The grand final has passed, meaning the next major announcement from the NRL will be the 2019 draw, with all fans wanting to know where, when and who their favourite team is playing for every round.
Recently, I copped lots of criticism surrounding my ‘Liverpool Stadium’ idea.
However, I still don’t see why people are against it. If you looked at a map of Sydney, it is clear to see where there is no stadium built for rugby league fans to enjoy. Liverpool is one of the most central places outside the CBD area of Sydney.
Anyway, this plan will be similar to a part of my article ‘All of the NRL’s problems – and how to solve them,’ however, it could be a possible plan for next year and will not include Liverpool Stadium.
In the plan below, Sydney clubs will be forced to move four of their games* (two against interstate clubs to interstate locations and two against local opposition to one of Sydney’s big stadiums) and non-Sydney clubs will move two games.
* – The whole plan is based around moving games to the Sydney Football Stadium (Sydney Cricket Ground in 2019) and Western Sydney Stadium, moving away from ANZ Stadium.
This means that the Roosters, the Eels and the Tigers will only take 2 games away to interstate venues because these stadiums are their home grounds. The Tigers are unaffected because they are already taking four games to Western Sydney Stadium (more than what was originally encouraged above).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
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8 games at ANZ Stadium
2 games at Western Sydney Stadium (vs 2 of Panthers, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Eels)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations/li>
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
8 games at Shark Park
2 games at the SCG (vs 2 of Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Dragons)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations/li>
Penrith Panthers
8 games at Panthers Stadium
2 games at Western Sydney Stadium (vs 2 of Bulldogs, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Eels)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations/li>
Sydney Roosters
10 games at the SCG
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
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Wests Tigers
4 games at Western Sydney Stadium
3 games at Leichhardt Oval
3 games at Campbelltown Oval
1 game guaranteed for the Magic Round in Brisbane
1 game at Auckland or Tamworth (confirmed by NRL)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
8 games at ANZ Stadium
1 game at the SCG (vs 1 of Roosters, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Dragons)
1 game at Western Sydney Stadium (vs 1 of Bulldogs, Tigers, Panthers, Eels)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
8 games at Brookvale
2 games at the SCG (vs 2 of Roosters, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
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St George Illawarra Dragons
4 games at Kogarah
4 games at WIN Stadium
2 games at SCG (vs 2 of Roosters, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles)
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
Parramatta Eels
10 games at Western Sydney Stadium
1 game possibly for the Magic Round in Brisbane
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
Remainder of games in regional or interstate locations
So, this is what it means for the clubs, but what does it mean for the three main stadiums in question?
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Allianz Stadium/SCG
Will host 17 games (11 in 2018)
Will host 10 Roosters games
Will host 2 Sharks games
Will host 1 Rabbitohs game
Will host 2 Sea Eagles games
Will host 2 Dragons games
ANZ Stadium
Will host 16 games (33 in 2018)
Will host 8 Bulldogs games
Will host 8 Rabbitohs games
Western Sydney Stadium (bold)
Will host 19 games
Will host 10 Eels games
Will host 4 Tigers games
Will host 2 Bulldogs games
Will host 2 Panthers games
Will host 1 Rabbitohs game
You’re probably thinking – why would anyone want to come to these games? There is a possible solution, however: give all members of travelling clubs free or very cheap tickets to the game. This will increase membership numbers and will be worth moving to the big stadium with a big crowd. Who doesn’t like a sold-out derby?