As the end of the regular season approaches the talk naturally gravitates toward the finals. This year, however, the discourse moves beyond possible on-field permutations and who will be runners-up to Melbourne.
Current social and health issues are forcing a debate as to where the main event will be played in the first place. There have been recent rumours of Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland all hosting the big one, but in this topsy-turvy world there can be no guarantees.
Sports organisations thus far have been able to negotiate exemptions to shutdowns, most recently for the Bledisloe Cup. But governments have also not hesitated to introduce restrictions at the merest whiff of a case, even if it is pizza-scented in the case of Adelaide.
As the NRL discovered, such onerous laws can cause havoc with fixture scheduling. More pertinently, governments can instantaneously impose lockdown laws on liberties, including the right to gather in public.
For an organisation in the morally correct search for maximum capacity crowds, such fluidity is not an inconsequential burden. At the stroke of a pen, games can be played in front of masked and numerically reduced spectators, moved behind closed doors and even postponed. The demonstrates the need to plan with flexibility and have contingency plans.
Recent events have demonstrated the impossibility of long-term planning. With a zero-COVID strategy it takes just one cock-up to have political leaders expunge societal freedoms from their localities.
There are no guarantees that between now and the grand final any or multiple of the potential host cities will be subject to quarantine and stay-at-home orders. It’s ironic that while the ARLC and NZRL forced the World Cup’s postponement, the only guaranteed, unlimited capacity final will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Planning with any degree of certainty remains impossible. Thankfully the finals reduce the number of sides and people, easing the logistical hurdles that may surface. The NRL have already demonstrated that they can move lock, stock and barrel at short notice. The task now turns to deciding which city should be the frontrunner.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Sydney appears to be ruled out. It is hard to see what changes will be made between now and October or even between now and a higher vaccine threshold being reached.
Brisbane, as a rugby league heartland with all teams located nearby, would be the obvious choice. There are rumours of backroom shenanigans over clearance to play during the latest south-east Queensland lockdown. It may represent a quid pro quo agreement to play the lucrative grand final at Lang Park, but we may only speculate.
Melbourne has been touted as recompense for the lost State of Origin fixture and to further solidify the game in the state. Even with a limited capacity the MCG could still hold more than Suncorp Stadium at full capacity.
However, many proponents have touted the persuasive pull of a ‘homecoming’ for a triumphant Melbourne. Of course it would take a punt of fickle cluelessness more familiar to Flemington than Olympic Park to bet against the Storm. But basing any argument on one home side for the pinnacle of the domestic club game in Australia seems churlish.
One could similarly make arguments about taking games to Perth and Adelaide. They have had even less opportunity to witness top-flight rugby league than Victoria.
There’s been talk of taking the game to Auckland, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has recently sought to quash such speculation. But she has not entirely ruled it out either, adding “[i]f the NRL put a suggestion to us, I’m sure we would give it due consideration”. It’s not as if pernicious border closures haven’t been overcome. State premiers are just as guarded, seemingly seeking to turn back the clock to 1901 and dismembering the foundations of Federation.
An Auckland final equally rewards rugby league fans that have not been to a game since 2019. Aotearoa-New Zealand’s even greater geographic and demographic isolation (compared to Australia) offers a greater degree of epidemiological certainty.
Nonetheless, the COVID sword of Damocles hangs over the latter stages of the tournament, as demonstrated by the Kiwi insouciance to the NRL. The higher-ups would be wise to pick a first choice but also come to agreements with other cities as backup contingencies.
A half-capacity final might have been sufficient for 2020, but such restrictions grate while so much of the world opens up in 2021. Every eventuality must be accounted for to facilitate a full house for the grand final. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
PaulC
Guest
Brisbane the least deserving?? Hell Walter Black they have saved the competition. Do you think the competition could have survived without the shift to SE Qld??
Paul
Roar Guru
At any given time, any Premier can and will make up their own rules around covid that they deem necessary to protect the people in their State. We've seen numerous examples of that in the past 18 months, particularly in Melbourne. It;s tough enough for the NRL to have to deal with one gov't when it comes to covid, let alone trying to placate Qld then trying to also stay onside with Andrews in Victoria. Rather than face that challenge, would which not be easy because no one knows what hoops the NRL would have to jump through, stay with one gov't but move the game to a place not likely to be locked down but can still host the game in an approrpiate way.
Popavalium Andropoff
Guest
Melbourne deserves to host it given how good Storm have been for so long, but there's been so many cases of community transmission in Melbourne there's too much of a risk that the G will be empty. Perth is the safest option. Period. Also, Perth hosting the GF could be the catalyst to bring in the Pirates, or bringing back the Reds.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It'll be either Suncorp or Lang Park
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
it wont be Auckland unless every other team loses points and the aussie referees apologize to the worriors and they make the grand final
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Beg to differ slightly; home ground for GF not just for minor premiership, but for also winning finals to get to GF. Team in best position should absolutely get the home final, or at least the GF in their state. If it was Cowboys who were demolishing teams this year instead of Melbourne, I'd say have it in Townsville. If Warriors had finished on top and then won straight sets to get to GF, play it in Auckland. No reason why these places should not be considered other than NSW parochialism. 40,000 is usually a good crowd for a league game anyway, no need to have a ridiculously high ground capacity. 99.9% of us will be watching on TV anyway.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
There is the ongoing risk that whichever city may be decided, it could still have to move or have no crowds at short notice. Whilst Melbourne may have the bigger capacity, it is possible that a week or so prior, there is a new lockdown. As it stands, I’d say Suncorp is the safest option, with maybe a semi final or two in Townsville.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
Probably rule out Auckland - as I don't think it's convenient for Channel 9 and Fox. If Brisbane get the NRL Grand Final, this could be a boost for QLD. Last year, AFL announced that the Grand Final will be played at the Gabba in primetime. I think that the NRL Grand Final will be played during the night time. Remember, QLD does not observe daylight saving but I still think that QLD is the favourite to host the NRL Grand Final. On the other hand, if Melbourne get the NRL Grand Final, I am leaning towards the MCG. I cannot see Docklands Stadium host the NRL Grand Final, even though the Docklands Stadium has a higher capacity than Lang Park, Brisbane. If Melbourne Get the NRL Grand Final, this could be a boost for Melbourne Storm (who are favourites for the premiership). This will provide a big boost in ratings for the Victorian capital. However, Victorian government must make sure that there won't be a rising number of COVID cases.
Cam
Roar Rookie
The NRL could care little and less about rewarding the Storm or Melbourne fans. As far as oval shaped fields being less viewer friendly, V’landys would play the match in a pentagonal decagon if it meant squeezing a few more paying punters into the ground. At the moment, with all teams (and families) based in and around Brisbane and with low Covid cases, the Qld government have the whip hand. The NRL will leak potential venues to the media to try and bump up an asking price, but at the end of the day Suncorp is the only viable option. If played in Brisbane, they will sell the place out in an hour and won’t have any relocation costs. If I was the Qld government, I would be massively low-balling an offer.
Greg
Roar Pro
I agree with the MCG not suited to league but that does not justify halving the potential crowd from 80K to 30K or 40 to 15 if only a restricted crowd allowed. Also, a home ground grand final should not be given as a reward for the minor premiership. The only considerations should be crowd capacity and financial incentives.
Greg
Roar Pro
My only concern with Melbourne (assuming Covid safe) would be if Covid somehow effected either NRL or AFLs draw to have both Grand Finals played the same weekend. I dont like NRL's chances of getting much media coverage if that were the case even with the Storm likely to feature in the Grand Final. Perth in my experience has a more even coverage of the two sports, especially given no WA team likely to go deep in the AFL finals. Not sure about anywhere 'deserving' as such. I would say no where deserves it per se but more so Where will it attract the most spectators and media attention, plus who which Government would pay the most for hosting rights? I think that it is easily Brisbane followed by north Queensland. Then Melbourne if no AFL the same weekend or Perth if there is.
Walter Black
Guest
Why is Melbourne a logistical nightmare ? I can go with the Covid Lockdown risks but the logistics I would imagine to be pretty straight forward given that Melbourne are highly fancied to be there. If it gets Covid under control by September, then 50k upwards at the 'G' would make the best financial return for the NRL and give a little back to footy starved Victorian fans.
Walter Black
Guest
I think we can rule out Auckland, that was a touch of jealousy seeing the Bledisloe crowds in Eden Park last weekend. As things stand, Auckland would very quickly fall into the two hard box. Brisbane, probably most likely given the current Covid situation but they are probably the least deserving having had virtually every game this season and all of Warriors/Storm games last season. Melbourne, second most likely depending on Victoria's ability to crack the current covid skirmish. Very deserving given that Rugby League games in the state have been very scarce these last 2 years. Perth, a good fall back it the others all fail. Very Deserving give the lack Of Rugby League in the state
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Melbourne has to be the obvious choice, but the MCG is not well suited to rectangular field games. It is also not Melbourne's home ground and would not reward them for their minor premiership with the home ground grand final that they surely deserve. It should simply be played at AAMI park as usual. 30,000 is a large enough crowd for a grand final. GO STORM BACK TO BACK 2020/2021
Paul
Roar Guru
This is a very good article which I think accurately describes a very complex decision. The key issues are guaranteeing the game will be played at all and will be played on time, given it's going to be broadcast to millions. I'd suggest Townsville right now has to be a preferred option. Brisbane is way too high risk of lockdown at very short notice, NZ is a logistical nightmare at present, as is Melbourne. T'ville has shown it can host big NRL events, it's remained relatively unaffected by covid, has the infrastructure in place to broadcast and will get a full house, which is far better than the likely social distancing restrictions if the game was played at Suncorp. Have Suncorp or where ever as emergency backups if something happens in T'ville but as it stands, I reckon this is comfortably the best option.
JGK
Roar Guru
They deserve it anyway having carried the competition this year.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Gotta be. That ground is the real deal.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
I doubt NZ will host as, from the same article you mentioned; "Jacinda Ardern said the Australian league competition would not be given special quarantine exemptions allowing the game to bypass Covid travel restrictions." The Wallabies were able to travel as the travel bubble was still open when they went, now it is closed. At a minimum, the NRL would have to do a 14-day quarantine. Melbourne won't for the same reason, especially if the AFL GF is not being played in Melbourne due to Covid. Sydney appears all but ruled out without a definitive end to lockdown. Brisbane would be the choice, but who knows. Adelaide won't happen after what has happened with the Olympians having to do a further 14-day quarantine. Perth? I think the only way that happens is if the whole series is played over there after quarantining.
Greg
Roar Pro
Surely Brisbane. Have nothing against any other option if Brisbane is unavailable, but I cant see how Auckland is a realistic option. Not only do i think the border issue will prove to be too big an obstacle but I dont think tv execs will allow a significant shift in kick off time. Doubtful the game will sell out with a kick-off time around 10pm. Why are we not considering Adelaide or Perth as options should Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne all be unavailable?
peeeko
Roar Guru
insouciance - first time i have seen that woerd used on the roar. as long as the GF is played, i dont care where it is