Footy fans divided over bold plan by Victorian Government to STEAL the NRL Grand Final and host it at MCG

The NRL’s exclusive arrangement to play its grand final in Sydney could be lifted as soon as next season with the showpiece event moved to AFL heartland.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has signalled her intent to pack the NRL grand final and have it played at the MCG in 2025 – and the NRL is open to the idea.

The Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm will clash in the 2024 decider at Accor Stadium in what could be the final year Sydney holds the mortgage on the event.

The NRL grand final has been held in Sydney ever season for 116 years, except for 2021 when Covid lockdowns and regulations forced it to be moved to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. 

 Now, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys is open to selling the grand final to the highest bidder.

And the Victorian Premier combined with the Melbourne Storm are looking to open the purse strings in a bid to have both the NRL and AFL grand finals held at the MCG in 2025. 

‘Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia,’ Allan told Triple M Breakfast’s show with Rosie, Wil & Daisy in Melbourne.

‘I’m not surprised that the NRL might be interested in bringing the grand final to Melbourne and we’re absolutely up for the discussion.

The Victorian Government wants to host the NRL Grand Final in AFL heartland at the MCG

‘The second State of Origin was held at the MCG this year, there were 90,000 people attending.

‘The biggest crowds that the NRL gets for their State of Origin matches are right here in Melbourne at the MCG.

‘It’s no surprise that the clubs, the players, the fans, all want to see the NRL played at the MCG – the best stadium in the country – so of course, we’re up for having a conversation with the NRL.

‘It (the MCG) is the best venue in the country, best fans in the country, and they’ll pack the venue out.

‘It would be a great player experience and a great experience for the fans.’

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been given a green light by the NRL to bid for the Grand Final for 2025 and beyond

 The door is wide open for it to become a reality with V’Landys refusing to lock down the NRL grand final in Sydney. 

‘There is no deal in place,’ V’landys told News Corp.

‘At the moment, we don’t have a deal with anyone, so anything is possible.’

Many footy fans are open to the idea as well, as long as other locations are considered in the future as well.

‘Should rotate it between the capital cities and Auckland,’ one fan posted.

‘It has to be in Brisbane before it ever goes to Melbourne,’ insisted another.

State of Origin matches have already been hosted at the MCG and have attracted record crowds

However others said the MCG oval would not be suited to rugby league and fans would be too far away from the action.

‘No thanks. NRL is not fun to watch being played on ovals. Be closer to the action watching on my TV screen,’ one fan posted.

‘Rectangular sports are no good to watch on massive ovals like the MCG. Just play the bloody thing in Sydney and bring the time forward to Sunday afternoon twilight,’ another said.

Regardless, Storm chairman Matthew Tripp said the club would be looking to unite with the Victorian Government to make it happen. 

‘If the opportunity is there to bid for the grand final to be hosted in a particular city, I would happily fly the flag for Melbourne,’ Tripp said.

‘I don’t think Homebush is people’s favourite venue and I think you could create that excitement by taking the grand final from city to city.’