THE NRL has called on St George Illawarra to surrender home-ground advantage at Kogarah Oval in next weekend's first finals matches to prevent 28,000 fans from being locked out of the game.
Chief executive David Gallop phoned Dragons boss Peter Doust yesterday to offer a financial incentive of up to $250,000 to quit Kogarah and move to the Sydney Football Stadium.
It would be the first time a club has given up a home-ground advantage in semi-final football since the top four sides earned the right to play at home.
The Daily Telegraph has campaigned for the semi-final to be moved because the Dragons have denied thousands of supporters from Parramatta's blue and gold army from attending tonight's blockbuster at Kogarah Oval.
The move was intended to reward loyal red and white season ticket-holders but has caused a storm of controversy with St George Illawarra juniors holding free passes being denied access along with Eels fans.
The NRL is not prepared to allow it to happen two weeks in a row.
Gallop will have further talks with the Dragons that will likely involve coach Wayne Bennett tomorrow.
"We support St George's decision to play this Friday night game against Parramatta at Kogarah Oval," Gallop told the
The Daily Telegraph.
"They are looking after their members and corporates.
"But next week is a different proposition altogether. We have had discussions with Peter Doust about moving the game.
"At this stage they are just focussing on the Eels match and that's understandable.
"But the bottom line is we want to see as many fans as possible at our semi-finals while acknowledging the homeground advantage is an important part of our finals."
Moving the game from Kogarah, which can seat 18,000, to the SFS with a 46,000-capacity would generate a $1 million gate - adding $600,000 to NRL coffers.
But St George would receive up to 40 per cent of the extra sales - or $250,000.
Dragons sources have revealed the club has not dismissed the idea of moving the game and will obviously be heavily influenced by Bennett.
The encouraging sign is that the six-time premier coach has previously moved a final in the best interests of rugby league.
Back in 2004, his Broncos side was set down to play the Cowboys at the Sydney Football Stadium in a semi-final but Bennett agreed for the match to be transferred to the Cowboys' homeground in Townsville to get a bigger crowd.
It was sold-out and the NRL threw in $200,000 to compensate the SCG Trust for losing the game.
A full-house at the Sydney Football Stadium would generate around $800,000 in gate-takings - more than double what can be earned from Kogarah Oval.
But what is more important winning or cash? I say winning and looking after your fan base.
