‘We’re an entertainment’: Roosters coach Trent Robinson backs Super Bowl concept

Stadiums were the hot topic at the Roosters on Friday as coach Trent Robinson threw his support behind one concept.

Trent Robinson has backed the ARL Commission’s decision to put the NRL grand final up for sale from 2023 onwards as the code moves towards a Super Bowl-style spectacle for the biggest game of the year.

The decision came through on Thursday that Sydney would no longer be the default location for the sport’s premier event, with the grand final to be sold to the highest bidder from next year.

“I’ve always liked the Super Bowl style,” the Roosters coach said.

“I do love the fact supporters turn up and I like seeing the colours at the ground. That’s been a big part of our grand finals that the two teams are well represented.

The grand final is always the biggest show of the year. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“We’re an entertainment so it has to be an event and it has to be well respected financially because of the number of viewers and the type of game it is, and we want our supporters to turn up.

“So if we can tick those three boxes, then we’ve got a better product.

“I like the way that they’re continually wanting to make it bigger and bigger. I feel like the respect for our game and the interest has always been there.”

Stadiums were a hot talking point at Robinson’s press conference on Friday morning as the Roosters prepare to play their final game at the SCG before they move 100m down the road to the new Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters have called the SCG home for the past four seasons while the new stadium has been built, and emotions will run high on Saturday night when they take on the Wests Tigers at the grand old venue.

Tensions were high in the first game back at the SCG in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

“It’s been a wonderful four years. We’ve been privileged to play there,” said Robinson, who didn’t rule out the odd game at the SCG in the future.

“This has been our area since 1908. We’ve been playing in different grounds in the area, and the SCG has been a big part of it.

“That’s a beautiful ground with the tradition. If the walls could talk in those dressing rooms through the different sports … it’s wonderful.

“It’s a real honour to play there. This is our area, this is our home, this is our land, so to play on it one more time before we move to the new Allianz Stadium will be great.”

The new Sydney Football Stadium is a tremendous precinct and will be officially opened in two weeks when the Roosters play the Dragons in a rematch of the NRLW grand final before the NRL side faces the Rabbitohs in a game that could have massive finals implications.

Hosting the Rabbitohs is fitting given South Sydney seem desperate to move from Accor Stadium to be closer to their spiritual home base.

The new stadium will open in less than two weeks. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Robinson said he didn’t have any thoughts on potentially sharing the ground with their local rivals but made a point that the area had always been home to the Roosters.

“I just know it’s our home and it has been forever,” he said.

“(Souths sharing this ground) is a different discussion point. We’ve been on this journey for a long time and we’ve stayed loyal to the area.”