Wests Tigers clash with Panthers may move from Leichhardt unless council deal is reached

THE western Sydney blockbuster between Wests Tigers and Penrith later this year could be switched from Leichhardt Oval if a deal can’t reached with local council.

Tigers fans were shattered by the news their team could abandon all future NRL games at the iconic inner-west Sydney ground because of a leasing drama.

The Tigers are yet to agree on a hirer’s fee for all four NRL games at the venue after Balmain Tigers Leagues Club surrendered their lease to new landlords Leichhardt Council, who officially take control next Wednesday.

Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said he had set up an urgent meeting with council for Monday afternoon to discuss all future arrangements.

 While the May 19 clash against Canberra on a Sunday afternoon will definitely proceed at Leichhardt, as will the Friday night round-13 clash against the Gold Coast, Mayer won’t guarantee the Panthers game for rounds 16.

“That game is commercially attractive to other venues, so we have to take that into consideration,’’ Mayer said.

“We won’t be signing anything long-term, it will be a game-by-game lease until we fully understand what council will do in regards to investing in their facility.

“I’m exceptionally hopeful we’ll (agree) on the lease, it’s just disappointing it’s taken this long. (After all), we’re the only major hirer of the venue.”

Campbelltown Sports Stadium, the other spiritual home of the Wests Tigers, looms as a logical choice to host the Panthers, who team are located just up The Northern Road.

Should the Panthers continue to prove a premiership force, that round 16 game could even be taken to ANZ Stadium, who have expressed interest in hosting any future big games involving the Tigers, and pay the club north of $100,000 for taking any NRL clash to the Olympic site.

Mayer is keen to agree on a reasonable hirer’s fee for Leichhardt Oval, but says he “won’t pay a cent higher than what we paid in 2014’’, and also wants a commitment from council they’ll maintain the facilities.

The playing surface is currently first-class, but the ageing facilities are of great concern.

The onus will be on council to maintain the surface, especially after Warringah Council has come under fire for butchering Manly’s Brookvale Oval.

As it stands, it costs the Tigers between $60,000 and $80,000 to hire Leichhardt, with no guarantee of a return if crowd are down, or the weather is bad.

Taking games to ANZ Stadium means there’s a loss of atmosphere — a Sunday afternoon on the hill at Leichhardt is priceless — but a welcome payday.