Jamie Soward

Jamie Soward
Soward playing for the Dragons in 2008
Personal information
Born 13 November 1984
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Height 176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position Five-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–06 Sydney Roosters 22 6 1 0 26
2007–13 St George Illawarra 140 39 398 25 977
2013 London Broncos 9 5 24 1 69
2014– Penrith Panthers 27 7 67 1 163
Total 198 57 490 27 1235
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 Aboriginal dreamteam 1 1 5 0 14
2009–11 Country Origin 2 0 1 0 2
2010–11 Indigenous All stars 2 1 0 0 4
2011 New South Wales 3 0 9 0 18
Source: [1]

Jamie Soward (born 13 November 1984) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin and Indigenous All-Stars representative five-eighth, he previously played for the Sydney Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons (with whom he won the 2010 NRL Premiership) before a season in Super League with the London Broncos.

Early years

Born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Soward played his junior rugby league for the Wagga Wagga Kangaroos before Soward began his career in the Canberra Raiders system, before moving to play with the Sydney Roosters Jersey Flagg side where he helped the club win the 2004 premiership with two last-ditch field goals.[2]

Playing career

2005

In Round 9 of the 2005 NRL season, Soward made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters at halfback against the Newcastle Knights in the Roosters 32-2 win at SFS.[3] Six days before his debut, Soward’s father Peter Soward unfortunately died from a heart attack.[4] In Round 17 against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium, Soward scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 28-14 win.[5] Soward played in 7 matches and scored 2 tries) in his debut year in the NRL for the Roosters in the 2005 NRL season.

2006

Soward finished the 2006 NRL season with him playing in 14 matches, scoring 4 tries and kicking 1 goal for the Roosters.

2007

Half-way into the 2007 season, he was given an immediate release from the Sydney Roosters to join the St George Illawarra Dragons after being in and out of first grade and premier league in his years with the Roosters.[6][7] Soward played 1 match for the Roosters in the 2007 NRL season in Round 11 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium in the Roosters 13-12 win.[8]

One week after he was released from the Sydney Roosters, Soward made his club debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 12 against the Brisbane Broncos at Oki Jubilee Stadium. Soward kicked 1 goal and kicked 1 field goal in the understrength Dragons team 11-4 win against a full strength Broncos team.[9][10] In Round 14 against the Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium, Soward scored his first club try for the Dragons as well kicking 2 goals in the 20-12 loss.[11] In Round 17 Soward set a new record for most points by an individual in a game for the Dragons with 22 points (1t 9g), achieved when they defeated the Canberra Raiders 58-16 at WIN Stadium.[12] Soward played in 14 matches, scored 7 tries, kicked 38 goals and kicked 1 field goal in his first year as a Dragons player in the 2007 NRL season after making a successful move from the Sydney Roosters midseason.

2008

In 16 May 2008, Soward extended his contract with the Dragons to the end 2010 season. Soward finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches, scored 5 tries, kicked 54 goals and kicked 1 field goal for the Dragons.[13] Soward played at five-eighth in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup curtain opener match for the Indigenous Dreamtime team against the New Zealand Māori rugby league team, Soward scored 1 try and kicked 5 goals in the Dreamtime sides 34-26 win at SFS.[14]

2009

In Round 7, during the annual Anzac day match, the Dragons defeated Soward's previous club the Sydney Roosters 29-0 in which he scored a near club record 21 points.[15] In Round 12, Soward became the first player to pass 200 points for the 2009 season when he scored 14 points against the Penrith Panthers in the Dragons 38-10 win at Jubilee Oval.[16] While originally not selected, Soward was selected for Country in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009, due to injury to Ben Hornby. Soward played off the interchange bench in Country’s 40-18 loss to City at Wade Park in Orange.[17][18] Soward finished the 2009 season with the second most Dally M votes and was named the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year.[19][19] Soward finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 26 matches, scored 12 matches, kicked 90 goals and kicked 6 field goals for the Dragons in the 2009 season.

2010

In 13 February 2010, Soward was selected for the inaugural Indigenous All Stars team against the NRL All Stars at Cbus Super Stadium. Soward played off the interchange bench and scored a try as the Indigenous side 16-12 win.[20] In 8 March 2010, Soward re-signed with the Dragons to the end of the 2013 season.[21] In the Dragons ANZAC Day clash against the Sydney Roosters in Round 7 at SFS, Soward surpassed Mark Riddell as St George Illawarra's all-time top point scorer of 517 points. Soward kicked 4 goals in the Dragons 28-6 win to lead the St George Illawarra Dragons top point scorer with 522 points.[22] In Round 22 against the Sydney Roosters at SCG, Soward played his 100th NRL career match in the Dragons 19-12 win.[23] In Preliminary Final against the Wests Tigers at SFS, Soward slotted a field goal from 35 metres out to win the game 13-12 to send the Dragons to the 2010 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters, the St George Illawarra Dragons first Grand Final since 1999.[24] On 3 October 2010, Soward was a part of the St George Illawarra Dragons first Premiership as a joint venture, defeating his old club the Sydney Roosters 32-8 in the Grand Final. Soward set up the first try of the game for Mark Gasnier with a precision kick into the in-goal and his goal kicking also proved a major factor in the result as he slotted 6 from 7 including two memorable shots from the touchline into driving rain.[25] Soward played 26 matches, scored 6 tries, kicked 84 goals and kicked 5 field goals in a very successful year for Soward and the Dragons in the 2010 NRL season.

2011

On 13 January 2011, Soward was named in the "Blues in waiting" squad. A three day camp at Homebush from 21–23 January that will be coordinated by coach Ricky Stuart for players who he believes have potential to feature in future New South Wales Origin teams.[26] On 13 February 2011, Soward was chosen to play for the Indigenous All Stars off the interchange bench in the Indigenous side 28-12 loss to the NRL All Stars at Cbus Super Stadium.[27] On 28 February 2011, Soward played in the 2011 World Club Challenge against 2010's Super League XV champions Wigan Warriors, helping his side to a 21-15 victory with two goals and a field goal.[28] Soward was selected at five-eighth for the Country Origin team against the City team in the Country’s 18-12 win at Lavington Sports Ground in Albury.[29] On 15 May 2011, Soward was selected to represent the New South Wales Blues as a Five-Eighth against the Queensland Maroons in Game One of the 2011 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium. Although the Blues lost narrowly 16-12, Soward played an exceptional game kicking two goals.[30] In Game Two at ANZ Stadium, Soward had another exceptional kicking game, and also set up the match sealing try to win the match for the Blues 18-8 to force a deciding Game Three,[31] which the Blues lost 34-24 at Suncorp Stadium.[32] In Round 20 against the Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium, Soward played 100th NRL career match for the Dragons in the 24-19 loss.[33] Soward played in 23 matches, scored 4 tries, kicked 68 goals and kicked 5 field goals for the Dragons in the 2011 NRL season.

2012

Soward played in 20 matches, scored 2 tries, kicked 43 goals and kicked 3 field goals for the Dragons in the 2012 NRL season. In Round 26 against the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium, Soward played his 150th NRL career match in the Dragons 29-8 win in the retiring match for Dragons long serving players Ben Hornby and Dean Young as well as Parramatta’s Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt.[34]

2013

In 2013 Soward started not playing as well. The Dragons started losing matches and he was blamed partially for it. Eventually in Round 13 he got dropped to NSW Cup. 2 weeks later on 17 June 2013, Soward signed with the London Broncos in Europe's Super League for the rest of the 2013 season after a falling out with Dragons Coach Steve Price.[35] Soward played in 12 matches, scored 3 tries, kicked 21 goals and kicked 4 field goals in his final year with a 7 year stint for the Dragons in the 2013 NRL season before moving to the London Broncos. On 17 April 2013, Soward signed a 4-year deal with the Penrith Panthers starting from the 2014 season earning $3.6M during the 4 years.[36][37]

At London, Soward scored 67 points (5t 23g) in only 9 games, as well as helping the team to the Challenge Cup semi-finals, where they lost 0-70 to Wigan,[38] by scoring a try, a goal and a drop-goal in their 29-10 quarter-final win over Sheffield.[39]

2014

In February 2014, Soward was selected in the Panthers inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[40] In Round 1 against the Newcastle Knights at Penrith Stadium, Soward made his club debut for the Penrith Panthers, kicking 1 goal for the Panthers in the 30-8 win.[41] In Round 9 against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium, Soward scored his club first try for the Panthers in the 32-10 win.[42] In the Panthers Finals Week 1 match against minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters at SFS, Soward kicked a field goal in the last minute to win the match thrillingly for the Panthers 19-18.[43] Soward finished off a brilliant season in his first year with Panthers in the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 25 matches, scoring 7 tries, kicking 63 goals and kicking 1 field goal.

References

  1. ↑ RLP
  2. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/03/1096741889303.html?from=storylhs
  3. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Roosters-add-to-Knightss-nightmare/2005/05/08/1115491040754.html
  4. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/jamies-dad-will-be-his-inspiration/story-e6frexv9-1225708574597
  5. ↑ http://leagueunlimited.com/news/roosters-outclass-hapless-knights/
  6. ↑ http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=168544
  7. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-29/soward-to-make-dragons-debut-against-broncos/2562398
  8. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/roosters-win-golden-point-grudge-match/2007/05/26/1179601737878.html
  9. ↑ http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/lockyer-injured-as-broncos-fall-to-dragons/2007/06/01/1180205513194.html
  10. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-06-01/soward-shines-in-dragons-debut/2565800
  11. ↑ http://leagueunlimited.com/news/200th-game-all-good-for-hindmarsh
  12. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/dragons-humble-raiders/2007/07/08/1183833330665.html
  13. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/soward-signs-until-2010/story-e6frep7x-1111116359729
  14. ↑ http://leagueunlimited.com/news/aboriginal-side-too-good-for-maori/?redo=1
  15. ↑ "St George Illawarra Dragons silence the Roosters in Anzac Day shutout.". Fox Sports. 2009-04-25.
  16. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/st-george-dragons-beat-penrith-panthers-38-10/story-e6frep7x-1225718255241
  17. ↑ "St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Sowary". Fox Sports. 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  18. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/city-country-beat-city-origin-40-18-in-orange/story-e6frexv9-1225710445502
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 http://www.nrl.com/jarryd-hayne-storms-home-to-claim-dally-m-award/tabid/10874/newsid/56633/default.aspx
  20. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/indigenous-all-stars-win-historic-victory/story-e6frexnr-1225830078626
  21. ↑ http://m.nrl.com/official-release-soward-signs-on-until-2013/tabid/10874/newsid/57784/default.aspx
  22. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/st-george-illawarra-defeat-sydney-roosters-28-6-on-anzac-day-at-the-sfs/story-fn2mcuj6-1225919720783
  23. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-beat-sydney-roosters-at-scg/story-e6frexnr-1225902794317
  24. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/dragons-scrape-into-grand-final/story-e6frexnr-1225929402683
  25. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/st-george-illawarra-coach-wayne-bennett-says-grand-final-win-a-victory-for-true-believers/story-e6freuy9-1225933582360
  26. ↑ "Stuart names Blues in waiting". SMH. 2011-01-13.
  27. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-all-stars-defeat-the-indigenous-all-stars-28-12-at-skilled-park/story-e6frf3ou-1226005083135
  28. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-beat-wigan-warriors-to-win-world-club-challenge/story-e6frexnr-1226013251611
  29. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/country-beating-city-at-half-time/story-e6frexnr-1226051405697
  30. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/live-blog-for-state-of-origin-i-with-dominic-burke/story-e6frepbx-1226062691205
  31. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/new-south-wales-v-queensland-at-anz-stadium-state-of-origin-ii/story-fn31yxah-1226075905404
  32. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/johnathan-thurston-injured-as-queensland-mark-darren-lockyers-farewell-with-crushing-win-over-nsw/story-fn31yxah-1226089295128
  33. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/canberra-curse-continues-as-dragons-stumble-once-more-20110725-1hx7e.html
  34. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/young-hornby-get-fairytale-finish-as-st-george-illawarra-spoil-hindmarsh-burt-parramatta-farewell/story-fn2mcuj6-1226463440442
  35. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-release-jamie-soward-to-london-broncos-effective-immediately/story-e6frf3ou-1226665196354
  36. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons-star-jamie-soward-signs-with-penrith-panthers-according-to-reports/story-fn2mcuj6-1226622771159
  37. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/dragons-pivot-jamie-soward-signs-four-year-deal-with-penrith-panthers/story-fnca0von-1226622833375
  38. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/23412484
  39. ↑ http://www.thechallengecup.com/news_video/article/31246/
  40. ↑ http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/
  41. ↑ http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/all-tries-panthers-beat-knights-308--nrl-2014030820#axzz3SMT0tRsU
  42. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/fragile-newcastle-knights-last-after-3210-loss-to-penrith-panthers-20140511-zr9px.html
  43. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/jamie-soward-kicks-a-lastgasp-field-goal-as-the-panthers-stun-the-roosters-1918/story-fni3fbgz-1227057669137

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