Dragons boss Peter Doust is ‘‘exploring the many and varied opportunities on offer as contingencies’’, to possibly play games at other venues next year due to the calamitous situation at WIN Stadium.
While NSW Minister for Sport Graham Annesley - the former NRL operations manager - has assured fans there will be some games played in Wollongong in 2012, it’s always handy to have a Plan B of your own.
Supporters should know more when the design and timetable for the re-re-modelled grandstand is released in January.
Then it’s all about racing the clock for what would be the first home game against Canterbury in June, if the city is to have its full allotment of six games.
But, if the roof blows off the best laid plans again, here’s five things the ‘‘in Wayne we trust’’, sorry, I mean ‘‘in Steve we believe’’ throng can do without worshiping the Steeden in their own backyard.
Travel more
That's right, stop complaining.
Without the full schedule of games, Wollongong-based Dragons would be able to see more of the countryside next year, so be ready to grab the kids and pack the car.
The Wests Tigers have made their home at the Sydney Football Stadium, among 23 other metropolitan venues between there and Campbelltown.
And what’s good enough for Tim Moltzen is good enough for the club he rejected.
In any case, Doust should be encouraged to take games to western Sydney to help fight the war on AFL out there.
Sure, it would hand the home ground advantage to rival teams like the Bulldogs, but this is for the greater good people, the greater good.
And if you want to save your hard earned, stay at home and watch the games on television so you can instead spend it on the doomsday trip to Canberra.
Get on the Illawarra (don’t call them the Steelers) bandwagon
They may not be the Steelers, but the Illawarra does have a presence in the NSW Cup next year.
The team is also coached by Steelers great Paul McGregor, who took Wests to the past three Carlton League titles.
They will wear the famous scarlet-and-white and play at WIN Stadium.
Don’t get too excited, they’ll be playing on the back training field, so if too many of you go, you may not all fit.
And if you are cheering for them, don’t call them the Steelers.
Change sports
One of the main attractions about Football South Coast’s bid to have a team in the elite women’s football league in Australia next season, is because of the other facilities at WIN Stadium.
Admittedly, you’ll have to wait until October, but the likely average crowd means South Coast could play there without the western grandstand needing to be open, so who cares if the roof is fixed or not.
Considering the success of three-time reigning NSW Premier League champions the Illawarra Stingrays and the brilliance of young gun Caitlin Foord - surely a marquee player target if South Coast gain entry - it could be an instant hit.
The Illawarra might have its next premiership as early January 2013.
Get in the Olympic spirit
Become an instant fan of handball, badminton, archery or judo watching next year’s London Olympic Games.
Do it from the comfort of your own lounge, starting with the opening ceremony which begins in July, just when the Dragons would have been playing at WIN Stadium.
Or, if you really have saved some cash, buy a ticket to the old dart and watch it live.
The true believers can still be back in time to watch Steve Price’s first finals campaign, because they believe in Steve.
Go to the beach
If the weather is this miserable in December, surely it will be scorching in July. Lousy climate change.
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