NRL 2024: Rugby league’s eighth wonder of the world in danger of ‘demolition by neglect’

The scenes of jubilation on Wayne Pearce Hill may soon be lost to rugby league unless action is taken. BUZZ ROTHFIELD reveals the heavyweights driving Leichhardt Oval’s fight for survival.

Wests Tigers fans celebrate the win over the Sharks. Photo: Tom Parrish

Wayne Pearce didn’t make it to Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night to see his hill bursting at the seams in the most stunning theatre of rugby league tribalism.

He was instead at Helensburgh Tradies club down on the South Coast, belting out songs on the guitar with his band Oz Icons, occasionally glancing to a TV screen in the corner to check the Fox Sports coverage and the euphoria around Wests Tigers belting Cronulla 32-6.

As hard as the loss was for a Sharks fan, the scenes of jubilation for loyal Wests Tigers supporters were so special after the misery of two straight wooden spoons.

Imagine this game being played at CommBank stadium where some want Wests Tigers to play home matches.

Maybe there would be shorter queues for food, beverages and bathrooms, shiny seats and nice corporate facilities but also a half-empty venue with little or no atmosphere.

Give me 16,000 fans jammed into a suburban ground ahead of empty seats at the big stadiums any day of the week, especially Leichhardt where crowds are 42 per cent higher than Campbelltown.

Wests Tigers fans celebrate the win over the Sharks. Photo: Tom Parrish

Pearce, the old Balmain legend and long-time independent commissioner, won’t hear of this magnificent old ground being lost to rugby league.

“It would be heartbreaking,” he said. “The spirit and tribalism can never be replaced.

“No question it needs an upgrade but to lose that connection to the heritage of Leichhardt Oval …

“The fans are our customers and they turn up because they love the atmosphere and the game thrives on people being excited by the product.”

Pearce has a passionate ally in his independent commission chairman Peter V’landys.

V’landys will take up the fight with the state and federal governments to ensure the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ will always have the facilities to cater for NRL games.

“It was proven again how much suburban grounds mean to people,” V’landys said. “Every effort will be made to ensure Leichhardt is upgraded.

“Belmore was just as good on Saturday afternoon.

“You can’t generate that atmosphere and excitement at bigger stadiums.

“I appreciate the state government is under budget repair at the moment.

“Surely the federal government can assist with this one, not just for rugby league but as a multi-use community asset.

“It’s Albo’s (PM Anthony Albanese) seat and we have had many discussions about it. I think it’s urgent now.

Wayne Pearce does a lap around Leichhardt Oval in 1990. Picture: News Corp

“I’ll certainly be making representation with both the state and federal governments.”

Local mayor Darcy Byrne has unsuccessfully campaigned for funding for years.

Now he’s suggesting the state government get the money out of the $309m set aside for a new stadium in Penrith.

“Transferring just 10 per cent of the funds from Penrith Stadium to Leichhardt will help us save the ground for the next 50 years, while Penrith will still get an expensive Rolls Royce upgrade,” he said.

“Why should there be gold-plated urinals at Penrith while Leichhardt Oval suffers demolition by neglect.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Rugby league’s eighth wonder of the world in danger of ‘demolition by neglect’