The National Rugby League and NSW Government have announced that the final match of the Telstra Premiership season between Parramatta and St George Illawarra will move to ANZ Stadium for a 6.30pm kick-off.
The move follows discussions between ARLC Interim Chief Executive Mr Shane Mattiske, players, NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation the Hon Graham Annesley MP, the Parramatta Club, Parramatta Stadium, ANZ Stadium and Fox Sports.
“After discussions with Minister Annesley today we have been able to get support from the NSW Government to make the move possible and I certainly thank the Minister for his efforts as well as the Parramatta Club, the Parramatta Stadium Trust and ANZ Stadium,” Mr Mattiske said today.
“It is something we know Parramatta had been keen to achieve for some time and we have reached a point where a number of factors have come together to make it possible.
“The prospect now of four great players playing making their final appearances in the final game of the Telstra Premiership rounds means that the occasion demands a bigger arena.
“The decision by Ben Hornby to retire along-side Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Burt and Dean Young can now become a game-wide celebration.
“Fox Sports, in moving the match to 6.30pm, have made it more accessible to families and while it is not possible to bring it forward any further the game is now a little more in reach for some.
“ANZ Stadium has assured us that they can accommodate existing ticket holders on a priority basis and those arrangements will be confirmed in coming days.
“Parramatta Stadium and Minister Annesley have been key players in making this possible.
“There is now a real opportunity for fans of all clubs to honour four great servants of Rugby League with a very special goodbye and it promises to be an emotional end to the competition rounds.”
