Roosters chief threatens ANZ move

By News / Wire

Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has warned he’ll move the NRL club to ANZ Stadium permanently if an $800 million plan to rebuild Allianz Stadium goes ahead.

Politis told The Australian newspaper he fears the Roosters could even go out of business if they are forced to leave their home ground for the three years as the development work goes ahead.

The Roosters have been included in talks with the ARL Commission over the game’s stadium strategy, the outcome of which will play a significant role in determining how the NSW government will spend the $1.6 billion it has earmarked for venues in Sydney.

The proposal initially favoured by the NRL and state government was to rip down Allianz Stadium and start again, a move that would have forced the Roosters along with the NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC to find a new home for up to three years.

“We don’t want to be dislocated for three years, Politis said.

The only thing that matters to us as well as Sydney FC and the Waratahs because were all together on this is that if the new stadium is to be built, we will have to go somewhere for three years.

“That would destroy our club. If that happens we will go to ANZ Stadium and we will probably stay there. Souths proved it. When they moved, everybody thought it was a bad move but now most of their supporters come from the west.”

The Crowd Says:

2016-02-15T22:02:40+00:00

Souths Yobbo

Guest


ROTFL Do the western side first, but stll have a camera station and commentary cabin held up by a crane, so the commentators don't feel out of place. Then reverse it when doing the eastern side of the stadium. That way when the game is played on the TV screen, it looks nothing different to what is shown in the past. the only people who would be upset are the stadium members, they may have to get used to the sun setting on their faces, instead of having their back towards it.

2016-02-15T21:53:02+00:00

Souths Yobbo

Guest


I saw the ticket prices, and yes, they are a joke. But Parramatta has done it in the past, and I think Manly and Brisbane does it too as well. Before you know it, we will be like AFL with about 18 different pricing levels, basically based on the games participates. I think the NRL should allow all season ticket holders get 50% reduction on all their away game entry fee. But only one ticket per ticketholder. Makes it a better incentive for supporters to go to other games.

2016-02-13T07:06:17+00:00

pete bloor

Guest


Hilarious 3 hats that's incredibly coherent and insightful, by your standards anyway.

2016-02-13T04:55:57+00:00

millsy of perth

Guest


Why not rip down one half at a time, when finished move the crowd to the other side and start again then the ends. At least the ground would look full

2016-02-13T03:32:17+00:00

Dean - Surry Hills

Guest


Use Google maps and you will see that Surry Hills is a ten minute walk to Moore Park and the SFS. There are over a dozen pubs in Surry Hills that close there doors at midnight. They've had the same trading hours for ions, so the suburb has not changed an iota since lockout laws were introduced. In reality only two parts of Sydney have been affected - Kings Cross and parts of the CBD. Keep in my that Rubgy League match day attendance is not designed for parties until 5am in the morning, unless you're in the starting 17.

2016-02-13T02:40:40+00:00

Cadfael

Roar Guru


Right on, CC. Lets' face it, when does the SFS get full 40,000 crowds. Easts don't pull that, neither do the Waratahs, maybe on a big day Sydney FC. Much better to refurbish it: more food outlets (and cheaper), more toilets. The problem is that attendances are affected by public transport of which buses go down Anzac Parade and up Oxford St and walk from Central. Parking is a nightmare and even worse if the weather is bad. Yes, we will have light rail, eventually. The population centres are in the west and south west of Sydney so Homebush is the one that needs to come down and be rebuilt.

2016-02-13T02:29:59+00:00

Cadfael

Roar Guru


Three Hats, that merger sounds just like the St George takeover.

2016-02-12T22:32:23+00:00

Pickett

Guest


Henson has the best sausage sizzle sandwiches in Sydney bar none. Will probably send you broke though, 3 teef.

2016-02-12T22:28:44+00:00

Pickett

Guest


Coogee is Easts territory, 3 Teef. No ifs or butts about it. And owning 3 set up tents in Belmore Park doesn't count.

2016-02-12T21:10:06+00:00

3 Hats

Guest


The Government should fix Brooky up also.

2016-02-12T21:08:43+00:00

3 Hats

Guest


That is a fantastic point, Brett. Maybe they could go and play at Henson Park again. The Ground and the facilities are just perfect for them. Well, The Rorts will have just enough fans to fill that antiquated grandstand.

2016-02-12T21:07:21+00:00

Crosscoder

Roar Guru


Epi ,trouble is, this is not the 70s or 80s,when the SCG would be acceptable,because there was no alternative . I spent many a day at the SCG watching rl,and even then one needs binoculars to grab the real action . To build a 55,000 seat stadium adjoining the SFS to be demolished is IMO: 1) A waste of taxpayers' money. 2) The new stadium would not get regular crowds even approaching the 40,000 mark 3)The parking around the area (and thats' staking into account light rail),would be even more abominable than it currently is. 4)The population "ain't" in the east.Go west young man. 5) The SFS is close to the action and ideal for the best contact sport going around ,it's the patrons' facilities that are 3rd world. A 80,000 rectangular stadium at Homebush ,with a roof would even get me to battle the Sydney traffic to watch NRL matches.ATM watching a game there is like watching from a North Korean satellite,distant and when only 1/4 full passionless.

2016-02-12T21:01:33+00:00

3 Hats

Guest


If the Rorters "can't stand the heat" then get out of the kitchen/NRL

2016-02-12T20:53:26+00:00

Wascally Wabbit

Guest


The Roosters used Henson Park as their home ground a few years back. Surely they can organise a 3 year deal there whilst Allianz gets a new lick of paint. I can just see the supporters parked around the edge of the field in their Bentleys, tooting their horns after a try being scored.

2016-02-12T20:39:36+00:00

3 Hats

Guest


Oh very funny. I am probably richer than you mate. I own 3 properties. I am looking out right now at the Pacific Ocean. Oh smell that lovely ocean breeze. At South Coogee in Souths Territory. Up on the point.

2016-02-12T20:34:50+00:00

3 Hats

Guest


The Rabbitohs did it, we moved to ANZ. Not for 3 years, It is now our 11th season there. And what a great decision it was by Richo. NOW we are the envy of the League. MOST PREMIERSHIPS MOST MEMBERS MOST CASH MOST POTENTIAL for the future The only thing accurate about your name. East Bound & Down is The Rorters are slipping DOWN the ladder. LMFAO at you.

2016-02-12T13:27:44+00:00

East Bound & Down

Guest


Probably not . To say about and to think about something that means little to you puts you in a space where you can't possibly understand the thoughts of someone who lives and breaths a cause .

2016-02-12T13:20:56+00:00

East Bound & Down

Guest


So you have had discussions with these clubs? And they have unanimously indicated that given the same opportunity they would pack their swags and hit the road .

2016-02-12T13:17:28+00:00

East Bound & Down

Guest


On immigration centres and exclusive gay schools ?

2016-02-12T13:15:24+00:00

East Bound & Down

Guest


Three hats for three brainless heads ..,

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