The St George Illawarra Dragons will recommence their 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership campaign against the New Zealand Warriors at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday, May 30 (3pm). This is your Round 3 game guide.
Thank you New Zealand Warriors
The NRL would not be back if not for the commitment and sacrifices of the New Zealand Warriors. However unconventional, the Dragons wish to thank their upcoming opponents for making this weekend, and (at least) the next 17, possible.
While our recent record against the Warriors hasn't been pretty – the Dragons have lost the past three clashes – this game is shaping up as one of the more intriguing of the weekend.
The injury-ravaged Warriors won't be taken lightly, with the average punter boosting the boys across the ditch's fanship. It's up to the Red V to play bad guy and knock down everyone's new second favourite team for the sake of their own season fortunes.
Footy's back… can you believe it?
It's been nine bloody long weeks for rugby league fans everywhere.
If you thought being confined to the four walls of our own homes was bad, the grim prospect of having no sport on the television was even worse (unless the Belarusian soccer league was your thing).
That changes on Thursday night when Parramatta travel to Broncos territory, and sure that's great, but let's not kid ourselves… the événement principal will occur in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.
Red V changes aplenty
The forced break has been fantastic for some teams in the NRL, and the Dragons have not been immune to the benefits.
Our Round 3 team has been boosted by the return of skipper Cameron McInnes, the Sims brothers Korbin and Tariq and the Fijian flyer on the flank in Mikaele Ravalawa.
Matt Dufty retains the No. 1 jumper which has seen Zac Lomax pair with Brayden Wiliame in the centres; a new-look three-quarters for the Red V.
With no Canterbury Cup NSW for the wider squad to immerse themselves within in 2020, the gauntlet has been thrown down by coach Paul McGregor this week for the first choice 17 to perform or face the punt.
Two decades of separation
When St George Illawarra's return was marked down for Central Coast Stadium, historians scrambled to find the last time the Red V swung by Gosford way.
The Dragons in fact have only played in the Central Coast once, way back in 2000, and although former fullback Luke Patten scored a hat-trick on the day, it would be Northern Eagles halfback Jason Taylor who proved the difference in the Round 4 clash.
Now is the time to equal the ledger, two decades on, although sadly the big inflatable sauce bottles of A-League fame will not be in attendance.
Red V membership update
The Dragons are currently finalising details regarding the outcome of 2020 ticketed memberships affected by COVID-19.
We will be contacting ticketed members by email shortly to explain all details and options available to members. The club understands this has been a difficult time for all and appreciate your patience and commitment to the Dragons.
