Monday Buzz: Accor Stadium set to break all-time NRL attendance record after Souths, Canterbury threaten to ditch
It’s the ground everyone wants to abandon, but now Accor Stadium is set to host the biggest crowd in regular season history. BUZZ ROTHFIELD reveals why the venue still has a vital place in the game’s future.
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The ground everyone wants to abandon – the much-maligned Accor Stadium – is set to break an all-time NRL attendance record.
The Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs play at Homebush on Good Friday with officials predicting a crowd approaching 60,000 for a blockbuster game between the traditional Easter rivals and two of the premiership’s form outfits.
The irony is that both Souths and the Bulldogs have recently gone public with threats to ditch the venue as their regular home base.
The previous biggest crowd for a home and away NRL game was in 2013 when the Roosters v the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium attracted 59,708 fans.
Good Friday is Canterbury’s home game this year and will provide the Bulldogs with a huge financial injection from gate takings and corporate sales.
After years of misery, their fans have resurfaced in great numbers this year and are arguably the most passionate supporters in the game.
Souths fans too are back on board in great numbers to support old super coach Wayne Bennett’s rebuild from finishing 16th last year.
Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton has his sights set on a record.
This same game attracted a crowd of 51,686 back in 2013.
“With both teams starting well this year, we’ve got a real chance to set the all-time regular season attendance record and show why we have the most passionate fans in the game,” he said.
“The atmosphere should be fantastic. The Bulldogs and Rabbitohs have always had a strong, respectful rivalry.
“These are the kinds of games players really value - a full stadium, that holiday feeling, and two proud clubs competing hard in front of what could be 60,000 fans. That’s what it’s all about.”
This is a monster game of footy that shows why Sydney’s old Olympic Stadium deserves an upgrade with a retractable roof and should always be an integral part of the NRL calendar.
It’s nice to have the world-class facilities at Allianz Stadium but no other venue in Sydney can cater for the Easter blockbusters, State of Origin and the grand final.
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