As a Dragons fan for over 20 years, it’s only been the last decade that I’ve lived close enough to actually attend NRL games. Here are my thoughts on those grounds that I’ve been to, ranked in no particular order.
UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah. It’s quite a mouthful, but is the spiritual home of the Dragons, and is a pleasure to watch games at. I went there just last Sunday, and enjoyed some nice cinnamon doughnuts on the hill and an amazing game of rugby league.
Coming from Wollongong it’s very accessible by train and a stroll down Jubilee Avenue.
WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Watch a game there in winter at night and you will know about it, with icy winds blowing in off the Pacific Ocean, just over the back of the hill. It’s my closest ground, and a good venue, although there is almost no parking so be prepared for a bit of a walk. The facilities are a bit ageing, and with dwindling crowds, Dragons fans should enjoy the ground while they still can.
Allianz Stadium. Only went there once, back in 2012 for a memorable Anzac Day match, but it’s my favourite ground. Easily accessible via a train to central and a stroll through Surry Hills, it boasts excellent facilities and is the perfect size for regular season NRL games, a shame that clubs play at the cavernous ANZ Stadium, with fans scattered around the ground like ants.
(Digital Image by Robb Cox ©nrlphotos.com)
ANZ Stadium. After waiting over ten years to see a live NRL game, back in 2009, it wasn’t until 2015 that I watched a game here, and then I watched two games in three weeks, and it boasts excellent facilities and public transport is good. There are plenty of trains getting people back to Central, but the venue needs a crowd of at least 20,000 to generate any kind of atmosphere.
Pirtek Stadium. Went there for Benji Marshall’s Dragons debut and he had a shocker, committing five errors as the Red V was towelled up 36-0, really made the two-and-a half hour journey worth it, thanks Benji.
Result aside, it was an excellent venue to watch the game at, small and with good viewing, even behind the goal posts.
Pepper Stadium. Was called Centrebet Stadium I think back in 2009, and the site for my first ever live NRL game, the Dragons smashed the panthers, with Jamie Soward starring. The ground is a long way away from anywhere, and I’d only recommend it for a day game, as I didn’t get back to Sydney until around midnight.
Southern Cross Group Stadium. Another tongue twister, but fairly close for a Wollongong-based fan, and always generates a good crowd for Dragons games.
The Barry
Roar Guru
1963?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Last time I went to Penrith stadium it was a 3pm kickoff in round 1 in either 2015 or 2016 and it was about 45 degrees. My kids were lying on the floor behind the seats to get some shade and I thought my 78 year old dad was going to have a meltdown.
Jeff dustby
Guest
They fudge the figures at ANZ The move has also disenfranchised fans who don't want to go to games anymore especially against poor teams
Kenw
Guest
It's beyond that though, I can't remember the exact numbers but they need something like 75% capacity at Kogarah just to break even - anything they get in that last 25% is income. At ANZ they make money from the first person in the door. Basically sell-outs at Kogarah can't financially match a tiny draw at ANZ. And then there's the fact that ANZ tends to out-draw the other grounds anyway. Unfortunately It's simply not viable for them to just say 6 games at Jubilee and 6 games at WIN.
Agent11
Guest
ah yes Raiders vs Tigers 2000, the famous snow game.
At work
Roar Rookie
I'd like to watch something down at AAMI as it does look a great stadium, just couldn't include it on my list since I haven't been there. The only strange thing is that the ends go quite high in a single tier, whereas the lower tier on the sides loom reserved for corporates and expensive seating.
Adam
Guest
If fans showed up there would be no need to move games. Getting around 10k for a sunny Sunday last week was a poor effort from fans who constantly whinge about lack of games at their suburban grounds
spruce moose
Guest
AAMI Park in Melbourne is by far the best stadium for medium sized events. Nothing comes close. Steep seating, superb sightlines, good weather protection, traps in the noise well so it creates a great atmosphere.
Adam
Guest
I've been going to WIN fairly regularly over the past few years and crowds are definitely going down. Better numbers this season but it's been a while since it was near capacity
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Err...
Albo
Guest
Good Point Max ! I shouldn't be so harsh with " her indoors " !
AGordon
Guest
North Sydney Oval was a great place to watch the Dragons, especially in the late 90's when the Bears had Larson, Farleigh, Florimo, etc. In saying that, the last time I watched the Dragons play there, they got an awful towelling but scored just before the final bell. Terrific to see hundreds of people wearing the mighty Red V, streaming out of the ground singing "We scored the last try, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.
AGordon
Guest
absolutely right. You're not going to get inches of snow at Penrith, but this happened in Canberra.
kk
Roar Pro
Albo, Have you forgotten that it was "she who must be obeyed" subscribed to the Fox as a present.(smile)
peeeko
Roar Guru
and lose all the support from the traditional Kogarah home? WIN crowds have been no better than Kogarah since the merger.
Albo
Guest
The best place to watch the Dragons and most other teams is from my lounge chair ! With a Foxtel subscription I can watch 32 matches a month , get cheap food from the fridge, no queueing for the toilets, have no travelling or parking costs, and no annoying spectators ( apart from the wife) to interrupt my viewing. As for the best grounds to watch the game if you want "atmosphere" above all else, I don't think you can go past Leichhardt Oval if you can get someone to drop you off & pick you up from nearby as parking is awful. If you have to drive to a game, Panthers Pepper Stadium at least has plenty of parking and good vantage points for viewing of the game.
At work
Roar Rookie
Doust needs to fix the stadium strategy and make it 6 at Kogarah and 6 at Wollongong. In order of stadiums I've attended which are suitable for a normal NRL sized crowd with a good view: 1. Pirtek (now gone, but had great views and not too big) 2. Central Coast (beautiful little stadium with great views from every seat) 3. Wollongong (Looks great on TV, although I think the hill needs to go to bring it into the 21st century. Agree no transport links as most people don't catch public transport down there) 4. Kogarah (Spiritual home, oval not great for rugby league but picturesque) 5. Allianz (Top location, all seater with great pus restaurants close by. Seats should be steeper though) 6. Leichhardt (Lot's of history with good views, although quite a dump when you're there in person) 6. ANZ (Wrong shape with terrible views from almost every seat)
Agent11
Guest
Canberra stadium is the coldest, nothing else comes close.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Dragons should move every game to Wollongong.
Twohomesonly
Guest
"Dwindling crowds" at WIN - give me a break. Largest crowd this season vs Parra (16,023 at WIN). WIN Averages 14,095 (3 games) this year vs 11,606 at Kogarah (3 games) vs 12,983 at ANZ (1 game). You can't make BS statements like that - theres too many variables - opposition, weather, 5 venues (WTF - agree with jamesb), form etc etc etc. Lets have 2 home grounds. I'll be at the Manly game (what a cracker), and the titans games, and the Souths game and the Bulldogs ..the lot. Go Dragons.