Suncorp Stadium set to host NRL grand final

[Scorpio30]

Probably a stupid question, but is this an option?

If Suncorp (or any other stadiums in Qld?) had capacity for 80k-85k then I can't see it being a problem.

Agree that moving a Preliminary Final up there is a good idea too.

Not an option....If they were to increase the size of a facility then maybe ANZ down in MacGregor.

And anyway contracts arent worth anything nowadays.

 

[_Johnsy]

Suncorp Stadium set to host NRL grand final
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Karl deKroo, Paul Malone

February 28, 2009 12:00am

QUEENSLAND'S insatiable appetite for rugby league is proving increasingly difficult to ignore, with NRL boss David Gallop giving his strongest indication yet that a Brisbane-based grand final is on the cards.

Strong crowd and corporate support, not only of the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys, but also all representative matches - and in particular last year's World Cup - has prompted the NRL to consider playing the grand final outside Sydney for the first time in the code's 100-year history.

"In January we received a letter from Premier Anna Bligh indicating Queensland's strong interest in hosting the grand final," Gallop said last night.

"I wrote back explaining we are under contract with the NSW Government and ANZ Stadium until 2012.

"But after that, taking the grand final to Brisbane simply must be a consideration.

Typical QLDérs no respect for tradition, it will not happen. The courier mail really is clutching at straws with the heading. It will stay where it belongs, sydney and will not move, Nor should it. Lets remember who joined what comp. The QLD government would have to pay overs to compensate for the tens of thousands of less seats at Suncorp. I can't see the QLD taxpayer going along with this.

 

[The Tank]

It'd be great. Queensland's earned it. Personally I would have the GF in Sydney for four years then Qld the fifth, then Sydney another four years and so on.

 

[_Johnsy]

So long as the ground can ensure the biggest crowd possible. Suncorp will not get a sell out of 83k. When they can fine let them bid for it.

 

[shiznit]

Suncorp Stadium set to host NRL grand final
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Karl deKroo, Paul Malone

February 28, 2009 12:00am

QUEENSLAND'S insatiable appetite for rugby league is proving increasingly difficult to ignore, with NRL boss David Gallop giving his strongest indication yet that a Brisbane-based grand final is on the cards.

Strong crowd and corporate support, not only of the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys, but also all representative matches - and in particular last year's World Cup - has prompted the NRL to consider playing the grand final outside Sydney for the first time in the code's 100-year history.

"In January we received a letter from Premier Anna Bligh indicating Queensland's strong interest in hosting the grand final," Gallop said last night.

"I wrote back explaining we are under contract with the NSW Government and ANZ Stadium until 2012.

"But after that, taking the grand final to Brisbane simply must be a consideration.

Typical QLDérs no respect for tradition, it will not happen. The courier mail really is clutching at straws with the heading. It will stay where it belongs, sydney and will not move, Nor should it. Lets remember who joined what comp. The QLD government would have to pay overs to compensate for the tens of thousands of less seats at Suncorp. I can't see the QLD taxpayer going along with this.

who says it belongs in sydney?? sydney are welcome to have the NSW CUP at homebush...

but i cant see why NSW should have any more say than QLD...

if you want to talk about history then perhaps we should play it in Huddersfield... seeing as thats the birth place of RL...

 

[beave]

I still to this day cannot fathom why they have made the capacity of the joint only 52-53k...............it should have been 65-70k at least. I dont have a clue on architecture, surely they could have tweaked the design in the early stages to include an extra 15k seats..............

 

[_Johnsy]

Tradition mate, it is a commodity that the NRL have forgotten very quickly.

 

[Timmah]

They should move it, the instant the final is between 2 QLD teams. And every other time it is.

Then, and only then will I agree.

But if Suncorp is serious about this they need to inject another couple of million and increase the capacity. You can't rob 30,000 patrons of seats and expect noone to be upset.

 

[_Johnsy]

every gf has been played in sydney sine 1908. Yeah it should be changed because a few people think it would be nice to give another state a chance to host the biggest game of the year. Really ?

 

[Butters]

every gf has been played in sydney sine 1908. Yeah it should be changed because a few people think it would be nice to give another state a chance to host the biggest game of the year. Really ?

You do realise it's not the NSWRL anymore don't you?

 

[Timmah]

who says it belongs in sydney?? sydney are welcome to have the NSW CUP at homebush...

but i cant see why NSW should have any more say than QLD...

if you want to talk about history then perhaps we should play it in Huddersfield... seeing as thats the birth place of RL...

Given that NSW teams have contested and won more Grand Finals than from any other state I think NSW well and truly has the right. This nonsense of little brother throwing tantrums after less than 25 years in the national competition is laughable.

Some of the views from QLDers regarding Sydney are very narrowminded.

 

[Non Terminator]

You do realise it's not the NSWRL anymore don't you?

If you want to put it another way.
Every NSWRL/ARL/NRL Grand Final has been hosted in Sydney.
There you go.

 

[griff]

Its not about bums on seats, its an acknowledgment of the strong support QLD gives RL.

No it isn't, it's about $$$, pure and simple.

If the Qld govt pumps in millions of dollars to lure the Grand Final there, great. If the NSW govt and ANZ Stadium give the NRL millions of dollars to keep the grand final in Sydney, great. If the Victorian govt gazzumps them both, great. If the WA or NZ govt do it, great. All the more money for the game. A bit of competition is a great thing, play them all off against each other and get the best deal for rugby league. The only reason the World Cup made money was because of governments bidding against each other to host matches.

 

[IanG]

You took the words out of my mouth Jobdog. It'd be like the AFL taking their Grand Final away from Melbourne

 

[Scorpio30]

I still to this day cannot fathom why they have made the capacity of the joint only 52-53k...............it should have been 65-70k at least. I dont have a clue on architecture, surely they could have tweaked the design in the early stages to include an extra 15k seats..............

You cant just nominate how many seats you want...at least not in an existing space like that...You are governed by a few things like site lines, seat spacings, floor levels.

Believe me I know. We are working on a new grandstand in Melbourne and the target was 5000...and we ended up with 4350 approx.

 

[Timmah]

You do realise it's not the NSWRL anymore don't you?

So we move the grand final to Suncorp in 2012.

The Grand Final that year, hypothetically, could be say, Newcastle v Bulldogs.

Are you serious? I know we've had out-of-team Grand Finals before in Sydney... sorry Grand Final (once in 101 years), but it would happen far too often if Suncorp pilfered the GF.

For the record, GF crowds since SA/Telstra/ANZ opened:
1999: 107,999 (cap: 108,500, MEL v STG)
2000: 94,277 (cap: 100,000, BRI v SYD)
2001: 90,414 (cap: 91,000, NWC v PAR)
2002: 80,130 (cap: 81,000, SYD v NZW)
2003: 81,166 (cap: 83,500, PEN v SYD)
2004: 82,127 (cap: 83,500, BUL v SYD)
2005: 82,453 (cap: 83,500, WES v NQL)
2006: 79,609 (cap: 83,500, BRI v MEL)
2007: 81,392 (cap: 83,500, MEL v MAN)
2008: 80,388 (cap: 83,500, MAN v MEL)

They're all pretty healthy figures, and none make a case for Sydney to lose the GF.

 

[Timmah]

You took the words out of my mouth Jobdog. It'd be like the AFL taking their Grand Final away from Melbourne

Twas NK Arsenal

 

[griff]

So we move the grand final to Suncorp in 2012.

The Grand Final that year, hypothetically, could be say, Newcastle v Bulldogs.

Are you serious? I know we've had out-of-team Grand Finals before in Sydney... sorry Grand Final (once in 101 years), but it would happen far too often if Suncorp pilfered the GF.

For the record, GF crowds since SA/Telstra/ANZ opened:
1999: 107,999 (cap: 108,500, MEL v STG)
2000: 94,277 (cap: 100,000, BRI v SYD)
2001: 90,414 (cap: 91,000, NWC v PAR)
2002: 80,130 (cap: 81,000, SYD v NZW)
2003: 81,166 (cap: 83,500, PEN v SYD)
2004: 82,127 (cap: 83,500, BUL v SYD)
2005: 82,453 (cap: 83,500, WES v NQL)
2006: 79,609 (cap: 83,500, BRI v MEL)
2007: 81,392 (cap: 83,500, MEL v MAN)
2008: 80,388 (cap: 83,500, MAN v MEL)

They're all pretty healthy figures, and none make a case for Sydney to lose the GF.

Good numbers yes, but the numbers that matter are ones with a dollar sign in front of them.

If it makes more financial sense to take it to Suncorp or Telstra Dome or wherever, then do it.

 

[Tidus_Raider]

The game should be trying to get money out of both state governments, and trying to keep fans in both cities provided with marquee matches.
?

Exactly. Its not all about bums on seats.

52K with QLD Government support might equate to more the 82K with NSW Government support. You just don't know unless you look at the figures on the table. From a traditionalists point of view moving the game from Sydney is a big no no, however I think a the NRL should capitalise on the interest and support they receive in QLD in some way.

Just throwing this up as an idea but what about an Allstars game played on the Friday night before the Grand Final pitting the best players from each team that didnt make the GF. Include all the Kiwi and Polynesian players as they can't play SOO. Your guranteed another sellout.

 

[Timmah]

Maybe make that game a charity-type match where two captains are nominated to pick their side...?