NRL doubleheader forces changeroom shuffle

[TITAN PETE]

AAP
4:21pm Mon 09th September, 2013


The NRL's decision to stage a first-ever finals double-header at Allianz Stadium on Saturday will force Cronulla and North Queensland to split their pre- and post-match rituals between two venues.

The Sharks and Cowboys' elimination final is scheduled to kick off at 4pm (AEST), with minor premiers Sydney Roosters to battle Manly in their qualifying final at 7pm.

But the short turnaround between games - plus an earlier Holden Cup match - means teams involved in the fifth-vs-eighth fixture will have to use the change rooms of the neighbouring SCG before and after their clash.

They will, however, will be able to use Allianz Stadium's main rooms for warm-up and at half-time.

The shift favours the Sydney Roosters and Manly, who will get full access to the football stadium's change rooms without the need to travel to the SCG.

The NRL on Monday said similar arrangements had been made in the past, notably for representative matches involving first grade and lower grade teams.

"So it's a fairly streamlined procedure," a spokesman told AAP.

"It's not an unusual practice."

The NRL scheduled the double-header at the Moore Park venue after Sydney booked an AFL semi-final against Carlton at ANZ Stadium.

The former Olympic venue will host Friday night's match between South Sydney and Melbourne, and Canterbury versus Newcastle on Sunday.

[TITAN PETE]

Double Booking , this isn't the local footy park we are talking about


I love the idea of a doubleheader for a semi final but it looks bit embarrassing for the code when it has been forced out of our Premier Stadium by the AFL