With the NSW Government announcing $1.6 billion in stadium development, rugby league benefits massively through the development of ANZ and Parramatta into modern rectangular stadiums.
ANZ becoming a rectangular stadium should boost attendances for South Sydney and the Bulldogs along with the high-drawing games the Eels bring to Homebush. ANZ should be used as a match of the week venue on Sunday Afternoons to create more ‘event’ games in NRL.
The upgrade of Allianz Stadium will benefit the Roosters, Waratahs and Sydney FC in providing a better match-day experience. As for the beloved suburban grounds, there will be a time it which rugby league has to move on, and fully transition to modern stadiums.
The likes of Brookvale and Leichhardt Ovals wouldn’t be fit for any other professional sporting competition, and are pub level grounds compared to Suncorp, AAMI and ANZ. Nostalgia and fond memories blind the fact suburban grounds do not have adequate facilities when compared to modern stadiums.
The NRL’s TV deals should chip in a couple of million to the suburban grounds and, over time, they should become boutique stadiums. The days of sitting on the hill will be long gone once rugby league has enough modern stadium throughout the competition.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The paradox of parity is that even though we’re told we should want a wide open competition, the NRL seems to be more interesting…
The NRL's match officials announcement on Tuesday lunchtime is usually cause for little fanfare, but sparked debate this week with top ref Ashley Klein…
All the team list information for Round 8.
Braydon Trindall has been stood down from the Cronulla Sharks after failing an alcohol and drug test while driving on a suspended licence. The…
Cronulla co-captain Dale Finucane has announced his retirement from the NRL after "double-digit concussions" prompted him to call a premature end to his playing…
I’m sorry Newcastle, but this won’t be your year. Unless your whole approach can change. Kalyn Ponga’s Lisfranc injury may have cost him 12…
