The St George Leader
20th November 2001
ST GEORGE Illawarra have rejected the larger Stadium Australia and the antiquated Kogarah Oval and will again play their home games at the Sydney Football Stadium and WIN Stadium Wollongong.
Yesterday's decision means the Dragons will share the SFS with both the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney next season.
At the same time, hopes of building a new stadium in the St George district, as part of the planned Cooks Cove Arncliffe development, have been set back.
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust made the announcement when the club launched its Red V membership drive at St George Leagues Club yesterday, alongside club patron Prime Minister John Howard.
"One of our options was playing matches at Stadium Australia given the new reconfiguration," he said.
"We also actively supported unsuccessful development proposals for new stadiums in the St George district over the past 12 months and the option of returning to Kogarah Oval for some games in 2002 was also considered.
"However, after detailed investigation it was found the same obstacles were in place that saw the Dragons relocate to the SFS in 2000."
While traditional St George fans still want a home ground in the district, the decision to stay with the SFS where crowds increasd 18 per cent, rather than Stadium Australia at Homebush Bay, will appease many of them. Also, from April an upgraded WIN Stadium and a new stand will house about 6000 more fans with better facilities.
The prime minister congratulated the club on "the best amalgamation" of the three joint-venture clubs.
"You have been very clever in keeping the Wollongong and St George entities together and under a very recognisable red V," he said.
"The red V was part of the most successful period in rugby league history [St George's 11 consecutive premierships from 1956-1966]."
Brad Mackay, the only star to play for St George, Illawarra and the merged Dragons outfit, along with fellow internationals Mark Coyne, Paul McGregor and Rod Wishart, all received honorary Red V memberships yesterday alongside Kostya Tszyu.
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