Re: MANLY V TBA Venue confirmed
Manly ire at SFS decision
By Dean Ritchie | September 15, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006066,00.html
INCENSED Manly coach Des Hasler has labelled the NRL "amateurish'' after they decided to play both week three finals matches at the SFS - not Homebush. NRL management yesterday agreed to play the grand final qualifiers at Moore Park - the Cronulla game (against winner of Melbourne-Brisbane) on Friday night, Manly versus winner of Warriors-Roosters on Saturday evening.
But Hasler was furious, claiming playing both games at the SFS would give the Sydney Roosters a huge home ground advantage, provided coach Brad Fittler's charges beat the Warriors this Friday night.
Hasler was adamant the Sharks match should have been at the SFS with his side's game played at ANZ Stadium - robbing the Roosters of their home ground advantage. "It is amateur hour at the NRL,'' Hasler said.
"The reason they don't want to play the game at ANZ is the perception (of a poor crowd). Do you believe that? Why couldn't they have played Friday at SFS and Saturday at ANZ. Sorry, that is amateurish. Why do we bother with ANZ if we don't use it?''
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said the decision nullified Manly's hard-earned advantage as No.2 ranked team. "The only advantage we will get is the home dressing room and the home coaching box,'' Mayer said.
"Why couldn't the NRL have waited until after this weekend to make their decision. If the Roosters win, then play it an ANZ, if the Warriors win, go to SFS. This decision leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. We were the second highest ranked team.''
A recent players poll in The Daily Telegraph did however show the SFS was the player's favourite NRL venue. NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley last night hit back at Hasler's claims.
"We are not in the business of making amateurish decisions,'' Annesley said. "We firmly believe that this decision has been made in the best interests of the game. We're prepared to make the tough decisions even though they might be unpopular at times.
"We made the decision based on what's the best fit for the game. The fact that we can lock the matches in a fortnight in advance will help fans in planning their countdown to the grand final at ANZ Stadium on October 5.''
Roosters coach Brad Fittler was unconcerned by all the drama. "It wouldn't worry us which ground we played at,'' Fittler said. "But we can't get too far ahead of ourselves - we have a big game this Friday night to worry about first.''
Week three games are played in the home region of the highest ranked teams - in this case Manly and Cronulla. Both games will kick-off at 7.45pm.