Leichhardt Oval lives on with Wests Tigers to play four games at famous rugby league venue in 2016

FEARS that Leichhardt Oval would be lost forever to rugby league have evaporated, with Wests Tigers to continue playing at the famous venue next season.

Players silhouetted with backdrop of crowd on hill as Brett Hodgson kicks for goal during Wests Tigers v Gold Coast Titans NRL game at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

LEICHHARDT lives — for now.

Wests Tigers have announced that the club would continue to play at famous Leichhardt Oval next season, despite fears the ground would be lost forever to rugby league.

Those doubts came after Balmain surrendered the lease on the venue, claiming it could not afford the $250,000-a-year payment to maintain the historic yet dilapidated venue.

For now anyway, those fears have evaporated and Wests Tigers will play four games at Leichhardt next season along with four matches at ANZ Stadium and four more games at Campbelltown Stadium.

Wests Tigers fans would protest aggressively if the club moved from Leichhardt.

However average crowds this year at Leichhardt and Campbelltown dipped below 10,000.

Leichhardt is one of rugby league’s most charming grounds, offering a suburban atmosphere which is difficult to eclipse.

Wests Tigers do lose money most times that the club plays at Leichhardt or Campbelltown.

Told Wests Tigers would at least be back at Leichhardt in 2016, Tigers legend Benny Elias said: “Fantastic news — I’m ecstatic.

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The Wests Tigers will play four games at Leichhardt Oval in 2016.

“Rugby league should never be lost to Leichhardt Oval. It’s great to see the club’s hierarchy retaining the culture and history of this great club by staying at Leichhardt.

“I grew up at Leichhardt. I used to watch games as a kid at Leichhardt and then I played my career there.

“Hopefully my kid’s kids do the same. It’s a very special place.

“The trendy folk around Balmain love to go as do the those in blue singlets. Everyone enjoys Leichhardt Oval.”

Wests Tigers interim chief executive Phil Moss did stress though that the announcement was for 2016 only.

“This decision has been made for the 2016 season only as the club looks at its future stadium strategy,” Moss said.

Leichhardt Oval is one of rugby league’s most charming grounds.

“We’ll now work closely with our council (Leichhardt) and stadium partners to develop a long-term plan that’s in the best interest of the club and all of our stakeholders, including most importantly, our members.

“Our three home grounds provide three different experiences for our members and fans and we look forward to continuing to honour the club’s proud history.”

Fans took to social media to express their delight.

One posted: “Wish they were all at Leichhardt. Love that oval.”

Another wrote: “Great news considering they didn’t know if they were ever going to play there again.”

However another took a measured approach, saying: “Should be two at Leichhardt, two at Campbelltown and eight at ANZ. The club desperately needs the money that ANZ offers. We run at a loss every time we play at Leichhardt or Campbelltown.”

Originally published as Leichhardt Oval lives on with Wests Tigers to play four games at famous rugby league venue in 2016