National Rugby League CEO Todd Greenberg is "set to personally reinforce the game’s commitment to the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium" at a meeting with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in the next fortnight, according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Greenberg has already written to Berejiklian "outlining the NRL’s desire" to see the state government honor its previous commitment to turn ANZ Stadium into a "state-of-the-art rectangular venue." However, in addition to that letter, he is "expected to meet personally" with Berejiklian in the next week or two to "discuss the stadiums issue," which has been "simmering in the background" since the state government announced last year that it would spend A$1.6B ($1.3B) on Sydney’s major venues. The lion’s share of that money had been "earmarked for ANZ Stadium," which would have resulted in the ground being "turned into a truly rectangular venue with cutting-edge facilities." Since that announcement, "there have been moves behind the scenes to have the money reallocated so that Allianz Stadium becomes the prime beneficiary of the billion-dollar promise." Australian Football League side Greater Western Sydney Giants Chair Tony Shepherd, who is also the chair of the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust that controls Allianz Stadium, said that the GSW Giants would "oppose turning ANZ Stadium into a rectangular venue" because the club wanted it retained as a possible home for AFL matches. The AFL has played one game at the venue over the past two years (THE AUSTRALIAN, 7/31).
