St George Illawarra Dragons fans in the Wollongong area are up in arms over a members survey that canvasses removing Illawarra from the NRL club’s name.
Key points:
- A survey of some club members has raised the prospect of dropping Illawarra from their team’s title
- Suggestions include St George Dragons, Southern Dragons, Greater Sydney Dragons, or just The Dragons
- It comes after the club announced a $50 million investment in a high performance centre in Wollongong
Some club members have received a wide-ranging survey with a series of questions including options for re-naming the team St George Dragons, Southern Dragons, Greater Sydney Dragons, or just The Dragons.
Long-time fan Greg Bell, from Thirroul, said the Illawarra name was part of the club’s history.
“I can’t believe they want to take the name Illawarra,” he said.
“Illawarra Steelers were a big part of the 1980s, a big part of rugby league.”
The St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers teams merged for the 1999 season and went on to win the grand final in 2010.
But they haven’t finished above 7th in the NRL ladder since 2012.
Club member and host of the Red V fans podcast, Jack Clifton, said he was surprised by the revelation.
He said he was not sure what the club was trying to achieve.
“I think to some extent the Dragons lack some kind of identity,” he said.
“I don’t think the two regions is an issue at the moment and it’s certainly not the biggest issue with the club, but when things like this come out we see a great divide in the Dragons fan base.”
Football writer and member of the ABC Grandstand team, Michael Carayanniss, said he was a bit baffled by the survey, especially when the club had just consolidated its links to the Illawarra by unveiling plans for a centre of excellence in Wollongong.
“There is no doubt the club has a commitment to the Illawarra region,” he said.
“The clubs sees its future in Wollongong with this $50 million investment, that will be there permanently, they will train there permanently.
“Kogarah will be used as a spiritual home.”
Mr Carayannis said not to attach too much weight to the survey overall.
“Aside from the logo and the team name it’s a pretty run of the mill survey which is just getting a temperature check from the fans on how they rate the club,” he said.
Not a good sign
But Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park said he saw it as a red flag.
(Supplied)
“This is not something that is acceptable in any way shape or form,” Mr Park said.
“I for one will be taking up the fight if there is even an inch of a chance that this will become a reality.”
The St George Illawarra Rugby League Club declined to comment on the survey.
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