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6 months ago
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Ben Hornby has been ushered in as South Sydney's interim coach for the remainder of the NRL season - and many footy fans want to know, who exactly is he?
Hornby, 44, also has one of the best nicknames in the sport - 'Me So Hornby', a clever take-off from a scene in the famed 1980s drama movie Full Metal Jacket.
Dragons fans often proudly displayed the cheeky sign during Hornby's decorated playing career, especially at home games staged at Kogarah Oval in Sydney's south and WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
After growing on the NSW south coast, Hornby was graded by the St George Illawarra Dragons and made his NRL debut in 2000 against the Panthers.
Primarily playing in the halves or as a fullback, Hornby soon became a key figure for the Dragons alongside the likes of Mark Gasnier, Matt Cooper and Trent Barrett.
Ben Hornby (pictured, right) has been ushered in as South Sydney's interim coach for the remainder of the NRL season
Hornby played for the Dragons between 2000 and 2012, and captained the club to the NRL premiership in 2010
Hornby, 44, also has one of the best nicknames in the sport - 'Me So Hornby', a clever take-off from a scene in the 1980s drama movie Full Metal Jacket (pictured, a sign at WIN Stadium in Wollongong held by a Dragons fan)
He represented the NSW Blues in three games across 2004 to 2008, with his crowning achievement as a player captaining the Dragons to victory in the 2010 NRL grand final versus the Roosters.
Hornby then turned his attention to coaching, working with the Dragons in junior development before rising through the ranks to be an assistant NRL coach at the joint venture club.
Next was a move to the Rabbitohs, where Hornby worked under Wayne Bennett and Jason Demetriou.
Having won a premiership with Bennett at the Red V in 2010, Hornby is tipped to step aside should the 'Supercoach' return to the Bunnies as head coach next year.
The 44-year-old (pictured at Souths training) first cut his teeth as an NRL assistant coach with the Dragons
CEO Blake Solly confirmed on Wednesday the club will contact Bennett in relation to a second stint at the club, who he guided to the 2021 grand final.
'Wayne is one of the coaches we will talk to,' Solly said.
'Wayne had great success, he left the club on very good terms. We will speak to Wayne and if he's available and interested, certainly we will progress that.
'I think we want someone who can get the best out of the playing group.
'And we also want a coach that understands the values and heritage and history of this club.'
Hornby has a tough assignment first up in the hot seat - on Thursday night, his team tackle the Panthers at Sydney Olympic Park.
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