Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta has called for a blanket NRL finals venue policy after the Sharks’ home qualifying final was moved to Allianz Stadium, where only 17,429 spectators watched their 26-16 defeat of North Queensland.
The attendance was around 2,500 higher than the capacity of Cronulla’s regular home ground, Ocean Protect Stadium, prompting renewed debate over whether clubs should be allowed to host finals at suburban venues.
Under rules outlined to clubs at the start of the season, the Australian Rugby League Commission retains discretion over where week-one finals are played. The stated aim is to prevent supporters being unable to attend matches at smaller grounds.
Mezzatesta said Cronulla remained disappointed that it had not been allowed to host the Cowboys in the Shire, but suggested the governing body should remove the discretionary element altogether if large stadiums are now preferred.
“I’m still disappointed because nothing will change the fact that we earned the right to play that home semi-final at our home ground,” Mezzatesta said.
“But maybe we’re at the point where you have to change that rule for everyone then. Just play the semis at all the big stadiums from here on, regardless of who is in.”
NRL finals venue policy under renewed scrutiny
He proposed that Sydney clubs play at Allianz Stadium, Accor Stadium or CommBank Stadium, with Suncorp Stadium used for Queensland matches and Eden Park for games in New Zealand.
“I don’t mean to disadvantage other clubs, but we have this discussion every year around finals venues every year, and to me, if you’re not going to let us play at our home ground, then lock in the big venues and take the guessing games and the controversy out of it,” he said.
The approach would also prevent clubs including Manly, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers from staging finals at suburban grounds such as Four Pines Park, Kogarah, WIN Stadium, Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes described the number of empty seats at Allianz Stadium as “upsetting, disappointing and embarrassing”, while making clear he was not blaming Cronulla supporters.
The match was the second Allianz Stadium final in two nights to attract a modest crowd. South Sydney’s match against Newcastle on Friday drew 28,152, while the Sharks-Cowboys fixture filled less than half of the venue.
The NRL will stage next week’s Warriors-Knights semi-final at Eden Park rather than Go Media Stadium, which has a capacity around 24,000 lower. The governing body takes the gate receipts from finals, with the switch representing an estimated additional $1.5 million based on an average ticket price of $50.
Mezzatesta said Cronulla could still have a case to host a final against interstate opponents such as North Queensland or the Gold Coast next season if the current rules remain in place.
However, Ocean Protect Stadium requires improvements to its facilities before that prospect becomes more realistic. The Sharks are pursuing government funding, and Mezzatesta said the debate could change if the ground returned to its full capacity of 18,000.
“There’s still a place for suburban grounds in our game,” he said. “We know our facilities need improvements, and we will continue to pursue government funding and Peter V’landys is a big supporter of us doing that.”
