NRL 2021: Storm boss Matt Tripp raises the stakes in push to host grand final in Melbourne
The Queensland government is under pressure to win a bidding war for the NRL grand final after revelations Storm powerbroker Matt Tripp could pay more than $10m to stage the event in Melbourne.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Queensland government is under pressure to win a bidding war for the NRL grand final following revelations Storm chairman Matt Tripp could pay more than $10 million to stage rugby league’s gala event in Melbourne.
As revealed by News Corp, Suncorp Stadium is a frontline contender to host this year’s grand final if the Covid crisis in Sydney forces the NRL to play the decider on Queensland soil.
But a shock left-field attempt by Storm powerbroker Tripp to bankroll a historic NRL grand final in AFL heartland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground threatens to rob Queensland rugby league fans of a maiden Suncorp decider.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The Queensland government has thrown a lifeline to the NRL premiership this season, but any formal bid for a Suncorp grand final is secondary to their fight to contain a Covid outbreak in the Sunshine State.
That has opened the door for the Victorian government and Tripp, who is prepared to fund a multimillion-dollar MCG extravaganza to reward Melbourne fans as the Storm charge towards back-to-back premierships.
“It makes sense to have a grand final at the MCG,” Tripp said.
“It’s not a Victoria versus Queensland or NSW thing, that’s not my aim at all, I just want to showpiece the game in a state that would do a wonderful job promoting the NRL grand final.
“I don’t know the exact number but I expect the NRL’s expectation would be upwards of $10 million (for a grand final bid).
“I haven’t had a direct conversation yet with the NRL, but I’ve been running some numbers on it and I’m pretty sure it would take $10 million-plus to get the grand final.
“All I’ve suggested is that if the Victorian government aren’t willing to pay full freight for the grand final, then I would look to consider topping it up to be part of whatever profit or loss is derived from the grand final.
“Our Storm members have been starved of this great football club for the past two years (due to Covid forcing the Storm’s relocation to Queensland).
“If I have to put my hand in my pocket to ensure Melbourne fans could see their club on the biggest day of the year without having to travel, then we’ll consider doing it.
“I haven’t spoken to Peter (V’landys, ARL Commission boss) about this, but I will be talking to him.
“He will make the right decision for the NRL and I’ll do the best I can for the Storm and Victoria. It would be great if the stars aligned where the Storm were to make the grand final and Victoria could facilitate a full house at the MCG.
“This is a moment-in-time opportunity.”
The NSW government has a 25-year contract to host the NRL grand final and has not given up hope of retaining the decider at Homebush despite the Covid crisis gripping Sydney.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been a huge supporter of major sporting events, but her primary focus is preventing a Covid disaster in the Sunshine State.
But the Queensland government turned up the heat on NRL bosses in the battle for the grand final, reminding V’landys of the state’s generosity in allowing the Telstra Premiership to continue.
“The government is focused on managing the state’s immediate health response to COVID-19,” a Queensland government spokesman said.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to keeping Queenslanders safe has been a significant factor in allowing the 2021 NRL season to continue. “If a grand final is up for grabs, the government will negotiate with the NRL at the appropriate time.”
Tripp hit back at suggestions he is attempting to give the Storm an edge by giving them home-ground advantage if Melbourne qualify for another grand final.
“I want to make this clear — I’m not looking to do this to give the Storm an advantage,” he said. “We’ve played in 10 grand finals and every one has been away from Melbourne.
“Our record at Suncorp Stadium is the best in the competition, so you could argue we have a better advantage at Suncorp than the MCG.
“It’s far from a fait accompli, who knows what will happen in the next few weeks.
“The NRL has some time to make a decision but if crowds become a difficult proposition in Queensland, then yes I’m interested.”
STADIUM BOSS SLAMS NRL’S MELBOURNE GF FLIRTATION
The boss of Suncorp Stadium will be “extremely disappointed” if the NRL takes this year’s grand final to Melbourne instead of Brisbane.
Alan Graham has delivered an impassioned plea for the NRL to play its showpiece event in Queensland for the first time after the Sunshine State rescued the 2021 premiership season.
All 16 NRL clubs are currently residing and playing in Queensland after Sydney’s Covid crisis forced the entire competition to head north.
It is almost a certainty that the October 3 grand final will be moved from Stadium Australia in Sydney given it will not be able to played in front of fans.
That has opened the door for Queensland to snare its first NRL decider if the current Covid outbreak in Brisbane is under control.
But the NRL is entertaining the idea of taking the game to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with CEO Andrew Abdo admitting all options were on the table.
“We want to play the grand final, which is the pinnacle of the season,” he said. “We want to play it safely in front of crowds. All options are on the table.
“We have certainly had a lot of interest from a number of different states. And we have got some time between now and October to see what unfolds and where it’s going to be safe to play. It would be terrific for us to play a grand final in front of a full house.”
Queensland has long held dreams of hosting the NRL grand final, but a 25-year contract brokered between the NRL and NSW Government in 2019 put an end to that.
Covid has thrown a spanner in the works and with Sydney under lockdown, Suncorp has emerged as the logical home for this year’s title decider. But the NRL is exploring taking the game to AFL-mad Victoria and Graham said it would be a disappointment if that happened.
“I would be extremely disappointed if the NRL grand final went to Melbourne,” he said.
“If Queensland is able to host games with crowds, I would hope Suncorp Stadium is a serious consideration for the NRL grand final this year.
“There’s a whole host of reasons why I say that. This is rugby league heartland. I know there are commercial considerations the NRL has to take into account, but Suncorp can deliver an event that would ensure they come out well financially.
“Of course, I say this in the context of Queensland having crowds, but we would love to see an NRL grand final at Suncorp.
“We have to consider the whole relationship. The NRL is one of our most important partners, so we always try to pull our weight and support them where we can. That has been the strength of our relationship.
“I have a great relationship with Andrew Abdo and we are always there to support the NRL. We are looking forward to working with the NRL if the grand final is a possibility.”
While the 52,500-seat Suncorp is only about half the capacity of the MCG, Graham said it was a lucrative venue to host big games at.
“I know historically a full house at Suncorp can deliver a better net result financially for the NRL than they could get from a full house at Stadium Australia, which has an 80,000 capacity,” he said.
“There’s a number of reasons for that. We have many more seats that are better positioned so they can sell them at higher prices.
“We also have great signage and corporate opportunities for the NRL to use as they wish, so financially they can maximise benefits with an NRL grand final at Suncorp Stadium. Just because Suncorp is smaller, we always punch above our weight.
“We need to take a long-term strategic view and you have to look after your supporter base when opportunities come up. I’m sure the NRL will consider that when they make a decision.
“I am absolutely hopeful Suncorp gets the NRL grand final and we will do everything we can, but one of the things we can’t control is Covid. We have to see how that plays out in terms of crowds.”
The NRL is not expected to make a decision on the grand final venue until there is more clarity around Queensland’s Covid situation.
COMMENT: WHY GF MUST BE PLAYED IN BRISBANE
— Travis Meyn
The NRL grand final in Melbourne? Spare me.
The NRL’s top brass are making noise about the competition’s showpiece event being played in Victoria.
It has become painfully clear this year’s NRL grand final will not be played in Sydney, unless it is to be contested at an empty Stadium Australia. The Covid crisis in Sydney is not getting much better and there is only nine weeks until the October 3 grand final.
For the first time in history, the NRL grand final will be played outside of Sydney and it will surely go to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane if Covid is under control in Queensland.
There is no other option if the NRL is serious about rewarding fans of rugby league and the state that saved this season. Melbourne Storm cracked a record 27,000 members recently and the club enjoys solid support in Victoria.
There is also a very good chance they will be in the grand final. But the NRL is so far behind the AFL in the popularity stakes in Victoria that it is ludicrous to consider playing the grand final in Melbourne if Brisbane is safe.
It simply will not be embraced in Victoria like it will in Queensland, regardless of who is playing. It’s hard to see 100,000 paying fans filling the MCG. One can only hope the NRL’s suggestions about Melbourne hosting the grand final are to try and conjure some extra funding out of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her sports-loving government.
Palaszczuk already splashed $8m to bring State of Origin to Townsville and doesn’t mind forking out for big events because they apparently inject millions into a state with closed borders.
The NRL’s relationship with the Queensland Government may have been strained over the weekend by the snap lockdown which threw the round into chaos. But Queensland has already saved this NRL season by becoming home to all 16 clubs amid Sydney’s Covid outbreak.
The state now deserves the ultimate reward for its love of rugby league. The NRL needs to stop making silly threats and do what is right.
More Coverage
NRL Finals Late Mail: Cowboys star cleared, Roosters reveal Radley plan
Injured Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai is set to play through the pain, while the Roosters are hoping enforcer Victor Radley can make a miracle recovery. See all team changes for finals Week Two.
‘A special human’: How tough Turbo pushes through the pain
Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic’s shoulder injury means agonising pain when he drives, sleeps, or even reaches for his cereal in the morning. He reveals what it takes to get him through each game.