South Sydney says the taxpayers not the Roosters own $850m Allianz Stadium
NewsCorp Dean Ritchie 14/8/22
South Sydney has flipped the script on Roosters supremo Nick Politis’s suggestion Allianz Stadium is theirs.
We’ve had a taste of Allianz Stadium – and now we want more.
A third successive sellout in front of crowds totalling more than 120,000 has only steeled
South Sydney’s hunger to play out of the new Allianz Stadium. And Souths don’t care if that upsets their high-profile neighbours.
In a declaration certain to rile the Sydney Roosters, a defiant
South Sydney say they won’t be denied in their bullish ambition to move from Accor Stadium to the new $850m Allianz Stadium.
And their push comes as Souths take a cheeky swipe at the stadium’s full-time tenants, Sydney Roosters.
“Contrary to what some people say and think, the stadium is owned by the people of NSW – not any one individual,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said.
Two sell outs against the Roosters – in round 25 and then last Sunday’s qualifying final – and an estimated crowd of around 40,000 for this Saturday’s final against Cronulla – has only reinforced Souths’ desire to move east.
Souths eliminated the Sydney Roosters from the NRL premiership race last weekend – and now they want to play at their home ground.
“Hopefully it’s the first of many great wins we have there,” Solly said.
Rabbitohs management has seen first-hand what Allianz Stadium offers and want to play in Moore Park if the Government continues to resist investing in Accor. It seems Souths supporters have also fallen in love with the new facility.
After weeks of negotiations with the State Government, it is becoming increasingly likely Souths will continue to play at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, for next season. This despite the Rabbitohs publicly push for a shift to the new $850m facility at Moore Park.
But Solly stressed his club won’t give up on the move and will again start the fight for 2024 if denied next season.
“If the Government doesn’t have plans to upgrade Accor then we will continue to fight to play in the stadium the taxpayers of NSW have just invested $800m in,” Solly said. “It’s clear from the first two games we have played there that it’s a great stadium.
“We know from the conversations we’ve had with our fans and members just how much they have loved visiting Allianz Stadium in the past two weeks.
“I was speaking to some of our ‘Burrow’ (supporters group) at training and they were still raving about the atmosphere the stadium created last Sunday and that it was the best since the 2014 grand final.
“Our fans and members are looking forward to a third straight week at the stadium and given the famous victory last Sunday, hopefully it’s the first of many great wins we have there.
“If the Government won’t invest in Accor then it’s only right that we are able to play games at the facility with the best experience for our members and fans.”
Souths are continuing dialogue with the State Government and Venues NSW about the possibility of moving next season but it now appears unlikely. The Rabbitohs want to quit Accor after the Government reneged – three times - on an $800m redevelopment of the stadium.
Ironically, by the end of this season, Souths will have played more games at Allianz than the Roosters.
“We are still in discussions with the Government and don’t know whether we will be in a position to finalise those discussions for next season,” Solly said.
“We are still waiting for the Sports Minister (Alister Henskens) and Venues NSW to give us any details about their long-term plans for Accor Stadium. We are very grateful for the intervention of the Minister and the progress that has been made.”
