front-rowers couldn't be happier. The backs are nothing without them.
Whether they have been consistently tough like Leeson Ah Mau, Mike Cooper or Dan Hunt, reached the pinnacle of the game like Neville Costigan and Michael Weyman or represented their country as Paul Vaughan, James Graham and Russell Packer have, each of these front-rowers have a legitimate claim to team-of-the-decade honours.
The platform has been laid for our beloved Red V members and fans to have their say on our Team of the Decade (2010s) front-rowers; an initiative by the Dragons aimed to help navigate, and distract, through these harrowing times.
Offering up a great opportunity to look back at not only the club's 2010 premiership success, the Team of the Decade will reflect on a whopping 48 players – including our seven nominated centres – who traversed the triumphs, the trials and the tribulations in the years that followed.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and stay tuned to Dragons.com.au for not only the latest on the Team of the Decade but all Red V-relevant news.
Voting for your favourite halves of the 2010s closes at midnight, Thursday, April 23. This Team of the Decade (2010s) vote is proudly brought to you by XBlades.
Props of the Decade nominees
Leeson Ah Mau (2012-18)
Dragons appearances: 144
Leeson Ah Mau is the definition of a gentle giant – quiet off the field but as tough as an old leather boot when on it. Ah Mau was a mainstay of the Dragons' front row rotation for the majority of the decade, earning the title as one of the competition's most consistent front-rowers. In 2015, Ah Mau played every game and was deservedly named the Dragons' Player of the Year medallist. Ah Mau reached the international stage on numerous occasions while at the Dragons, representing both Samoa and New Zealand.
Mike Cooper (2014-16)
Dragons appearances: 69
Mike Cooper joined the Dragons as an established veteran of the Super League, having played over 100 games for Warrington, and went from strength to strength. Cooper rarely missed a game for the Red V in his three seasons at the club, and was awarded his maiden Test cap for England in 2015. While his time at the Dragons was brief – Cooper departed the club in 2016 to return to the Wolves – his contribution to the club and his country cannot be overlooked.
Neville Costigan (2009-2010)
Dragons appearances: 42 (20 games in the 2010s)
Neville Costigan only spent two seasons at the Dragons but what a few years it proved to be! Costigan was a permanent fixture at the Red V throughout his stint at the club, which culminated in the Dragons' 2010 premiership win. Costigan's capability to play in numerous positions during his tenure was duly rewarded with four State of Origins for Queensland before he made the move across to the Newcastle Knights.
James Graham (2018-present)
Dragons appearances: 47 (45 games in the 2010s)
Passionate, determined, fiercely competitive, inspirational and possessing a work ethic virtually unrivalled across the game; James Graham – sponsored by EFEX – will long be remembered in the rugby league community. 'Jammer' joined the Dragons from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ahead of the 2018 season, long after making his first grade debut in England 15-years prior. The England international has proven to be one of the NRL's elite front-rowers and broke new ground in 2019 when he notched his 400th first grade game.
Jon Green (2008-11)
Dragons appearances: 51 (42 games in the 2010s)
One of Wayne Bennett's secret weapons during his time as coach of the Red V, Jon Green carved himself a tidy career at the Dragons during his four-year stint. The hard-nosed Green featured 19 times in the Dragons' run to the 2010 premiership; only the returning Jarrod Saffy prevented him from featuring in the 17 that won on the day. Green did play in the Dragons' 2011 World Club Challenge win however; and played 23 of the possible 26 games that season.
Dan Hunt (2007-15)
Dragons appearances: 150 (82 games in the 2010s)
Hunt has the distinct honour of being the only eligible front-rower for the Team of the Decade to have spent his entire career at the Dragons. Hunt is the 11th most capped St George Illawarra player, although missed the majority of the 2010 premiership-winning season due to an Achilles injury. The Country Origin and Prime Minister's XIII representative still enjoyed the Dragons' World Club Challenge in 2011. Sadly, Hunt's career was cut short due to knee issues midway through 2015.
Jeremy Latimore (2012; 2018-19)
Dragons appearances: 57
Affectionately known as the GOAT across the social media landscape, fan favourite Jeremy Latimore had two stints at the Dragons across the decade. His first stint came in 2012 before returning to the Red V in 2018 to see out the remainder of his career. Latimore brought plenty of experience on and off the field to the Dragons forward pack prior to his retirement last year.
Russell Packer (2016-17)
Dragons appearances: 41
Russell Packer received a career lifeline from St George Illawarra in 2016, after spending 12 months in jail and two years out of the NRL, and took the opportunity with both hands. Packer became a mainstay in the Dragons' front row the following two years, earning his first caps for New Zealand in six years as a result of good form. Packer left the Red V for the Wests Tigers at the end of 2017, where he currently remains.
Paul Vaughan (2017-present)
Dragons appearances: 67 (65 games in the 2010s)
A front-rower who finds the try line on a regular occasion, Paul Vaughan moved from the Canberra Raiders in 2017 and quickly become a showcase feature of the Dragons' forward pack. In his first year, Vaughan took out the Red V Members' Player of the Year and the Geoff Selby Memorial Trophy awards. The Italian Stallion also represented the Azzuri at the 2017 World Cup, and has since earned two Kangaroos appearances. Vaughan has also featured for New South Wales while at the Dragons, playing every Origin for the Blues since his debut in 2018.
Michael Weyman (2009-13)
Dragons appearances: 93 (71 games in the 2010s)
It's fair to say the turn of the decade was one the most memorable periods of Michael Weyman's career. Not only did 'Horse' take part in the Dragons' 2010 premiership win, he also represented New South Wales and Australia and is recognised as one of the Red V's best front-rowers in recent memory. The proud South Coast product departed the Dragons for England outfit Hull KR in 2012 and has since had his own statue erected in his hometown of Moruya.
