Manly chairman Scott Penn insists home ground is called Lottoland, not Brookvale Oval
The first Battle of Brookvale was against Melbourne Storm. The next fight for Manly’s soul comes at the behest of important corporate sponsors. READ SCOTT PENN’S LETTER TO STAFF
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Don’t mention the war. Or if you play for Manly don’t mention the “Battle of Brookvale”.
Instead Manly chairman Scott Penn has asked all his players and staff to prepare for the “Battle of Lottoland” this Saturday when the Sea Eagles host premiership favourites the Melbourne Storm.
The Daily Telegraph has obtained an official letter penned by Penn to all staff, which was then forwarded to every player banning them from referring to the club’s home ground as Brookvale Oval — demanding it be called Lottoland.
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Penn’s stipulation means Saturday afternoon’s Battle of Brookvale mark II will now, at least from Manly’s perspective, be known as the Battle of Lottoland.
The edict comes after Lottoland last week renewed and upgraded their sponsorship deal for naming rights of Manly’s home ground for at least another season in a new deal worth close to $500,000.
The Battle of Brookvale became part of NRL folklore following the 2011 Round 25 brutal encounter between Manly and the Storm in which an all-in-brawl erupted leading to sin bins and a $50,000 fine.
Referring to that infamous match by any other name is not likely to go down when with locals, however, Penn is prepared to cast aside Brookvale Oval’s rich history for sponsorship dollars.
In his letter calling on all staff and players to call the club’s home ground Lottoland, Penn wrote: “On the back of this great news for the club, it is an opportune time to provide this friendly reminder to all staff and players regarding the importance of each and every one of us always referring to our home ground as LOTTOLAND and not ‘Brookvale Oval’, ‘Brookie’ and anything else other than LOTTOLAND, which is the official name of the venue.
“I perfectly understand our historical ties to the name ‘Brookie’ and have been prone to the occasional slip up myself, however LOTTOLAND pay a significant fee for the exclusive naming rights to the venue and deserve recognition as a loyal sponsor of the club.
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“The fee they pay goes directly into the day-to-day running of the organisation including, but not limited to, everything from salaries through to equipment and running of home games, etc.
“As representatives of the club, it is our job to drive the rights and benefits of our partners from within, hence why it’s so important that we are driving the conversation, particularly with the media and our members and fans.
“If we’re calling our home ground anything other than LOTTOLAND in the media, then our members and our fans will too.
“We are still passionate about our heritage and history at the ground; however, we need to do the right thing by our partners at LOTTOLAND and keep them front and centre.”
Manly forward Corey Waddell followed the script this week when discussing the Storm game.
“I’m expecting Lottoland to be packed out,” Waddell said. “It will be another big game against Melbourne at Lottoland, it’s going to be pretty exciting.”
Centre Brendan Elliot added: “It’s going to be a big test, especially at Lottoland.”
There was no suggestion in Penn’s letter that players would be fined for not saying Lottoland.
Penn concluded by writing: “ I thank you in advance for keeping this top of mind and leading the way in ensuring everyone is using the correct name when referring to our home ground … LOTTOLAND.
“Go Manly!”