Wollongong's sport and business leaders returned from Sydney last night with great news - an in-principle agreement from Premier Morris Iemma that if the South Coast secures an A-League licence we will get a new western grandstand at WIN Stadium.

After years of pressure, Mr Iemma is in effect making a huge commitment - probably the biggest one he can at this stage.

With other areas bidding for A-League licences, the Government does not want to build a white elephant in Wollongong on the back of sheer hope.

And it must question the merit of spending many millions of dollars for the sake of a handful of Dragons games. (Only 11,583 fans turned out on Sunday for a cracking NRL game in perfect conditions.)

That said, with a strong statement of intent from the State Government, the ball is back in the court of the South Coast bid bosses - and the rest of us.

If we are serious about obtaining better facilities and earning a spot at a national level, then the region needs to show its passion and determination.

For a start, the football community must stand united. And the wider community must rally around the bid in a similar way it did to save the Wollongong Hawks.

We have an opportunity to join the 2010-11 A-League competition. Let's not scuttle that chance because of an own-goal.