Beachside clubs could be forced to bigger venues

With pressure mounting on the NRL from the NSW Government on their radical stadia upgrade plans, some Sydney clubs could be forced to move games to Allianz Stadium.

Media reports on Wednesday suggest that clubs like Cronulla and Manly could be asked to move games to the Moore Park venue in order for the NRL to receive the proposed venue upgrade package from the Baird Government.

The package includes a 65-game commitment between Pirtek, Allianz and ANZ Stadium, of which 42 games would already be covered by the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Eels, leaving the Wests Tigers, Dragons, Panthers, Sharks and Sea Eagles to cover the gap.

With Penrith digging in their heels to continue to play a minimum of 10 matches at their local Pepper Stadium, and the Tigers and Dragons already playing a handful of games at the Olympic venue, it leaves Manly and Cronulla to pick up the slack, likely needing 3 or 4 home games each at Allianz Stadium to cover the shortfall.

However, this will be especially difficult for both clubs - Manly's constitution upon privatisation in 2004 included a clause that a minimum of 10 games must be played at Brookvale each season, while Cronulla own their home ground, which just acquired a new naming rights sponsor.

The government has given the NRL until April 1 to commit to the plan, and will then be given a further two months to provide input on how the $1.6 billion funding package is split between ANZ and Allianz Stadium - with Pirtek Stadium upgrades already committed and due to start late in 2016.