Queensland has emerged as the favorite to win the battle to host the 2022 NRL premiership decider after a breakdown in talks between ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and the NSW government.
The Daily Telegraph reported Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium is now sensationally in the box seat to steal hosting rights for the 2022 Grand Final amid V’landys’ battle with the NSW government over funding for Suburban grounds.
News Corp reported the Queensland government is now a “60-40 chance” to seal a $10 million deal for Suncorp Stadium to host the NRL decider ahead of Wednesday’s crunch ARL Commission board meeting.
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V’landys told The Daily Telegraph that the final decision on hosting rights for the 2022 Grand Final was on a “knife’s edge” after further negotiations on Tuesday.
V’landys has been battling the NSW government after premier Dominic Perrottet revealed an $800 million suburban stadium funding plan was in doubt due to the state’s flood crisis.
However, the NSW government was tipped to retain hosting rights for the 2022 grand final given the NRL’s contractual commitment to stage the decider in Sydney until 2042.
But in a stunning late development, the ARL Commission is leaning towards awarding the NRL grand final to Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium for the second straight season.
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It is understood that the latest increased offer from NSW is still less profitable to the NRL than Queensland’s bid.
The ARL Commission has a scheduled 5pm meeting on Wednesday where a final decision will be made.
News Corp understands the Queensland government has edged ahead of their NSW rivals in the race to host the decider.
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V’landys told The Daily Telegraph the Grand Final is far from a done deal.
“We are making a final call on Wednesday,” V’landys said.
“I have to be honest, I don’t know the answer right now (on the NRL grand-final venue).
“For the first time in my career I can’t tell you one way or the other.
“We will bite the bullet. Like any good board, we needed more information. We need to have the maximum amount of information to make the best decision we can make.
“This morning we didn’t have enough information. It’s on a knife’s edge. For the first time in my career I can’t tell you one way or the other.”
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