The NSW government has staved off interest from Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria and New Zealand to host the NRL grand final.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg admits the SCG isn’t the greatest place to experience rugby league, but won’t apologise for ultimately making a deal that sees the grand final stay in Sydney through until 2046.
The NRL announced on Wednesday it had struck an agreement with the NSW government that ensures its decider will be at the SCG for the next two years.
Allianz Stadium will host the 2022 decider before the league’s showpiece event heads back to a renovated ANZ Stadium the following season.
Another 25-year deal with the state government begins in 2022.
The development comes despite fierce criticism of the NRL staging games at the SCG this past season while the Moore Park venue undergoes its reconstruction.
“And I understand that. Part of me agrees with that, that it’s not the greatest experience,” Greenberg said of the SCG, which often gets complaints because of the poor views when it hosts sports played on a rectangular field.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
But he said the decision was based on short-term pain, which reportedly includes a $15 million payment from the NSW government to compensate the NRL for hosting the grand final at smaller capacity stadiums for three years.
“Effectively it’s long-term thinking for our fans. What that means is we’ll have some short-term pain to get through during the next few years,” Greenberg said.
“But what the ultimate prize is, is $2 billion of infrastructure development, three brand-new stadiums in Sydney.”
The NRL had grown frustrated with the state government after a delay in the start of the refurbishment of ANZ Stadium until after next year’s State of Origin series.
The postponement meant a breach in the governing body’s memorandum of understanding with the NSW government as part of its stadia plan.
As a result, Queensland, Melbourne, Western Australia and New Zealand governments put their hands up to host the grand final.
Greenberg sympathised with Queensland fans dreaming of attending a decider at Suncorp Stadium in two years time.
“I’ve spoken directly to Queensland minister Kate Jones today to explain to her our decision-making,” Greenberg said.
“And I can understand that we will have some unhappy Queensland-based fans.
“What I’d say is this: When you deal with a government who’s spending effectively $2 billion, what goes with that is a promise of your content.”
Jones wasn’t pleased with the decision, telling reporters in Brisbane she understood it came down to the compensation package from the NSW Government.
“I think it’s a kick in the guts. Right now I feel like a Raiders fan from the grand final,” Jones said.
“We believe we have the best NRL stadium in the world. I think it would have been great for the game.”
Greenberg insisted that the deal covered any shortfall the league would have in hosting their grand final at an SCG venue that holds a capacity of 46,000.
Suncorp Stadium holds a maximum 52,500, while the MCG is over 100,024.
“The game’s not going to go backwards commercially. That was the point that I made very strongly to NSW government,” Greenberg said.
“We’ve transacted a deal that provides with the short-term outcomes that the game needed to face, but protects the long-term interests, particularly here in Sydney, and ensures that all that money will be spent on stadiums.”
Dingo
Roar Rookie
I thought that NRL stood for "National" Rugby League....but obviously it stands for "NSW" Rugby League.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Who cares?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Wtf has the Victorian numpty game got to do with this?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I agree David. This gives Sydney rugby league fans two more occasions to demonstrate how lazy they are at attending big footy matches. The scg is a terrible football ground. Another greenburg fail.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I know the completion of the Ponsford Stand significantly increased the capacity of the MCG but I thought that wasn't until 1967. The record attendance for a football game is of course the 1970 Grand Final, 121,696. Of course the current stands, whilst far larger than before, limit the number of standing room positions; there are a couple rows behind each level 1 bay. At least since the Commonwealth Games the capacity has been above 100,000 again.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yes, noted. When I looking for the economic benefit total it took me to the State Govt website which had a general breakdown. A lot of assumptions and overestimates in there.
Flexis
Roar Rookie
You know I actually feel better for Greenberg justifying this is as solely financial decision. It sucks, but I can swallow it. What I had no time for was those griping on about the traditions and fabric of the competition. And I do still suspect that that ignorant mindset was a contributing factor.
Maximus Insight
Guest
And during the world wars I'm pretty sure
David
Guest
Like they should.
mushi
Roar Guru
Be wary of the economic benefit calculation.
mushi
Roar Guru
"The SCG was good enough for league’s biggest games every year from 1914? to 1987 with some massive crowds. Were all of those league fans so different to today’s fans?" Um yes Max. For starters many of are unfortunately dead, which is an unfortunate by product of the aging process, so they perhaps may not be the best target market. But less trite; of course consumer tastes and options have changed in the past three decades let alone the past century. Does someone have a blockbuster franchise they can sell Max, they're ace businesses and nothings changed.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
1991. West Coast v Hawthorn was played at Waverly Park due to Southern Stand construction.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
what every one needs to remember is that this stadium thing has become a political hot potato with all the mucking around and delays and you will find that the NRL were between a rock & a hard place. Behind the scenes the NRL would have been prepared to try a G/F at Suncorp but the NSW govt were not going to let it happen. The SCG holds 46,000 Suncorp 52,000 I suggest they would fill it easy for a grand final and a better ground for such an occasion. However ANZ holds 83,000 and was just 78 short of capacity for this years grand final....82992 patrons. The New Sports ground will have a capacity of 75 000 but I do not understand replacing ANZ with a stadium of lesser capacity. I would have rebuilt the Sports ground at 50,000 and looked at a 100,000 seat stadium at homebush
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
in 1966 there were 103 000 in there for the Grand final, possibly before you were born but I was there it was massive.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
“Effectively it’s long-term thinking for our fans. What that means is we’ll have some short-term pain to get through during the next few years,” Greenberg said. “But what the ultimate prize is, is $2 billion of infrastructure development, three brand-new stadiums in Sydney." What has one statement got to do with the other? Those stadiums were already guaranteed. The NSW state government is not going to stop stadium redevelopments now because the NRL decides to take the Grand Final on the road. And if tradition was really a factor they'd play every Grand Final at the SCG.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Thats the smoke screen.Surely given't it to Qld for one year is not a big issue -not gunna damage long term commercial relationships.I thinks there's more at play here in the background - the RL supporters and common sense are the least considerations.It more about keeping all the power brokers happy.
Big Daddy
Guest
"Protects the long term interest particularly here in Sydney". That about says it all.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Which is why the Northern Stand redevelopment that was done for the 2006 Commonwealth Games was staged, which meant come Grand Final day the MCG always had a capacity in excess of 77,000.
Big Daddy
Guest
$15 million softens the short term pain.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
The 'N' stands for New South Wales, actually.... Always has, always will.