Suburban grounds breathe life into the game but continuing to play at poorly-serviced venues is not a viable option if the game is to grow Rugby league in Sydney is built on tribalism and the NRL will attempt to leverage that argument – as well as major money-spinners for the state such as the grand final – to have homes built for its tribes. The NSW government is abandoning plans for an $830m upgrade to Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, a key election promise, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a change in plans that will meet no resistance from the NRL, who have made a sharp shift in policy direction under Peter V’landys in favour of suburban grounds over the use of major stadiums. Related: Australia’s NRL fan cardboard cut-out scheme turns sour after use of Hitler and mass murderer Harold Shipman Related: No fans no problem: NRL delivers in spades on return to biggest of all stages | Nick Tedeschi Continue readingreadfullarticle
