NRL boss Peter V’landys has ruled out switching venues next weekend to accommodate bigger crowds in the first week of the finals.
Minor premiers Penrith will host the Parramatta Eels at Penrith Stadium, a venue that has a capacity of 22,500.
It means tens of thousands of fans will miss out.
The NRL could make hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra income by moving the game to Accor Stadium for a match that would attract 70,000 fans.
“The teams have earnt the right to host home finals,” V’landys said, “My focus is on their loyal fans.
“This is a reward they get for turning up every week.
“Sometime it’s not all about dollars – you’ve got to reward their loyalty.
“I understand we could make more money at another venue.
“But this is how you get long-term membership and the tribal following.
“You can’t buy loyalty. I’d prefer to lose money in situations like this.”
The Cronulla Sharks are in the same situation, expected to host a home final at Pointsbet Stadium against the Cowboys at a venue with a capacity off 11,500.
“Cronulla fans are the same as Penrith’s” he said, “they’ve been turning up all year to support the team and they deserve to be playing out of home.”
i have no idea how that shithole is fit enough to host a blockbuster like next weeks game. 22k what a joke
Replies
We all knew that, i do not mind it either for week 1. What is the point of going for home field advantage in semis if you are not playing at home? For us it will never be an issue as CommBank will get any type of finals game bar a GF
Same as the sharks home ground, holds 11 thousand.
They deserve the home game advantage.
V’landys missing the point...show some leadership this game should be played at Homebush! Imagine a sold a out stadium the atmosphere would be electric
True Fong but there are other ways to reward coming 1st, give the minor premiers more money - I still think moving the game even to alliance stadium which is double the capacity is the right move for the game in general
No Mick, PVL is right. Penrith have earned this right. It would be different if it was a prelim final, but not 1st week.
Non issue really, Penrith earned a home semi final. Week 1 should always be played at home ground. Week 2 onwards start looking at capacities etc.
Once you take away corporate tickets and Panther members tickets, I wonder what allocation for Parra members there is before go on public sale.
I remember years ago giving up final game at Parra stadium to fit bigger crowd in Homebush and think we lost.
Although I would be pissed off missing out on tickets to a smaller stadium, there has to be an advantage for finishing higher on the ladder. I just hope that eels are given a decent allocation as they should also be rewarded for making finals and turning up all year before tickets on sale to general public. If no tickets for general public that too bad but reward paying members of both clubs first.
There's no allocation to club per say. So they go on sale at the same time to Eels members and Panthers members.
Here's the good part, we have 34,000 members, they have 20,000 members. So you would think we should be able to get an even share out there. I also think it will sell out before getting to general public sale
Penrith have earned the right no argument here.
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