Cronulla set to receive home ground final if they win this weekend

Fans could be the big losers next week with the NRL confirming teams will get to host home finals at some of the league’s smallest venues.

The NRL has confirmed the Sharks will be allowed to host a finals game next week if they earn the right. Picture; Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The NRL has confirmed Cronulla will be able to host a final at their home ground PointsBet Stadium in the opening week of the playoffs if they earn the right even if it means thousands of fans will miss out on tickets.

The Sharks will finish either fifth or sixth if they defeat the Raiders on Sunday which would secure home field advantage for next week’s elimination final.

The NRL’s current policy is that teams are allowed to play at their traditional home venue in the first week of the finals, with games moved to larger venues in that city the closer we get to the grand final.

Construction around PointsBet Stadium meant only 12,000 fans saw the Cowboys beat the Sharks in the finals last year. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

We saw that last year when the Sharks finished second and hosted the Cowboys in front of just 12,447 fans due to construction going on around PointsBet Stadium, with Cronulla’s next game moved to Allianz Stadium where they lost to the Rabbitohs.

Penrith was also allowed to host a game against the Eels at BlueBet Stadium even though they could have attracted 50,000 fans if they’d moved the game to a bigger venue.

It made sense last year because the Sharks were playing a team that doesn’t have many supporters in Sydney, but there could be issues next week if they play a team like the Rabbitohs or Roosters which would lead to a high demand for tickets.

The suburban grounds policy was changed a few years ago and will continue this season even though the Sharks have only had two crowds draw more than 12,000 fans at home this year.

The Sharks have a strong record at home and that will be a huge advantage if they can secure a home final next week. Picture; Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“We have a policy, and the policy hasn’t changed,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“In week one, each team is able to host at their traditional ground, and then as we progress and get further, the policy allows for us to play in bigger stadiums.

“We’re not going to change policy on the fly.

“In week one, the policy is designed to reward the home team and reward the fans and the community from that particular area.

“As we get further down the track, we have the opportunity for us to look at bigger stadiums in that city.”

The NRL also confirmed the Warriors will likely host a finals game at Go Media Stadium, although that could be changed to the much bigger Eden Park.

There were incredible scenes in Auckland 15 years ago when the Warriors beat the Roosters in the second week of the finals. Picture; AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan

The Warriors haven’t hosted a finals game in New Zealand since 25,585 fans saw them beat the Roosters in 2008, with huge crowds packing out the joint this year as the club eyes its highest finish in 21 years.

Barring a miracle, the Warriors will finish third which means they are guaranteed to host a finals match in either week two or three depending on how they go in their qualifying final.

“If the Warriors are going to host a game much deeper into the finals then we’re going to have a conversation with them in due course,” Abdo said.

“At this stage, the default position is that they’ll be playing at Go Media.

“What a great storyline it is to see the Warriors playing at home in the finals after being here (Australia) for so many years because of COVID.

“Their run of from this season is terrific for Warriors fans, but it’s also terrific for rugby league in New Zealand so we’re excited about a finals game in New Zealand.”