Game day guide: Round 18 v Raiders

The St George Illawarra Dragons take on the Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday, September 12 (3pm). This is your game day guide.

• The key stat between both sides
• Star Raiders forward named to start despite injury cloud
• Dragons big name returns

Supporting a fantastic cause

For many the i98fm Illawarra Convoy is one of the highlights of each year. The Dragons are proud to partner with the cause for the second-consecutive season.

While unfortunately, like many things in 2020, the convoy won't be the same as previous years.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the truck and motorbike convoy as well as the family fun day will not go ahead. However our annual i98fm Illawarra Convoy Round will forge onward this Saturday against the Canberra Raiders.

You can still donate to families in need through silent auctions, Convoy merchandise sales and of course the Dragons' 50-50 Charity raffle, which will be supporting the Illawarra Community Foundation.

Nines sensation Cody Ramsey debuts 

Cast your mind back to February when the NRL Nines took place in Perth and you might remember a kid with long flowing locks who broke the hearts of Panthers fans across the county.

Well, his name is Cody Ramsey and on Saturday afternoon he will become St George Illawarra player No. 235.

The 2019 Under-20s Dragons Player of the Year was named as the Nines' best rookie and in the team of the tournament.

Sadly, Ramsey picked up a shoulder injury at the Nines and has watched on from the sidelines for most of the year.

Now fit and firing, Ramsey's silky footwork will be introduced to the NRL arena and will be sure to have Red V fans on the edge of their seats. 

Take a look back at Ramsey in full flight at the NRL Perth Nines here.

Going out with a win at WIN

After full-time on Saturday, the siren will sound for the final time at WIN Stadium in 2020.

The shortened season brought four matches to Wollongong with the highlight being our Round 10 victory over the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Corey Norman's last-ditch try was only made better by his version of Mark 'Piggy' Riddell’s famous try celebration at the same ground. The Dragons will be determined to farewell the Illawarra crowd with a win on Saturday.

Future settled 

The St George Illawarra Dragons announced on Monday that Anthony Griffin will become head coach for at least the next two seasons.

Griffin will take over the coaching reins ahead of the Dragons' 2021 campaign, having last coached in the NRL back in 2018.

The 54-year-old has coached 173 first grade games to date with the Brisbane Broncos (2011-14) and the Penrith Panthers (2016-18), with a 55.5 per cent win rate.

With plenty of speculation about the top job hanging over the squad in recent weeks, some clarity about the future may give the Dragons a boost.