Cronulla will host final at Shark Park with a top-two finish

Cronulla will host a finals game at PointsBet Stadium if the club secures a top-two finish.

The NRL had contemplated moving the fixture to the new Allianz Stadium, a shift that would result in more fans being able to attend. Due to the ongoing development of “Shark Park”, the capacity is limited to just 12,000, while Allianz can accommodate 42,500.

The Sharks were keen to stage the game at their traditional home, despite the impact on the bottom line. Craig Fitzgibbon’s team has turned Pointsbet into a fortress, winning eight of its nine home games at the venue this year.

Cronulla and North Queensland are jockeying for second spot after the Panthers secured the minor premiership. The Sharks have an inferior for-and-against but have relatively easy matches to finish the regular season, against Canterbury and Newcastle. The Cowboys face fellow contenders South Sydney and Penrith, although the latter may opt to rest key players before the playoffs.

While the Sharks will ultimately have the final choice of where the game will be held if they finish above the Cowboys, the NRL will offer the flexibility of allowing them to choose between Allianz and Pointsbet, should they wish to change their mind depending on their playoff opponent.

“The NRL has been reviewing the suitability for Pointsbet Stadium should the Sharks qualify for a home semi-final in week one of the finals,” said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

“This is in line with the approach taken for week-one finals prior to Covid-19. An announcement on all venues for week one will be made once the regular season ladder is determined following round 25.”

The Sharks have traditionally played home finals at the old Sydney Football Stadium, having last hosted a playoff game in the Shire in 2008. Club CEO Dino Mezzatesta had urged the NRL to greenlight Pointsbet as a week-one finals venue and has now got his wish.

PointsBet Stadium was earmarked as one of three suburban grounds to share $350 million in funding for venue upgrades before the NSW government reneged on a handshake deal with the NRL to divert the money to flood relief packages.

The public has been invited to an open day at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, which will host its first sporting event when arch rivals the Roosters host the Rabbitohs in a game that could decide if they qualify for the post-season.

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