The Mudgee Dragons have welcomed the announcement that the 2017 Country vs City origin match will be played at their home ground Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dragons captain – and 2017 club president – Jared Robinson said that the most important part of Mudgee hosting such as an event is what it does for the next generation of players who get to see a big game in their own backyard.
Particularly it being the final time the fixture will be held, giving them a chance to say that they were there years down the track.
“For the junior league players - not just Mudgee but also for the surrounding areas in Kandos and Gulgong – it will be great for them to come locally and see their heroes,” he said.
“It’s a pretty big game and being the last one it’s important for the kids, it’s something they can remember for the rest of their lives.”
For the Dragons, he added that hosting Country vs City origin match is an opportunity to show the passion locals have for the sport and tap into the enthusiasm that the fixture will bring.
For the junior league players it will be great for them to come locally and see their heroes.
- Jared Robinson
“We’ve always been a very committed Rugby League town, we’re always strong and our supporter base is huge, and getting games like this out into this area only helps that,” he said.
“Hopefully as a football club we can build on top of that for next year.”
Robinson also echoed Mid Western Regional Council mayor Des Kennedy’s remarks regarding what the match will do for the wider community off the field.
“It’s massive for our town, not just for football but the whole community in general, people that travel will stay here, eat, shop, it’s huge.”
The announcement at Glen Willow also showed that the buzz surrounding the Dragons’ 2016 Group 10 premiership win is still going strong.
In soaking wet conditions in Orange, the Dragons snatched a last gasp 14-10 grand final win against minor premiers CYMS having come from fifth place on the ladder.
It was noted at the Monday morning press conference that the home side are indeed the 2016 champs and Mayor Kennedy proudly his address by mentioning the title win.
Before their premiership defence begins next year the Dragons will host their second Nines tournament – also at Glen Willow – in February, which will be another title they’ll hope to defend having won the inaugural comp.
