NRL Grand Final 2021: Live screenings push for Redfern, Penrith

Key figures in the NRL want fans to watch the decider outdoors in groups of five, but the push has been flatly refused – here’s why.

The deputy premier has flatly refused to allow NRL fans to gather at stadiums and ovals to watch next weekend’s Grand Final.

John Barilaro ruled out any gatherings for the televised Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs decider on Saturday, telling 2GB it was a firm “no” because vaccination targets wouldn’t be reached yet.

”No, not at all … the idea that we can open a stadium up with 1000s of people, we wouldn’t (allow it),” Mr Barilaro said.

”We wouldn’t have hit the 70 per cent double dose mark so that would be under the current arrangements and the answer is no. It would have been nice thing to do but we just can’t do it. It’s too risky.”

He added: “We’re so close down to 70 per cent that it’s not worth the risk.”

A temporary relaxing of restrictions that would allow fans and key figures to watch the game at outdoor venues – potentially Redfern Oval or Panthers Stadium – has the backing of administrators and clubs.

Picnics of up to five fully-vaccinated people have been allowed for several weeks and the view is that with certain safeguards in place – such as those attending being fully vaccinated, ticket allocations or even rapid antigen testing on entrance – fans would be able to enjoy the game with atmosphere, in a safe environment.

Venues NSW boss Tony Shepherd is pushing to have a Covid-safe outdoor gathering on grand final day. Picture: Toby Zerna

“My feeling is that it would be a lovely gesture, to open Redfern Oval, Penrith Oval or other venues and let the fans come in,” Venues NSW chairman Tony Shepherd told The Daily Telegraph.

“Obviously you’d need to have some kind of system in place to safeguard against thousands of fans piling in on top of each other, but if you had things like if you’re double-vaxxed, rapid antigen testing at the entrance and appropriate social spacing, then why not?

“It’d be good, they’ll be outdoors and obviously they can’t go and see their two teams playing in person, so it would be a nice atmosphere – but I think the issue would be you’d have to have the precautions in place.

“It‘ll be up to health officials to decided what they think, but we’re close now so it could be bit of a trial run – a pilot even.”

A South Sydney spokesman also revealed the club would approach Randwick and City of Sydney councils – where their heartland is – to float the idea.

South Sydney fans in Mascot cheer for their team ahead of this weekend’s NRL grand final against Penrith. Picture: Adam Yip

“In previous years we’ve always wanted to do something (on Redfern Oval) but obviously with Covid it is very difficult,” the spokesperson said.

“We‘ll speak to the councils at the start of the week to see if its possible and if Sydney or Randwick turn to us and say ‘we think we can do this, but here are the restrictions’, then we’ll do everything to make it happen.

“But we’d never do anything without the necessary safety precautions or if we didn’t have approval.”

The push comes as from east to west, fans of both the Rabbitohs and Panthers struggled to wipe the smiles off their faces on Sunday, as the reality their beloved team had made another NRL decider began to sink in.

But there may be no one collectively as excited about the game as the residents of Burney Ave in Mascot.

The suburban street, right in the middle of Rabbitohs heartland, is home to dozens of diehard fans – many of who ended up running laps of their street in sheer excitement as the final whistle blew on Friday night.

“When we can we go to every game, but this year we obviously couldn’t go, so we could hear our neighbours yelling and when we won we ran up and down the street at about 11.30pm,” Leonie Kelly, whose home is decked out in Rabbitohs flags, posters and memorabilia, said.

“We went through the period where Souths were thrown out of the competition and from that time on I’ve been an absolute crazy supporter.

“Souths means everything to me, it gives meaning to my life. If they don’t win, I’m depressed all week, but this week I’m on a big high!”

Panthers fan Anthea Strathdee with two of her kids Logan, 9, and Miller, 7. Picture: David Swift

In Sydney’s far west, supporters who live at the foot of the mountains are just as fanatical about their team.

Fresh off a gutsy win against the Melbourne Storm, Panthers diehard and mum-of-three Anthea Strathdee said she is confident her team has what it takes to “finish it off” – as they seek redemption for defeat in last year’s decider.

“We had so many nerves last year and they hadn’t played such a big game, now they’ve all done it and they know what to expect and they’ve just got to finish it off,” Mrs Strathdee said.

“Footy has been what’s got us through Covid, I’m going to get emotional talking about it. Every week we’ve had the game to look forward to, every single week it’s all we’ve looked forward to.

“It’s going to be really hard not to be with family and friends … we would love to see some rules relaxed for the game.”