The Pirtek Parramatta Eels will be playing their Round 1 blockbuster against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Parramatta Stadium after the club and Stadium Trust failed to reach an agreement to move the match to ANZ Stadium.
A huge crowd is anticipated for the game and Eels CEO Paul Osborne expects a sell-out for the season opener.
“The board has listened to our members and fans and decided to play our first match of the NRL season at Parramatta Stadium,” Osborne said.
“The penalty was too great to move the game, since Parramatta Stadium were going to impose a $100,000 penalty, on top of the hirers’ fee we were already contracted to pay. To move the match would have cost us almost $200,000.
“Clearly the current arrangement with Parramatta Stadium is onerous and it is difficult to make decisions like this that could benefit the club and its fans.
“Now we hope the fans support our players and pack out all our games throughout the season and make them sell-outs.”
A huge crowd is anticipated for the game and Eels CEO Paul Osborne expects a sell-out for the season opener.
“The board has listened to our members and fans and decided to play our first match of the NRL season at Parramatta Stadium,” Osborne said.
“The penalty was too great to move the game, since Parramatta Stadium were going to impose a $100,000 penalty, on top of the hirers’ fee we were already contracted to pay. To move the match would have cost us almost $200,000.
“Clearly the current arrangement with Parramatta Stadium is onerous and it is difficult to make decisions like this that could benefit the club and its fans.
“Now we hope the fans support our players and pack out all our games throughout the season and make them sell-outs.”
Replies
At the end of the day ANZ is a neutral venue despite who is marked as the home team
Having said that lets hope its a sell out now
One of my fondest memories of an intimidating home crowd was the 98 semi final versus North Sydney
for Round 1 Can't Wait to see Jarryd and our boys play for the first time
and am so Excited about seeing Parramatta Stadium for the first time
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