‘Surreal’: Sterlo’s first reaction to western Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium

Parramatta Eels great Peter Sterling has taken his first look inside western Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium, revealing his first reaction was one of mixed feelings about the new ground.

• ‘$176m business boost’ in stadium’s early years
• Western Sydney Bankwest Stadium ready for crowds

Parramatta Eels great Peter Sterling has taken his first look inside the new Bankwest Stadium, revealing his first reaction was one of mixed feelings about the new ground.

The stadium in Parramatta seats 30,000 people and has sold out ahead of its first match on Monday between NRL sides the Eels and Tigers.

“This is my first look at it. I deliberately stayed away during its construction because I wanted to get the whole experience and the wow factor of it,” Sterling told the Advertiser on Tuesday.

“It is a bit surreal … to think what it was and to see what it is now it is hard to get your head around.”

NRL great Peter 'Sterlo' Sterling.

He said he had a lot of great memories at the old grounds at the same site, first at Cumberland Oval then Parramatta Stadium, and he had mixed feelings about the past being lost in the new stadium.

“I spent a lot of time here during my career and I look at it now and I have mixed feelings.

“I want the ghosts of the past to still be here because it has been such a wonderful place to be a part of and I hope they are still here and you can still feel that.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian officially opened Bankwest Stadium on Sunday. Thousands of fans took part in a tour of the new facility.

He said as a former player he wished he had a chance to play on the new venue.

“As a player I would have loved to play here. The crowd is so close and the surface is spectacular, it is state of the art.

“I am really jealous and really envious.”

He added the ground was “what the fans deserve” in Parramatta.

“We are geographically the centre of Sydney and our fans are the best in whichever code we are a part of.”

Sterling visited the stadium today to speak at its corporate launch featuring prominent business people, sporting representatives and government representatives.

Bankwest Stadium will host its first match on Monday afternoon.

Parramatta Eels senior player Tim Mannah was also on hand and said he could not wait to run out on to the ground on Monday.

“I can’t wait, there will be a great buzz.

“It’s sold out and there will be a great atmosphere — the whole team are excited.”

He said at first he was a bit deflated to say goodbye to the old stadium but he was rapt to see what it had become.

“Part of us were a bit sad because we had so many good memories at the old stadium.

“But this stadium is spectacular. It is a huge honour for me and all the boys to play here for the first time.”

A big gathering took part in the corporate launch of the stadium today.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said Bankwest Stadium would be a game-changer.

“Clearly, there are huge benefits for rugby league as a whole.

“Parramatta, Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs will all use the new stadium,” he said.

“Given the number of matches and events on show, the economic benefits will be

significant not only for Western Sydney but for Sydney and NSW in general.”

Western Sydney Wanderers chief executive John Tsatsimas said the stadium would be a huge boost to the club and fans, following a tough season in the A-League.

“There has been many reasons for that and a significant reason is our displacement. We have played at seven home grounds in the past three years.”

View from the stands at the state-of-the-art stadium.

He said the new ground was spectacular.

“It’s outstanding. It has exceeded everyone’s expectations of what it might look like.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to playing here.”

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said Bankwest Stadium provided Sydney with a genuine world-class rectangular venue.

“We are looking forward to seeing the Qantas Wallabies take on Samoa in the first rugby

test match at the venue on September 7.

“Rugby fans will have the opportunity to experience a stadium that is purpose-built for our

game and is designed to create an atmosphere that will ensure the Wallabies get a fitting

send-off before they embark on their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan.”