Why $40m Leichhardt Oval lifeline isn’t enough to save Tigers spiritual home
The $40m injection into Leichhardt Oval might not be enough to tempt the Wests Tigers to play more than a token two matches per season at the historic ground going forward, writes BRENT READ.
NRL
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A $40 million lifeline for Leichhardt Oval might not be enough to keep the Wests Tigers from playing a majority of their games elsewhere next season.
The Tigers will have a crucial board meeting next week to determine the club’s long-term stadiums policy. Despite Leichhardt receiving the much needed grant which will see a new grandstand, capacity increased by 3000 people and female dressing sheds, the Tigers are still set to take away games from their Balmain heartland.
It is understood the tentative plan could see as few as two games at the venue from next season. Leichhardt Oval will host five games – including Saturday’s clash against the Titans – at the ground this year.
Campbelltown Sports Stadium is likely to retain the bulk of its five matches going forward with CommBank Stadium and Accor Stadium in the mix to host the remaining fixtures.
Tigers boss Shane Richardson celebrated the upgrade to Leichhardt Oval but stopped short of guaranteeing the club’s future at the venue.
“Leichhardt is a historic oval for rugby league,” Richardson said. “And we are really pleased the government has listened to our request for an upgrade going forward.
“We will take it into consideration when we finalise our stadium plan.”
The run-down ground will receive $20 million from the federal government and $10 million each from the state government and Inner West council.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a press conference at Leichhardt Oval on Friday - the Tigers were training at the same time - and said the funding ensured the ground could continue to host sporting events.
Albanese had pledged to help save the ground but when it came to the announcement, the Tigers were kept in the dark over the timing of plans to hold a press conference.
That meant as Albanese began answering questions from the media, Tigers players were preparing for their upcoming game in the background.
“It’s hosting 100 different sporting fixtures this year,” Albanese said on SEN. “This upgrade will make sure that rugby league can keep being played there at the highest level. But also it’s a venue for community sport, for school sport. The Sydney FC women’s team are going to be playing there. The Matildas have trained there.
“The truth is that it’s not up to scratch. So, it needs women’s change rooms. It needs an upgrade of the grandstand. It’ll keep all its character, keep the hill.
“The Inner West Council have got a masterplan for it, so a lot of work’s been done for it. It will bring it up to 3000 seats that will enable more sponsorship and more revenue to be able to be got when games are played there.”
$40M JUST PUTS LIPSTICK ON A LEICHHARDT OVAL ‘PIG’
A group of fans have planned a rally for Leichhardt Oval on Saturday in support of the famous old ground. I admire their passion, but it may not be enough.
Nor will the $40 million that appears on the way as all three levels of government pitch in to help the Tigers’ spiritual home.
It’s a nice gesture but spending $40 million to improve Leichhardt Oval is akin to putting lipstick on a pig. It will take a lot more than that to make Leichhardt Oval a viable financial option to host games regularly for the Tigers.
The ground simply isn’t up to NRL standard, hence the recent warnings that it will be unable to host games unless things are improved.
Those warning bells stirred the government into action – even Prime Minster Anthony Albanese weighed into the issue – but it feels like it isn’t enough.
Nowhere near it to be honest. Leichhardt Oval needs a complete overhaul rather than a dime-on-the-dollar facelift.
The Tigers supporters who worship the ground certainly deserve better. They turn out rain, hail or shine and their support has been admirable this season, although it will be tested more than ever this weekend given the club’s lowly place on the ladder and the fact they are playing a side not much better in the Gold Coast Titans.
Chances are they will come out in numbers again, the timing critical given the Tigers board will sit down early next week to make a decision on where they will play their home games in coming years.
Leichhardt will get some games but even with a $40 million investment, it is likely to be a couple at best. The remainder will be shared between Campbelltown Stadium and one of the city’s major venues, most likely CommBank Stadium.
It makes the most financial sense and in modern sport, money normally has a decisive say. It simply isn’t financially viable for the Tigers to continue playing more than a couple of home games at Leichhardt Oval.
The NRL’s recent benchmarking document highlighted how far the Tigers are trailing the majority of the clubs. They are among the NRL’s weakest when it comes to their commercial revenue and it is something that chief executive Shane Richardson is desperate to address.
It doesn’t help that Leichhardt Oval barely covers its costs. The eighth wonder of the world is holding the club back. Even a generous commitment of $40 million won’t be enough to close the gap.
The ground needs new corporate facilities or it can’t compete with what is on offer elsewhere, particularly at CommBank and Accor Stadiums. The $40 million is a start, but that is all it is. Until there is some real money thrown at the ground, the Tigers are duty-bound to consider all their options.
If the Tigers can somehow parlay that $40 million into another $260 million, then we’re back in business.
WHY LUAI SHOULD IGNORE TIGERS AND CALL DISGRUNTLED ROOKIE
Jarome Luai has his hands full at the moment, not just at club land but also with the NSW State of Origin side.
Panthers ace Luai, 27, is in a fight to retain his No. 6 jersey after the Blues’ defeat in the opening game of the series and he needs to aim up against Newcastle on Sunday as coach Michael Maguire ponders changes to his side for the second game of the series.
A big performance would likely guarantee him a place in the halves alongside Eels half Mitchell Moses. A poor one would leave his jersey hanging by a thread. It makes the 80 minutes on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium pretty important for Luai.
His next chance may be his last. Once that game is out the way, or maybe if he gets a few spare minutes beforehand, Luai — who has stated his desire to become more of a leader — should consider picking up the phone and making a call to 18-year-old Lachlan Galvin.
Sure, Luai isn’t a Wests Tigers player yet, but as Galvin and his family press for a release from his contract – it is understood they have now backed away from the demand – Luai’s imminent arrival on a five-year deal is the biggest thing the Tigers have in their favour as they fight to keep their most prodigious talent at the club.
Provided Galvin stays and things go to plan next year, he and Luai will form a formidable combination in the halves. The sort of tandem you can build a club around. A combination capable of going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the NRL.
Luai is no doubt aware of that and you have to wonder what his thoughts have been in recent weeks as he has watched the Tigers’ losing streak stretch to nine matches amid a battle to retain Galvin, their most promising teenage talent.
Tigers officials are reluctant to drag Luai into the issue. This columnist suggested they could do worse than get Luai to reach out to Galvin but, out of respect to Penrith and the Panthers star, they insisted it was not a consideration.
They would prefer to leave Luai to focus his energies on Penrith and winning a fourth consecutive premiership. It was their job to convince Galvin that his future was with the Tigers.
With that in mind, Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson sat down with Galvin’s family this week, listened to their concerns and outlined his plans for the 18-year-old.
The Tigers were tight-lipped about the conversation but it is safe to assume they reiterated that they wanted Galvin to stay at the club and had no plans to release him from the final two years of his contract.
They promised in the pre-season to give him a shot at first grade and Richardson has been good to his word – Galvin has been a fixture in the team since round one.
If they were smart, they would also have reminded Galvin and his parents that Luai is on the way next season. He may not be there yet, but he is their strongest selling point.
He is the ray of light in the distance for the Tigers. One of the few pieces of blue sky. His story also resonates given he had the chance to leave Penrith when he was a teenager, having been chased by Richardson when he was in charge at Souths.
Richardson persisted for years in trying to sign Luai but he resisted the urge to leave, eventually forced his way into first grade and won three premierships.
He honed his craft and became one of the best halves in the game, worthy of a contract that will set him and his family up for the rest of his life.
In recent weeks, he has also answered the debate about his capacity to wear the No. 7 jersey and steer a side around the park, the job he will be given next year at the Tigers.
He has led Penrith with aplomb in the absence of Nathan Cleary and vindicated the Tigers’ decision to outlay $6 million to make him their main man for the next five years.
He needs someone to help him though. He won’t be able to do it on his own at the Tigers next year and Galvin would be the perfect foil. Even Batman needed Robin.
The Tigers are doing their best to convince Galvin to stay and Luai can play his part. He just needs to pick up the phone.
The Tigers look to have won their battle to convince Galvin to be part of their future. He has told coach Benji Marshall he wants to stay at the Tigers and Richardson is confident he will be there beyond this year. Then again, it never hurts to make sure. Luai can play his part. He just needs to pick up the phone.
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