Dragons Confirm 2004 Home Game Venue Split
Report from: Dragons media release
19/12/03

The Dragons have decided to start and finish the club’s 2004 Telstra Premiership campaign with home games at Oki Jubilee Stadium, while WIN Stadium will feature such key events as a heritage match against premiers Panthers.

The NRL released the 2004 schedule two weeks ago, but the Dragons were given until December 19 to determine their home venue split which includes seven games at WIN Stadium and five in Sydney (four at Oki Jubilee Stadium and the Anzac Day match at Aussie Stadium).

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said a number of factors had to be considered including venue availability, frequency of matches in both communities and feedback from supporters.

“We had to consider many permeations and options and we are confident we have come up with the right balance,” Doust said.

“WIN Stadium was not available on two occasions because of other events at the venue; the Anzac Day match is a Dragons home game at Aussie Stadium; and we had to ensure we were not out of either the Sydney or Illawarra markets, for long stretches.

“The other factor was feedback, in particular from our Sydney members who were very happy with the return to play at Oki Jubilee Stadium, but requested to see more Sydney-based teams. The home games at Oki in 2003 included Cowboys, Warriors, Raiders and Knights.”

In 2004, the Dragons will open the season against the Raiders at Oki Jubilee Stadium, where they will also play the Tigers (rnd 15), Sharks (rnd 20) and Eagles (rnd 25), with the Roosters match (rnd 7) on Anzac Day at Aussie Stadium.

At WIN Stadium, the Dragons will face the Knights (rnd 4), Panthers (rnd 6), Bulldogs, (rnd 10), Cowboys (rnd 13), Broncos (rnd 18), Storm (rnd 22) and Warriors (rnd 23).

The Panthers clash will commemorate the first time the Steelers and Penrith played each other in 1982.

Dragons draw 2004 (H = Home; A = Away)
Round 1 - 14 March v Raiders (H at Kogarah)
Round 2 - 19, 20, 21 March v Warriors (A)
Round 3 - 26, 27, 28 March v Storm (A)
Round 4 - 2, 3, 4 April v Knights (H at WIN)
Round 5 - 9, 10, 11, 12 April v Wests Tigers (A)
Round 6 - 16, 17, 18 April v Panthers (H at WIN)
Round 7 - Anzac Day 25 April v Roosters (H at Aussie Stadium)
Round 8 - 30 April, 1, 2 May v Sharks (A)
--City v Country Origin - 7 May, 2004--
Round 9 - 8, 9 May v Sea Eagles (A)
Round 10 - 14, 15, 16 May v Bulldogs (H at WIN)
Round 11 - 21, 22, 23 May v Eels (A)
--State of Origin 1 - Sydney- 26 May, 2004--
Round 12 - 28, 29, 30 May v Bronco (A)
Round 13 - 4, 5, 6 June v Cowboys (H at WIN)
Round 14 - 11, 12, 13 June v Panthers (A)
--State of Origin 2 - Brisbane - 16 June, 2004--
Round 15 - 18, 19, 20 June v Wests Tigers (H at Kogarah)
Round 16 - 25, 26, 27 June v Rabbitohs (A)
Round 17 - 2, 3, 4 July BYE
--State of Origin 3 - Sydney - 7 July, 2004--
Round 18 - 9, 10, 11 July v Broncos (H at WIN)
Round 19 - 16, 17, 18 July v Roosters (A)
Round 20 - 23, 24, 25 July v Sharks (H at Kogarah)
Round 21 - 30, 31 July, 1 August v Cowboys (A)
Round 22 - 6, 7, 8 August v Storm (H at WIN)
Round 23 - 13, 14, 15 August v Warriors (H at WIN)
Round 24 - 20, 21, 22 August v Knights (A)
Round 25 - 27, 28, 29 August v Sea Eagles (H at Kogarah)
Round 26 - 3, 4, 5 September BYE
--Finals Week One - 10,11,12 September --
--Finals Week Two - 18, 19 September--
--Finals Week Three - 25, 26 September--
--Grand Final - 3 October, 2004--