Fincanical realities could lead Queensland to hosting part of the NRL grand final series
Queensland is edging closer to hosting an NRL grand final as discussions continue to deepen that the league will explore a three-game series in an effort to recoup lost revenue.
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NRL innovation boss Wayne Pearce says the best-of-three grand-final series has “merit” as the code’s strategic panel prepares to explore the biggest revolution to rugby league deciders in almost 70 years.
The push for a Queensland decider at Suncorp Stadium is gathering steam with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and Penrith legend Mark Geyer leading the call for the NRL to launch an Origin-style grand-final series this season.
The ARL Commission on Saturday received financial forecasts that claim two extra deciders – added to the traditional annual grand final – as part of a three-game series will deliver a profit of $40-50 million.
A proposed Game Two at Suncorp Stadium, in what would be Queensland’s maiden grand final, would put $28m into the NRL’s coffers.
Now the concept is up for serious debate. The newly-formed innovation committee will hold its second meeting this Thursday to provide definitive answers for the NRL’s structure this season amid the coronavirus pandemic and Pearce confirmed the multi-game grand-final system is on the agenda.
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The Balmain legend lost back-to-back grand-finals in 1988-89, including the Tigers’ epic extra-time loss to Canberra. What Pearce would have given for a second bite at the cherry as part of a three-game series.
“It (three grand finals) is definitely one of several concepts we are looking at,” Pearce told The Sunday Mail.
“There’s no doubt there is some merit to the idea.
“One downside is many traditionalists are conditioned to one game, but the upside of three grand finals is there is a major cash injection at a time when the game needs it.
“A whole generation of young people may love the idea as fans.
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“As a committee we’re looking at innovation, but we have to decide whether a three grand-final series is an innovation worth exploring and we will look at what the pros and cons are.”
Mandatory grand finals were introduced in 1954. In almost seven decades, there have been just two examples of multi-game grand finals when drawn deciders in consecutive years in 1977-78 forced replays a week later.
St George beat Parramatta 22-0 in the 1977 replay before Manly beat Cronulla 16-0 in a return grand-final bout 12 months later.
The duo behind the three-game proposal, former New Zealand Test forward Dean Lonergan and Brisbane Bombers director Nick Livermore, have sent budgetary projections to ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
Asked if he will support a three-game grand-final model, V’landys said: “It’s in the mix – the promoters are speaking to Wayne Pearce.”
One significant factor is money. Even if the NRL competition resumes in June or July, the code stands to lose millions weekly in gate receipts, game-day merchandise and corporate support with a crowd-lockout scenario.
Lonergan, who successfully worked with the NRL to create the Nines tournament in 2014, said the ARL Commission cannot turn its back on at least $28 million at a time when the code is facing bankruptcy.
“The NRL has never made more than $50 million profit in a single season but they could achieve that profit with just two more grand finals,” Lonergan said.
“A guaranteed second grand final at Suncorp Stadium will deposit more than $20 million straight into the NRL’s bank account.
“If the series goes to a third game, the NRL can make $40 million to $50m from just two more grand finals in a shortened season.
“In this crisis, you have to find revenue-driven innovation. Necessity is the mother of all invention.
“The NRL might say three grand finals is too radical, but if the NRL want to maximise revenue, they not only need cost-driven solutions, they need revenue-driven solutions.
“Imagine a 52,000 sellout for a Game Two grand final at Suncorp Stadium ... it’s entirely do-able.”
Originally published as Fincanical realities could lead Queensland to hosting part of the NRL grand final series