The power games around sport in Wollongong took another twist this week.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg was in town, on a goodwill mission to talk to the Dragons players and staff about the future of the game in a contentious climate of television deals, poor crowds and shoulder charges.

As St George Illawarra prepare for a likely finals campaign, Sydney FC booked a WIN Stadium pre-season double-header, all too aware of football's appeal in the Illawarra.

For the FFA, it's another test of the region's willingness to support the world game at a time when our heads should be turned in the NRL's direction.

The Sydney FC A-League and W-League fixtures will be held on the second weekend of NRL play-offs, so even if the Dragons are still alive, they will be playing away.

Then again, St George Illawarra could have won the minor premiership and be denied the chance to play at WIN Stadium, under the finals rules.

At the same time, Sydney FC are determined to remain in the hearts and minds of Illawarra football fans.

The Sky Blues are the biggest opponents of the southern Sydney-South Coast super club joining the A-League, because it locks them in geographically.

The South Coast Wolves' run to the NSW National Premier League finals was not only their own feel-good fairytale, but also offered renewed momentum for the code at a time when the club is wrestling with the huge cost of hosting games at Illawarra's premier venue.

Remember, the Wolves are only playing at WIN Stadium to tick off the criteria on FFA's checklist.

Meanwhile, Football South Coast officials, having finally shrugged off the funk of being dudded over the Home of Political Football development at west Dapto, must continue to be ever patient.

The FFA continues to deal with ongoing financial problems with existing A-League teams, the latest flare up coming when league boss David Gallop threatened Brisbane Roar owners the Bakrie Group to pay their debts or lose their licence.

Football officials can map out all the visions for the game they like, but skies are quickly clouded when three A-League clubs deal with financial issues and Perth Glory recover from the salary cap scandal that rocked the game.

With patience comes reward, even if it's in the form of a seemingly innocent pre-season fixture to keep the region interested.

It also comes at a time when the Illawarra Hawks and the NBL are re-pushing into the region's sporting market.

The NBL made a shrewd move to sign NBA star Patty Mills as an ambassador this week in a bid to broaden basketball's appeal and league owner Larry Kestelman publicly announced his confidence in an imminent television deal.

The on-court dust-up involving Larry Davidson - and the entire coaching staff of US College team Berkeley from California - during a trial game at the Snakepit, shows the Hawks mean business.

After all the heartache of the voluntary administration process, the Hawks have moved quickly to sign a title-challenging roster, including Kevin Lisch, Kirk Penney and AJ Ogilvy, who was impressive in the Hawks' first game.

The Hawks are no longer relying on an emotional sense of community for support, they are determined to demand the Illawarra's attention with playing talent the envy of Australian basketball.

Finals countdown

It's finals time and the Illawarra Mercury wants to share the action with you.

During the finals series of all senior and junior sport throughout August and September, use the #mercuryfinals hashtag of you in sporting gear at the game with friends and family.

So if you are at the Illawarra Premier League, Illawarra Coal League, Group Seven, Illawarra rugby, hockey, baseball, netball or AFL South Coast, send us your photos and we will post them online.

We'll also provide score updates through the finals series, as well as changes or cancellations after the big wet.

But you don't have to be involved with the Illawarra's premier sporting competitions, we're looking for the best senior and junior photos from across the region. The Mercury will have prizes during the finals for the best photos, just make sure you include the hashtag #mercuryfinals. You can find the Mercury sport Twitter account using @illawarramerc and @mercury_sports, or the Mercury Facebook page.