NotRayHadley
Kennel Participant
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2008
- Messages
- 143
- Reaction score
- 0
Thanks to the SMH...
The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has launched an unprecedented attack on Sydney's monopoly hold over the NRL grand final, branding ANZ stadium a “rundown” venue in a “godforsaken” part of the city.
Robert Doyle, former Victorian Liberal leader, told 2UE's Steve Price the grand final should be held at the MCG because Homebush was "a little on the small side".
“They're going to get 60,000 people in some rundown stadium in some godforsaken suburb, where you have to take a car trip for a half an hour before you can get a decent meal,” Cr Doyle said.
“Whereas if you put it at the MCG this Saturday night, you could get 100,000 people...”
His comments come on the back of Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls's criticism earlier in the week.
“The (Melbourne) Storm's record of four consecutive grand finals really makes you wonder whether or not the rugby league grand final ought be played here in Melbourne,” Mr Hulls said.
Their appeals echo those of countless Queensland politicians and fans who clamour each season for the NRL to break with precedent and allow Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium to host a grand final.
ANZ Stadium seats 83,500 for a rugby league game.
Price was outraged on radio today, pointing out Homebush was the geographical centre of Sydney and asking Cr Doyle if he'd been there during the Olympics.
“That was 10 years ago mate,” Cr Doyle responded.
“You can get 10,000 cars in there, you're going to have to either drive there or travel by train.
“Do the Sydney people really have loyalty and affection for the stadium?”
He further endeared himself to Sydney listeners by asking Price: “Would you live next to that stadium?”
“Thousands of people do, there's nothing wrong with it,” Price replied.
Cr Doyle said Melbourne would host a string of major international sporting events this year, starting with the Australian Masters golf tournament.
“We're about to have a little thing called the Spring Racing Carnival, after that we'll have the Australian Open, after that we'll have the Grand Prix,” he said.
Their exchange descended into farce when Price asked Cr Doyle when Melbourne last hosted the Olympic Games.
“1956 and since then you've had a flea bag of an event called the Commonwealth Games and that's it,” Price said in answer to his own question.
Nice one, fantastic self-promotion from the Vics.
Maybe we'll have the Boxing Day Test at the classiest cricket ground in Australia?
This bloke Doyle has more in 5 minutes as Lord Mayor than he did in the years he was Victorian Opposition Leader!
The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has launched an unprecedented attack on Sydney's monopoly hold over the NRL grand final, branding ANZ stadium a “rundown” venue in a “godforsaken” part of the city.
Robert Doyle, former Victorian Liberal leader, told 2UE's Steve Price the grand final should be held at the MCG because Homebush was "a little on the small side".
“They're going to get 60,000 people in some rundown stadium in some godforsaken suburb, where you have to take a car trip for a half an hour before you can get a decent meal,” Cr Doyle said.
“Whereas if you put it at the MCG this Saturday night, you could get 100,000 people...”
His comments come on the back of Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls's criticism earlier in the week.
“The (Melbourne) Storm's record of four consecutive grand finals really makes you wonder whether or not the rugby league grand final ought be played here in Melbourne,” Mr Hulls said.
Their appeals echo those of countless Queensland politicians and fans who clamour each season for the NRL to break with precedent and allow Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium to host a grand final.
ANZ Stadium seats 83,500 for a rugby league game.
Price was outraged on radio today, pointing out Homebush was the geographical centre of Sydney and asking Cr Doyle if he'd been there during the Olympics.
“That was 10 years ago mate,” Cr Doyle responded.
“You can get 10,000 cars in there, you're going to have to either drive there or travel by train.
“Do the Sydney people really have loyalty and affection for the stadium?”
He further endeared himself to Sydney listeners by asking Price: “Would you live next to that stadium?”
“Thousands of people do, there's nothing wrong with it,” Price replied.
Cr Doyle said Melbourne would host a string of major international sporting events this year, starting with the Australian Masters golf tournament.
“We're about to have a little thing called the Spring Racing Carnival, after that we'll have the Australian Open, after that we'll have the Grand Prix,” he said.
Their exchange descended into farce when Price asked Cr Doyle when Melbourne last hosted the Olympic Games.
“1956 and since then you've had a flea bag of an event called the Commonwealth Games and that's it,” Price said in answer to his own question.
Nice one, fantastic self-promotion from the Vics.
Maybe we'll have the Boxing Day Test at the classiest cricket ground in Australia?
This bloke Doyle has more in 5 minutes as Lord Mayor than he did in the years he was Victorian Opposition Leader!
