TIMES & TEAMS FOR NRL BLOCKBUSTER
On a footy mad weekend at ME Bank Stadium, Sunday’s NRL Trial Game between 2009 Minor Premiers St George Illawarra Dragons and Grand Finalists Parramatta Eels is attracting big interest with advance bookings still tracking well for a bumper crowd.
With strong pre sales in excess of 3,000 and a big walk up crowd expected, WA Rugby League are looking at a crowd of around 12,000 for the game. Premium seating and corporate take up has been very solid as well.
Both sides are sending a strong line up with just a couple of players missing out due to the all stars fixture in Queensland on the Saturday. It is guaranteed to be more than a hit out with both sides shaping up as serious contenders to the 2010 premiership.
The Dragons have included key players for Perth with Darius Boyd, Jeremy Smith, Ben Creagh and captain Ben Hornby the main players to watch. Also in the squad is ex WA juniors Jon Green and Bronx Goodwin, a good reason for locals to support the visiting team. Ex South African union player Jarrod Saffy also has WA links with his parents now settled in Perth.
Parramatta have also named a strong squad with Fui Fui Moi Moi, Justin Poore, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo. They had a great finish in 2009 and will be looking forward to taking that form into this year.
The main game kicks off at 4.45pm on Sunday, February 14 with the new national under 18’s WA Reds side playing their first SG Ball game against Balmain Tigers at 3.00pm. Gates open at 2.30pm with tickets available from Ticketmaster.
Teams have also undertaken commitments to clinics and sessions with local juniors during the build up to the game.
TIMINGS FOR THE WEEK:
St George Illawarra Dragons
Wednesday, February 10 2.10pm Arriver Virgin Domestic DJ557
Thursday, February 11 12.00 – 1.00 Media Conference ME Bank Stadium
1.00 – 3.00 ARL Schools Clinic
Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach
2.00 – 3.00 Selected Players attending
Princess Margaret Hospital
4.30 – 5.30 Clubs Junior Clinic
Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach
Saturday, February 13 3.30 – 4.30 Clubs Junior Clinic
George Burnett Park, Karrawarra
Sunday, February 14 4.45 Trial Game, ME Bank Stadium
Parramatta Eels
Wednesday, February 10 8.45pm Arriver Virgin Domestic DJ565
Thursday, February 11 12.00 – 1.00 Media Conference ME Bank Stadium
Friday, February 12 4.30 – 5.30 Clubs Junior Clinic
Ken Allen Field, Hilton
Sunday, February 14 4.45 Trial Game, ME Bank Stadium
St George Illawarra Dragons Squad
Darius Boyd
Michael Lett
Matt Prior
Peni Tagive
Jason Nightingale
Kyle Stanley
Ben Hornby
Trent Merrin
Nathan Fien
Jon Green
Ben Creagh
Dan Hunt
Jeremy Smith
Beau Henry
Bronx Goodwin
Nick Emmett
Ricky Thorby
Michael Greenfield
Jake Marketo
Luke Priddis
Junior Paulo
Jack Bosden
Dean Young
Jarrod Saffy
Parramatta Eels Squad
Tom Humble
Etu Uaisele
Krisnan Inu
Jono Wright
Tim Mortimer
Dan Mortimer
Kris Keating
Jeff Robson
Dom Nasso
Justin Poore
Tim Mannah
Fui Fui Moi Moi
Shane Shackleton
Feleti Mateo
Justin Horo
Taniela Lasalo
Anthony Mitchell
Tim Robinson
Pele Peletelese
Mitchell Allgood
Brendan Oake
