Blockbusters A Winner

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday October 30, 2008

By MICHAEL COX

BLOCKBUSTER home games against the Sea Eagles and Broncos are the highlights of Wollongong's allotment of home games for next season.

St George Illawarra released the home game schedule for 2009 yesterday and WIN Stadium has been granted the two marquee match-ups among its six games.

Defending premiers Manly will visit in round 18 while Wayne Bennett will face his former club, Brisbane, at WIN in round 24.

Bennett coached at the Broncos for 21 seasons, winning six premierships, and the clashes against the Queensland club are eagerly anticipated by league fans.

As well as the matches against the two traditional powerhouses, WIN Stadium will host games against Gold Coast (round two), New Zealand (round eight), Penrith (round 12) and North Queensland (round 14).

After playing six home fixtures at the cavernous ANZ Stadium last year, the Dragons will play their Sydney home games at a renovated Jubilee Oval in 2009.

Kogarah will play host to predominantly Sydney "derby" games, with the always fiery clash against the Sharks scheduled for round three. Other city rivals the Bulldogs (round 10), Roosters (round 17) and Eels (round 26) will make the trip across town to Kogarah.

Games against Newcastle (round six) and Melbourne (round 21) are also pencilled in for Jubilee Oval.

The Dragons have the benefit of byes before Origin II and after Origin III, while they will play Manly minus their representative players before Origin III.

A pre-season match against the Bulldogs will be played at WIN Stadium on February 21.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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