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Perth coup as NRL premiers Sydney Roosters head west
Just six weeks after the success of hosting State of Origin II, Perth has secured another rugby league coup by luring NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters to Western Australia for three games over the next three seasons.
The Australian understands the historic partnership between the Roosters and the Western Australia government will be announced this morning.
The Roosters will play one match a year at Perth’s HBF Park until the end of 2022. And preliminary plans are being discussed for the match to be played just a week before State of Origin I selection — meaning all the Roosters’ superstars will be playing.
The game could be against Canberra because the Raiders’ British imports would be an attraction to the large contingent of English living in Western Australia.
The Roosters will play home matches next season at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Central Coast Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and now in Perth.
The Perth deal will replace a three-year contract the Roosters negotiated with the South Australian government to play one game each season in Adelaide.
Interest in rugby league throughout Western Australia has increased significantly since a sellout 60,000 crowd watched NSW demolish Queensland 38-6 at Optus Stadium in Origin II.
Canterbury announced just last month the club would take one a game to the west for the next three years, with ANZ Stadium to be refurbished after Origin in Sydney next season.
The Roosters will play their Perth match early next season, the Bulldogs later in the year.
While securing the Bulldogs was big for Perth, luring the reigning premiers to Western Australia is massive for the WA Government.
“We are looking at growing membership in Western Australia and extending our brand; not only our Roosters brand but also have our corporate partners get exposure into Western Australia,” said Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly, who is in Perth for today’s announcement.
“We are really excited about playing here in Perth for the next three years. It is about promoting rugby league in Western Australia.
“There is great deal of interest over here. We have seen that from State of Origin this year through ticket sales, etc.
“The (Perth) deal will expire after the current broadcast cycle and WA has desires to try and enter a team in the competition after that.
“We are happy to continue to raise awareness for rugby league and the interest the game has over here. The government here is very passionate about rugby league.
“The WA government is looking to continue having NRL content here in non-Origin years. It shows their intent.”
The Roosters’ home ground, Allianz Stadium, has been knocked down for refurbishment.
Souths and Manly have previously played games in Perth.
The Roosters will play a home game in Magic Round in Brisbane again next season.
The club will have nine matches next season at the SCG.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- By DEAN RITCHIE
Just six weeks after the success of hosting State of Origin II, Perth has secured another rugby league coup by luring NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters to Western Australia for three games over the next three seasons.
The Australian understands the historic partnership between the Roosters and the Western Australia government will be announced this morning.
The Roosters will play one match a year at Perth’s HBF Park until the end of 2022. And preliminary plans are being discussed for the match to be played just a week before State of Origin I selection — meaning all the Roosters’ superstars will be playing.
The game could be against Canberra because the Raiders’ British imports would be an attraction to the large contingent of English living in Western Australia.
The Roosters will play home matches next season at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Central Coast Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and now in Perth.
The Perth deal will replace a three-year contract the Roosters negotiated with the South Australian government to play one game each season in Adelaide.
Interest in rugby league throughout Western Australia has increased significantly since a sellout 60,000 crowd watched NSW demolish Queensland 38-6 at Optus Stadium in Origin II.
Canterbury announced just last month the club would take one a game to the west for the next three years, with ANZ Stadium to be refurbished after Origin in Sydney next season.
The Roosters will play their Perth match early next season, the Bulldogs later in the year.
While securing the Bulldogs was big for Perth, luring the reigning premiers to Western Australia is massive for the WA Government.
“We are looking at growing membership in Western Australia and extending our brand; not only our Roosters brand but also have our corporate partners get exposure into Western Australia,” said Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly, who is in Perth for today’s announcement.
“We are really excited about playing here in Perth for the next three years. It is about promoting rugby league in Western Australia.
“There is great deal of interest over here. We have seen that from State of Origin this year through ticket sales, etc.
“The (Perth) deal will expire after the current broadcast cycle and WA has desires to try and enter a team in the competition after that.
“We are happy to continue to raise awareness for rugby league and the interest the game has over here. The government here is very passionate about rugby league.
“The WA government is looking to continue having NRL content here in non-Origin years. It shows their intent.”
The Roosters’ home ground, Allianz Stadium, has been knocked down for refurbishment.
Souths and Manly have previously played games in Perth.
The Roosters will play a home game in Magic Round in Brisbane again next season.
The club will have nine matches next season at the SCG.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
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