The NRL must rethink its use of ANZ Stadium

I'ts a fantastic idea! As a St George fan, I groan every time we have a game at ANZ Stadium due to distance but I think this system would work very well in theory. It is similar to Wembley in the English football, its only used for major cup finals e.g. FA Cup, League Cup. In England, this system works very well and the ground is revered as a 'sacred' place in the sport. As you said at the start, ANZ Stadium has hosted many historic sporting moments and using the stadium sparingly can help preserve the history. However, for the reasons you've mentioned, the NRL would find it difficult to move from ANZ. The stadium itself creates revenue while suburban grounds such as the mighty Kogarah Oval are being undermined. Great article, nonetheless.

I like your ideas, SFS once the transport issue is resolved will be rebuilt or upgraded no doubt!! There is just no way NSW Government will let Allianz fall to pieces or become neglected. Parramatta fingers crossed hopefully gets approved!! It just creates the right balance for teams across all 3 codes East & West to have a centric Stadium with the right capacity being purpose built rectangular of course in its respective region to cater for the needs of the fans & teams. I was just thinking about Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin (NZ) home of Super Rugby Franchise Otago Highlanders & possibly having something similar in Parramatta. It has natural lighting & Sydney weather being unpredictable it will eliminate weather issues altogether meaning fans will travel meaning it won't lose money as it will be perfect all year round it's a major draw card something no other stadium in Sydney will have making it even a more unique venue. Given the Draws & Fixtures amongst the codes was on point both SFS & Parramatta will have weekly fixtures till seasons end meaning a good return on Government & sponsorship investment. Can't leave Brookvale out it really needs & deserves better maybe similar to what Parra have now just more updated with a Max capacity of 18,000 - 20,000 no more no less. Leaving ANZ Stadium as the Centre Peice for the Superbowl of all codes as it should be.

Good stuff. Breeze that would be my pick. Given they can just wack down a flat pack with 30k seats for about 160m be interesting what they do with parra. Maybe a new mega stand and matching roof line instead. They could then kit out the facilities elsewhere in the stadium. To meet investor fan and sport needs all at once. I'd like to find out the dimensions of anz. One would think that for viewing distance you shouldn't be more than 80 to 90 meters max away from halfway. So given the rake is not ideal at anz, nor the end stands height, makes me wonder just how far it is away. I guess viewing lines from multiple points need to be considered, nothing worse than having to look over someone's head. I think the sfs could be incredible. But maybe just build it anew. Imagine a large rectangular encircling stand on the second tier and a smaller one round the bottom, steep rake like the MCG. Once a rail goes to the stadium should make things a lot better. I don't think the pitch would suffer if you kept it open like that. A big gaping rectangle hole and air circulation would help with sun and wind. I think teams moving into enemy territory is only a good thing to keep them strong and diversify the fan base. Id say parra has the most to gain from a new stadium/upgrade for business ect.

True!! But it's not like ANZ is doing any better with any club games given the size of the stadium. Whether people like Parramatta or not it is Sydney's Second CBD with new infrastructures being built & it has alot more to offer the Bulldogs than what Belmore will ever have I understand it's enemy territory but it's the truth. Bulldogs with its massive fan base like the Eels I think will most of the time pull big crowds if the stadium was built. I'm guessing your a Bulldogs supporter??.. would you support the move for Bulldogs to relocate to Parramatta if the stadium was built??.. With perfect capacity creating a better atmosphere.

Bulldogs played out of Parra stadium in 1995 (fun fact, both Bulldogs and Parra have won grand finals playing the season out of each others ground). It wasn't a good season for crowds.

If I had it my way I would do this. Brookvale will be demolished & rebuilt 18,000 - 20,000 capacity it's long overdue. It would also be home to North Harbour Rays NRC Rugby Union. Either way I believe SFS Will be upgraded it's only a matter of time as the NSW Government seem determine to some how transform it once they can improve public transport to the venue makes sense as it would force Rabbitohs back meaning they have 4 teams across 3 codes to generate revenue. ANZ well its the Stadium that sparks the debate. It's to massive for club games & only suitable for major games across all 3 codes like finals footy it's privately owned they can fund their owned upgrade & hope for teams to commit to the venue. Parramatta well like a mention previously AAMI Stadium equivalent in Parramatta I truly believe would be the ideal location for a rectangular stadium in Sydney. When you break it down in reality Rabbitohs will relocate if SFS is upgraded only leaving 2 tenants at ANZ. The Swans are proof of that. Bulldogs & Tigers will relocate to Parramatta if upgraded in my opinion unless ANZ group or NSW Government decide to build a purpose built rectangular stadium in Homebush which I highly doubt!! Which only means 3 grounds to upgrade like I said before Parramatta will break the strangle hold for Bulldogs & some Tigers games. SFS can generate more revenue once public transport to the venue is resolved it already has stabled tenants so it makes sense & capacity overall is good. Brookvale well it just needs to be upgraded to the 21st century seriously!! Parramatta will be the nail in the coffin for club games at ANZ if approved it's just my opinion.

That's cool don't worry about it. Yeh in Brisbane now but made a point of going to stadia when ive been to Sydney and Melbourne. I really think if the sfs and anz were not there you'd do 3 stadia like mid tier English premier league ones. Eg white Hart Lane, Chelsea's, or king power. Something like 3 robina's. Then you have 3 x 30k+ venues, one of them 40+. The 600m would go a long way to getting that. But since the sfs could use some transport and a refurb we might as well make the sfs a class above. And leave and as it is if they must or have spare money make permanent rectangle. Though I suppose they'd fund that themselves or a chip in. My concern is what you've been on about. For example when sfs was built it was designed to fit the shape and look of the scg. I think we need to give rectangles their own place and presence, make a statement, in this current situation. I'm pretty sure the state can achieve all this though it may not be the best outcome if it had of been from the ground up. So to me the sfs is the best chance at renewal. I hope it gets rebuilt actually. We almost need something that's 4 separate stands and you can add new ones over time. Such is why parra could do something like that. And I think Newcastle took the same approach. I also think without knowing the coatings exactly that a good result will become of it, but I don't want a meddling fight between anz and sfs. Sfs side is my pick

Sorry Von N , I tried to make a light hearted but firm responce this morning . The ideas were there but waiting outside the doctors office created a rushed reply and left out the LOL. My frustration is that if they build decent rectangular stadia in Sydney the crowds in all 3 codes would fill them. Sydney has never experienced decent stadia. I know I grew up there.

Cheers Birdy. You dont need anger management im sure. Just trying to convey a message on here. hey, well the games at anz this year have averaged some 29,000. The other venues in the city have averaged closer to 10. Mate, I am all for an 'even more' suitable venue than ANZ, and in some respects I have even adjusted my views taking into account others, but its clear to me that the clubs and fans at ANZ would be more happy than not. Just supposing the money were available for the past 10 years - it would have been ineffectively wasted on a multitude of suburban grounds. In some ways abstaining from upgrading the many RL stadia apart from a fresh coat of paint here and there has been a good thing in many ways. But also a bad thing since its done nothing to increase crowd attendance and attendance culture - which at least ANZ does, and ANZ is pretty comfortable. By world standards, such a cavern is not so bad. Its just not ideal. Would I still knock it down?? - yeah........ i would in a different master plan....... but as it stands its doing a fine job of bringing more people to the footy. We just have to hope that ANZ does not receive the 200M + its wanting. I think thats a media beat up - how can a privately owned venue get such govt assistance - the SCG Trust however has been around for a loooong time. So if ANZ is already getting double the crowds, it can only get better surely. And more money will be available to other venues. I dont think a roof is going to do much for ANZ, and while the rectangular ends will be great they dont need to move, and maybe they are not needed at all. So more money for other venues! (namely parramatta/sfs)

Yes Von N . I totally respect your views and I do try to keep a level head not just on the roar but in life also. My simple equation is that the main code in Sydney or RL and backed up by 2 other codes that require rectangular stadia . Unfortunately another code that has 1 team and another infant has 2 stadiums and seems to want more. Try as I must my lited vocabulary can only come up with the word CHEATED. I do assure you Von that I will work on your suggestions of anger management.

Dont you think they've already seen those stadia? They are not being cheated, its just how the cookie crumbles. The govt has taken notice though of this lacking infrastructure, probably as a whole part of the multi billion dollar effort to help out sydneys infrastructure in general over the next decade. Stadia are expensive, and often break clubs in world football who build them. Probably 40% or so of soccer clubs in europe are in debt up to their eyeballs. Stadia being one reason and player-payment caps being relaxed back in the 70s. In this sense, trust me, sydney taking its time on major stadia is a good thing. Yes, sure, the AFL got a free kick nation wide with stadia including in sydney but thats a separate question of balance. Im not confusing the two. Its a shame they dont really use one facility in blacktown, left ANZ completely, and had a botique stadium built when they probably could have used the show grounds or something. But hey.... Lets not confuse things. Im not upset sydney got left behind - the game still happens - rather, Im glad its getting some attention thrown its way in this area. But being cheated, and demanding, they are too extreme words to use. I do agree with the sentiment somewhat, but for years (and this is no blame, just the way they were swimming together) clubs were prepared to have their half-baked cakes - and then they tried to eat them too. ___ So I bet the govt is giving a lot of thought as to which is the best way to do it. The money only goes so far, and as has been said: stadia need updating every decade or two. Build one and its a continual cost. Maybe stadia will be like computers have become - the need to update them often has dwindled - but we don't know that. I would not be jealous. Or enter such feelings pertaining to that, anger, ect. It will probably only serve not as motivation to things you cannot change anyway, but to drain your energy instead. Enjoy the sport. As I said in another thread -- the game will (and needs to) get to the stage where the facilities, yes, they do not turn you off, sure, but also when you goto them you dont necessarily require the best seat [though all seats will be good], and if your supporting area is in the lesser seats, you won't mind - because the focus is on supporting the team. ___ Thats what I said elsewhere - and the defining thing about that, and this article, which I am glad was written, is that ANZ, to some, maybe to many (I think so) is a limiting factor as to that. Do you think the people who go to Signal Iduna Park and sit in the yellow wall care about streamers blocking their view, ect, all that much? No. So if ANZ is being a negative influence on such things, then we have to wonder and work out if we can live with the impact....or if its too much. I think we can live with the impact, but its such a toss-up and subjective thing, that maybe not much of the govt money should be directed that way (acording to news paper reports, maybe the govt is not directing ANY money to them)....so it needs to be considered. And as to the story, in time I do want less games at ANZ if possible. Its just not black and white. Life's not like that. Especially at the Govt level.

Totally agree well said.

I just hope that when Sydney people get to see Aami , Cbus and suncorp they realise how they are being cheated and start to demand what they deserve.,

The only thing I will add to all this, is stadia design such as oval, sloping look or any design, you have to hold up massive weight, such is why the arch is such a prominent feature of many stadia, or the triangle beams such as at Suncorp. If the sport can help it, it should stick with/change to the rectangular design. If you look at larger stadia like emimrates in the uk they all incorporate somewhat of a slope. Cost/weight and engeneering must be a major factor in design. There is an efficient way and an inefficient way to build stadia. I think the next level down in stadia is what sydney will be shooting for, designs like white hart lane, stamford bridge, king power stadium. Rectangular. These tried and tested designs. People need to look at web links like> Fast Forward to 2017: The 20 biggest stadiums in the Barclays Premier League If you think you need ANZ upgraded and most people don't think that if an alternative is found - well you just dont. If you're wondering why I am going big on design while people are still stuck on 'dont do anz', well, you need a final vision of what you want. Pending the feasibility study on the SFS, you could find it a part of a network of 3 or 4 stadia across the city. So in relation to the article - if ANZ seems like it should be used less and less over time as more suitable venues become available, then we can see the sense in that surely.

Because the AFL, if I remember, offered to contribute money to make it multi purpose. If the NRL wants to revert it back, so should do the same.

People don't know what is possible. And I am going to explain why the NRL have chipped in and done a feasibility study on the SFS Well I've spoken at length about ANZ and SFS and Parramatta. ANZ to be dodged unless they make it a true rectangle (because people would use it anyway for big games - its really not that bad as is), so more money could go to the other 2 - and maybe forgo the roof plans. Ive said you could take robina on the gold coast and drop it into parramatta. Thats for $150M approx Ive said you could gut the SFS and re-do it with steep rectangular stands or just rebuild it. maybe $250M You could get stadia like King Power Stadium in the english Premier League. Leister City play there. Its new and it holds 32,000. Cost $71M - though I suspect to build it in australia, you can wack on a 20% premium. If you build stadia that are one tier high, you can make them 32k, and keep the cost down. SFS as a double tier/refurb would be double the price. These stadia dont need all the bells and whistles and fancy architecture. You kind of get what you pay for, but does a RL stadium out at Parra need huge non-stadia facilities if you've only paid around or under 150M for it. You'll be filling it nearly each week. __ The point being: There's nothing wrong with just giving the SFS (mainly, forget ANZ for the moment) a major spruce up so it looked totally different (new/refurbished) and had light rail - and building parramatta new and 1 more ground new. Then you have 4 stadia. I personally think ANZ won't get too much money - I think ANZ just needs to forget their grand plans and build the ends I outlined further above. They have got to be kidding - forget the roof, forget the complex moving thing - make it a rectangle. Sydney could effectively have a couple of stadiums like Leister City or even Robina - maybe something slightly bigger, though 32k is enough; and they would have the SFS and ANZ. what more could you people want?

I'm on board don't worry. Would love to see it happen, and it makes sense to me given the way Parra has grown as a CBD. There should be some expansion of the north/south ends - next year I think - but these are very much band aid solutions which clearly aren't taking into account future plans either.

Very true but if the Government shows them the money they might change their minds. A Stadium equivalent to AAMI Park with major car park spaces being built in Parramatta will not only be good for NRL, A - League & the ARU but it will also lift the profile of Sydney's Second CBD & good for local businesses.

What you say is true but Sydney is not Brisbane. Sydney is a lot bigger & is the central sporting Capital of Australia & a lot more complicated, with at most times embarrassing crowd attendances in regards to Rugby Union & league games. I agree Sydney needs a purpose built rectangular stadium built for Rugby games. Allianz at this stage is our Suncorp Stadium with too many flaws. We don't need a rectangular stadium the size of Suncorp as ANZ will be the venue for major games for union & League but more to the size of AAMI Park of Melbourne as its a perfect capacity for club games for the Waratahs, some Sydney Nrl club teams, NRC games & A - league fixtures as well.

One of the issues with Parra is actually the space. The council is reluctant to widen the footprint of the stadium as it would encroach on parkland and there are also height restrictions I believe. These could be dealt with no doubt but it's still a bit of a barrier.