Home advantage is vital for any successful club. Teams need a helpful, loud crowd at a hopefully unique ground to make life harder for the opponent.
So which NRL teams will be gaining and losing this advantage next year?
Parramatta Eels
The Eels will be moving into the new 30,000-seat Western Sydney Stadium. Parra will also take a game to Darwin, as well as possibly being drawn as a ‘home’ team for the ‘Magic Round’ at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next May.
Sydney Roosters
As Allianz Stadium is being knocked down, the Roosters will be defending their premiership next door, at the SCG.
They will play nine to ten games there, with games also played at Adelaide and the Central Coast. Also, keep in mind the ‘Magic Round’ factor.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers will also move into the Western Sydney Stadium, playing four home games at the venue. They will play three each at suburban grounds Leichhardt and Campbelltown, and one at either Auckland or Tamworth.
They are also guaranteed to host a game in the Magic Round.
Suburban grounds in the NRL like Leichardt have excellent atmosphere. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Penrith Panthers
Though it isn’t yet confirmed that the Panthers will take games to Western Sydney Stadium during the regular season, they will have their finals home games there, the club’s fans having serious nightmares about travelling to ANZ or Allianz from Penrith in previous years.
At this point, Penrith will have at least ten games at home, one at Carrington Park, and again a possible home game at Suncorp.
Sharks, Dragons, Sea Eagles
Don’t worry, they are not all secretly merging! Now with Allianz gone, these clubs will use the SCG to stage finals matches (if they can make finals).
Roarers, are there any clubs you think should also be moving next year?
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Haha that elf is not so wise.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Anzac Day and easter weekend gets the crowds because of country visitors and less traffic but what about the rest of the year
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
The ACT Govt has a $300m asbestos eradication problem, a white elephant tram system to subsidise and the ACT Brumbies are looking in trouble, so the stadium is unlikely.
Jim
Roar Rookie
Every comment you make doesn't have to reference your article you know....
Jim
Roar Rookie
I know an indoor stadium is definitely what is considered the ideal outcome for a new Canberra stadium. But you are spot on - without an A-League team it won't be happening anytime soon. Especially given the Brumbies are not necessarily still going to be around in the not too distant future potentially.
Jim
Roar Rookie
Bruce Stadium no doubt needs replacing, but unless Canberra gets an A-League team, I can't see a stadium being built in the city any time soon. Especially as I feel its more likley than not the Brumbies may well not be around in a few years time - which would leave the Raiders as the only major tenant. Maybe if the Commonwealth sold Bruce Stadium to the ACT, then allowed it to divest that land for development, then a stadium might happen sooner. Seems a definite possibility that such a scenario could happen at some stage - if that occurs, then perhaps a stadium will happen sooner. They are also funding a number of other major investments, in particular their light rail folly, which means there probably are only so many $$$ to go around. I don't think investment into either stadium should really be a very high priority, when there are much more important things to worry about in the ACT at the moment.
peeeko
Roar Guru
It wasn’t an opinion. It’s was a statement that was proven to be untrue. Quick, you better get back to that highly valuable work you do for society
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
that's what makes it crazy. Why build a stadium where there are no teams? And stop self advertising it's coming off as desperate and needy
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Again with Liverpool. There is no team in Liverpool, a stadium there represents nothing, it will never happen. You were rightly criticised for tossing this idea up but still persist with it.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar’s comments policy.
SR1
Roar Pro
Yes, the Roosters will play their home games at the SCG next year. I don't think there's any chance of Souths playing out of Redfern Oval.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Has the NRL made arrangements re the SCG next season. The Swans play out of there and I'm sure they have preference. Also the Waratahs are also down to play at the SCG next year. For the Bunnies, no chance of Redfern Oval?
SR1
Roar Pro
Thanks?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Agreed
SR1
Roar Pro
No. Just easier to share an article than rewrite the idea.
Chui
Guest
Just curious, Are you on commission for referrals to your own articles. It comes across as very needy
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I think we’ll see lots and lots of articles by Isaac into the future quoting lots and lots of his own articles as evidence to support his interesting ideas.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Wise old elf is an ignorant old orc.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
19 of the 32 responses to this article thus far are by its author. Is that a record?
SR1
Roar Pro
They also hope to build their fanbase by moving games elsewhere...