National Rugby League sides Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs officials have requested an urgent meeting with NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley as they "seek clarity around his plans for ANZ Stadium in the lead-up to next month’s state elections," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. The future of Sydney stadiums has "become a political hot potato," with Daley making it clear last year that the Labor Party "would scrap plans" to rebuild Allianz and ANZ stadiums should they "topple" the Liberal government at the March 23 election. That would be a "blow" to the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, who are "clinging to hope that ANZ Stadium will receive the refurbishment it desperately requires." It would also jeopardize the agreement struck between the NRL and current state government to play grand finals in Sydney for the next 25 years. Canterbury and South Sydney are both "tied to long-term deals at ANZ Stadium" but it "would be no surprise if they explored their legal avenues" should Daley win the election and fail to honor the memorandum of understanding that was struck between the NRL and the current government (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/14).
