Allianz Stadium to host Sharks-Cowboys NRL finals clash

Cronulla’s bid to host their home final at PointsBet Stadium has fallen on deaf ears, with the NRL locking in Allianz Stadium as the host of the sudden-death blockbuster with the Cowboys.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Sharks players perform a huddle after a Storm try during the NRL Qualifying Final match between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on September 14, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The NRL has ruled out playing a semi-final at Shark Park this weekend, with the Cowboys-Sharks sudden-death blockbuster to be played at Allianz Stadium.

This masthead can reveal the Sharks have had a request to host the Cowboys clash at their PointsBet home ground formally rejected in the wake of Cronulla’s 37-10 loss to Melbourne on Saturday.

The Cowboys were initially preparing to face the Sharks at CommBank Stadium following their 28-16 elimination final win over the Knights in Townsville.

Parramatta’s state-of-the-art CommBank home was one venue being discussed on Saturday night amid scheduling clashes at fellow Sydney grounds Accor and Allianz Stadium.

The NRL will finalise the schedule for week two of the playoffs on Sunday night but it’s understood a Sharks-Cowboys clash as Allianz is the preferred option over CommBank Stadium.

There is a view Allianz is a more accessible location at Moore Park for Cronulla fans and the general rugby league supporter base, as opposed to CommBank, which is based in Sydney’s western suburbs.

The Sharks have been campaigning to play at PointsBet Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

The Cowboys charged into the second week of the playoffs with a 28-16 elimination of Newcastle in Townsville and will head to Sydney confident of beating the Sharks if the NRL rubber-stamps Allianz as the neutral metropolitan venue.

Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said he would be surprised if League Central allowed the Sharks to host a playoff game at PointsBet in week two given the NRL’s rules on finals venues.

“We have no issue playing anywhere because we have a good record away from home this year, we won eight games away during the regular season,” he said.

“But in our view, the NRL guidelines say week two finals are played at metropolitan venues and we look forward to hearing from the NRL as to where that venue will be.

“There’s no doubt it would be difficult to face the Sharks at a small venue like theirs where it is very parochial.

“It’s not a matter of not being confident of winning, it’s about honouring the NRL’s finals guidelines and the metro venues in Sydney are either Allianz, Accor or CommBank Stadium.

“There’s a few venue clashes next week with the AFL, but if it’s CommBank, we welcome that, it’s a wonderful ground.”

Sharks chair Steve Mace and chief executive Dino Mezzatesta have been campaigning to play at their home ground next week given their opponent will be from out of Sydney.

The other concern for the Sharks is that the final is expected to be played at Allianz Stadium at the same time as the Sydney Swans play their preliminary final at the neighbouring SCG.

The NRL and their clubs are facing the prospect of attracting an embarrassing crowd in comparison to the Swans.

However, the NRL has knocked back the Sharks’ request given it would create a dangerous precedent that could be thrown back in their face in years to come.

What about the next time a side bangs on their door and asks for a final to be moved? There’s also the belief that big finals games should be played at marquee venues, hence the desire to have the fixture at Allianz Stadium.

The Sharks will host a home final next week after falling to the Storm in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a home final and we will play an out-of-town team,” Mace said.

“What’s the point of not looking to play at Pointsbet Stadium. I could understand if it was a Sydney side.

“But there’s no reason we shouldn’t get what we’re obligated to get in the finals, which is a home final.

“The Swans are on — why wouldn’t they move our game? We’ll go hard but we’re at the mercy of the NRL.”

Therein lies the problem for the Sharks. The deeper the NRL go into the finals, the more committed and determined they are to play games at bigger venues.

Rather than move the game, they are likely to do everything in their power to promote the finals and ensure the crowd stacks up against the Swans.

The Sharks’ most recent semi-final clash at PointsBet Stadium was against the Sydney Roosters last year, attracting a crowd of 12,570.

They would no doubt exceed that number at Allianz Stadium, although a bigger crowd would have no financial ramifications for the Sharks — the NRL takes the gate from finals matches.

While the Cowboys attracted 24,861 fans to Saturday night’s clash in Townsville, North Queensland supporters rarely travel in large numbers to Sydney for away games.

Originally published as Allianz Stadium to host Sharks-Cowboys NRL finals clash