Wests Tigers CEO won't confirm SFS final

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Wests Tigers CEO won't confirm SFS final
Ben Horne
August 29, 2010 - 6:49PM

AAP

Wests Tigers NRL chief executive Stephen Humphreys will make a decision on a home final venue later this week, but refused to say whether he was leaning towards the Sydney Football Stadium or one of their suburban grounds.

After 20,168 supporters packed into Leichhardt Oval on a picture perfect Sunday afternoon, the chorus grew louder for the Tigers to come back there again in two weeks time for their opening playoff match.

With the absorbing atmosphere behind them, the Tigers lifted to a 26-14 win over Melbourne, and Storm captain Cameron Smith confirmed what most already suspected by saying Leichhardt is the place he'd least like to come to for finals match against the Tigers.

However there is an equally persuasive argument for the SFS getting the nod, with it's 40,000 plus capacity and more comfortable facilities for fans and corporates.

Campbelltown Stadium is Humphreys' other option, but he hinted that the SFS holds the inside running ahead of his meeting with the NRL about the issue this week.

"I wouldn't rule anything in or out although the advantage the SFS has is we can get more of our supporters into the game and in comfort and that is a strong factor as we think through the options, but we'll see how we go," he said.

"The NRL will have a view we'll have a listen to, but ultimately it will be our call and we'll just sleep on it and have chat (on Monday) amongst ourselves and the NRL and go from there.

"I think we're well aware of the Leichhardt factor.

"The good news for us is we've got three great venues the guys love playing at all three and it's a good problem for us to have.

"We've got a strong following and the form the guys have shown this year has really galvanised that support so I've got no doubt that whatever ground it is, they'll be full of Tigers supporters."

It's understood the Tigers would be against playing at the SFS if they were facing the Sydney Roosters in the first week of the finals, as it is their home ground as well.

But Humphreys' promised a final decision would be made before round 26 kicks off and final placings are known.

 

[NJLM78]

Would be great for it to be at LO, but thousands of Tigers fans will be left out. I think it has to be SFS. It is the biggest game we have played in 5 years and all Tigers fans deserve to have the opportunity to see it.

 

[alien]

Should be at SFS unless there is another game at Moore Park that day. If there is another game at Moore Park that day then the game should be moved to Olympic Park. If it's played at Campbelltown or Leichhardt thousands of our supporters would miss out.

 

[Tap_Twist_Snap]

It can't be at Olympic park on the Saturday. There is a Union test on.

 

[innsaneink]

It's understood the Tigers would be against playing at the SFS if they were facing the Sydney Roosters in the first week of the finals, as it is their home ground as well.
>
But Humphreys' promised a final decision would be made before round 26 kicks off and final placings are known.

So he either chooses LO or cambo….or takes a punt we wont be playing the roosters

 

[jackyg]

It's understood the Tigers would be against playing at the SFS if they were facing the Sydney Roosters in the first week of the finals, as it is their home ground as well.

shoudn't it be the other way round? Playing a home final against the roosters at the sfs makes about as much sense as playing home games against the warriors in nz.

 

[cunno]

It has to be the SFS or ANZ to allow as many Wests Tigers supporters to attend as possible. I heard Sheens being interviewed on the ABC on the way home from the game and he was asked about which venue he would prefer and he said he would leave it up to the club administration, he did say that the WTs have had good success at the SFS though.

 

[izotope]

us and titans are only top 8 teams palying each other.. im getting that warrior or manly feeling! SFS for sure i reckon! so i can go :smiley:

 

[magpie_mania]

it's understood the tigers would be against playing at the sfs if they were facing the sydney roosters in the first week of the finals, as it is their home ground as well.

shoudn't it be the other way round? Playing a home final against the roosters makes about as much sense as playing home games against the warriors in nz.

huh.

 

[TheDen]

I think he is going to take the punt and go with the SFS. I agree I think its going to be either the Warriors or Manly

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

LO easy lol

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

It is was interesting to read Marshall's comments in Sunday's herald and the team's preference for a dry track. One thing that needs to be remembered is that we will either be playing Friday or Saturday night. If we finish second, it will be the 8.30pm game on the Saturday.

The SFS has much better drainage and does not get impacted as much by evening dew as Leichhardt and Campbelltown. It is the best stadium in the country and the surface encourages fast open football.

 

[cunno]

Good point Gary I think we will end up at the SFS the only hiccup will be what they do if we are playing Easts.

 

[Defiant]

They should just give conditional agreement.

SFS for any game except East's in which case we go Leichardt.

I fear Easts more then the dragons. Playing them will be like playing ourselves. Carney is their Benji.

 

[prattenpark]

As much as I love Leichhardt, I think we should go to the SFS. The way I understand the ticket sales process is that it is open to ticketed members of both clubs on the Monday before the game (home club members getting no advantage). Leichhardt would sell out on the day and I shudder at the thought of their being a 50/50 split of fans at our home ground, or worst still us being outnumbered. Imagine having to sit next to some rooster or manly bogan in the Latchem Robinson stand!!!!
At the SFS, we will outnumber supporters of any team we play.

 

[TheDen]

Prattenpark that is an excellent point. Anyone know how many ticketed members the likes of the Roosters and Manly have?

 

[philgood]

The aim is to make it to the Grand Final and playing @ Leichhardt Oval will give us the best chance at doing that. It must be held @ Leichhardt…no other ground has the same intimidation factor and opposing players hate playing there.

 

[Tiger_Al]

Yeah although i'd love to see us play the final @LO, I think it should be SFS unless we have to play the chooks.. then we go to the old girl…

 

[magpie_mania]

the aim is to make it to the grand final and playing @ leichhardt oval will give us the best chance at doing that. It must be held @ leichhardt…no other ground has the same intimidation factor and opposing players hate playing there.

please read pratten parks post so that you can understand we wont get the same advantage from the old girl we could get outnumbered due to members numbers to gain a crowd advantage we need a bigger ground so our large fan base can show up.ayone who went to the sfs for the broncos and saints semis in 2005 know that semis at the sfs is dare i say it even more crazy than the old girl.

 

[philgood]

the aim is to make it to the grand final and playing @ leichhardt oval will give us the best chance at doing that. It must be held @ leichhardt…no other ground has the same intimidation factor and opposing players hate playing there.

please read pratten parks post so that you can understand we wont get the same advantage from the old girl we could get outnumbered due to members numbers to gain a crowd advantage we need a bigger ground so our large fan base can show up.ayone who went to the sfs for the broncos and saints semis in 2005 know that semis at the sfs is dare i say it even more crazy than the old girl.

Sorry mate didnt read Pratten Parks post. He makes a fair point.

I thought the home side's ticketed members would get an advantage…bugger!