NRL FINALE COULD MOVE SOUTH

Footy heartland may welcome league showpiece

A HISTORIC grand final at the MCG with the lure of 80,000 fans is being strongly considered by the NRL.

In the wake of the NRL’s relocation of teams to Queensland, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium was widely regarded as the frontrunner to host the 2021 NRL Grand Final for the first time.

However, the chaotic and unpredictable Covid-19 pandemic has led the NRL to exploring alternate options and venues that could host the biggest game of the year.

And it’s Melbourne’s famous cricket ground that the NRL is eager to pursue.

The stunning success of the Melbourne Storm and loyalty to the Victorian government, which was forced to abandon its hosting rights for State of Origin this year, are two major factors behind the NRL’s interest in shifting the grand final out of Sydney for the first time in the game’s history.

ARLC Commission chairman Peter V’landys has been vocal in the past about his intention to repay the loyalty of the Victorian government after it lost Origin I due to a spike in Covid cases in Melbourne last May.

The Storm, equal-first on the NRL ladder with Penrith ahead of this weekend, are in the eyes of many set for another grand final appearance.

The Storm side is $2.30 with the TAB to win the 2021 premiership. If Covid-19 protocols allow it at the time, the NRL is confident it could attract a stadium of between 80,000 to 90,000 supporters at the MCG – almost double what Suncorp Stadium can hold.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has revealed a radical $2.5m proposal, which would see the AFL Grand Final played at the MCG in front of 100,000 fans, is being discussed by government and AFL heavy-hitters.

The AFL Grand Final is scheduled to be held at the MCG on September 25, with the NRL Grand Final slated for October 5.

The NRL has not ruled out playing the premiership-decider in Sydney, either.

The NRL is also investigating what former Magpies president McGuire revealed last week when declaring his proposal to ensure the safety of 100,000 fans at the MCG for the AFL Grand Final.

McGuire said there would be 200 Covid testing locations for players, officials and fans upon arrival to the MCG using the new Rapid Antigen Tests, which can reveal results within 10 minutes and be linked to an attendee’s ticket at QR code tracing.

“It would mean every person in there, from workers to players to patrons, would come in, all the testing stations – so you would come in to Punt Road, be tested and sit in the stand, you could go into Margaret Court Arena, Rod Laver Arena – be tested,’’ McGuire said.

“Once you’re in, then what we could is put on carnivals, we could have food trucks, we could turn it into something absolutely sensational.”