Sharks could lobby NRL amid Allianz Stadium debacle
Jasper Bruce |
Cronulla will seek an exemption from the NRL to host at Shark Park in week two or three of the finals if the Sharks feel they are disadvantaged by the Allianz Stadium drainage disaster.
If Brisbane lose to second-placed Melbourne and the Sharks beat Canterbury, Cronulla will finish fourth on the ladder and earn hosting rights for either the second or third week of finals.
Allianz Stadium has traditionally been the Sharks’ home ground in that case, with only major venues hosting finals after week one.
But repairs to a defective drainage layer mean the $830 million venue is out of commission after a charity event on September 15.
The works must be finished in time for rapper Kendrick Lamar’s concert on December 10 so cannot be delayed to accommodate a Cronulla home final in either week two or three.
The Sharks have been told to prepare to host at a third-choice home venue, either CommBank Stadium or Accor Stadium, if they finish fourth.
Cronulla have reluctantly accepted that proposition, but AAP understands they are prepared to raise the situation with the NRL if they draw the four-time reigning premiers Penrith.
The Panthers have played home games at CommBank Stadium all year as Penrith Park undergoes refurbishment and have won the last three grand finals at Accor Stadium.
Penrith also notably defeated the Sharks in last year’s preliminary final at Homebush.
Cronulla feel playing the Panthers at either western Sydney venue would put them at a disadvantage and would push Shark Park as their preferred home ground.
Ahead of round 27, Craig Fitzgibbon’s side remain a live chance to host the Panthers in either week two or three of the finals.
If Penrith lose to St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters beat South Sydney, the Panthers will finish the season eighth on the ladder.
That would put the four-time reigning premiers on course to meet the Sharks at their makeshift home ground in week two of the finals.
Alternatively, if the Panthers remain seventh on the ladder, they could meet Cronulla in week three if the Sharks placed fourth and beat Canberra in week one.
Accor Stadium is a 30km drive from Cronualla’s training base, with CommBank Stadium even further away at 35km.
Travelling to either stadium from Shark Park takes around two hours via public transport, though this time would be cut down if direct train services ran from Central to Olympic Park on the night.
AAP
