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**<big>Take grand final away from 'godforsaken' suburb, says Lord Mayor</big>**
Georgina Robinson | October 2, 2009 - 12:28PM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/take-grand-final-away-from-godforsaken-suburb-says-lord-mayor/2009/10/02/1254418703699.html
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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.
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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".
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“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.
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“Whereas if you put it at the MCG this Saturday night, you could get 100,000 people…”
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His comments come on the back of Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls's criticism earlier in the week.
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“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.
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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.
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ANZ Stadium seats 83,500 for a rugby league game.
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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.
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“That was 10 years ago mate,” Cr Doyle responded.
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“You can get 10,000 cars in there, you're going to have to either drive there or travel by train.
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“Do the Sydney people really have loyalty and affection for the stadium?”
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He further endeared himself to Sydney listeners by asking Price: “Would you live next to that stadium?”
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“Thousands of people do, there's nothing wrong with it,” Price replied.
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Cr Doyle said Melbourne would host a string of major international sporting events this year, starting with the Australian Masters golf tournament.
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“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.
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Their exchange descended into farce when Price asked Cr Doyle when Melbourne last hosted the Olympic Games.
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“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.
I love how he says they would get 100,000 there. How many people were at their semifinals? 21,000 and 27,000 at a ground with a capacity of 53,000\. Funny stuff...
**<big>Take grand final away from 'godforsaken' suburb, says Lord Mayor</big>**
Georgina Robinson | October 2, 2009 - 12:28PM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/take-grand-final-away-from-godforsaken-suburb-says-lord-mayor/2009/10/02/1254418703699.html
>
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.
I love how he says they would get 100,000 there. How many people were at their semifinals? 21,000 and 27,000 at a ground with a capacity of 53,000\. Funny stuff...
