Sydney retains rights to NRL grand final for next 25 years

[TruSaint]

Disappointed in the decision to scrap the new world class facility in Homebush, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg stood by the Government's call by honouring Sydney with its showpiece event for the long-term future.

The NRL had previously signed a memorandum of understanding which would keep the grand final in Sydney if the project went forward.

“We committed to playing the Grand Final in Sydney for the next 25 years and that commitment will be met,” he said.

“Whichever way you look at it, this is a huge investment in stadia for our game and we always said that if the Government invests in facilities we will play our biggest games there.

“Naturally I would have preferred to see a new stadium built at Sydney Olympic Park in line with our Memorandum of Understanding.

“But this remains the biggest infrastructure program the game has ever seen, one that gives our fans a new level of stadia facilities.''

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the new plan will cost half a billion dollars less than the original proposal, with taxpayers now forking out $810 million for the redeveloped 70,000 seat stadium.

SOURCE:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...sydney-for-25-more-years-20180329-p4z6wu.html

 

[Gareth67]

Personally I am glad that the plans for a new stadium have been scrapped . That money can no doubt be used in other avenues , such as health , education and 100 hundred needy causes that are shy of a quid . Glad that we still have the Grand Final in Sydney , cannot imagine it anywhere else but where the game was born .

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

It's in Sydney ............

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

Seriously, what idiot wants to knock down and rebuild a 19 year old, multi million dollar stadium.

Allianz or whatever it's called these day I can understand, but Olympic Park?

 

[Frank Facer]

Seriously, what idiot wants to knock down and rebuild a 19 year old, multi million dollar stadium.

Allianz or whatever it's called these day I can understand, but Olympic Park?

I want Homebush stadium knocked down and rebuilt as a proper rectangle stadium that is designed specifically for League, Union and Soccer. It was designed for the Olympics and is a terrible viewing stadium for fans.

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

I want Homebush stadium knocked down and rebuilt as a proper rectangle stadium that is designed specifically for League, Union and Soccer. It was designed for the Olympics and is a terrible viewing stadium for fans.

Yeah but surely a refurbishment to a rectangle is a better option

 

[hewi]

I want Homebush stadium knocked down and rebuilt as a proper rectangle stadium that is designed specifically for League, Union and Soccer. It was designed for the Olympics and is a terrible viewing stadium for fans.

110% on the head. It’s a shocker, Allianz is so much better.

 

[kit66]

That's not really fair on Queensland considering the contribution they make to the league. Wouldn't hurt to play a GF in Brisbane once in a while.

 

[Frank Facer]

110% on the head. It’s a shocker, Allianz is so much better.

Allianz, which I call the Sydney Football Stadium wasn't built properly in the first place. It should have had the grandstand going all the way around the ground and held at least 50 000 fans. It also should have a roof that actually functions properly. I am not suggesting a roof that covers the field, I mean a roof that covers the seated fans.

I am in favor of rebuilding both stadiums.

 

[Dragon Revival]

I worked at ANZ Stadium for over 10 years. I believe that the refurbishment is the best way to go as the ground is only for big events and is in an inconvenient location which has no soul ot atmosphere. I do not know why they are making Allianz such a small venue as it should hold 50,000 people. Greenberg is a lightweight who formerly worked at ANZ Stadium and is a prime example of jobs for the boys.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

Smarter option would be to utilise that government money and put an extra beer and hot dog stand on the hill at both Kogarah and Wollongong

 

[Slackboy72]

Seriously, what idiot wants to knock down and rebuild a 19 year old, multi million dollar stadium.

Allianz or whatever it's called these day I can understand, but Olympic Park?

I'd be putting in a plan to upgrade or refurb Allianz in ten years or so but the Olympic stadium?
It's not even twenty years old.

How about they figure out a way to get a light rail connection to Moore Park first.

 

[Frank Facer]

That's not really fair on Queensland considering the contribution they make to the league. Wouldn't hurt to play a GF in Brisbane once in a while.

I disagree, I think the NRL grand final should always be played in Sydney, which is the spiritual home of Rugby League in Australia and where the Grand Final has always been played. The current competition is an expansion of the old Sydney RL comp.

The Grand Final is also part of our culture in Sydney, just like the Melbourne Cup and the AFL Grand Final is part of Melbourne's culture.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

That's not really fair on Queensland considering the contribution they make to the league. Wouldn't hurt to play a GF in Brisbane once in a while.

When Brisbane has its own independent competition, it can have its own grand final.

Until then...

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Can someone calmly explain the rationale behind the plan to demolish, then rebuild Allianz Stadium, all for the sake of a meagre capacity increase of around 5,000 additional spectators?

Admittedly, as a Gold Foundtion Member I have vested interests in seeing this venue flourish, but the former Sydney Football Stadium has been vastly underused - and ignored - for higher profile sporting events for over 10-years now.

I'd thought it'd be time to regain at least a few of the plethora of events that have transferred to Homebush.

Apparently not.

(The SCG Trust is both apathetic and arrogant)

This is a shame because it's clear which ground is superior viewing enjoyment.

 

[Saintsified]

That's not really fair on Queensland considering the contribution they make to the league. Wouldn't hurt to play a GF in Brisbane once in a while.

Maybe if QLD started a comp and Sydney teams joined it then I would agree.

 

[Brutalitops]

Can someone calmly explain the rationale behind the plan to demolish, then rebuild Allianz Stadium, all for the sake of a meagre capacity increase of around 5,000 additional spectators?

Admittedly, as a Gold Foundtion Member I have vested interests in seeing this venue flourish, but the former Sydney Football Stadium has been vastly underused - and ignored - for higher profile sporting events for over 10-years now.

I'd thought it'd be time to regain at least a few of the plethora of events that have transferred to Homebush.

Apparently not.

(The SCG Trust is both apathetic and arrogant)

This is a shame because it's clear which ground is superior viewing enjoyment.

Allianz is old and it's facilitiesits facilities are woefully outdated. I remember reading the SCG Trust were threatened with losing the licence to future events by multiple sports due to safety and facility concerns.

Could they refurbish it to fix these? Not so clear, a lot of the issues couldn't be fixed easily without structural changes, and seeing as SCG Trust is literally a quasi-government, they got their new stadium.

 

[Frank Facer]

Can someone calmly explain the rationale behind the plan to demolish, then rebuild Allianz Stadium, all for the sake of a meagre capacity increase of around 5,000 additional spectators?

Admittedly, as a Gold Foundtion Member I have vested interests in seeing this venue flourish, but the former Sydney Football Stadium has been vastly underused - and ignored - for higher profile sporting events for over 10-years now.

I'd thought it'd be time to regain at least a few of the plethora of events that have transferred to Homebush.

Apparently not.

(The SCG Trust is both apathetic and arrogant)

This is a shame because it's clear which ground is superior viewing enjoyment.

I agree that increasing the SFS to 45 000, isn't enough, I think it should hold between 50000 to 60 000.

When it was built the roofing that is supposed to cover the fans when it is raining didn't. They also should have had the second tier of the grandstand going all the way around the ground (behind the goal posts). It was a very poorly designed stadium.

When the SFS was first built, I also remember hearing/reading that there were insufficient toilet facilities, when the stadium was full and maybe insufficient food and beverages outlets.

 

[ouryears]

I want Homebush stadium knocked down and rebuilt as a proper rectangle stadium that is designed specifically for League, Union and Soccer. It was designed for the Olympics and is a terrible viewing stadium for fans.

It doesn't have to be knocked down to make the field rectangle Frank. It will be rectangle without the entire place being bulldozed.

 

[ouryears]

That's not really fair on Queensland considering the contribution they make to the league. Wouldn't hurt to play a GF in Brisbane once in a while.

I agree, once every 5 yrs would seem right. Though I can see an argument for once each 2 years too. If I was a QLDerI would be feeling pretty cranky right now.
It will give them more motivation and ammunition to keep destroying us in origin matches though.