Leaked documents reveal SCG Trust campaigned for South Sydney to return to Allianz Stadium

Following South Sydney’s devastating Allianz Stadium blow, leaked documents have emerged suggesting a heavyweight player campaigned for the Rabbitohs’ return to the venue.

South Sydney’s bid to quit Sydney Olympic Park to move to Allianz Stadium has been quashed by the state government.

The NSW minister for sport Steve Kamper wrote to Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly on Tuesday with his decision to reject the club’s bid to join arch rivals the Sydney Roosters at the $860 million stadium in Moore Park.

The devastating rejection for Souths comes as a leaked document emerges which suggests that the then-SCG Trust - which has now handed over control of stadiums to Venues NSW - actively campaigned to have the club return to Allianz Stadium when it was opened in 2022.

This masthead has obtained the 13-page document, in which the Trust highlighted the Rabbitohs’ connection to the area and its historical success in the Moore Park district.

It also talked about Allianz Stadium as an “unbeatable location” with a google map illustrating it is only 12 minutes from the venue to Souths Juniors League Club.

Premier Minns was made aware of the pitch in a letter from South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly on June 12 in which he urged the premier to support the club’s return to Allianz Stadium.

South Sydney move to Allianz Stadium has been blocked.

In the letter, Solly said the club had accepted the decision to shelve work on Accor Stadium five years ago in the “best interest of the state”. He went on to reveal that Souths co-owner Russell Crowe attended a meeting with then-Premier Gladys Berejiklian and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys to discuss and support in good faith the proposed abandonment of the renovation of Accor Stadium.

Immediately, after that announcement, Solly said Souths were approached by the Trust to move matches to Allianz Stadium when it was completed.

The letter goes on to say: “Premier, it is our view that this issue can be easily and speedily resolved in the best interests of all parties. We therefore ask for an opportunity to discuss with you a new long-term arrangement for the Rabbitohs at Allianz and Accor Stadia which will provide the NSW Government with the certainty it seeks for more rugby league content well into the future.”

The club’s request for a meeting has taken on added importance after the state government issued a statement insisting Souths must continue to play at least nine matches a season at Accor Stadium.

South Sydney are contracted to play at Accor Stadium until the end of 2030. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“The Rabbitohs are contracted to play nine matches per season at Accor Stadium until 2030, as they have been since 2006, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Rabbitohs as they create the best game day experience for their fans and players at home at Accor,” a spokesman for Kamper said.

“The cost to taxpayers of relocating the Rabbitohs from Accor Stadium to Allianz Stadium, has been estimated by Venues NSW to result in a net loss of between $4.5m and $14m per annum, largely attributable to long-term agreements around naming rights and commercial programs.

“This is taxpayer money we simply can’t afford to spend on moving stadiums for the Rabbitohs when we have critical essential services including schools and hospitals that need to be funded.

“South Sydney Rabbitohs have three uncontracted home matches each year. Venues NSW remains open on hosting South Sydney Rabbitohs’ uncontracted games at Allianz Stadium.”

A disappointed Solly confirmed he had received the letter on Tuesday and revealed he had asked the minister for a full and detailed assessment of the benefits and the costs in relation to relocating the Rabbitohs from Accor Stadium.

The ‘Home of the Sydney Roosters’ sign at Allianz Stadium.

“Minister Kamper has written to us rejecting our request,” he said.

Souths chair Nick Pappas added: “This decision is clearly disappointing. We moved to Accor Stadium at a time when the club had only just been readmitted to the premiership and was struggling to get back on its feet.

“The deal we were offered was simply too good to refuse. Since then, we have been promised that there would be significant investment in Accor Stadium but that has failed to come to fruition.

“Given the lack of action and the failure to follow through on previous commitments, to be told we must stay at the stadium until 2030 is naturally devastating. South Sydney fans have already shown how they feel by starting a petition to push for the move and this latest development is only likely to inflame tension.

“As a club, all we want is a sensible compromise, even if that means a staggered return to Allianz Stadium.”

South Sydney have been actively campaigning to return to Allianz Stadium for some time now but their bid has met resistance not only from the state government, but also their bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters.

Image from South Sydney's proposal to play at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters, one of Allianz Stadium’s anchor tenants, have privately and publicly campaigned to have Souths remain at Accor Stadium.

Among their arguments is that the ground is at capacity given the concerns over the surface, which has been criticised for its capacity to handle too much traffic as well as bad weather.

The Rabbitohs’ belief is that if the surface can’t handle more content, it needs to be improved so it can. They are also quick to point out that the venue is not run or owned by the Roosters, but was paid for by the taxpayers.

Despite the rancour between the clubs and senior officials, Pappas and his Roosters counterpart Nick Politis have a strong relationship and have held talks behind closed doors over the prospect of a Rabbitohs’ return.

It is understood Politis, one of the most powerful figures in the game, is not opposed to Souths playing some games at Allianz Stadium.