Dragons fans buy up

OPTIMISM is high in Dragons country with St George Illawarra fans racing to buy grand final tickets after five unbeaten games to start the season.

Tickets for the decider went on sale to NRL club members on Monday and more than one in five – 20.5 per cent – sold in the first day were snapped up by Dragons members.

Next was the Roosters with 14 per cent and then a big drop to Broncos fans (9.5 per cent).

The Eels are winless and only 1.9 per cent of tickets were bought by their fans.

Only defending premiers, the Storm, had fewer bought with 0.4 per cent.

St George Illawarra premiership winner Mark Gasnier knows what experiencing an excited fanbase is like.

“That’s what I love about Dragons fans is that they ride the wave,” Gasnier said.