Rabbitohs ready to be coaxed back to new $700m Sydney Football Stadium
After 15 years playing in Sydney’s west, the Rabbitohs could be heading home.
South Sydney powerbrokers are expected to be encouraged by the State Government and NRL to play home games at the newly built $700m Sydney Football Stadium – formerly known as Allianz Stadium – in Moore Park.
It wouldn’t though mean Souths would completely walk away from ANZ Stadium, the club’s home ground since 2006.
A recent online members survey undertaken by the club is understood to show a leaning toward playing at the new SFS, situated just 3.3kms from Souths’ Redfern Oval heartland.
All options remain open for Souths with a final decision delayed, possibly until December, when the planned merger between the SCG Trust and Venues NSW has been completed.
The State Government — given their extensive financial outlay in building the stadium — will push clubs towards playing at the new venue. Some in rugby league even suggest the government would make the “ultimate decision” on who plays where.
A move east would mean Souths sharing the new SFS will fierce rivals, the Sydney Roosters. The government would also need to offer Souths some financial assurances for a relocation.
Should Souths shift back east, the club could still play two games each season at ANZ Stadium – one being the successful Good Friday clash against Canterbury.
Souths are unlikely to use Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, as a home ground when the new SFS reopens.
The NRL and State Government authorities are locked in talks over which teams could be directed to play at the new SFS, expected to be completed mid to late 2022. Negotiations have been described as delicate and protracted.
ANZ Stadium’s scrapped redevelopment through COVID will also impact Souths’ ultimate decision. Rabbitohs powerbrokers are yet to be told by the Government whether ANZ Stadium will eventually be redeveloped or refurbished.
While Souths aren’t included in any top-level discussions between the NRL and Government, well-placed sources claim the Rabbitohs will be gently encouraged to return to the east.
The Rabbitohs have kept the survey results confidential, while they await the NSW Government and NRL to confirm a stadium strategy.
Souths have robust financial advantages by playing at ANZ Stadium – a deal the club would hope to mirror with a move to the SFS. While Souths supporters are spread throughout Sydney’s west, the club’s heartland has – since 1908 – been in Sydney’s east.
One potential concern for ANZ Stadium would around the reduced content for their members should Souths move. A possible answer could be a new strategy where one Sydney stadium membership could incorporate the SFS and ANZ Stadium.
Souths has a strong and successful relationship with ANZ Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry and fans speak of the easy road transport and parking options at Olympic Park.
The Rabbitohs previously played at the old SFS between 1988 – when the arena opened – until 2005. A shift to ANZ was lucrative for Souths and allowed the club to grow its crowds and membership year-on-year.
Some NRL figures are dubious the SFS will be ready by mid-2022 and believes the start of 2023 – the year of a State election – would be a more realistic completion date.
