Already 2020 is the weirdest year a vast majority of the population have lived through, and we’re only in April. So why not throw another spanner in the works and move the NRL grand final to Suncorp Stadium?
Now, yes, there is a contract in place with the New South Wales government for the state to host the grand final for eternity and, yes, New South Wales rugby league fans will claim this is the ‘heartland’ of the sport.
But it’s a tired and worn-out argument. Queensland is equally as much of a rugby league heartland as Sydney is – in fact maybe even more.
I don’t see too many fans tracking from far and wide to watch their team like Cowboys fans do every week or too many Sydney teams getting average crowds well north of 20,000 like the Broncos do despite the fact they play a vast majority of their games on Thursday and Friday nights.
And of course there are the stars who have come out of Brisbane and surrounds – none of them would look out of place in an all-time best rugby league team. Players like Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and of course Johnathan Thurston.
(Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The passion for the sport in the city is like nowhere else, and as much as it pains me to say it as a NSW man, Brisbane is rapidly becoming the spot for rugby league, even if it is only a one-team city.
Before I go any further, I’m not suggesting this should be a permanent switch either. It just won’t happen – the NRL, broadcasters and fans won’t allow it.
But provided fans are able to attend games again by the time the revised grand final date of 25 October rolls around, the logical choice this year is Suncorp Stadium.
Of course if fans can’t attend, then who cares? Play it at the cheapest stadium possible to cut down on hiring costs – which, by the way, the NRL should be looking to do with each and every round until fans are allowed back into the stadiums.
But, back on topic, with Australia seemingly starting to get the upper hand on this pandemic – and don’t get me wrong, there is still a long road in front of the nations, but the land Down Under is in a far better spot than most other countries around the world – having fans attending events by the end of October with the country reopening domestically seems to be a realistic proposition.
I mentioned Suncorp is the ‘logical choice’ this year, and there are a number of reasons for that.
The first and biggest one, so long as fans are allowed back into stadiums, is that Sydney will not have a ground suitable for hosting the grand final.
Now, if the NRL didn’t at least put a clause into their contract stipulating a ground with appropriate attendance must be available for the grand final to be hosted in the city, then… wow.
But, with cricket set to take over the Sydney Cricket Ground from virtually the day after the NRL grand final was originally supposed to be held and with ANZ Stadium to be redeveloped from June, it would leave Bankwest Stadium as the only alternative if the government were to stick firm and force the grand final to be held in Sydney.
Bankwest is a great stadium, don’t get me wrong. I went there to watch my Dragons lose and still had more fun than I have ever had going to Homebush – apart from one day in 2010 – but it doesn’t have the appropriate capacity for a grand final.
Especially one in a year where tickets will sell like hot cakes because fans are starved of rugby league action.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
In fact the NRL have more issues than just grand final day given the stadium predicament – they’re potentially faced with the problem of no SCG or Homebush for most of the finals series.
But grand final day can’t be at a 30,000-seat stadium. It just can’t be allowed to happen, and so as a one-off and a trial for the future, the NRL must investigate the alternative of shipping it north.
Financially it could also make sense. Apart from the simple fact the NRL could sell an extra 20,000 tickets if the grand final went to Brisbane, the money the Queensland government would likely chip in to try and get their own economy going again would be large and should easily allow the NRL to cover any compensation required to be paid to the NSW government.
On top of the stadium predicament, there is also the idea that Suncorp is one of the best rectangular sporting grounds in the country.
I’ve never been to the joint for an Origin game, but it’s on my bucket list. Criticisms of the stadium are few and far between and there is certainly none when it comes to the atmosphere.
There is a reason the stadium has historically given the Broncos such a large advantage, and between rabid home fans and big crowds week in and week out, it creates a daunting atmosphere for opposition teams.
Even with the chance of a Queensland-based team being in this year’s decider appearing slim, Brisbane still has plenty of fans who support other Sydney-based teams, which stems from the days of the Brisbane Rugby League competition being separate to the NSWRL, with many picking clubs before the Broncos existed and that carrying through.
There is no question a grand final in Brisbane would be a successful enterprise, and 2020 might just be the time to try it – if they can get past the issue of one big contract signed to a government with no stadium options.
sheek
Roar Guru
Snow John, It's a crying shame one of England cricket's greatest fast bowlers has had his name pinched as a pseudonym by a village idiot. There should be a law against this.
Snow John
Guest
And 9 out of 10 of comments on the internet are pure, unadulterated BS. And look, here's one by the sheek. Actually, by your logic, you probably own the internet :laughing: .
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep, a second Brisbane team will only force this issue in the years to come I feel. This year is the perfect opportunity to start something ahead of the contract with the NSW govt eventually ending - not exactly sure when that is though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers mate - contract is certainly an issue, but it just makes sense this year for it to move north to me.
Scott Pryde
Expert
It's not a "few domestic games" though Greg... It's the small matter of a T20 World Cup for which the ICC have ground bookings in place.
Greg
Roar Pro
If crowds are allowed in Sydney i cant see the NSW government allowing the grand final to be moved. Regardless of stadium availability. However, i dont see cricket at the SCG being a problem. Surely the SCG trust would move a few domestic games to Nth Sydney, Bankstown or Homebush rather than give up the grand final?? The only way i can see it being in Qld is if Qld has fully recovered from COVID allowing crowds, yet state borders remain closed whilst NSW continues its battle with the virus. The arguments amongst the comments about fairness and Qld crowds 'deserving' a grand final are completely seperate issues. Additionally, some comments along the lines of at least it will be a sell out in Qld i feel are misleading. Firstly it suggests GF attendance in Sydney has been an issue. The reality is it has never been a problem. Only twice since moving to Homebush has the crowd dropped below 80000, 2006 and 2017 with the lowest crowd being 79609. Both years there was no Sydney team. If the Broncos or Cowboys make the grand final im sure Suncorp would sell out no matter the price mark up of tickets. However im not convinced you would sell out suncorp at $200 a ticket if the grand final was 2 sydney teams and the borders were closed.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Scott, thank you for this excusably emotional article. However, as you so rightly point out, the contract is the problem. There may even be State Government politics involved. You're talking about the GF this year and where it could be most economical to be held. So no spectators means that's not an issue. Taking the longer view, I think that Lang Park (sorry, Suncorp Stadium) should be considered. You say that you've not been to a SOO game at Lang Park (showing my age again). But I've been there for an SOO game and a Super Rugby match and the venue is superb, and I go back to watching RL there since I was young in the 1950s when circuses were held on the ground. Hopefully, the current RL circus wouldn't stop consideration of Suncorp.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Well done sheekie! It's been a very long time since I've read a good, old-fashioned troll.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I'm a bit out of my depth here re League discussion, but as an outsider, it seems like Origin is a real jewel in the game's crown. Noting that Origin games are being taken elsewhere, could the Origin series be extended to a 5 game series - or best of five perhaps (say that non-League states get game 1 or 2 on a rotational basis. Or perhaps, Melbourne every 2nd year with Perth/Adelaide every 4th year - e.g. Melb/Perth/Melb/Adl, giving Sydney and Brisbane 2 guaranteed games in the first 3, plus both those cities scheduled for games 4 and 5, noting those last two games may not eventuate depending on how the best of 5 is proceeding). Obviously this would increase the Origin time-window and has some impact on the NRL season scheduling. Or is 3 games the sweet spot? Seems like in past years that should one team win the first two games, it's all over before game 3, after a big build up to the start of the series. A " best of" 5 series raises the possibility that games 4 and 5 don't go ahead in a 3-game clean-sweep scenario - perhaps this just provides a bit more of a mid-season break for players?
Bee bee
Guest
Integrity. Easy to lose. Hard to buy. The long term benefits of increased interest. Fan involvement and just plain fairness would pay far bigger dividends then selling seats to corporates at GFs who really don’t care for the game. I know this is utopian fairy unicorn thinking but “Rugba Leeg” needs a man of integrity and character to look beyond short term corporate interests.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The MCG, like the SCG, will be out of action. Cricket take that over early October.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
"yes, there is a contract in place with the New South Wales government for the state to host the grand final" correct, and that contract also stipulates a deadline for the availability of the new stadium at Moore Park and refurbished Homebush. The NSW govt won't be able to meet their end of the contract, which means the NRL are free to move the GF. No one in Sydney will care if the GF goes to Brisbane every 4th of 5th year, only the unhinged faction of the Sydney media (i.e. Daily Telegraph) and the idiots that take note of them care.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
MCG...50,000 extra seats plus grow the game more in Melbourne. I know where I'd be taking the GF.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Interesting you ignore the part of my comment where I agreed with him. But I guess that doesn’t fit your agenda of wanting to insult me. Weird you’ve been so triggered by a complete stranger...
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
We shall see, Scott, but I don't believe it. I don't believe it because I don't think we will be able to eradicate the virus between now and then, and whilst it still exists in the population it can still be spread. Once again, mass gatherings are the highest risk type of behaviour regarding viral pandemics. As much as I'd love to be going to games I would prefer we don't take the risk when it is still a risk, and it sounds like that's what the medical officers advising the cabinet think too.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
And Scott, not to mention that would be an unfair advantage to Parra.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Are you suggesting MCG or Perth Adelaide perhaps because I think Suncorp will be the biggest option available apart from those.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Fine by me but are the lights capable of throwing 100 lux?
Nat
Roar Guru
Well played by Scomo. Swift pass back to the States. Has there ever been a better definition of Hospital Pass? :laughing: :laughing:
Flexis
Roar Rookie
Another view would be: Despite the volume of teams boasted, the National Rugby League Grand Final has been decided between two Sydney teams on 6 out of 22 occasions since its conception. The best part: During the period when this tradition was technically conceived, it happened once in the first five years.