A five-point plan drawn up by Sydney National Rugby League clubs favoring a 72,000-seat rectangular ANZ Stadium "will be put forward by the NRL when it meets with the NSW government next week" over the allocation of A$1.2B ($900M) in stadium investment, according to Chammas & Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Australian Rugby League Commission agreed at a meeting on Thursday to "table the proposal to the government" after Premier Mike Baird "returns from overseas on Monday." While it may not be the "preferred position of the NRL," the commissioners believe it is "vital the money be spent on facilities for rugby league" and will inevitably support the clubs' position if they "fail to convince them to back a new 55,000-seat stadium at Moore Park." As it stands, the majority of Sydney clubs prefer a A$600M ($451M) to A$700M ($526M) refurbishment to turn ANZ Stadium into a 72,000-seat permanent rectangular venue, but the NRL and NSW Sports Minister Stuart Ayres favor a "knock down and rebuild of Allianz Stadium." The priority of investment the clubs presented to the NRL last week "outlines the unanimous support for a new stadium at Parramatta," while preference is for a refurbished Allianz Stadium over a new stadium on or near the existing site. There was an April 1 deadline on the NRL to gain a "65-game commitment from NRL clubs to play games at the network of major stadiums." The clubs have indicated "they would agree to the 65-game demand" if the NRL backs a list of priorities (SMH, 4/7).
TAKING ADVANTAGE: In Sydney, Chris Barrett reported the Australian Football League and cricket "are ready to pounce" as the infighting between NRL clubs, League Central and the Macquarie Street stalls the A$1.6B ($1.2B) stadia investment with suggestions the completion of the SCG upgrade "could jump the queue on the State government's priority list." Ayres has warned that A$1B ($750M) in funding announced last September "is at risk if a resolution is not reached." A "missed opportunity" for the NRL, though, "could be seized upon by the SCG's tenants, the AFL and cricket." The SCG upgrade, which would follow the A$197.5M ($148M) revamp of the Noble, Bradman and Messenger Stands and include new AFL media broadcast facilities in the Churchill/Brewongle stands, "would lift the famous ground's capacity above 50,000." A spokesperson for Ayres "would not comment on Thursday when asked where funds would be directed if the major rectangular stadium investment was scrapped" (SMH, 4/7).
