Dragons v Tigers Remains at Oki Jubilee Stadium

The Dragons Board and Management have decided against the joint approach by the SCG Trust and NRL to move the Round 24 match against Wests Tigers to the Sydney Cricket Ground as part of the NRL?s ?60s week? promotion.

The joint proposal involved a celebration and recognition of the contributions the Dragons and Wests made to rugby league in the 1960s and included a major offfield event to surround this marquee game.

There were also financial incentives offered in regards to the movement of the match day event itself.

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said the Board and Management considered the commercial and heritage based proposal but decided to celebrate the auspicious ?60s Week? in its community heartland.

?It is always complex to evaluate viable commercial feasibilities when introducing qualitative elements such as the Dragons history and its association with the game?s history, particularly the 60s period,? said Doust.

?However, on this occasion, we believed we should respect the commitment made to five home games at Oki Jubilee in 2006 ? as advertised, particularly in our Membership and Ticketing promotions since late last year.

Reasons for declining the proposal included:
- Honouring our existing commitment of five home games for our partners and members
- The financial incentives were not sufficient
- Importance of celebrating this occasion in our heartland
- The expectation that the community and members will support and embrace these local events

?It was of course disappointing that the confidential proposal found its way into the media and generated so much public debate before the matter could be fully evaluated and communicated, ? added Doust.

Dragons Chairman Warren Lockwood highlighted the importance of recognising the Dragons history in the appropriate fashion.

?We do have respect for the Dragons place in rugby league history as we do for our supporters and stakeholders,? said Lockwood.

?This is not to say that we won?t continue to evaluate commercial options to improve our business model
over time.

?Our partners, members and supporters should always be confident that the Board and Management will always consider their perspectives,? added Lockwood.

The Dragons will play their first home game of the year at Kogarah under lights against the Parramatta Eels this Friday night at 7.30pm.

Five-game membership packages and individual match tickets are still available; please visit www.dragons.com.au for further information.