I think your aswer OT is in your first paragraph ie, financial.
If i remember correctly the game was going to be played in Newcastle avoiding the COVID 'bubble' for crowd involvement, then came the news no crowds allowed, so they moved it to where crowds could attend ie QLD. Crowds = income. Income thst is budgetted in the NRL's 'profit' for the year. Without it, things like salary caps may have to he reduced etc. It's also the reason a 'dead rubber' is played. Crowds = income
Tbh, SOO lost it's appeal to me a fair while ago, when it became more about the spectacle rather than the state v state, mate v mate. Yes, i still watch it, as its entertainment value is relatively higher than the 300th rerun of sone dud movie.