ST George Illawarra will use WIN Stadium to springboard their 2010 NRL season, playing five of the club's first six home games in Wollongong next year.With the redevelopment of WIN Stadium to start in mid-2010, the Dragons will honour their agreement to split games between Wollongong and Sydney.Wollongong fans will have to travel to Sydney after round 11 but will see the Bulldogs, Cowboys, Broncos, Sharks and Raiders at WIN Stadium beforehand.
AUDIO: Nathan Rees announces the WIN Stadium upgrade in October"We wanted to play down in Wollongong in front of our fans down there," coach Wayne Bennett said."I'm very happy with the way it has worked out. I think everyone at the club has done a wonderful job to provide football in Wollongong. Timing right for Sailor's new journey"It's great that we are going to get a new stadium down there and it will be ready for the following season."The Dragons have a great record at WIN, winning seven of their past eight games on the ground.Five early-season games in Wollongong promise a good start to the year for the Dragons, especially facing only two teams that played in this year's finals series."Don't worry about that - every game in the NRL is tough," Bennett said.The Dragons will also start their preseason games with the Illawarra Mercury Challenge against the Bulldogs at WIN Stadium on February 20.Finishing the NRL games at WIN Stadium before June will allow the $28.9 million redevelopment of the Western Grandstand to begin earlier."The recent funding announcement presented us with a good problem to have," Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said."We (wanted to) maximise the number of home games in our key southern community of Wollongong. "The exact start and finish date for the new grandstand is still unknown at this stage, but enough information was gathered from the relevant parties to enable this home game venue split decision to be made at this point."Dragons Red V memberships should be available before the end of the month.Everyone who signs up before the end of the year will be invited to a farewell party for Wendell Sailor in January.
