As there seems to be every few years, there is once again talk of a possible shift of venue for the NRL Grand Final, to Brisbane.
Having been to Suncorp Stadium on a few occasions I can certainly vouch for the stadium. It is an absolute gem, and arguably top three when it comes to great sporting venues in the country (Allianz and the MCG being the others).
Unfortunately for the venue though, I see two major problems with a shift away from ANZ Stadium.
Capacity
As โonlyโ 52,500 seats, Suncorpโs capacity is 30,000 seats less than the current NRL Grand Final venue, ANZ Stadium.
Without searching for the exact numbers, I canโt remember a Grand Final failing to sell out the venue. If it has, it hasnโt been by many.
There certainly hasnโt been an NRL Grand Final crowd of below 52,500.
As brilliant a venue as Suncorp Stadium is, the NRL wonโt want to lock 30,000 fans out of the biggest one-off game of the season.
They certainly wonโt want to forfeit 30,000 seats worth of ticket sales.
Having worked in hotels over the years, NRL Grand Final weekend is always a full house, and you can bank on at least a quarter of the hotelโs guests being from interstate.
People will travel from anywhere to witness their side win the big one, so even if the Grand Final is a Cowboys vs Warriors grand final this year, ANZ Stadium will be full.
I can speak from experience, the view from the top of Suncorp is far superior to the view at the top of ANZ, however it is not worth locking 30,000 fans out.
Broncos Bias
There is a very good chance the Broncos could make the decider this year. Even if they donโt, looking at their squad, their future is certainly a bright one, and I wouldnโt rule them out from competing for the October fixture over the next few seasons.
As seen with the Super League Grand Final, a Broncos home Grand Final all but guarantees a Broncos victory.
Itโs unfair to every other side in the competition.
Now, I know there are some about to hit the comment section complaining that the Bunnies, Bulldogs, etc etc play their home games at ANZ Stadium.
So does over a quarter of the competition.
South Sydney, Bulldogs, Eels, Tigers, and Dragons all host games at ANZ Stadium this season. Hardly a huge home ground advantage.
Especially seeing that both sides who made last yearโs decider both played out of the Olympic Park venue.
I know the likes of the Dragons wouldnโt consider it a true home game like they wood games at their two smaller venues, however NRL sides play so many games at ANZ, itโs certainly every sides second most played at stadium.
You wouldnโt see a Grand Final being played out of Brookvale Oval or AAMI Stadium.
Of course neither are large stadiums, but in comparison to ANZ Stadium, either is Suncorp.
Plus, every side knows the decider will take place at ANZ Stadium, and it has become a tradition. There is no chance the AFL would move their decider due to commercial interests.
They havenโt even moved their start time despite the fact a later Grand Final would probably rate better on TV โฆ but thatโs another argument for another day.
Toovey Right To Stand His Ground
Reports indicating that Geoff Toovey is going to stand his ground, and not walk away at the end of the season if the club decide to appoint Trent Barrett.
Nor should he.
Toovey has managed to keep his side in the hunt for the top eight despite incredible off-season turmoil.
Manlyโs boardroom dramas have been well documented, as has the supposed rift in the squad. Letโs not forget that two of his best forwards exited the club in less than brilliant circumstances.
Manly have been a top four regular for many years now, and despite an aging squad and salary cap dramas, Toovey has been able to keep them firing.
They started this season in less than stellar fashion, yet despite some comments on social media, are still in the hunt for a finals birth.
This is a man who is tipped to walk into the Kangaroo coaching position should Manly decide to move him on.
There arenโt many coaches who would have handled the obstacles Toovey has been forced to face, through no fault of his own, with as much dignity.
Plus, be honest, who wouldnโt miss his press conferences?
Battle Of The Five-Eighths
I am looking forward to the battle of the young five-eighths on Saturday afternoon when the Raiders host the Sharks.
Blake Austin and Jack Bird are two of the most exciting number sixโs in the competition, and their battle could go a long way to deciding the result on the weekend.
Both men are hard running, clever, try scoring, attacking threats who are capable of turning the momentum of the contest with one play.
I still donโt understand how some in the media refer to Austin, the form five-eighth of the competition, as โnot an Origin playerโ.
As for Bird, he has excelled in the playmaking role since his debut, and has been the main catalyst in the turnaround of the Sharkโs season.
If, pre-season, you had told me that one of the best personal contests over the weekend would be Bird vs Austin, I donโt know how seriously I would have taken you.
Both have excelled this season and put their names in future rep selection discussions already.
The Dragons/Bunnies contest is being marketed as the main event on Saturday but if both young stars fire, it could be the Raiders vs Sharks game that has everyone talking on Sunday morning.
