The NRL Grand Final is upon us this weekend. The St. George Illawarra Dragons will play Eastern Suburbs, otherwise known as “the Roosters”. I’ve not followed League in the 2000s much, preferring the “glory days” of the ‘80s and early ‘90s. St. George Illawarra, a combination of the legendary St. George team of the 1960s, and the Illawarra Steelers, who’ve never won a Grand Final, will this weekend confront their long time talking-head detractors since the combination, or merger. Known in gossip circles as the “so near, yet so far” team, St. George Illawarra will this weekend be able to prove their mettle. I wish them victory. Wollongong’s sister city, Newcastle, home of the Newcastle Knights, earned their honours 13 years ago, perhaps leaving Dragons supporters wondering why their team has not been able to match the accomplishments of their sister city. This Sunday is their opportunity. The stakes are down, and this is their opportunity to rectify past failure, and maybe even a return to the “glory days”, when St. George dominated Rugby League. In the meantime, let us savour underdogs Newcastle, when they defeated Manly in the 1997 Grand Final. Who woulda thought….one of the most thrilling Grand Finals of all time.
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