The Dragons tackle the Canberra Raiders as the club pays homage to founding club Illawarra Steelers' 40th anniversary celebrations. This is your Round 16 game day guide.
Wet weather update
The St George Illawarra Dragons have provided the following update regarding its Round 16 NRL Telstra Premiership fixture against the Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday, July 3.
Due to the significant rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours, and with further rainfall forecast across the day; the decision has been made to cancel the Knock On Effect NSW Cup and Score Dragons curtain-raisers. Gates will now open at 2:15pm.
For those attending, please take care on the roads and allow plenty of time for travel.
Stay up-to-date with live traffic conditions via Live Traffic NSW.
Umbrellas are permitted in WIN Stadium but must not be opened or raised in the seating areas at any time.
Ticket upgrades to grandstand seats are available. Please visit the box office prior to entry with your original ticket.
Please also note that the Dragons' Jersey Flegg fixture set down for Ziems Park on Sunday has also been relocated to Canberra.
Steelers 40th Anniversary
Sunday's match with the Raiders holds extra significance as the Dragons celebrate 40 years since founding club the lllawarra Steelers were founded.
The Dragons will wear a commemorative Steelers jersey to mark the occasion (buy one here) and will have the eyes of plenty of Steelers old boys watching on from the stands.
For those who make the trip to WIN Stadium on Sunday there will also be a commemorative poster handed out at the entry gates, plus a very special guest appearance from one of the most iconic Steelers.
Don't forget to dust off your Steelers gear because those in attendance who wear a retro Steelers jersey will have a chance to win a special prize.
Due to the inclement weather, please see below changes to the gates open time.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
General public and corporate gates – 2:15pm
NRL kick-off - Dragons v Raiders – 4.05pm
Guess the Steeler
Do you know who these three former Steelers are? Play the video to find out!
Name that Steeler
Beanies for Brain Cancer
NRL clubs, players and fans will unite for a good cause this week in the annual Beanies for Brain Cancer Round.
Across five seasons more than $15 millions has been raised and now the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) hopes to raise $3 million and sell 175,000 beanies during this year's Beanie for Brain Cancer Round.
The NRL and the Dragons are encouraging fans to buy a beanie or make a donation by visiting the Mark Hughes Foundation to help raise funds towards researching treatments and cures for brain cancer.
Tale of the tape
After 32-12 drubbing of last year's grand finalists, why change a thing?
That's exactly what coach Anthony Griffin has done this week naming an unchanged side to take on the green machine. Captain Ben Hunt has been named to play despite his monumental effort for Queensland last weekend.
As for Ricky Stuart's men, they're boosted by the return of Jack Wighton (COVID protocols) while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has also been named to return (hamstring injury) on the bench.
Plenty to play for
As the finals rapidly grow closer the battle for the top eight continues to heat up and both the Dragons and the Raiders are right in the mix sitting 8th and 11th respectively.
The Raiders are just one win behind the Dragons and boast a better for and against so a win would mean they leap frog the Dragons.
But the Dragons can solidify their position in the top eight with a victory and leave them in good stead heading into the home straight.
