Dragons score a century

As far back as 1890 rugby union had been played in the district.

Among the first teams to play rugby league in the Southern Highlands was Moss Vale, with the club now celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2014.

Picton, Robertson, Bowral, Mittagong, Thirlmere and Wildes Valley were the other teams that contested the 1914 premiership.

Back in those days, the Moss Vale club was known as the Moss Vale Blues because of the sky blue jerseys worn the by the team.

Between this time and up until the 1950s, the club went under another moniker, at times called the Wingecarribee Rugby League Club which included Robertson.

Moss Vale Blues won its first premiership in 1920 with only a handful of teams in the competition at that time.

In 1933 the Berrima District League was formed to control football in the district and Tom Friend, a Moss Vale clubman, was appointed a delegate to a meeting of Country Rugby League officials in 1934.

Moss Vale cut ties with Robertson to become a stand alone team and in 1952, coached by former Newtown winger Ted McKinley, lost to Picton in the grand final.

In 1953 Moss Vale won its first premiership under the Group 6 banner defeating Picton at Mittagong by a field goal to Jim Daley.

The team consisted of Trevor Luke, Johnny Mason, Ian Clarke, Red Roche, Jim Daley, Billy Beverdige, Frank Foodey, Leo Cummings, Rob McGregor, Ray Partridge, 'Bokka' Ryan (captain) and Frank 'Farook' Wilson.

Partridge became the first Moss Vale player to represent Country.

Foodey went on to play for North Sydney but came back to Moss Vale in 1955 to captain/coach.

Moss Vale picked up the title in 1955 and were runners up in 59, 60, 61 and 62.

In the 1950s Moss Vale changed from its sky blue strip and adopted a red and white striped jumper.

In 1959, the club's jumpers became white with a red V and Moss Vale became known as the Dragons.

Moss Vale made the 1959 grand final, losing to local rivals Mittagong 6-5.

Moss Vale player Ian Clarke played approximately 30 years of senior football and is the most capped Dragons player.

In 1975 Moss Vale dropped down to second division and made the grand final that year only to be beaten by the Berrima Colts.

Moss Vale won the premiership in 1982 defeating Campbelltown City 28-13 and defeated Camden to win the 1984 premiership 36-12.

In 1985 Moss Vale again made the grand final but lost 14-8 to Picton.

Current Moss Vale Junior Dragons president Matthew Burke has been involved with the club for almost 30 years.

His family has been involved with the Dragons since the 1940s.

"It's been a bit of a family thing for us and we're just trying to get it back to a family club and get the community involved again. That's probably what's been missing the last few years," he said.

Another significant premiership for the Dragons was in 1990 where Moss Vale beat Mittagong 20-12.

"I was actually at that game so it was good to see. They had a pretty good team through the 80s and into the 90s so there were some good years in the late 80s."

Former Parramatta and Souths hooker Ken Stewart coached the Dragons in the 93 and 94 seasons.

Owen Saunders, a former Moss Vale Dragons and Illawarra Steeler, returned to captain/coach the side in 95 with moderate success.

Burke said with players such as Saunders, Nathan Hindmarsh and Scott Geddes coming through the club, the Dragons needed to continue to nurture its up and coming talent.

"Now we've got the likes of Ray Stone, Tom Angel and Lachie MacClean that are starting to make their way through junior rep levels. It's very important for the club to remain afloat to keep developing these kids."

In 2005 Moss Vale re-entered first grade for the first time since 2001.

It was a long time between drinks for the Dragons who didn't win another premiership until 2010.

"There were a lot of local blokes who were involved that the club had done a lot of work with.

"That was good to be part of and reserve grade was also very competitive that year so it was a good year for the club all round."

After winning the premiership, the Dragons have had a couple of hard years, dropping back to second division and are now in reserve grade.

"We've found it's just too big a step to go back into first grade so that's why we're trying to stick with reserve grade this year."

A one man club, Burke said there had been times when he had the opportunity to leave the club.

"We've had some tough years but I decided to stay here and I don't regret it for a minute.

"I grew up around the club, I've made some lifelong friends and had some really good times.

"You get to see kids that were seven-years-old playing first grade. It's been good in that regard to be around the one club so long."

And without volunteers, clubs like Moss Vale would not exist.

"There's been a lot of life members that have put just as much in and probably got less back than the players. The volunteers are the ones that have kept it running and our hats have got to go off to them."

To celebrate the club's 100th year, Moss Vale Dragons will hold a weekend of celebrations on July 19 and 20 with home games on Saturday and Sunday along with a dinner at Moss Vale Services Club on the Saturday night.