Illawarra Mercury
September 6, 2002
Lance Thompson and Mark Gasnier are adamant the Dragons would be safely in the finals by now if they had played this year's Sydney home games at Kogarah Oval. The former St George juniors are proud and passionate fans of the famous ground, which will be the Sydney home base for the red and whites next year.
St George Illawarra have struggled this year at their makeshift Sydney venue, Aussie Stadium, winning two of their five home games.
Thompson, who played many games at Kogarah before the Dragons left the ground three years ago, cannot wait to return.
"I make no hesitation in saying that if we were playing here this year, we would have made the semifinals by now," he said.
Gasnier agreed: "I used to stay around after First Division in 1999, the year Trent (Barrett) was playing half-back, and they didn't lose too many back then."
Thompson has fond memories of Kogarah, going back many years.
"I scored my first try in first grade here. I played my first grand final here in the under 7s," he said.
"My memory of this ground is that it's a place that none of the other teams like to come to. We've won many a crucial game that we've had to win here.
"It's going to be enormous being back next year. The SFS is a neutral ground and the club realised that.
"With the team we're going to have next year, we're going to have a few inexperienced players and for them to play here will be a big bonus."
Gasnier has also graced the Kogarah turf on many occasions, but never as a first grader.
"That's why I'm so happy about the decision. It's going to be a great feeling playing in front of a packed house," he said. "I've played a lot of grand finals here as a junior but never in first grade."
The international centre believes the Dragons can make their Aussie Stadium swansong a winning one on Sunday when they take on Newcastle in a last-ditch bid to make the play-offs.
Gasnier admitted he kept a curious eye on Andrew Johns' judiciary proceedings, but said now that the Knights captain was playing the Dragons were even more fired up for victory.
"It doesn't really matter that he's playing. This is our last throw of the dice no matter what," he said.
"It's a simple equation. We've got to win."