Penrith Panthers to take two NRL games to Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium

PENRITH are about to jump into bed with sworn enemies Parramatta by taking two NRL games to the revamped Pirtek Stadium.

NRL Match: Parramatta v Penrith

PENRITH are about to jump into bed with sworn enemies Parramatta by taking two NRL games to the revamped Pirtek Stadium.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Panthers’ board met on Wednesday and agreed to shift two games up the M4 Motorway from 2019 as part of the state government’s new stadiums deal.

Penrith’s shock commitment will come as a welcome boost to the NRL, who have until Friday to prove to the state government they can meet the 65-game criteria required to secure $1.6 billion in funding for a redeveloped Pirtek Stadium and Allianz Stadium, as well as refurbishments to ANZ Stadium.

Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels could have a much closer relationship.

Long-time sworn enemies of the blue and golds, the Panthers are prepared to embrace Parramatta temporarily in the hope the state government will return the favour and build a new 35,000-seat stadium at the foot of the mountains.

Panthers executive general manager of rugby league Phil Gould said the club was prepared to move up to four NRL games if it meant helping rugby league secure the government funding.

Penrith had not even been mentioned as a possible candidate to shift games to one of the big three venues, with the focus largely on Manly and Cronulla to relocate.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions with the state government, primarily, not the NRL, and we’re willing to assist in whatever their stadium policy is for Sydney and greater Sydney,’’ Gould said.

“Our aim is to have the fourth western Sydney stadium if and when it is built. That’s our goal.

“And if co-operating with the state government helps to bring that about sooner, that’s what we’ll do.

Tigers legend Wayne Pearce on the Wayne Pearce Hill at Leichhardt Oval.

“We’ve also indicated to the NRL if they need to meet a quota of games, we’re prepared to assist on the basis they are also investing in us as a brand and organisation out here in the west.

“Commercially we’ve taken a game to Bathurst and now Christchurch to make ends meet financially, but the long-term plan is to have our own stadium, and it’s a state-of-the-art stadium the people here in Penrith and western Sydney deserve.’’

The Panthers are prepared to reassess their commitment to Bathurst and Christchurch once those respective deals expire, but won’t necessarily end their associations in light of the Parramatta love-in.

Gould said he would love to see Pepper Stadium knocked down and rebuilt to hold around 35,000 people.

“Something a little smaller for what they’re planning at Parramatta,’’ Gould said.

One of the big reasons for building their $22 million Panthers Rugby League Academy, which was unveiled on Wednesday, was to make sure rugby league had a continual presence in the area, even if Penrith was forced to eventually play games out of the area.

Meanwhile, Balmain legend Wayne Pearce had the honour of having a hill named after him at Leichhardt Oval, the inner-western Sydney venue that does not have a commitment from the Wests Tigers to play NRL games there beyond this season.

Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne has been vocal in getting a long-term commitment from the Tigers, “which they could use Leichhardt Oval for free’’.

Pearce, who also sits on the ARL Commission, told The Daily Telegraph the Leichhardt atmosphere was “difficult to duplicate at any other ground because of the colosseum atmosphere and close proximity of the fans to the ground.’’

Asked if the ARL Commission could make it financially viable for clubs to continue playing out of suburban grounds, Pearce said: “Clubs need to stand on their own two feet. An important objective of the commission is to support clubs, but support clubs to help them support themselves.

“Obviously there are circumstances where the NRL will strategically support clubs, but I don’t know if that extends to Leichhardt Oval.’

Originally published as Penrith Panthers to take two NRL games to Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium