St George Illawarra Dragons Captain Ben Creagh is looking forward to several games in the 2014 campaign, but his "favourite game of the year" is the marquee fixture on ANZAC Day.
This season will mark the 13th occasion that the Dragons play the Sydney Roosters on the special day, which this year takes place on Friday, April 25.
Creagh will be suiting up in the Red V to play against the Roosters for the 11th time on an ANZAC Day and does not hesitate to declare it is "honestly one of my favourite games of the year".
"I've been lucky enough to play the Anzac game with the Dragons the past 10 years," he said.
"It's a big occasion to play in front of 30- or 40-thousand fans on such a special day in Australia," said Creagh.
"It's a huge buzz and we're very privileged to be a part of it.
"It's a public holiday, there's a lot of Dragons fans, a lot of Roosters fans, it's a great atmosphere, the Blackhawk helicopter comes in before the game, the jet flies over sometimes it's a very big day."
The Dragons have in fact dominated the clash historically, winning nine of 12 such meetings to date.
And prior to the streak being broken in 2013 the Red V was triumphant in five consecutive years, from 2008 to 2012.
Creagh himself scored a double in the 28-24 win in 2012 and the sense of occasion is certainly not lost on him.
Because the April 25 date is locked in, the players know each year they only have to wait until Round 7 or 8 for the game to roll around just enough time to hopefully hit the game in a bit of form, according to Creagh.
"Hopefully you've got a few wins under your belt by that stage and a bit of confidence because it definitely helps playing in the big games, both teams lift on such a big occasion," said Creagh.
Click here to March With Us in 2014!
Click here for the Dragons 2014 Draw.
This season will mark the 13th occasion that the Dragons play the Sydney Roosters on the special day, which this year takes place on Friday, April 25.
Creagh will be suiting up in the Red V to play against the Roosters for the 11th time on an ANZAC Day and does not hesitate to declare it is "honestly one of my favourite games of the year".
"I've been lucky enough to play the Anzac game with the Dragons the past 10 years," he said.
"It's a big occasion to play in front of 30- or 40-thousand fans on such a special day in Australia," said Creagh.
"It's a huge buzz and we're very privileged to be a part of it.
"It's a public holiday, there's a lot of Dragons fans, a lot of Roosters fans, it's a great atmosphere, the Blackhawk helicopter comes in before the game, the jet flies over sometimes it's a very big day."
The Dragons have in fact dominated the clash historically, winning nine of 12 such meetings to date.
And prior to the streak being broken in 2013 the Red V was triumphant in five consecutive years, from 2008 to 2012.
Creagh himself scored a double in the 28-24 win in 2012 and the sense of occasion is certainly not lost on him.
Because the April 25 date is locked in, the players know each year they only have to wait until Round 7 or 8 for the game to roll around just enough time to hopefully hit the game in a bit of form, according to Creagh.
"Hopefully you've got a few wins under your belt by that stage and a bit of confidence because it definitely helps playing in the big games, both teams lift on such a big occasion," said Creagh.
Click here to March With Us in 2014!
Click here for the Dragons 2014 Draw.
