Panthers boss says Broncos gain an unfair advantage by playing prelim at Suncorp Stadium

Preliminary final week has started in fiery fashion with Brisbane’s major rival Penrith claiming the Broncos’ grand final qualifier should be moved from Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos fans show their support at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher has called on the NRL to shift all preliminary finals to neutral venues amid fears Brisbane is gaining an unfair advantage in this Saturday night’s preliminary final.

While the NRL finals format has been locked in all season, Panthers fans have flooded social media asking why their side’s grand final qualifier has been moved 41 km down Sydney’s M4 to Accor Stadium while Brisbane will contest their grand final qualifier at Suncorp Stadium, their home ground.

This, they claim, comes despite Penrith finishing first in the minor premiership, Brisbane second.

Fletcher conceded Penrith’s big game against Melbourne on Friday night could not be played at the 22,500-capacity BlueBet Stadium but asked why preliminary finals and grand finals couldn’t be played at Sydney’s large, neutral venues.

The Panthers Group CEO agreed home finals should be awarded in weeks one and two but asked for the final three matches of each season to be shifted to grounds deemed impartial.

“The system in place has to be updated to give everybody an equal chance,” Fletcher said.

Suncorp Stadium has been a fortress for Reece Walsh and the Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“It should be that everybody has the chance to play their semi-finals at home in week one and week two.

“But, after that, every other final should be played at a neutral, major stadium.

“Brisbane gets two semi-finals at home and it’s unfair. Why should they play two semi-finals at home?

“But we also know the rules.

“If you finish up top then you should play before your own fans over the first two weeks.

Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher says the Broncos gain an unfair advantage by playing at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We’d love to play this game at Penrith but the rules don’t allow us that and our next choice is Accor Stadium.

“We have played the preliminary final at Accor for the last three years. We’re used to it. We have to get to Accor and get on with the job.

“(Four successive grand finals) would be magnificent, wouldn’t it? Not many clubs have done that in the history of rugby league.”

The NRL is aware of the massive financial benefits of playing Brisbane’s preliminary final against the Warriors on Saturday evening at home in front of a sold out 52,000 crowd.

And Penrith could attract a crowd of around 35,000 for the Accor Stadium match.

Former Panthers star Craig Gower said moving all finals matches to neutral grounds would “stop all the whinging” but didn’t have concerns about Brisbane playing at Suncorp.

“I get it but Brisbane does have a big market up there,” Gower said.

“Playing all semi-finals at neutral venues would stop the whinging but the Brisbane market is that big these days.

“I don’t think Penrith would care – the club has won the last two competitions so it hasn’t disadvantaged them too much. The Panthers know how to win.

“How many people could you fit at Accor Stadium compared to Penrith Park? At the end of the day, you’re playing semi-final football. You’ve got to win everywhere and every player is playing on the same paddock.

“Suncorp Stadium is a great place to play football. Everyone has an opinion on this but we have to think of the commercial value to the league.”

The NRL preferred not to comment.