Bulldogs Bite: Rabbitohs and Bulldogs demand overdue redevelopment or threaten to walk away
Accor Stadium could become a four-game a year NRL white elephant, with the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs considering shifting to rival venues after a decade of broken promises.
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Powerhouse clubs Souths and Canterbury are tired of broken promises and excuses, and are demanding action or the one-time pride of Sydney, Accor Stadium, could become a four-game a year NRL white elephant.
The two NRL stadium tenants have united to fight for the long-awaited and much-promised redevelopment of NSW’s largest stadium – or both clubs will consider shifting to rival venues.
For the first time, the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs have united to declare enough is enough – redevelop Accor or we’re gone.
Canterbury signed eight-year extensions at Accor back in 2022 with an assurance the ageing stadium, built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, would be redeveloped. It hasn’t happened and it doesn’t appear likely either. Souths signed in 2016 for the period between 2022 and 2030.
This has been Sydney’s biggest political football since 2012.
Once their current deals expire in December, 2030, and the stadium remains unloved, Souths and Canterbury will consider all options and could move to Allianz Stadium or CommBank Stadium.
That could leave Accor Stadium with just four games a year – a Good Friday match, NRL qualifying final, NRL grand final and State of Origin game.
Souths’ shift to Moore Park would seem logical although Canterbury’s options are more limited.
Perhaps a new stadium could be built at Liverpool for the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers? Maybe Belmore Sports Ground could be redeveloped? Or just a straight shift to Parramatta for home games?
NSW Premier Chris Minns has stated there’s no money in the budget for a redevelopment at Accor Stadium. Minns is unlikely to find any spare cash while he’s in power with the next election in March, 2027.
That only leaves 2½ years for the next government – whether it’s the Coalition or Minns’s Labor Party – to try to prevent the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs looking elsewhere. To be fair, Minns is in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and taxpayers’ money must be spent prudently.
But it would be embarrassing for the government should Sydney’s largest stadium be left without any NRL tenants. An Accor Stadium redevelopment has been promised four times, with the government even issuing media releases, detailing the stadium’s proposed redevelopment, but each pledge has collapsed.
The government has given Accor Stadium a facelift in recent years through a paint job, a 120m-long high-definition screen, an upgrade of the lifts, more corporate suites and additional access to signage.
While appreciated, it’s not quite what Souths and Canterbury had in mind when it comes to a redevelopment.
It kept both clubs mildly happy – and quiet – at the time, but not anymore.
“Firstly, the current position for the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium is not the responsibility of the Minns government,” said Souths CEO Blake Solly.
“A number of commitments about investment into Accor Stadium were made by previous administrations, over almost a decade. We, and I suspect the Bulldogs, relied upon these commitments when agreeing our long-term deals.
“Governments have to prioritise where they see fit, and we have no criticism of this government for their approach to spending on infrastructure or stadiums. Our position has been clear and consistent.
“If Accor is redeveloped as promised, we would be happy to stay. If not, given the billions already invested in other stadiums in the Venues NSW network, we should be given permission to move to one of these stadiums to ensure our members, fans and corporate partners experience the modern facilities they deserve.”
Canterbury CEO Aaron Warburton added: “The Bulldogs are committed to providing the best possible game-day experience for our members and supporters. While we believe Accor Stadium needs updating to meet modern standards, we respect the government’s need to balance multiple priorities.
“We’re open to constructive dialogue about how we can work together to benefit western Sydney communities through world-class sporting facilities.”
Canterbury’s 2022 contract didn’t categorically state a redevelopment would occur but it was hoped and expected. Both clubs have sold memberships over the years based on a redevelopment.
The wait has become long, tedious and unfulfilling and we’re not getting anywhere. Little wonder Souths and Canterbury have had enough.
DOG TREATS
Seven’s Sunrise co-host and former sprint champion Matt Shirvington sent Bulldog’s Bite an emotional text about the sad passing of little Manly fan Beau Hewitt.
This masthead carried a story last week about Sea Eagles players, particularly the Trbojevic brothers, taking Beau into their hearts before the 12-year-old died from Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Shirvo texted: “Matt Shirvington here, mate. Just wanted to say how lovely your article was with poor Beau and the Trbojevic boys.
“Often we get caught up in the negative side of footy and although this is certainly not a positive story it shows how much heart the players have and the human impact of the game. Hope you’re keeping well - Shirvo.”
*****
An international streaming and entertainment platform gave rugby league a nice global leg-up last week.
DAZN Boxing - which has a whopping 800,000 social media followers on X - posted photos of boxers George Kambosos in a NSW State of Origin jumper and opponent Jake Wyllie wearing a Queensland outfit.
The post also included an accompanying photo of Jarome Luai and Reece Walsh in an Origin game. Kambosos won the fight on Saturday night.
*****
Which Super League club is preparing a big money offer for an NRL premiership-winning forward? And which manager of a rising young star is on the nose with the kid’s family?
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Manly’s Reuben Garrick played the game of life against Canberra on Sunday before his famous father-in-law.
Rod Wishart, the father of Garrick’s fiancé Riley, who gave birth to baby Elsie at Northern Beaches Hospital on Saturday, travelled from the NSW South Coast to Brookvale Oval to celebrate becoming a grandfather.
Garrick scored 28 points against the Raiders, which included four tries. Wishart, the father of Melbourne Storm utility star Tyran, played 18 Tests for Australia and 22 games for NSW.
*****
Speculation out of England has indicated a push to play next year’s World Club Challenge – abandoned this year – in Las Vegas.
Penrith would have played Wigan in the WCC after winning last year’s respective grand finals but both were chosen to play in the USA.
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Who would have thought two senior board members at the International Rugby League would hail from the same small NSW country town?
Laurie Daley is a director on the IRL board with Katrina Fanning becoming the new chairperson for the IRL Women’s and Girls Advisory Group.
Both were born in picturesque Junee.
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