The concept,dubbed Eora Round,is the brainchild of the Sydney Roosters and has been submitted as a proposal to the NRL as part of a push for an annual festival of footy in the Moore Park precinct starting from 2025. It has the backing of NSW minister for sport,Steve Kamper.
The newly built Allianz Stadium would host the Eora Round celebrations.Getty
The proposal,now being considered by the NRL,is for the Roosters,Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers to host games against other teams based inside the Eora nation.
The Roosters would take on the Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers would host the Dragons as part of an all-Sydney blockbuster weekend towards the end of May.
The Rabbitohs,who have been manoeuvring behind the scenes to play more games out of Allianz Stadium,would host Parramatta.
“The Sydney Roosters are delighted to partner with other NRL clubs,Venues NSW,and the NRL to establish what we anticipate will become a premier event during the annual Indigenous Round,” Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly said.
Arthur Beetson,largely considered the greatest Indigenous rugby league player of all time,leads the Roosters to the 1974 premiership.John O'Gready
“Together,we plan to celebrate and showcase the rich heritage and talent of our Indigenous communities. Our club has a rich heritage and culture that’s headlined by incredible Indigenous players who have been leaders both on and off the field. We’re committed to celebrating them and our current players to inspire the next generation.”
The idea,created by the Roosters 18 months ago,has the backing of Venues NSW - the owners and operators of the Sydney Cricket Ground,Allianz Stadium,Accor Stadium (Sydney Olympic Park),CommBank Stadium (Parramatta),WIN Stadium (Wollongong) and McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle).
Venues NSW chairman David Gallop has implored the NRL to implement the initiative next year.
“The Eora Round is an exciting concept and will be a great celebration of Indigenous culture in Sydney with some of our other home teams,” Gallop told this masthead.
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Indigenous Round jersey launch in 2023.Supplied
“I was involved in establishing the Indigenous All Stars while at the NRL and saw first-hand how much pride the players and fans took in it.
“We hope the Eora Round develops into a special new marquee event at Allianz Stadium that will celebrate the great contribution of Indigenous athletes to rugby league and bring our whole community closer together.”
The Roosters tried to get the concept off the ground for this year but only had South Sydney’s support when they pitched the idea last season.
They’ve since managed to convince new Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson to take one of the club’s home games to Moore Park if the NRL approves the concept.
Latrell Mitchell after kicking a goal in Souths’ win over the Roosters in the first week of the 2022 finals.Matt King/Getty Images
“Eora Round represents an exciting opportunity to celebrate our incredible Indigenous culture and reinforce Sydney’s place as the premier sporting destination in Australia,” NSW minister for sport Steve Kamper said.
“These festivals of sport are increasingly popular with the fans and can deliver a real boost to the local Sydney economy.”
The Tigers held a board meeting on Monday where Richardson presented the club’s stadium strategy for the next few years following a $40 million government funding injection into Leichhardt Oval.
The Tigers are expected to take home games against Parramatta and Penrith to CommBank Stadium next year. They’ll also host a game at Magic Round,splitting the remaining eight home games between Leichhardt and Campbelltown.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson and Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.Edwina Pickles/SMH
TheHerald has obtained an email,sent to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo,that was also sent to eight NRL clubs,by Venues NSW chief executive Kerrie Mather.
Mather has written to Abdo regarding a number of scheduling requests as the NRL begins work on the 2025 draw.
The requests include:
While South Sydney and the Roosters struggle to agree on much given their long-standing rivalry,Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has endorsed the Eora Round proposal.
“We are for anything that increases the profile and stature of the Indigenous Round,” Solly said.
“It’s a hugely important occasion for the game and particularly,our club,so we would want to be involved in anything that elevates the status of the game.”
The concept would require NRL consultation with broadcast partners Nine,the publisher of this masthead,and Fox Sports to ensure the terms and conditions of the television rights contract are met.
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