Dragons confirm home game split

Following the much anticipated formal advice by the Minister for the Illawarra, Greg Pearce, that a remediation timetable has been confirmed and work has commenced on WIN Stadium's Western Grandstand, the St George Illawarra Dragons today confirmed the Club's home venue schedule for the 2012 season.

The NSW Government and Illawarra Venues Authority (IVA) have committed to the Dragons that WIN Stadium will be available and complete to host six NRL games at the back end of the 2012 NRL season, with remediation works scheduled to be completed by June 2012.

The well documented issues of the roof structure at WIN Stadium have been an ongoing concern since winds severely damaged the structure on Tuesday, September 20 last year, and today's announcement by Minister Pearce ends months of uncertainty and speculation.

"The Club is very pleased the NSW Government has resolved this very complex matter for all stakeholders involved and I thank and congratulate the Minister of the Illawarra, Greg Pearce, and the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley, for their efforts and diligence", said Peter Doust, St George Illawarra Dragons CEO.

“The Dragons have always been committed to playing in the Illawarra at WIN Stadium in 2012 with the uncertainty of our scheduling being a direct result of the roof being damaged last September.

“Before finalizing our intentions for this year we have been waiting for assurances regarding the reconstruction methodology and details of timelines concerning the completion of the western grandstand.

“It was very important for us to protect the interests of our Partners, Red Members and supporters, and ensure all of the complexities involved in this project that may have impacted on our key stakeholders and overall business interests were correctly addressed.

“The Club recognizes there is a lot of work needed to be done between now and Monday, June 8, which marks the week leading into Round 15 and the Dragons opening home game at WIN Stadium against the Bulldogs. We are pleased the NSW Government will closely communicate with us on all key milestones throughout the implementation of the construction program.”

As a result, the Dragons will play five of their opening six home games of the 2012 NRL season at WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah with the venue hosting some mouth watering Sydney derby encounters against Wests Tigers (Round 3); Manly Sea-Eagles (Round 4); Newcastle Knights (Round 7); South Sydney Rabbitohs (Round 11) and Parramatta Eels (Round 12).

The annual ANZAC Day clash against the Sydney Roosters in Round 8 will be played at the Sydney Football Stadium as a Dragons home game.

The Red will then return to WIN Stadium, Wollongong once the Western Grandstand is fully operational, as assured by the NSW Government and IVA, in time to accommodate clashes against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Round 15); Gold Coast Titans (Round 16); Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Round 19); Melbourne Storm (Round 21); North Queensland Cowboys (Round 24) and New Zealand Warriors (Round 25).

Doust also took the opportunity to thank Dragons members for their patience and continued support.

"More than 12,000 Red Members have already committed to the Dragons program ahead of the 2012 season, and this announcement today provides clarity for them, as well as the many Dragons supporters in the Illawarra, on the number and quality of games to be played at WIN Stadium this season", Doust said.

"It will be a big occasion when we host the Bulldogs in our first home game at WIN Stadium in June, so I would encourage all Red fans to join as members today to secure their tickets.”

Home Ground Allocations - Season 2012: