The St George Illawarra Dragons have announced their pre-season fixtures in the lead-up to the 2017 NRL Premiership season.
“The upcoming trial games are an important component of our overall pre-season preparation providing players the opportunity to implement what they have practiced, whether it be set-plays or new combinations, in a competitive environment,” said Dragons Head Coach Paul McGregor.
The Dragons first hit-out of the pre-season will be the fourth annual NRL Auckland Nines tournament which will take place at Eden Park, Auckland across Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5.
The nine-a-side tournament will see all 16 NRL teams involved and competing for a prize pool valued at over $2.4 million.
“The NRL Auckland Nines tournament is always an exciting tournament to be involved in and it allows those players selected the chance to test themselves in a fast-paced environment,” said McGregor.
Red V Members are able to purchase tickets and travel packages for the event by clicking here!
Six days later the Dragons will face Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday, February 11 (7.40pm).
This fixture will mark the first opportunity for the squad to come together during the trial period and compete in the more traditional 17-man game.
“The trial match against Wests Tigers will no doubt be a physical encounter and it will also allow some of our new recruits to compete for the first time at WIN Stadium in front of our passionate Red V Members and supporters,” said McGregor.
Red V Members will be able to purchase tickets for this fixture during an exclusive Member pre-sale period which will be communicated at a later date.
The Dragons will finalise their pre-season schedule by competing in the traditional Charity Shield match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs to be held at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Sunday, February 19 (4.00pm).
Red V Members will be able to purchase tickets for the 34th Charity Shield fixture during an exclusive Member pre-sale period which will be communicated at a later date.
Please note that the following Red V Member packages include entry to the Charity Shield: Platinum, All In, Dragons Dozen, Metro Plus, Kogarah Upgrade, Wollongong Upgrade and West Wing. - TBC
“The annual Charity Shield is a pre-season game steeped in tradition and as our final hit-out before the new season it will serve as a good indicator as to how the team have progressed,” said McGregor.
The Dragons will provide further information regarding all their pre-season trial fixtures to Red V Members once ticketing details are confirmed.
Dragons NRL 2017 Pre-Season Fixtures:
Saturday, February 4 - Sunday, February 5
Fixture: Piha Pool v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors, Parramatta Eels
Location: Eden Park, Auckland
Ticketing Information: Tickets are now on sale to Red V Members and the general public through Ticket (NZ). Click here for more information regarding ticketing.
Saturday, February 11
Fixture: Trial v Wests Tigers
Location: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Kick-Off: 7.40pm
Ticketing Information: Ticketing information has yet to be confirmed. Red V Members will be emailed with ticketing details once confirmed. Information will be also be available on Dragons Official Website
Sunday, February 19
Fixture: Charity Shield v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Location: ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park
Kick-Off: 4.00pm
Ticketing Information: Ticketing information has yet to be confirmed. Red V Members will be emailed with ticketing details once confirmed. Information will be also be available on Dragons Official Website
The Dragons NYC squad commenced their pre-season fixtures with a narrow 24-20 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Saturday, December 10.
The Young Dragons were split into two line-ups with both playing 40-minutes in the pre-holiday trial with each.
The Young Dragons will play an additional two pre-season fixtures in the new year commencing against the Sydney Roosters at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Saturday, February 11 (3.00pm).
They will then face the South Sydney Rabbutohs a week later at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park on Sunday, February 19(1.45pm).
Dragons NYC 2017 Pre-Season Fixtures:
Saturday, February 11
Fixture: Trial v Sydney Roosters
Location: UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
Kick-Off: 3.00pm
Sunday, February 19
Fixture: Trial v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Location: ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park
Kick-Off: 1.45pm