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THE traditional Anzac Day match between St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters will be played at the Sydney Football Stadium for the next eight years.
And their round 22 match next season will be played next door at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The two clubs, who worked together on the deal, are hoping for a combined crowd total of 70,000, a figure which would net each club around $400,000.
The deal with the SCG and Sports Ground Trust is over four years with a four-year option.
Last year's Anzac Day game was shifted to Homebush, but the return to Moore Park will please fans who attend services in the city before heading to the game.
"Essentially it's an eight-year deal," Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said.
"Now that it is locked in, we can make the game bigger and better and know where we are heading. The two clubs are behind it, as is the NRL and the SCG Trust."
The return match in August will be played at the SCG to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Easts' 38-0 Grand Final win over St George.
The match will also coincide with the launch of the Roosters' Hall of Fame.
"We certainly welcome the Dragons' decision to have the Anzac Day blockbuster at the SFS. And the return match next season will be played at the SCG, the game's heartland," SCG Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley said.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are expecting Willie Mason to reveal within the next fortnight that he has two offers from Japanese rugby union.
There was speculation yesterday the Roosters would offer Mason a $100,000 payout, but the former Test forward is believed to want $200,000.
"Greg (Keenan, Mason's manager) has told us that the two offers have come from companies while he and Willie were in Japan," Noyce said. "The process takes time. We have given Willie until the Christmas break (to find a new club).
"Maybe then we are in a position to see what is best going forward. He has a contract in place with us for 2010.
"Willie, the Roosters and his manager have been very open through this and we have given Willie a chance to explore other opportunities."
Asked had the club offered a $100,000 payout to Mason, Noyce said: "No one has spoken about that."
Mason, who is on $450,000 a year at the Roosters, has also been linked to French Super League club Catalans
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225801820343
And their round 22 match next season will be played next door at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The two clubs, who worked together on the deal, are hoping for a combined crowd total of 70,000, a figure which would net each club around $400,000.
The deal with the SCG and Sports Ground Trust is over four years with a four-year option.
Last year's Anzac Day game was shifted to Homebush, but the return to Moore Park will please fans who attend services in the city before heading to the game.
"Essentially it's an eight-year deal," Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said.
"Now that it is locked in, we can make the game bigger and better and know where we are heading. The two clubs are behind it, as is the NRL and the SCG Trust."
The return match in August will be played at the SCG to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Easts' 38-0 Grand Final win over St George.
The match will also coincide with the launch of the Roosters' Hall of Fame.
"We certainly welcome the Dragons' decision to have the Anzac Day blockbuster at the SFS. And the return match next season will be played at the SCG, the game's heartland," SCG Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley said.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are expecting Willie Mason to reveal within the next fortnight that he has two offers from Japanese rugby union.
There was speculation yesterday the Roosters would offer Mason a $100,000 payout, but the former Test forward is believed to want $200,000.
"Greg (Keenan, Mason's manager) has told us that the two offers have come from companies while he and Willie were in Japan," Noyce said. "The process takes time. We have given Willie until the Christmas break (to find a new club).
"Maybe then we are in a position to see what is best going forward. He has a contract in place with us for 2010.
"Willie, the Roosters and his manager have been very open through this and we have given Willie a chance to explore other opportunities."
Asked had the club offered a $100,000 payout to Mason, Noyce said: "No one has spoken about that."
Mason, who is on $450,000 a year at the Roosters, has also been linked to French Super League club Catalans
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225801820343
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