Brookvale Oval gets all clear to host NRL final

The NRL has cleared Lottoland to host this weekend’s NRL final after being handed a Northern Beaches Council report into asbestos found at the ground.

Lottoland will host Saturday’s NRL final between Manly and Cronulla after a report to the governing body from Northern Beaches Council declaring the venue safe despite the discovery of asbestos.

The council on Monday afternoon submitted a report to the NRL after the governing body had threatened to take Saturday’s elimination final away from the Sea Eagles’ spiritual home.

It’s understood the NRL on Monday evening will announce the game will go ahead at the venue after earlier warning it might be shifted to Bankwest Stadium.

Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan said the ground had undergone soil testing and the venue was safe to host the match.

“People’s safety is paramount which is why we engaged specialists as soon as the Sea Eagles raised the issue with us late on Thursday,” Regan said.

“We are really pleased that the detailed independent results have shown that council can effectively manage the site in time for the weekend game.

“We want to assure the local community there is no risk to them from the contaminants found in the soil at Brookie Oval and that council will do everything recommended to ensure people’s ongoing safety.

“There is no reason the game cannot go ahead as planned, based on scientific testing and expert advice. We can assure the community the site will be safe ahead of the weekend’s game.”

Earlier on Monday, NRL boss Todd Greenberg admitted he was on the verge of moving Manly’s home final against the Sharks before giving the club 24 hours to satisfy safety concerns.

The NRL had Bankwest Stadium on standby to host the match if it couldn’t be satisfied Lottoland would be safe for fans.

But tickets for the match are expected to be available at 10am on Tuesday.

“We were going to call it last night and simply move the game,” Greenberg said at the NRL finals series launch in Sydney.

“But we provided 24 hours for the club on the basis that this is a pretty important game for them.

“They’ve finished in a manner that allows them to play at their home ground, so we wanted to give them every opportunity.

“In saying all of that, if we’re not satisfied that the ground’s safe for fans and players, then the decision for us will be simple.”

Greenberg insisted there were no concerns over the playing surface and the area was limited to a small part on the northern hill at Brookvale.

The Sea Eagles have used the ground since entering the league in 1947, however, Greenberg believes fans haven’t already exposed to the asbestos.

The development came after early excavation on the site as part of the planned centre of excellence to be built at the western section of the venue.