Queensland in bid for bush bonus

QUEENSLAND is fighting to land a “bush bonus’’ for fans during fierce negotiations to host this year’s NRL Grand Final.

The Queensland government is understood to have told NRL powerbrokers it wants a rural spin-off as part of any deal to host the 2021 decider.

The government has asked whether NRL games could be taken to places such as Mackay and Rockhampton next season. Both have successfully hosted NRL games this year.

Now, the state government is hoping for a flow-on effect into next season and beyond for regional towns if the Grand Final is played north of the border.

Negotiations for the decider have become a tug of war with the balance of power delicately poised as both parties believe they are doing the other a favour.

The NRL consider the Grand Final their sacred ruby and believe Queensland should be prepared to pay in some form for the right to host it.

But the Queensland government knows it has the high ground because the NRL has no realistic alternative with Covidchallenged Sydney and Melbourne out of play. There was a fleeting suggestion the game could be taken to Auckland but that is now off the table.