NRL 2023: Sharks chairman, skipper dismiss notion of moving Roosters final to Allianz Stadium

The Sharks are biting back, fed up with the notion that their home final be moved away from PointsBet Stadium, despite its capacity of only 13,000 patrons.

A bumper crowd for the Rabbitohs-Roosters QF last year. NRL Imagery

Cronulla chairman Steve Mace has warned angry critics of his low capacity home ground to back off while describing a push to move Saturday night’s elimination final to Allianz Stadium – home ground of their opponents – as “crazy”.

It comes as the NRL sacrificed more than $1m in gate takings to retain the week one home finals format.

Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium currently holds just 13,000 fans with social media erupting over calls to shift Saturday night’s big match to the new $830m Allianz Stadium, home of the Sydney Roosters, Cronulla’s opponents.

“There will be people calling for the game to be moved but I don’t think they’d be saying that if it was their teams’ home final,” Mace said.

Cronulla Sharks chairman Steve Mace. Picture: Sharks Media

“Why would we give the Sydney Roosters an advantage by moving the game to Allianz Stadium? That’s just crazy.

“Our team and coaching staff have been working for ten months for this moment, to get a home final. I don’t think anyone would simply give that up because our ground capacity is less than other clubs.

“The club and playing group have earned the right to the benefit of a home final. It’s as simple as that.

“We understand it’s going to annoy some people with our ground attendance but we’ve got to give the club and players the advantage they have earned throughout the season. A win is our number one priority for the team and community.

“I’ve had a few snaps come at me from people but why would we give another team an advantage when we finished higher on the table?

“The ultimate aim here is to get a win. We applaud the NRL for sticking to their ethos of giving a home ground advantage in week one. They could have taken the easy, commercial path but they haven’t. Kudos to the NRL.

“Once the (adjacent) development (at PointsBet Stadium) stops, I think that will be for next season, we will get our ground capacity back up close to the 18,000-mark.”

PointsBet Stadium’s capacity is 13,000 people. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Sharks captain Wade Graham has pointed the finger at the state government for failing to provide funding needed to upgrade his team’s home ground as he hit back at the critics who don’t believe they should be playing a home final at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday.

“I understand the argument, and it’s unfortunate (that people miss out), but we’re in a position where everyone has earned a home semi so we deserve it as well,” Graham said.

“I think the government should throw some funding at the Sharks to update that facility because the infrastructure there now with the new development needs a new stadium to sit side-by-side with it.

“That’s a government issue, not ours.

“They’ve looked after everyone else so I think they need to throw a little down the Sharks’ way.”

The NRL could have attracted another 23,000 to 25,000 fans by moving the Sharks versus Roosters game to Allianz Stadium and Panthers-Warriors match from BlueBet Stadium to CommBank Stadium.

That equates to more than $1m.

“The Sharks have worked really hard to get to where they are on the ladder. It is their decision to play in week one at their home ground. That is their right,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“Suburban stadiums are the heartbeat of the community. What a great atmosphere and reward for the team and the fans. For those lucky enough to go, they are going to have an unbelievable experience. We hope there will be teams to get a second chance to support their teams in finals as well should they get a second chance.

“The policy is that in week one it is the team‘s choice of their traditional home ground. It is a reward for both the players and the fans who have endured a long season and got to the point where they can play (finals).

“We have this debate regularly at this time of year. If you are the Sharks, would you want to be playing at Allianz Stadium when you finished higher than the Roosters.”

Captain of the Sharks Wade Graham pointed the finger at the NSW government. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Fans flooded social media asking why the games weren’t moved to larger stadiums.

“We have three massive stadiums in Sydney where they can play finals. It’s a no-brainer. It’s absolutely ridiculous,” one posted.

Another added: “How ridiculous having 13,000 fans to a semi.”

And another: “I think semi-finals should be played at the big stadiums. I’ve never been a fan of the home ground semi-finals.”

Mace said his club would continue lobbying the Government for funding to redevelop PointsBet Stadium.

“We will continue to work with Government and the NRL for funding like other clubs have received,” Mace said.

“We need a redeveloped stadium with the right set-up to run NRL and NRLW teams – a Centre of Excellence plus the additional works. But we are the only club that doesn’t seem to get anything which is strange.”

Sydney’s $1.2b stadiums abandoned in NRL finals farce

– Dean Ritchie

Sydney’s newest stadiums – worth a combined cost of nearly $1.2 billion – could sit unused and unloved throughout the NRL finals.

This masthead can reveal Allianz Stadium in Sydney’s east – and possibly CommBank Stadium in the city’s west – might remain empty due to the NRL’s finals structure.

One NRL club CEO said: “It would seem like madness not using the best stadiums for the biggest games of the year.”

The redevelopment of Allianz Stadium at Moore Park cost $830m while the rebuilding of CommBank Stadium at Parramatta cost $360m.

That is $1.19 billion worth of taxpayers’ money.

The city’s newest shiniest toys have only recently been built with Allianz completed in August last year and CommBank opening in 2019.

Strangely, one Sydney venue likely to host a home final be would Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium, which holds 13,500 fans.

The blackout of Allianz and possible CommBank snub comes through a quirk of the draw and would be dependent on where teams finish on the NRL competition ladder and which are non-Sydney clubs.

A bumper crowd for the Rabbitohs-Roosters QF last year. Picture: NRL Imagery

There will be a maximum of just three finals games played in Sydney before the October 1 grand final at Accor Stadium.

Penrith is certain to play two finals matches, the first at BlueBet Stadium, their home ground, the second likely to be a preliminary final at Accor Stadium, should they win week one.

Cronulla is the other Sydney side that can secure a week one home final by finishing fifth or sixth.

The NRL has already stated that Cronulla can play that home final at the capacity-reduced PointsBet Stadium.

Should they advance to week two, Cronulla’s only possible Sydney opponent would be Penrith away.

There are multiple venue possibilities dependent on results but Allianz Stadium is certain to miss out altogether.

The NRL is aware of the situation but preferred not to comment given the possible draw variations that could unfold.

CommBank Stadium could remain used in September. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty

“I’m sure everyone wants big games played at big stadiums but this is just bad luck – it’s the luck of the draw,” said one NRL coach, when told of the dilemma.

Souths and the Sydney Roosters – two glamour clubs – can only finish seventh or eighth, meaning neither side can host a home final.

If Penrith lose in week one, the NRL would ask that they play week two at a larger stadium. That could be CommBank Stadium but more likely Accor Stadium.

In week one of the finals, teams finishing first and second host finals, as will sides finishing fifth and sixth.

Allianz Stadium can seat 45,500 fans with CommBank able to accommodate 30,000 supporters.

Sydney may be starved of finals footy with Brisbane, Warriors, Newcastle and Melbourne qualifying for finals places. North Queensland also has a chance of reaching the playoffs.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Sharks chairman, skipper dismiss notion of moving Roosters final to Allianz Stadium