Wayne Bennett appoints Ben Hornby as captain of St George Illawarra

St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett named former Test half-back Ben Hornby as the new captain of the Dragons for the 2009 NRL season on Thursday.

It is not the first time Hornby has been named skipper of the Dragons, the utility player sharing the duties with Jason Ryles and Mark Gasnier in 2007.

Gasnier was sole captain last year but along with Ryles left the club in the off-season.

Hornby, who made his debut in round 23 of 2000, has played 175 games in the NRL and is currently the most capped player since the joint venture club was formed.

“I have great respect for the history and traditions of this club and feel very proud and privileged to have been given the honour of captaincy,” Hornby said.

“It is also a huge honour and proud moment for my family as they have had a big influence over my upbringing and career.”

Bennett who has joined the club in 2009 spent the pre-season observing his players and believes Hornby is the right man for the job even though he has yet to pull on a jersey due to a shoulder injury.

“Although Ben has not been able to fully participate in all of the pre-season training due to injury, his interaction in and around training has convinced me that he is the right person for the job,” Bennett said.

“I also kept an eye on things when he fulfilled this role last year and I like his calm and balanced approach to things.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25143006-23214,00.html

WOO
i rekcon hornby will do good

I think this is the smartest choice. Works his butt off every game...and he'll lead from the front, whichever position he plays.

For some reason, I just didn't like Garnier as Dragons skipper last year. Didn't seem like a good leader.

Good choice, goodluck hornby

Yeah it's a good choice, though they should of gone with Matt Cooper in my opinion.

hornby is a great choice IMO.

would you have him at fullback as captain though?

he would have to be the halfback wouldnt he?

yehr i reckon he will be in halfback

I agree with Panthers, Cooper should have been named captain. Hes signed a 3 year deal (i think) so he will be there for a while, and he will make a great defensive team.

Saying that, nothing against Hornby hes still a good player. Hope he gets the nod at HB tho.

read in the courier today that he will play HB not FB. Good choice imo, Cooper doesn't scream leadership when I hear his name and Young and Creagh will get their op's in the future.