Weekend Read: Bulldoze Accor Stadium and fix Sydney’s suburban football grounds

It’s time to renew the debate over stadiums in Sydney, put a plan in place for the next 20 years and put a rocket under the state government, BRENT READ writes.

Sydney’s stadium farce doesn’t begin and end with Leichhardt Oval. Nor PointsBet Stadium, aka Shark Park. Or for that matter 4 Pines Park, which was known as Brookvale Oval in a former life.

It begins and ends with Accor Stadium, a vacuous and soulless venue that is loathed by fans and clubs alike. It was built for the Sydney Olympics and served its purpose by helping Cathy Freeman win a gold medal, but has been a millstone around the game’s neck for as long as anyone can remember.

South Sydney can’t get out of there quick enough, their only hurdle the financial terms at Allianz Stadium given the sweetheart deal they were given to play at Accor Stadium.

Talks are believed to be ongoing with the state government over an exit plan, much to the chagrin of their bitter enemies the Sydney Roosters.

South Sydney want out of Accor Stadium. Picture: David Swift

Canterbury play at Accor Stadium because they don’t really have a better option. The same goes for State of Origin and the grand final given the lack of alternatives in Sydney.

Commitments to renovate and reinvigorate the stadium have come and gone. Promises have been broken and the victims haven’t just been the NRL, but also their clubs and their suburban grounds.

The plan was always to keep the grand final in Sydney in return for investment in Accor Stadium and suburban venues. That plan is now on its knees.

Talk of a roof being added to Accor Stadium has gone quiet and suburban grounds are getting no love from the state government. Hence the discussion over Leichhardt Oval this week, the Wests Tigers’ spiritual home that is on its last legs.

The Leichhardt Oval debate has brought out the best and worst in rugby league fans. Passionate Tigers supporters who have grown up on the hill at Leichhardt Oval have had their say, pleading with the NRL and state government to save the ground as a rugby league venue.

Others have just launched vitriol at this columnist for suggesting Leichhardt Oval is a relic that has long passed its use-by date for rugby league.

The positive news is that it has placed stadiums back on the agenda and given the state government a sense of how passionate people are about their rugby league.

It’s the same passion that Manly and Sharks fans have had for their home grounds. Can you imagine anyone doing the same for Accor Stadium?

It’s time to renew the debate over stadiums in Sydney, put a plan in place for the next 20 years and put a rocket under the state government.

As the AFL grapples with a drugs crisis, rugby league is in rude health. One of the few things capable of holding back the sport is the battle to secure stadium funding and the archaic venues being used by some NRL clubs.

Those of us who were lucky enough to go to Las Vegas got a glimpse into the future. Allegiant Stadium is the sort of place that lures you to football. Not a bad seat in the house, all the mod cons.

Accor Stadium is the opposite. If it was gone tomorrow, no one would miss it. It’s time to take a bulldozer to the joint, sell off the land and use the profits to fund a new stream of stadiums across the city.

Splash some cash on Leichhardt Oval, send some to the northern beaches and do something about the Shire. In the process, find the funds to add another 20,000 seats to Allianz Stadium or use the money to build a brand new stadium closer to the city to host big events and the grand final.

Olympic Park has served its purpose and there will be enough stadiums in the west when Penrith Stadium is rebuilt to accommodate four football teams. If you must, find a way to fund a new boutique ground in Liverpool for the Bulldogs and Tigers.

Some would have you believe that spending money on rugby league stadiums is a luxury when it could be better spent on schools and hospitals. Stadiums are an investment and when they are run right. They make money, not lose it.

Would anyone miss Accor Stadium if it were bulldozed tomorrow? Picture: Getty Images)

Let’s not forget that there are millions across this country who live and breathe rugby league through the winter months – and it’s not just the NRL that would benefit.

Rugby union is a decaying and decrepit sport but the Waratahs and Wallabies still pay for the privilege of using Allianz and Accor Stadiums. The same goes for the A-League clubs and Socceroos.

Sport clears the mind and cleanses the soul. It gives people something to look forward to every weekend. It unites families and forms friendships. Brings a smile to their face.

Surely that deserves some investment.

DRAGONS SHOULD CUT LOMAX LOOSE

Far be it from me to give St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan any advice, but if Zac Lomax insists on a release from this contract next week to explore his options elsewhere, I wouldn’t stand in his way.

Lomax is a heck of a footballer who has been among the Dragons’ best this season, but if he doesn’t want to be at St George Illawarra, perhaps it would be better to walk away at the end of the season and start again for both parties.

Kyle Flanagan and want-away Dragons teammate Zac Lomax. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

For the Dragons, it would give them the financial ammunition to do what they want. Lomax’s deal is believed to be worth upwards of $800,000 a season and that opens up plenty of opportunities in the NRL and Super League.

The Dragons already have plenty of salary cap space but money is biting at some of their rivals. Look at Penrith with Sunia Turuva, who has been shunted down the pecking order and now finds himself potentially the victim of a cap squeeze at Penrith after the Panthers extended Taylan May and Izack Tago.

Flanagan could sign Turuva and leave with change. Same goes for Eels centre/five-eighth Blaize Talagi. Heck, he could sign both for the price of Lomax.

Flanagan is attempting to rebuild a club that has been in dire shape in recent years and you need people who are invested in that journey.

Ben Hunt will no doubt be watching the Lomax situation with interest. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The concern for the coach no doubt is the message it would send, in particular to captain Ben Hunt.

Hunt wanted out last season but Flanagan dug in his heels and insisted that he stay.

He has every right to ask the question again if Lomax is given the green light to depart. The Gold Coast Titans in particular need a halfback like Hunt and they would likely renew their interest if an opportunity arose.

Flanagan needs to handle a delicate situation with kid gloves. Then again, he doesn’t need me to tell him that.