Buzz Rothfield reveals the plan we need to fix Sydney stadium mess

IF sports in Sydney are to be well covered for the next half-century in the north, south, east and west then this is the plan it needs to fix our stadium mess, writes Phil Rothfield.

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IF Allianz Stadium really is a death trap, why is it still hosting major sporting events?

The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed that a confidential building assessment said it would struggle to cope with a serious emergency.

Are we waiting for a horrific crowd crush?

What has the SCG Trust been doing with its maintenance program for the past 30 years?

What happens on Anzac Day next year or at the A-League derby, two events that attract 40,000 fans?

This is what Sydney needs to sort out its stadium issues.

Surely the government should step in and close it down if it’s as bad as the Trust is telling us.

Move the big events to ANZ Stadium.

If they have identified critical safety issues, why have these not been addressed until now, conveniently while they are lobbying for funding?

There are so many questions that need answers.

Has the Trust spent too much on the SCG and ignored Allianz?

Has the SCG Trust put too much money into the SCG and ignored the needs of Allianz? Picture: Mark Evans

I was in Melbourne over the weekend watching the Storm play the Roosters at AAMI Park.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, their treasurer Tim Pallas and advisers were in the same suite.

Rest assured they are loving the fight over our stadium funding.

As the Premier left after the game, he told me his government would be taking more events from NSW. They already have State of Origin next year. They want an NRL grand final, too.

They want the Jeff Horn–Manny Pacquiao rematch.

What to do with a struggling Allianz Stadium? Turn it into a 35,000-seat boutique stadium.

This is why Victoria is the sporting capital of the country. They get it.

The stadium issue should be easy to sort out.

What this city needs is a 75,000-seat rectangular stadium at ANZ for footy blockbusters and major events.

Allianz should be a 35,000-seat boutique stadium like AAMI Park or the new Parramatta Stadium.

That’s all they need.

A similar stadium should be built in Sydney’s south for shared use by the Cronulla Sharks, St George Illawarra and possibly a third A-League side.

Brookvale Oval should become a 20,000-seat venue like the great stadium at Gosford.

This way Sydney would be well covered for the next half-century in the north, south, east and west.

No more politics. Just great modern facilities our rugby league fans deserve.