Covid could yet force the NRL’s hand but the de facto nature of Suncorp Stadium as this year’s host venue shines a light on an ingrained ethos in the league
With Victoria struggling to contain its recent Covid-19 outbreak, Brisbane appears in the box seat to host the NRL grand final. Yet questions remain as to whether a Brisbane premiership decider represents the best strategic choice, or simply the easiest and safest option for the code. Much like the AFL’s decision to relocate its grand final to Queensland instead of the sport’s West
Australian heartland in 2020, the NRL’s choice of host will soon offer an insight into the code’s strategic intent. Yet if rugby league’s 113-year history is anything to go by, long-suffering expansionists won’t be holding their breath anticipating a brave choice.
Although there is a strong narrative that Brisbane deserves a grand final on account of hosting the competition for much of the season, sentiment should not override strategy given the incredible power of marquee fixtures as a game development tool. Come the conclusion of the regular season, 49% of NRL fixtures in 2021 will have taken place within Queensland (95 games), nearly triple the number in a typical season. Throw in all three State of Origin matches, and the sunshine state has had ample access to rugby league. Quite simply, there are very few local fans to gain, nor would local rugby league passion tangibly increase, from hosting a grand final in Brisbane. This is important, because creating new fans can generate more lifetime commercial value for the NRL than the maximised gate receipts of one match.