Qld fans get just rewards with NRL finals series blockbusters

The Queensland government is poised to reveal if it has prevailed in a six-week battle for the NRL grand final as finals footy fever will hit four regional Queensland towns this week.

Finals footy fever will hit four regional Queensland towns this week but the Premier has stopped short of declaring if Brisbane has scored this year’s NRL grand final.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville will host an NRL finals double-header on Saturday with the city’s Covid-free status helping it secure the major sporting event.

The $293m stadium will host the qualifying round between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs and an elimination final between the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast Titans.

Matches are also planned for Rockhampton, Eels v Knights, and the Storm will take on the Sea Eagles at the Sunshine Coast.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said it was exciting to bring the finals series to Townsville.

“We created history earlier in the year with Townsville hosting their first State of Origin and now the eyes of all rugby league fans will be on Townsville on Saturday night for two massive Telstra Premiership finals series games,” Mr Abdo said.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Some of our most passionate fans are from Townsville and we wanted to reward the region for their support this year with finals series matches.”

Suncorp Stadium is still expected to host the grand final, with Queensland Country Bank stadium understood to be the back-up should Covid-19 spiral out of control in the southeast.

The Sunday Mail revealed the Queensland government was poised to reveal it had prevailed in a six-week battle for the NRL grand final, edging out Sydney’s Stadium Australia, New Zealand and Melbourne.

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday signalled negotiations were still ongoing, denying they had been put on hold amid backlash over the partners and families of NRL players being flown into Queensland while the general public was subject to a pause of hotel quarantine access.

Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk and Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young. Picture: Richard Walker

“Fingers crossed Queensland will get that NRL Grand Final, at a time when it can’t be played in NSW because of the Covid-19 restrictions,” she said

“My understanding is they’re looking at a number of our regional stadiums and that would include Townsville, and the Gold Coast and some of the other stadiums for some preliminary finals.

“These are all under negotiations, but I’ll let the Sports Minister undertake those and he’ll update me in due course.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said hosting NRL finals was another example of the $293m stadium driving economic benefit for the north.

“Accommodation next weekend was forecast at approximately 30 per cent occupancy, but we anticipate this announcement to provide a welcomed boost to our hotels and hospitality businesses,” she said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she was pleased the city would be able to host this major event, especially because much of the finals series would usually be played in Sydney.

“With a week to go, I’m hopeful we could have a sell out at the stadium,” Cr Hill said.

“This is pretty much a carnival of NRL here in the city.

“We showed the NRL the love (we have) for the code at the State of Origin and it would be absolutely fantastic to have that same atmosphere for the finals.”

Townsville City Council did not contribute funding to bring the game to the region.

It’s understood a formal announcement on the grand final from the Queensland government will be made before the start of the NRL finals series this Friday night.

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday: Storm v Sea Eagles, Sunshine Coast Stadium 7:50pm

Saturday: Roosters v Titans/Sharks, Queensland Country Bank Stadium 5.40pm

Saturday: Panthers v Rabbitohs, Queensland Country Bank Stadium 7.50pm

Sunday: Eels v Knights, Browne Park Rockhampton 4.05pm