Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has called for the NRL grand final to stay in Sydney amid requests for the decider to be moved to Brisbane.
The Queensland Government have begun talks to try and secure a Brisbane grand final, with the hope Suncorp Stadium could host the game while ANZ Stadium in Sydney is being upgraded into a rectangular stadium.
The Victorian Government has also voiced their interest, throwing up the possibility of an AFL/NRL grand final weekend at the MCG.
Bennett says the NRL must stick with tradition and leave the decider in Sydney, a city that has hosted the grand final for 109 years.
"A Brisbane grand final doesn't excite me. We throw too many things out too easily these days," Bennett said.
"We need continuity and I hope they keep the grand final in Sydney while they are upgrading their stadiums.
"Sydney is the home of the NRL grand final, it's as simple as that. Melbourne is the home of the AFL grand final. We shouldn't tamper with it or play with it. If the stadium can't handle it then they can move it to the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"It's not that Brisbane wouldn't deserve it, but it's about tradition and the history of the game. That aspect is very important to a lot of people. If we change it and don't respect the tradition then we will lose a lot of great aspects of the day."
Bennett spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s Round 7 clash between Brisbane and the Newcastle Knights.
The Knights are full of confidence heading into the match after recording their first win of the season last weekend against the Wests Tigers.
Although confident, it will still be a tough ask for the Knights, with Brisbane's last four matches against Newcastle resulting in four wins at an average winning margin of 26 points.
Sitting 15th on the ladder, Newcastle must be at their very best if they are to knock off the competition leaders at Suncorp Stadium – a place Brisbane has not lost this season.
"They had a pretty good performance against Melbourne the week before so they'll be full of confidence," Bennett said.
"There are no easy games in the NRL and it doesn't matter where they are on the ladder. We all have the same salary cap and we all follow the same rules so there's not a lot between the two teams. It's always a hard game."
