Sydney launches shock bid to host the NRL Grand Final in front of 40,000 fans as Queensland refuses to rule out a snap lockdown
- Stadium Australia in Sydney’s west has emerged as shock NRL grand final venue
- Comes after Queensland Premier refused to rule out snap lockdown on Friday
- NSW Stadiums boss Tony Shepherd would ‘love to see’ the game in Sydney
NSW has launched a bold late bid to host the NRL Grand Final on October 17 – in front of 40,000 fans.
The 2021 premiership decider between Penrith and South Sydney could be played at Sydney’s Stadium Australia if officials are forced to postpone the game in Brisbane due to fears of a Covid outbreak this weekend.
The game was scheduled to be played at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday night at 7.30pm (AEST) – in front of a reduced capacity crowd of 39,000 fans.
It is understood the NSW State government and stadium officials from Homebush have pitched the idea to NRL bosses Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo.
A 50 percent capacity would cater for more than 40,000 fans into the venue.
The 2021 NRL Grand Final between the Rabbitohs and Panthers could be shifted to Sydney on October 17
The shock development comes as fears are mounting the game will be cancelled in Brisbane’s due to Queensland’s Covid outbreak (pictured Panthers players after winning the preliminary final last weekend against Melbourne)
NSW Stadiums boss Tony Shepherd would love to see the Grand Final – featuring two Sydney teams – to the Harbour City.
‘We’d be very happy to help the NRL out if the game can’t go ahead in Brisbane,’ Shepherd said.
‘We’ll have people out and about in NSW by then and we’d have the best Covid safety measures and protocols in place. It would only be for 100 percent vaccinated fans.’
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