Magic Round 2022 in Brisbane

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QLD premier Annastacia Palaszczuk vows to fight NSW poach bid
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she isn’t surprised states are queueing up to steal Magic Round, but says they’ll fight to keep the ‘Queensland innovation’.

News Corp revealed over the weekend the hugely popular round featuring all teams playing at the same venue was under threat of being stolen from Suncorp Stadium where it will be conducted for the third time this weekend.

“I am sure we can hold on to it,’’ Ms Palaszczuk told News Corp on Monday.

“I am not surprised other states want to pinch it - it’s a terrific Queensland innovation.’’

Magic Round is in the sights of bosses of Sydney’s new Allianz Stadium.

NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres would like Magic Round to be played in Sydney next year but Queensland is up for the fight.

“It’s the second greatest Queensland innovation to the game since Origin,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

“A grand final attracts two teams. Magic Round brings all of them. It puts smiles on the faces of hotel and cafe owners, cabbies and publicans.’’

Queensland fans had been nervous about losing Magic Round after NRL CEO Andrew Abdo admitted there was a chance it would be taken to a new market.

“The Queensland Government have been terrific partners for this event and Brisbane is a great home for Magic Round,” Abdo said.

“We see it continuing to grow there, but we also know the appetite for the event is strong across the country which gives the Commission options in the long term.”

Large crowds have combined with a high standard of play and festival atmosphere to create an event which Queensland values higher than hosting a grand final.

The Queensland Government once claimed Magic Round provided a $20 million boost to the economy through hotel accommodation and hospitality and that figure is set to grow as crowds return after Covid restrictions.

The big challenge for organisers this weekend is the threat of massive rainfall. Showers are forecast for the next week in Brisbane so playing eight games in three days will be a supreme test of the normally excellent Suncrop Stadium surface.

This weekend’s Magic Round, with the feature match between premiership heavyweights Melbourne and Penrith on Saturday, is already sold-out and is expected to be the highest rating game on Fox League this year.

Friday night‘s schedule of the Bulldogs-Knights before Sea Eagles-Broncos, is only a few tickets away from also being declared a sellout.