RUGBY LEAGUE
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He's played in Tests, State of Origins, finals and grand finals but playing on Australia's most sacred day is a footballing experience like no other for Dragons skipper Ben Creagh.
Saturday's clash with the Roosters will be the 10th straight time Creagh has played for the Anzac Day Cup - the most of any player in the annual fixture.
His first match came in 2005 when a sideline conversion from Matthew Head - in the dying minutes - sealed a dramatic 26-24 victory for the Dragons.
The Dragons have enjoyed most of the big moments on April 25 since - including Creagh's match-winning try in front of a then record 40,164 fans in the 2012 match - yet suffered heavy defeats in the past two matches.
"Mick Weyman did all the work in 2012, I think I just trailed up on the inside and fell over," Creagh said.
"But I've had some good memories and it's my favourite game of the year.
"The emotion is special - the game and atmosphere is something you don't get to experience every week.
"The last couple of years haven't been our best performances on Anzac Day and that's been disappointing."
The NRL will mark the Anzac centenary with five games in two countries and three states on Saturday but the traditional clash between the old rivals will take pride of place at 4pm at a sold out Allianz Stadium.
"It's very emotional and very special day to play on," Creagh said.
"To know it's going to be sold out every year, there's something special attached to this game.
"There's not many normal club games where you go out there and feel that much passion from the crowd and those remembering the Anzacs who have passed away and [those] who are currently serving.
"It's a privilege to play in front of those people."
To make the occasion more special for Creagh, the match will be his 250th first grade game
"I don't think there'll be too many milestones like this that I'll achieve in my career so this week is pretty special for me," Creagh said.
"When you say 250 [games] it's a lot, I feel very lucky to have played them all for the one club.
"To grow up in the region and play with the Illawarra Steelers and then play 250 games with the Dragons is pretty special and to play it on Anzac Day is a huge bonus for me."
Having just turned 30, Creagh - off contract this year - hopes there are many more games to come in the Red V but he's in no rush to settle his future.
"That'll sort itself out as time goes on," he said.
"I'm not a 22-year-old looking to do a big deal or a long-term contract.
"I'm coming to the end of my career [in] the next couple of years and as this year goes on I'll sort my contract out for the next year or two."