Every NRL stadium ranked, why the Roosters might want to rest Sam Walker

Suncorp reigns supreme, Shark Park is not fit for purpose and Leichhardt Oval deserves to be bulldozed, Brent Read takes an unflinching look at the status of every NRL stadium.

Okay Wests Tigers fans, let’s dance. Same goes for you, Sharks supporters. As for the NSW government, can’t wait to tango with you over your stadium policy, or lack thereof.

Souths, the Bulldogs and now the Tigers have put stadiums front and centre in the rugby league and political debate after a fortnight or so where attention has fallen on decaying stadiums in Sydney.

This is not a new debate.

Wreck-it Read. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey

It’s been raging for a decade or so as the NRL and their clubs fight for the facilities that they deserve. You get the feeling it is beginning to reach a tipping point.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson kicked the discussion off again this week when he took aim at Campbelltown Stadium, declaring it needs significant investment or the local community risk losing Tigers games.

Richardson wants at least $100 million spent on the ground over the next decade or so. He has already lobbied and won $50 million for Leichhardt Oval - this columnist has never hidden his disdain for the Tigers’ spiritual home.

Start up the bulldozer I reckon. It needs a lot more than $50 million spent to bring it up to standard. Still, if the Tigers are determined to stay at suburban grounds rather than head for the luxury of CommBank Stadium, they and their fans deserve better than what they are being offered at Leichhardt and Campbelltown.

Same goes for Sharks fans.

Let’s cut to the chase - Shark Park is a disgrace. It’s not fit for the NRL. It’s barely fit for junior footy. Cronulla have fought hard for funding but been largely snubbed by successive governments, leaving them to play out of a ground that has been more akin to a building site in recent years.

Manly’s home at 4Pines Park has had a touch up but again, fans of the Sea Eagles and rugby league on Sydney’s northern beaches deserve a lot better.

As for Accor Stadium, Souths and the Bulldogs have made their feelings known. If they had their way, they would be out of the joint tomorrow.

Can’t blame them either. Promises have been broken by government after government. Grand plans for a truly rectangular stadium with a roof have gone by the wayside.

Souths have finally had enough and the least the state government can do, if they aren’t willing to invest some significant money in the ageing Olympic venue, is let them head to Allianz Stadium and play out of a stadium that befits their standing as the Pride of the League.

The stadium debate is now reaching a crisis point.

The NRL has used the grand final as leverage to push for investment out of state governments but there have been no guarantees, only fleeting promises that amount to little more than a spit and polish at grounds that need extensive work to bring them up to standard.

Rugby league brings millions into NSW. Critics of the clubs claim the code makes millions itself, as do those very clubs. Yet venues like Campbelltown Stadium, Shark Park and 4Pines Park are community assets.

Every second Sunday or so, they unite the people of southwestern Sydney, the Shire and the northern beaches. Their rugby league clubs lift them out of the doldrums - yes, even the Tigers. They are food for the soul.

Apparently, successive state governments have struggled to see that. The critics will no doubt counter with the age-old argument that we need more schools and better hospitals.

Why can’t we have both? Why can’t the state government, and even the federal authorities, sit down with the NRL and map out a path for the next decade?

If they want to keep the grand final in Sydney, it’s time to put up or shut up.

Time to stop kicking the can down the road. If the NSW government can’t get the job done, the NRL needs to play hard ball.

Take the grand final on the road. No more idle threats. No more posturing.

The Queensland government, which has a deep appreciation for rugby league and its worth to the state, would no doubt stump up the cash to host the big dance. Same goes for Melbourne and the MCG.

Head office might be arguing with the WA government at the moment but don’t tell me they wouldn’t invest big money to steal the grand final. Sacrilege you say? It probably is. But it’s time the NSW government began to appreciate what they have got.

If they can’t see it, someone else will.

* * * * *

Sam Walker is 22. Still a pup in many respects. His best years are ahead of him.

If Walker stays fit and healthy - and Daly Cherry-Evans is any guide - he could have another 15 years in the NRL ahead of him.

At the moment, Walker is on ice.

He is yet to take the field this year after suffering a knee injury towards the end of last season. It has been seven months or so and from all reports, and Walker’s own comments, the recovery is going well.

He says he could be back in the middle of the year barring any mishaps or delays. This columnist suggested on NRL360 on Fox League this week that the Roosters should consider resting Walker for the rest of the year if they are out of finals contention when he is due to return.

It prompted some heavy criticism from my fellow panellists but somewhere in the debate, the point got lost. Perhaps I didn’t make it clear enough.

Walker insists he could be back in round 13, but more likely round 15. As bad as the Roosters are going, their year is unlikely to be over by then.

They could still have some hope of playing finals football. If that is the case, then I can understand why the Roosters would bring Walker back.

If he hits the ground running, there’s every chance the Roosters could get on a roll and take some momentum into next season. Walker is that good.

A month later, however, and it is a different story in my eyes.

If Walker’s return gets pushed back to round 20, and the Roosters are out of finals contention by then, why would you risk your golden ticket?

He has time on his side. He is a generational player and wrapping him in cotton wool for a few weeks at the end of the season, which is already over as far as finals is concerned, seems like a smart move.

Walker won’t want to sit on the sidelines. He’ll hate it. In the end, it might be in his and the Roosters’ best interests.