On the advice of NRL biosecurity experts, Wests Tigers have today confirmed that its Round 20 home game against the Parramatta Eels will be played at Bankwest Stadium, as per the original schedule.
Wests Tigers had actively worked with the NRL on the possibility of farewelling Life Members Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence at Campbelltown Sports Stadium or Leichhardt Oval — the club’s suburban home grounds — but were unable to secure a move. Both grounds are scheduled to host junior league Grand Finals on the weekend of Round 20, with biosecurity experts advising that there would be insufficient time to transform either ground from a junior league football venue to the standards required to meet the Apollo Protocols in time for the 7:30pm kickoff.
With Junior League Grand Final Day scheduled on this date, Wests Tigers saw this as a potential opportunity for our club to showcase rugby league and connect with our Junior League clubs. With this in mind — and under the current strict biosecurity measures implemented by the NRL — the club was unable to get this initiative approved based on the increased level of high-risk for all involved.
Wests Tigers take great pride in our junior pathways programs and greatly appreciate the amount of time and preparation undertaken by the Junior League Committee to plan for this Grand Final weekend.
As a club, Wests Tigers want to ensure that each junior league team participating has an enjoyable and memorable experience, and that the Grand Final weekend can be held as planned with no interruptions.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 20 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
away Team
Eels
3rd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said public health and safety was the priority, and the club was looking forward to farewelling its departing players in Round 20.
“The expert advice we have received is that neither ground could be transformed to meet the biosecurity protocols and we recognise that the health and safety of our players and general community must come first,” Pascoe said. “While we would have liked to farewell two of our greatest ever players at one of our suburban home grounds, we are looking forward to welcoming a greater number of Members and fans to Bankwest Stadium in what will no doubt be a special match for our club.”
Information on how Wests Tigers Members can gain access to the Round 20 home game will be communicated by the club next week.
