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2021 NRL Grand Final could be moved interstate: Beattie

The ARLC chairman says Brisbane and Melbourne are possible options to host the big event.

Published by
Philip Panas

ARLC boss Peter Beattie claims the 2021 NRL grand final could be moved interstate due to delays upgrading Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

A deal was struck last year between the NSW Government and the NRL where it was agreed the NRL grand final will stay in Sydney until 2042.

However, this was on the provision the state's stadiums will be upgraded.

While the upgrades are underway, Beattie said on Wednesday the six-month delay to complete the new look ANZ Stadium, could be problematic.

This may mean both the 2020 and 2021 grand finals will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“The only issue is 2021 because ANZ is being delayed by six months so you’ve got to talk to the people you did the deal with first, that’s the NSW government,” Mr Beattie told The Today Show.

“Now, if we can’t reach a deal with them then obviously there are possibilities elsewhere with other governments, Queensland, maybe Victoria as well.

“If they want to put a proposal into (NRL chief executive) Todd Greenberg and I for 2021, go for it.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian responded to Beattie's comments with a simple "good luck to them".

"NSW is not the premier state for nothing," she said.
The ARLC chairman did imply that NSW were in a favorable position to retain the event, due to the existing deal in place.
“In this business, if you don’t honour your word, you’re not worth a cracker,” he said.

“Our first obligation is to honour your word, talk to the NSW government first, if at the end there is no agreement, then obviously there’s possibilities for Suncorp (in Brisbane) and also for Melbourne.”

Published by
Philip Panas