St George Illawarra Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop is no stranger to big crowds, having played for England at international level and as a member of a winning NRL grand final team.
The in-form No.6 expects a big and vocal crowd on Sunday when the third-placed Dragons tackle Cronulla Sharks at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.
Ticket sales have been strong all week with Dragons officials anticipating a sellout crowd.
Widdop played five-eighth for the Melbourne Storm in their grand final win over Canterbury, 14-4, in 2012.
He handled the occasion well at ANZ Stadium.
Then in 2014, the 26-year-old signed with the Dragons for four years bringing his passing and running skills to the team along with his goal-kicking.
Last year was Widdop’s first taste of playing against the Cronulla Sharks in the derbies.
He is now preparing for his third clash against the neighbouring club on Sunday.
‘‘The derbies are close encounters,’’ Widdop said.
‘‘They are hard fought and this Sunday will be no different.
‘‘We’re expecting a tough game against the Sharks.’’
Widdop said it’s good news his Dragons teammate and fellow Englishman and prop Mike Cooper is staying for a few more seasons in the Big Red V.
Cooper signed a new two-year deal keeping him at the club until the end of 2017.
Widdop said it’s good to see more English players plying their trade in the NRL.
‘‘There’s a lot more English players coming out here to play in the NRL,’’ Widdop said.
‘‘Mike is a good player and the English players are having a lot of success in the NRL.’’
Widdop also said it’s good to have stability at the Dragons with the news of Cooper’s new deal and prop Leeson Ah Mau also signing a new contract for three years.
Widdop will line up against former Dragons youngster Jack Bird, who joined the Sharks for two years and made his debut at five-eighth against the Sydney Roosters earlier this season.
Widdop agreed with Dragons coach Paul McGregor who expects Cronulla and NSW State of Origin warrior Paul Gallen to play on Sunday.
Gallen has been sidelined for six weeks with a gluteal muscle injury.
He missed NSW’s opening game of the 2015 series, a 11-10 loss to Queensland on Wednesday night.
Gallen said he would return for the round 13 game for the Sharks against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, June 7, at Remondis Stadium.
‘‘We’re expecting Gallen to roll out with the Sharks on Sunday,’’ Paul McGregor said.
‘‘We expect him to be there in the team along with NSW forward Andrew Fifita. We’re expecting a tough and physical game.’’
The league world this week has been buzzing with news that Gallen may return a week earlier than expected for the Kogarah clash.
Cronulla Sharks group chief executive Lyall Gorman said they are excited about this Sunday’s derby.
‘‘Traditional rivalries are the essence and very fabric of what sport is about in Australia. There is no greater way to excite the passion and pride of fans on both sides of the fence than the local derby,’’ Gorman said
‘‘While we have tremendous respect for the Dragons and their rich history in football, the opportunity to test ourselves against them in this environment is one we look forward to greatly.
‘‘I know our members and fans cannot wait to be at Kogarah on Sunday in what will be an electric atmosphere and a great game of football.’’
St George Illawarra Dragons membership and ticketing co-ordinator Steve Kalagurgevic said they expect a big crowd for Sunday's derby.
''We're looking at a full house and with a strong walk-up on the day, we expect a crowd of more than 17,000,'' he said.
''We have less than 500 bronze tickets remaining which gets people a reserved seat at the game.''
He said if patrons wish to access a reserved seat they should get in early and purchase through - http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=DRAG1215 or alternatively call 132 849.
''There are a also a few thousand general admission tickets for the hill remaining,'' Kalagurgevic said.
The ground record at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, is 20,847, set in round three, on Sunday, March 29, 2009, between the Dragons and Sharks. The Dragons won that game, 10-6.
Kalagurgevic said the hill is smaller in size nowadays which restricts the crowd numbers.
Match kick-off 4pm.
