‘Of course we’d say no’: Why Shark Park could now be NRL’s only finals option

Cronulla will argue that the permutations of the NRL finals draw – which will have them hosting either North Queensland or South Sydney in week one – leaves Ocean Protect Stadium as their only viable home ground option, regardless of how many fans are locked out of the 15,000-capacity venue.

The Sharks’ shock 38-18 loss to Parramatta on Sunday ensured they can finish no higher than fifth on the NRL ladder.

Only a near-insurmountable for-and-against swing between them and the Rabbitohs (sixth) or Knights (seventh) would drop them lower than fifth in this weekend’s final round of the regular season.

Given that Newcastle’s last-round bye guarantees them 34 competition points, Cronulla will be hosting either South Sydney or North Queensland in the fifth-versus-eighth elimination final next weekend.

Anticipating an NRL push for finals matches to be played at bigger Sydney venues, Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta reiterated Cronulla’s stance that they should not be disadvantaged by their suburban stadium, particularly if this round’s results deliver the Rabbitohs an eighth-place finish.

Ocean Protect Stadium’s outdated facilities have drawn widespread criticism, as has its reduced capacity of 15,000 while undergoing a long-winded redevelopment.

Mezzatesta will push back against any move to shift a Sharks home game, especially given the Cowboys’ lack of Sydney drawing power, and the fact that Souths claim the two leading options – Allianz and Accor stadiums – as home grounds.

“If we earn the right to have a home semi, frankly, we don’t care who it is; we want to play it at our home ground, regardless of who the opposition is,” Mezzatesta told this masthead.

“But given the way the ladder is shaking out, it really doesn’t make sense this year to move a game at all against North Queensland or South Sydney. Our home is Ocean Protect Stadium, and we expect to be playing there.

“Playing Souths at Accor or Allianz, of course we’d say no to that; who would entertain that?

“That’s their home ground on both fronts. We have won the right to a home semi-final, and there’s no way we’re playing the Rabbitohs at Allianz, a ground they are actively trying to claim as their home ground.

“We wouldn’t entertain that at all. And I think it’d be silly to have a Sharks-Souths game out at CommBank (Stadium) because I don’t think anyone would go there.

“And again with the Cowboys, well, I don’t think there would be a big travelling contingent, so I think Ocean Protect Stadium is a suitable venue given again, we’ve earned the right to host our semi-final”.

No decision will be made on finals venues until fixtures are locked in after the completion of round 27.

The NRL governs and runs all finals matches and, in a pre-season edict, told clubs that, “for all NRL finals matches ARLC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine venues considered most suitable to host NRL and NRLW final series matches.”

Canterbury’s loss to Penrith and wins for South Sydney and North Queensland over the weekend locked in this year’s top-eight with a week to play in the regular season. The Sharks’ surprise loss to Parramatta also confirmed top-four spots for the Roosters and Dolphins, with Penrith and the Warriors also booking home finals in week one.

Cronulla prop Tom Hazelton is facing a 1-2 game ban for his ugly hip-drop tackle on Ronald Volkman, though Ronaldo Mulitalo and KL Iro both avoided being charged for their respective high tackles against the Eels.

Coach Craig Fitzgibbon will consider resting players against Melbourne given the Sharks cannot improve their ladder position as star playmaker Braydon Trindall pushes to return from a dislocated shoulder.