Penrith chief govt Brian Fletcher’s suggestion Brisbane shouldn’t be allowed to host Saturday’s preliminary closing has been shot down as “outragerous” amid the backdrop of the AFL’s concerted push into town.
Fletcher brought on a stir on the weekend by calling for the NRL to shift all preliminary finals to a impartial venue, suggesting the Broncos had been gaining an unfair benefit.
Brisbane will host the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday whereas the Panthers have moved Friday’s conflict with Melbourne to Sydney’s Accor Stadium as a result of their 22,500-capacity BlueBet Stadium residence floor doesn’t meet the NRL’s preliminary closing capability necessities.
Watch each sport of The 2023 NRL Telstra Finals Series earlier than the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and begin streaming immediately >
A capability crowd of round 52,000 will witness the Broncos’ bid to achieve the grand closing and veteran Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield stated Fletcher’s feedback didn’t take note of the specter of the AFL’s “fight” to win over followers in Queensland.
Brisbane may also play host to the Lions’ AFL preliminary closing towards Carlton on Saturday.
“What’s the go with Brian Fletcher? I like Fletch but the situation with this story is, the Brisbane Lions are playing Carlton in Brisbane on Saturday afternoon,” Rothfield stated on NRL 360 on Monday.
“Poor old Fletch wants rugby league to leave town and go down to the Gold Coast to stop the Broncos getting a home ground advantage? I’ve never heard anything more outrageous in my life.
“Rugby league is now a stronghold in Brisbane. We rebuilt there with the Dolphins, being there in Covid. The Broncos finished second and deserve the home ground.
“It’s the best rugby league stadium in the world and Fletch wants to move it? Here you are AFL, you can have the city…”
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING PTS: Why you’d be mad to put in writing off Storm; gorgeous evolution of Johnson
TEAM TIPS: Panthers rocked as Nathan Cleary despatched to hospital in enormous damage scare
‘BLOODY HARD JOB’: DCE hits again at Gould over ‘ridiculous’ NRL participant depart
‘PICK BEST AND FIND A POSITION’: Plans for star trio in Kangaroos’ No.1 battle
Hughes prepares for Penrith amid damage | 02:35
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta agreed Fletcher “got that one wrong” whereas reporter Broncos legend Gorden Tallis stated this weekend can be a deserved celebration of rugby league.
“There’s three different states in the finals and two different countries,” Tallis stated. “It can’t get better.
“Queensland fans have been so loyal to rugby league they deserve that game. If it’s a 20,000-seat stadium it’s a different story …. go to a bigger stadium because we’re turning away fans.
“But 52,500 will turn up (at Suncorp) and it will be rocking.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
