Bankwest in line for NRL grand final

Any delay in the NRL season may force the grand final to be played in Sydney’s west or interstate.

Bankwest Stadium seats only 30,000 spectators but would provide an electric atmosphere for a grand final. Picture: Getty Images

Bankwest Stadium has emerged as a potential host venue for the NRL grand final should the game be forced to significantly delay its season due to the coronavirus.

The ARL Commission and NRL have told clubs they will play up until Christmas in an attempt to keep the season intact, a move that would cast doubt over their ability to play the grand final at the SCG, the ground currently earmarked to host the 2020 decider.

ANZ Stadium is also expected to be out of action by then — work on its redevelopment is due to start after Canterbury play South Sydney at the ground in late June.

That could leave the NRL with a choice between playing the grand final at Bankwest Stadium or moving it interstate, a prospect the Queensland government would welcome with open arms.

The latter, however, would put in jeopardy the agreement between the NSW government and NRL to play the next 27 grand ­finals in Sydney and could prompt the government to ask for compensation in return.

Cash is a valuable commodity given the current situation at Rugby League Central, leaving Bankwest Stadium as the likely venue should the ARL Commission be forced to delay the season and the state government press ahead with its plans to redevelop ANZ Stadium.

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The grand final is currently scheduled to be played at the SCG on October 4 while the ground is due to host its first game of the T20 cricket World Cup on October 24, when Australia play Pakistan. The SCG’s cricket commitments finish on November 11, when it hosts one of the semi-­finals.

However, at least a week ­either side of the cricket World Cup is likely to be needed to get the venue prepared for a rugby league grand final.

That means the ground would be unavailable for up to five weeks, a concern given the uncertainty that surrounds rugby league due to the impact of COVID-19. Bankwest Stadium would not have the same concerns given the ground has relatively few commitments outside soccer in the summer.

The NRL would lose significant money in ticket sales because the ground only holds about 30,000, but the venue has outstanding corporate facilities and would guarantee a good atmosphere for the broadcasters.

Another option would be for the state government to delay the ANZ Stadium rebuild, although it faces time pressure due to its bid for the 2023 women’s soccer World Cup.

The renovated ANZ Stadium is central to that bid.

The ARL Commission and NRL are preparing for the competition to be shut down at some point, most likely when a player contracts the coronavirus.

The players were warned by their union on Wednesday that once a player tested positive, his teammates were also likely to be placed in isolation.

“This may result in matches involving that team not being played,” the Rugby League Players Association said in a statement sent to players.

“The NRL is doing some modelling in relation to what a revised season might look like if matches are missed or the competition is forced to be suspended.”

A delay that ran into the T20 World Cup would also have ramifications for the Sydney Roosters, who play home games at the SCG.