NRL 2022: Penrith v Parramatta final to be played at BlueBet Stadium

When the Penrith Panthers host Parramatta in the NRL finals the biggest losers won’t be the team that scores the least points, it will be the fans who can’t get a ticket, writes Brent Read.

Good luck getting a ticket on Friday night. Your only hope may be to start queuing now. Even then, your chances are slim.

Rugby league is about to lock out thousands of fans to play a finals game in an archaic stadium that is on the verge of being ripped down.

At least 20,000 people will be turned away. Maybe more. It gets better. Penrith supporters will no doubt get the lion’s share of tickets and Parramatta fans will have to scrounge around for what is left.

Rugby league should hang its head in shame. The desire to appease a minority of fans by playing finals at suburban grounds will come at a cost - to the thousands of fans the game seeks to satiate.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Where should the Penrith v Parramatta final be played?

That’s not even taking into consideration the financial damage of the decision - the cost will potentially be measured in the millions.

Penrith supporters will argue their team has earned the right to host a final. At least, that will be the argument from the lucky few who manage to get a ticket.

The rest will have to satisfy themselves by watching their side on the box. It’s small-minded thinking at a time when the game needs to think big.

Rugby league talks about expanding the game by taking on America, yet it locks out supporters and plays finals games at grounds that aren’t fit for purpose.

The NRL should make a call to Penrith on Friday and tell them they are moving their final for the good of the game. For the good of their supporters as well.

If they don’t have the gumption to do it, Penrith should make the call themselves. They should move the game to Accor Stadium and allow their fans - all their fans - to watch the side that has set the standard this season.

Penrith fans have been among the most loyal in the game. They have turned out week after week to watch their side. Yet they will be the casualties of the decision to play the opening game of the finals at a ground that only holds around 22,500 people.

Head office shouldn’t stop there either. Someone should dial the Sharks on Friday and tell them that they are moving their game as well if they earn the right to host a final.

It is beyond ridiculous that the NRL will play a finals game at a ground that barely holds 10,000 people. Surely the sport is bigger than that.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon and his players won’t be happy. Sharks fans will kick up a stink. At least the ones who can get into the ground.

They should but they won’t https://t.co/yZocyDSBEK

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) September 1, 2022

As for the argument that they have earned the right to host a home final, I would argue they have already been rewarded enough.

By finishing in the top four, they earned themselves a double chance. They live to survive another week regardless of the outcome of their opening final.

What more reward do you want? Rugby league has gone to war with the state government over suburban stadiums because they acknowledge the current facilities aren’t good enough.

Yet those very stadiums host the most important games of the year. It makes no sense. Nor does it make sense that rugby league elects to lock out supporters when they have a viable alternative that would line their pocket, and eventually flood back to the clubs and the players.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has been a champion for suburban grounds. He has set his sights on the NSW premier and refused to take no for an answer as he campaigns for the government to honour their commitment to regenerate the likes of 4 Pines Park and Leichhardt Oval.

For that, he deserves eternal praise. Suburban grounds have a place in the game. They always will. Just not when it comes to the finals.

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V'landyshas rejected calls ot move finals to larger venues. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

LOYALTY MORE IMPORTANT THAN CASH TO NRL

By Phil Rothfield

NRL boss Peter V’landys has ruled out switching venues next weekend to accommodate bigger crowds in the first week of the finals.

Minor premiers Penrith will host the Parramatta Eels at Penrith Stadium, a venue that has a capacity of 22,500.

It means tens of thousands of fans will miss out.

The NRL could make hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra income by moving the game to Accor Stadium for a match that would attract 70,000 fans.

“The teams have earnt the right to host home finals,” V’landys said, “My focus is on their loyal fans.

“This is a reward they get for turning up every week.

“Sometime it’s not all about dollars – you’ve got to reward their loyalty.

“I understand we could make more money at another venue.

“But this is how you get long-term membership and the tribal following.

“You can’t buy loyalty. I’d prefer to lose money in situations like this.”

The Cronulla Sharks are in the same situation, expected to host a home final at Pointsbet Stadium against the Cowboys at a venue with a capacity off 11,500.

“Cronulla fans are the same as Penrith’s” he said, “they’ve been turning up all year to support the team and they deserve to be playing out of home.”