Leichhardt Oval, people love this place: says Wests Tigers scoreboard attendant

BIG Baz, the bearded scoreboard attendant at Leichhardt Oval, scoffs at suggestions the Tigers’ loss to Canberra could be his last game at the famous venue.

A large crowd watches on during the Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders rugby league game at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

BIG Baz is looking out from the Leichhardt Oval scoreboard.

Around him, nothing but the backs of heads.

Thousands of them.

It’s why Baz cannot believe you are here to write his epitath.

Why sitting on the same battered stool he’s now occupied for 15 years, this bearded scorer all bucket hat and dark sunnies insists the teary tributes be delayed for a while yet.

Big Bazz inside the scoreboard. Pictures: Brett Costello

“My last game here? No chance,’’ Bazza laughs, shortly before kick off.

“Have a look out there, at the atmosphere.

“People absolutely love this place.”

And how wonderful if that were enough.

If sitting inside this ageing brick structure — something like rugby league’s Stonehenge — we could smile and say, yes, atmosphere pays the bills.

So too canned beer and cracking afternoons.

Stripe hype: You can tell by this Tigers fan’s smile that this pic was taken before the game ...

NRL matches at Leichhardt are so rare that it’s best to get to the oval’s famous hill while there’s still space ...

... because it’s bound to get busier as kick-off approaches.

Understanding that when 13,198 fans stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the Leichhardt hill, it’s nothing like when those same number are lost in Allianz Stadium. Or worse, Homebush.

And, yes, we know the NRL keeps telling us nobody likes suburban grounds. And still the fans turn up.

So how the bloody hell do we make them financial?

“That’s the key,’’ insists Tigers CEO Grant Mayer, “finding the mix”.

And it starts, initially, on April 30.

Mayer and his Tigers board sitting down with Leichhardt Council who, having taken control of this historic venue from the Balmain football club, now have a lease that needs signing off.

And on said paperwork, are three more games for this year. All of which Baz intends working.

But will he?

“I think DCE said yesterday he can’t see anything changing,’’ Mayer laughed, channelling the Manly halfback. “At this stage all I can tell you is we’re considering a lease for the first time in our history. But we’ve never said we’re not playing four games here.”

A large crowd watches the action, in which the Raiders proved too good.

And as for guaranteeing next year?

“Can I guarantee anything at the moment? No,” Mayer said. “But we’ve said suburban grounds have a future. And I stay true to that.”

Some aren’t so convinced, however.

Take Leichhardt councillor Darcy Byrne, yesterday distributing flyers outside the Glover Street entrance — ones urging Wests Tigers to abandon plans to play fewer games at the historic venue. Then there was diehard fan Steve who, with two kids hanging off him, said “I wanted to bring them here ... before it’s too late”.

And, yes, the sales pitch could have been better.

For a start, the threatening clouds reminded you of exactly what happens here when the rain tumbles down, the fans stay away and a $100,000 electrical bill still needs paying.

Worse, the Tigers lost.

Fans enjoy a carnival-style atmosphere - and a snap with the home mascot - at Leichhardt Oval.

Francis Drake has been selling hot dogs outside Leichhardt Oval for 42 years. Pity for the home fans that their boys were the ones who hit a snag ...

For had they won, we could be reminding Mayer that there’s no price you can put on winning. On competition points.

But they didn’t. So we can’t.

All we can say is that rugby league would be poorer without Leichhardt Oval.

And Baz.

This local electrician who first entered the famous old ground through a hole in the fence — indeed, one he cut — to watch Amco Cup games. Who yesterday changed over those tin numbers with Aaron Woods’ grandfather keeping him company.

And, yes, we know that some day all this will be replaced.

But it doesn’t have to be tomorrow.

Nor do we have to like it.

Canberra's Jordan Rapana scores a late try in a massive blow for the assembled fans.

“My last game here? No chance.”: Big Bazz takes in the scene from the scoreboard.

Originally published as Leichhardt Oval, people love this place: says Wests Tigers scoreboard attendant