Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula has confirmed his state is “happy to have a conversation” with the NRL over whether Melbourne would be a suitable venue to host the grand final.
With New South Wales’ current lockdown extended until at least August 28, which follows another day of more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Sydney’s hopes of hosting the grand final remain a long shot.
The same scenario also applies to Brisbane, with south-east Queensland currently under a snap lockdown. The state today recorded 13 local COVID-19 cases.
As a result, Melbourne’s iconic MCG has emerged as a potential host venue, and it now has the full support of the Victorian government which today confirmed it’s happy to sit down with the NRL and discuss it.
“I haven’t had discussions [with the NRL], I’ve exchanged text messages with Peter V’landys,” Pakula said.
“I know the team at Visit Victoria are talking to the NRL.
“Peter I think indicated yesterday that they’re probably looking at NSW or Queensland as their next priority, but they are happy to have a conversation with us.
“I think from our perspective, we would indicate to the NRL that we would be available for a conversation, but we’re not getting into a bidding war with the Queensland government over this.
“If the NRL comes to us and says look we don’t think Sydney is an option and Brisbane isn’t an option, and they want to talk to us about the MCG or Marvel Stadium, then we’re ready to have that conversation.”
Another big supporter of the NRL grand final moving to Melbourne is Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who said the move down south would do wonders for the code.
“That would be great for the code in Melbourne if we had the grand final there whether we are in it or not,” Bellamy said.
“Being the Melbourne Storm coach it is a pretty exciting announcement it might happen.
“Our biggest role is to try and get there. If that happens and it is played in Melbourne, that would be great.
“But even if we didn’t make it, it would be a real shot in the arm for Melbourne.”
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