Fans attending the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday "are advised to arrive at ANZ Stadium early and by public transport after the NSW Police's counter-terrorism security measures caused large-scale delays at Parramatta Stadium this week," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. A large police presence and more scrutinous security procedures "are set to be in place across the Olympic Park precinct for the rugby league decider between Canterbury and South Sydney as part of the state-wide counter-terrorism measures dubbed 'operation hammerhead.'" Compulsory bag checks, full body pat-downs for all entrants, segregated inspection lines and more detection dogs "are some of the measures that may be in action as part of the NSW Police security measures." An ANZ Stadium spokesperson said, "We have been well briefed by NSW Police. It's business as usual and we're prepared for Sunday's grand final. We will have more than 80,000 people attending and we encourage them to arrive early and enjoy the entertainment in the precinct" (SMH, 10/2). In Sydney, Tom Decent wrote they say rugby league is a game for the working class, "but ticket scalpers have resorted to charging NRL fans up to 10 times the amount of a standard ticket for what is expected to be a sold out grand final." One ticket in the bronze section, usually worth A$80 ($70) on Ticketek, "is being offloaded on ticketing website Viagogo" for A$893. The seller "also had the audacity to try to sell another seven tickets for the same exorbitant price," which would set a group back A$7,145. Tickets went on sale to the general public on Tuesday and according to NRL Commercial & Marketing Dir Paul Kind, tickets are "largely sold out." But it will not be just scalpers who will benefit from a potential sellout; "the NRL's back pocket will be a whole lot better off." The most expensive grand final tickets "have doubled in price" from A$190 at the Sea Eagles vs. Warriors grand final in '11 to A$380 for Sunday's match (SMH, 10/2).
