Sydney NRL finals move to bigger venues

[RedVDave]

SYDNEY-based NRL teams will have to host their opening finals games at either the Sydney Football Stadium or ANZ Stadium from next season.

In a decision which brings the opening week of the post-season into line with the semi-finals in week two, finals will no longer be played at Sydney's suburban grounds.
It was agreed on the final day of the NRL's annual conference at Byron Bay, with club bosses supporting the move for fixed venues for finals matches.
The issue came to a head in 2009 when minor premiers St George Illawarra opted to host their opening finals game against Parramatta at WIN Jubilee Stadium, with thousands of fans deprived the opportunity to purchase tickets to the game because of the smaller ground capacity.
"A big part of the growth in membership in the game has been the need for members to be assured of the chance to get the best seats at the big games at the end of each year," NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.
"Importantly, the move will allow away team members greater opportunity and will be able to better accommodate those clubs that have memberships spread across multiple venues."
Other issues on today's agenda included examining the length of future NRL seasons, particularly with the prospect of more teams being added to the competition in coming seasons, possibly as early as 2013.
Central Queensland, the Central Coast, Perth, Papua New Guinea and a second New Zealand team in Wellington have all been mooted as possible expansion sites.
The conference also discussed the scheduling of State of Origin football, with a push in recent years for Origin games to be held as stand-alone matches - with no NRL games played in the same week.
Proposals put forward by club bosses ranged from lengthening the season significantly to reducing it.
"There was a lot of focus on the impact of Origin and representative matches in the years ahead and on the future location of teams," Gallop said.
"If the game was to expand to eighteen teams at some time in the future there would be strong support for adopting a conference style draw."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...to-bigger-venues/story-e6frexnr-1225963402962

 

[Dragon Dave]

No worries, play our home semis at the Gong

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

As much as i want a home final at Kogorah, it won't be too bad having it at a bigger stadium. Just more room for Dragons fans.

 

[Minh]

Dragons fans really dominated the semis this year, a big part of our success IMO.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

Dragons fans really dominated the semis this year, a big part of our success IMO.

True, but i'd like to see big turnouts to every one of our games, not only when we're winning.

Our team needs support all year long, not only in September.

 

[Tanner Ave]

Is the gong exempt from that new rule? Does that mean no more finals football for Jubilee? What a shame.

Another dumb decision I think. But that is just me.

I suppose teams that dont have a home to play at wont care and teams that cant pull a crowd wont care either. That leaves well us!

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

The RORTERS are gonna love this. SFS is their home ground.

The CEO of the RORTERS came out and said having the games at either the SFS or ANZ is a great idea.

Off course it is you dumb merkin, if your team makes it to the semi's its classified as a home game for u.

 

[big pat]

its better they make a decision now, than a week or two before the semi finals, so f**kfield and his cronies can put us down for not moving, as long as its the sfs i don't care, the only setback is getting back to the taj to celebrate will take a bit longer.

 

[big pat]

The RORTERS are gonna love this. SFS is their home ground.

The CEO of the RORTERS came out and said having the games at either the SFS or ANZ is a great idea.

Off course it is you dumb merkin, if your team makes it to the semi's its classified as a home game for u.

surely if we finish above them on the table, doust would play it at anz.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

surely if we finish above them on the table, doust would play it at anz.

Definately. I'd love to see us dominate them in the crowd and in the game.

Another 80% Dragons compared to 20% rorters.

 

[big pat]

Definately. I'd love to see us dominate them in the crowd and in the game.

Another 80% Dragons compared to 20% rorters.

20% thats generous.:lol:

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

hahahahahaha

ok. 80% Dragons, 5% rorters and 15% neutral.

Better? lol

 

[big pat]

hahahahahaha

ok. 80% Dragons, 5% rorters and 15% neutral.

Better? lol

hey how was tony feeling after the manu game, i didn't want to upset him any further.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

lol he was devo'd.

Words couldn't describe it.

 

[Coppo_ForeverYOUNG]

Over a carling cup game???
I dont even give a f**k, we're winning games that count

 

[Coppo_ForeverYOUNG]

on another note though, whats the f**king go with those wankers from the media source which will not be named listing kogarah as having only 15,000 capacity.
another f**king hate campaign against us

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

Over a carling cup game???
I dont even give a f**k, we're winning games that count

Tony is a Blackburn supporter. We're talking about how he was after man-u smashed em.

 

[silverex]

Not fussed about this.

But I am surprised that the Masons could have so much influence!

 

[Stagger Lee]

This is a fked idea. We have a just had a massive investment into Kogarah and WIN stadiums and the backers of that investment deserve a return. So a few thousand people who are not season ticket holders can't get into the ground? the answer is to become a member and guarantee a ticket.

 

[YEHHHBOYYYD]

Not fussed about this.

But I am surprised that the Masons could have so much influence!

Correction. ALL THE INFLUENCE!