The Heraldsun reports that Storm supremo Matt Tripp has revealed his interest in joining forces with the Victorian government to make a fresh bid for the 2025 NRL grand final to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“If the opportunity is there to bid for the grand final to be hosted in a particular city, I would happily fly the flag for Melbourne,” Tripp said.
“I don’t think Homebush is people’s favourite venue and I think you could create that excitement by taking the grand final from city to city.
“It’s a good model and it has worked in the US with the Super Bowl.
“I know the MCG is the spiritual home of the AFL but I don’t think Homebush has the same spiritual connection with the NRL.
“You would have to put a lot of money on the table I imagine, but it would give the NRL the opportunity to showcase their product in other cities.”
ARLC chair V’landys has previously flagged the prospect of the NRL grand final being played in various locations to maximise interest in rugby league’s biggest day, as occurs with the Super Bowl in the NFL.
“There is no deal in place,” V’landys said. “At the moment, we don’t have a deal with anyone, so anything is possible.”
