QRL call to share hosting of finals

QUEENSLAND Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher believes one in three NRL grand finals should be played away from Sydney, urging the game’s powerbrokers to stop looking “inward.’’

The odds are shortening that Brisbane, host of last year’s decider between Penrith and South Sydney, could face a 20-year shutout of the grand final, which is likely to be anchored in Sydney in a newly minted deal between the NRL and NSW government.

Brisbane benefited last year from the Omicron breakout that forced the NRL to shift the competition to Queensland

Hatcher believes such a call would be “too inward looking for the game’s best interests’’ and rugby league needs to seize on the chance to sell itself to the nation.

Australian Rugby League commission chairman Peter V’landys claimed the grand final would be shared around unless the NSW government financed the upgrading of suburban stadiums.

It appears the NRL will get what it wants, meaning Sydney could retain hosting rights for the next two decades.

The NSW government secured hosting rights for the grand final until 2042 on the proviso it redeveloped Stadium Australia but a backflip on that promise temporarily left the door open for a fresh plan.

Hatcher believes the grand final should be on the move no matter what the outcome of the latest discussions.

“I would be looking at shifting it every three years,’’ Hatcher said. “I don’t see why it should be a purely NSW thing. It is a national rugby league competition. And by that I don’t mean just to

Queensland. It’s arrogant to think it has to be in Sydney every year. Perth gets a good State of Origin crowd and Queensland should be favourites because of the players it produces.’’

The Queensland government reportedly offered about $10m to host the decider though local league fans are not getting their hopes up, fearing the main result of Queensland’s bid could be to allow southern league officials to extract a better deal from the NSW government.

Hatcher believes Queensland’s bid should be given the respect it deserves, particularly after Suncorp Stadium hosted last year’s decider.

“If they are genuinely talking about spreading the gospel it should go to other venues as well and get people to watch the top level of the game. I really think Queensland should be going for it. If you are going to be a serious international (destination) – and that is what Queensland has become – you have to go for the arts and sports events.

“You fill hotels and get people into restaurants. It’s really appropriate. We have had the floods and Covid and we have some semblance of reality coming up and we should proudly have a go at it and try to stimulate tourism.

“Melbourne built its reputation about attracting events and they were unashamedly parochial about it. There is always a chance. If you read between the lines there is a bit of leveraging going on. We would host it well just as we did last year. Last year’s grand final was a good one.’’

Queensland will showcase its ability to host major events when the popular Magic Round returns to Suncorp Stadium next week.