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Sydney to host Saturday night double-header of NRL finals
by Dean Ritchie
August 10, 2010 .The NRL finals are likely to kick off with a 100,000-fan spectacular under an unprecedented plan to play back-to-back games at the SFS and SCG on the same day.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the league is keen to play a double-header in week one of the finals at the famous Moore Park venues on Saturday, September 11, if Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters finish second and third on the premiership table, which is a distinct possibility.
Both clubs use the SFS as their home ground - the Tigers likely to play a home final at Moore Park rather than suburban grounds Leichhardt or Campbelltown.
Under the historic plan, team three would play team six at 6.30pm on the Saturday at the SFS with sides two and seven clashing at 8.30pm next door at the SCG.
Playing one final at the SFS and the second next door will be discussed further in coming weeks if the Roosters and Tigers continue their current success. The NRL may even consider offering fans a package deal for tickets to both finals.
Nearly 40,000 fans packed the SCG in round 21 to watch an epic match between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra, the Dragons winning 19-12.
"If results should fall that way and the Roosters and Tigers finish second and third, we would obviously hold talks with both clubs about their options and their preferences before confirming the venues," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.
"But clearly the SFS-SCG option on the same night is an attractive one based on the success of last Sunday.
"It would certainly deliver a great double-header event for fans at two of rugby league's most significant venues. With the exception of the Dragons, you can throw a net over the other teams in contention."
Both matches could conceivably be sell-outs, with nearly 100,000 pouring into the Moore Park precinct for the start of the finals.
"The SFS and SCG are ideal venues for NRL finals," said SCG and Sports Ground Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley.
"Given the success of Sunday's blockbuster, you certainly wouldn't rule out a finals game at the SCG.
"Two finals games on the same night would be a wonderful event for rugby league.
"Playing two semi-finals in Moore Park would also be a great advertisement for the game. The SCG is the traditional and spiritual home of rugby league while the SFS was purpose built for rugby league.
"We are blessed to have two great stadiums in the Moore Park area."
Wests Tigers boss Stephen Humphreys said his club would not think about a home final venue until they actually finished in the top four.
"We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," Humphreys said.
by Dean Ritchie
August 10, 2010 .The NRL finals are likely to kick off with a 100,000-fan spectacular under an unprecedented plan to play back-to-back games at the SFS and SCG on the same day.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the league is keen to play a double-header in week one of the finals at the famous Moore Park venues on Saturday, September 11, if Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters finish second and third on the premiership table, which is a distinct possibility.
Both clubs use the SFS as their home ground - the Tigers likely to play a home final at Moore Park rather than suburban grounds Leichhardt or Campbelltown.
Under the historic plan, team three would play team six at 6.30pm on the Saturday at the SFS with sides two and seven clashing at 8.30pm next door at the SCG.
Playing one final at the SFS and the second next door will be discussed further in coming weeks if the Roosters and Tigers continue their current success. The NRL may even consider offering fans a package deal for tickets to both finals.
Nearly 40,000 fans packed the SCG in round 21 to watch an epic match between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra, the Dragons winning 19-12.
"If results should fall that way and the Roosters and Tigers finish second and third, we would obviously hold talks with both clubs about their options and their preferences before confirming the venues," NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said.
"But clearly the SFS-SCG option on the same night is an attractive one based on the success of last Sunday.
"It would certainly deliver a great double-header event for fans at two of rugby league's most significant venues. With the exception of the Dragons, you can throw a net over the other teams in contention."
Both matches could conceivably be sell-outs, with nearly 100,000 pouring into the Moore Park precinct for the start of the finals.
"The SFS and SCG are ideal venues for NRL finals," said SCG and Sports Ground Trust chief executive Jamie Barkley.
"Given the success of Sunday's blockbuster, you certainly wouldn't rule out a finals game at the SCG.
"Two finals games on the same night would be a wonderful event for rugby league.
"Playing two semi-finals in Moore Park would also be a great advertisement for the game. The SCG is the traditional and spiritual home of rugby league while the SFS was purpose built for rugby league.
"We are blessed to have two great stadiums in the Moore Park area."
Wests Tigers boss Stephen Humphreys said his club would not think about a home final venue until they actually finished in the top four.
"We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," Humphreys said.
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