Luke Dorn Explained

Luke Dorn
Fullname:Luke Dorn
Birth Date:2 July 1982
Birth Place:Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Height:175cm (69inches)
Weight:86kg (190lb)[1]
Club1:Northern Eagles
Year1start:2002
Appearances1:19
Tries1:2
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:8
Year2start:2003
Appearances2:18
Tries2:3
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:12
Club3:Sydney Roosters
Year3start:2004
Appearances3:1
Tries3:0
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:0
Year4start:2005
Year4end:06
Appearances4:58
Tries4:42
Goals4:0
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:168
Year5start:2007
Appearances5:27
Tries5:11
Goals5:0
Fieldgoals5:0
Points5:44
Club6:Castleford Tigers
Year6start:2008
Appearances6:26
Tries6:19
Goals6:1
Fieldgoals6:0
Points6:78
Year7start:2009
Year7end:13
Appearances7:108
Tries7:68
Goals7:1
Fieldgoals7:0
Points7:274
Club8:Castleford Tigers
Year8start:2014
Year8end:16
Appearances8:59
Tries8:45
Goals8:0
Fieldgoals8:0
Points8:180
Yearastart:2004
Appearancesa:1
Triesa:1
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:4
Retired:yes
Source:[2] [3] [4]
Updated:8 January 2024

Luke Dorn (born 2 July 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a and in the NRL and the Super League in the 2000s and 2010s.

He played for the Northern Eagles, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League. He played for the London Broncos, Salford City Reds, Harlequins RL and the Castleford Tigers (Heritage No. 882) in two separate spells in the European Super League.

Background

Dorn was born in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, and played junior rugby league for the East Maitland Griffins and Morpeth Bulls. He represented the Australian Schoolboys team in 2000 whilst attending Maitland All Saints College.[5]

Playing career

Dorn made his first grade debut for the Northern Eagles in round 4 of the 2002 NRL season. He played in the club's final game in round 26 of the same year when they lost to Penrith 68–28. The following year, the Northern Eagles reverted to Manly and Dorn played in their first game back in the competition, a 20–30 loss against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium.[6] In 2005 he moved to the Super League competition, joining the London Broncos, scoring 23 tries in 28 games in his first season and developing a reputation as a prolific try scorer. In 2007 Dorn moved to the Salford City Reds,[7] but was less successful and the team was relegated at the end of the season. Dorn then joined the Castleford Tigers in 2008, scoring 19 tries in 26 games,[8] before returning to the London Broncos (then known as Harlequins RL) in 2009.[9] [10] In total Dorn played for the London Broncos 160 times in two spells, becoming the club's all-time record try scorer with 104 tries. He scored his 100th try for the Broncos in a spell where he scored eight tries in two back to back games.

At the end of 2013, Dorn signed for the Castleford Tigers for a second time.[11] Castleford coach, Daryl Powell, said of him: "Luke is a player I have admired for a long time, his ability to play at half-back or full-back is massive and his leadership qualities and experience make him a key recruitment for us next season."

He enjoyed a career resurgence in 2014 and appeared in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium,[12] his first major final.

The following year, he signed a one-year extension to his contract.[13] He played only 14 times in the 2015 season due to injuries, scoring ten tries.[14] Dorn retired from Super League Rugby at the end of the 2016 season and returned to Australia.[15] He played for Maitland Pickers in 2017, becoming player-coach for the 2018 season before retiring from playing at the end of the year.[16] [17] [18]

Statistics

Year Team Matches Tries Goals Field Goals Points
2002 Northern Eagles192008
2003 Manly Sea Eagles1830012
2004 Sydney Roosters10000
2005London Broncos31240096
2006 Harlequins RL27180072
2007 Salford City Reds29110044
2008 Castleford Tigers26191076
2009 Harlequins RL22130052
2010 Harlequins RL19180072
2011 Harlequins RL23151062
2012 London Broncos24160064
2013 London Broncos2060024
2014 Castleford Tigers24190076
2015 Castleford Tigers14100040
2016 Castleford Tigers21140056

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Castleford Tigers 1st Team Luke Dorn. 2015. Official Castleford Tigers web site. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd. 22 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150622173958/http://www.castigers.com/player/485. 22 June 2015. dead.
  2. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Luke-Dorn loverugbyleague
  3. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Luke_Dorn.html RLP
  4. http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Luke-Dorn_158.aspx Yesterday's Hero
  5. Web site: Australian Schoolboys. Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League. sportingpulse.com. 13 April 2011. January 2011 .
  6. Web site: Manly tell Dorn: look elsewhere . The Sydney Morning Herald . 3 July 2019 . 18 September 2003.
  7. Web site: Salford land Dorn on two year deal . Manchester Evening News . 3 July 2019 . 15 February 2007.
  8. Web site: Gordon . James . Luke Dorn returns to Castleford . Love Rugby League . 3 July 2019 . 10 September 2013.
  9. Web site: Burke . David . Harlequins coach Brian McDermott gets his man . The Telegraph . 3 July 2019 . 20 September 2006.
  10. Web site: Dorn of a new era at Harlequins. https://archive.today/20120912052943/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23640140-dorn-of-a-new-era-at-harlequins.do. dead. 12 September 2012. 12 February 2009. Evening Standard. London. 9 December 2011.
  11. Web site: Luke Dorn: Castleford sign London Broncos utility back . BBC Sport . 3 July 2019 . 10 September 2013.
  12. Web site: Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford. The Guardian. London. 23 August 2014. 12 November 2019.
  13. Web site: Luke Dorn: Castleford Tigers half-back signs contract extension . BBC Sport . 3 July 2019 . 1 April 2015.
  14. Web site: Dorn to hang up boots at end of season . ITV News . 3 July 2019 . 13 May 2016.
  15. Web site: Luke Dorn: Family inspired Australia return for Castleford Tigers favourite . BBC Sport . 3 July 2019 . 27 September 2016.
  16. Web site: Callinan . Josh . Newcastle Rugby League: Maitland Pickers captain-coach Luke Dorn set to finish decorated playing career . Newcastle Herald . 3 July 2019 . 12 July 2018.
  17. Web site: Hartshorn . Michael . Maitland Pickers name Luke Dorn as first grade coach . Newcastle Herald . 3 July 2019 . 12 August 2017.
  18. Web site: Callinan . Josh . Pickers recruit Luke Dorn back in Maitland after 12 years in English Super League . Newcastle Herald . 3 July 2019 . 17 November 2016.