Revealed: The huge cash windfall NRL is set to reap from Bulldogs top-two finish
That is the staggering amount of money the game's governing body could miss out on if Canberra and Melbourne remain first and second on the ladder.
When it comes to the finals, the NRL – not the clubs – collects the gate takings and money earned from hospitality. Clubs receive a small percentage from finals fixtures, but the main advantage is merchandise sales and the chance to play a big game in front of their own fans.
Canberra's GIO Stadium holds a maximum 26,000 fans, while Melbourne's AAMI Park can accommodate 29,500.
The Bulldogs, however, are averaging more than 35,000 for home games this season and would likely attract 60,000 to 70,000 supporters should they finish in the top two and host a qualifying final at Accor Stadium.
The Bulldogs broke the regular-season record when 65,305 fans watched the 32-0 Good Friday win over South Sydney, before 59,878 took in their King's Birthday weekend win over Parramatta.
Based on the $50 average cost of a finals ticket, the difference of 40,000 fans is worth $2 million to the NRL for one final match, and $4 million for two.
Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton was certainly prepared to dream big.
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Shocking Sydney grandchildren claim if negative gearing continues unchanged
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is being urged to 'bite the bullet' and tackle tax breaks for landlords amid a wild warning there won't be any grandchildren left in Sydney. The bombshell call by ACTU secretary Sally McManus will be taken to the Albanese Government's productivity roundtable, which will be held in Canberra in August. Warning families can no longer afford to buy a home, unions want the Prime Minister and Treasurer to announce a huge backflip that will change the way negative gearing works in Australia. Under the plan, the tax breaks will be limited to one property only by 2030, which could force a massive sell-off of investment properties. Negative gearing allows landlords to deduct losses on a property – when expenses exceed rental income – against their taxable income. It can apply to any type of investment, not just housing. Individuals who are negatively geared can deduct their loss against other income, such as salary and wages, and it's entirely legal. Critics argue that negative gearing hurts first-home buyers because they don't have access to tax deductibility to subsidise interest payments. 'I just say, we've got to bite the bullet,' ACTU secretary Sally McManus told ABC's Insiders on Sunday. 'Otherwise, we're just saying – too bad young people, you're not going to be able to ever own a home, forget about even thinking about it. 'Since 2019, the problem has just got worse. It's going to continue to get worse unless the government is brave enough to do something about it. We are just abandoning those generations and we think that that is fundamentally wrong.' Ms McManus said the biggest issue in terms of living standards for younger people in Australia is the issue of housing affordability. 'It's the number one issue. We need to address it,' she said. 'Young people should have the same aspirations as the generations before them. And at the moment, then don't. 'It's been wiped out by the fact that the housing prices have gone up twice the rate of wages over the last 25 years. Twice the rate. 'Now, supply is part of that issue and we've got proposals around that. But we also think that the tax system has to change, too. Because that has fuelled those housing prices and taken it out of reach for young people.' 'We're going to take a proposal that both negative gearing and capital gains tax should be reformed,' she said. 'That they should be limited to one investment property and grandfathered for the existing arrangements for five years to allow people to adjust. Ms McManus confirmed that under the union proposal, after that, you can only have one negatively geared property. 'Yes. And so, you can have as many investment properties as you want, but in terms of the tax benefit, limit that to one,' she said. 'The issue is that a small number of investors, and we're talking about 1 per cent of investors, own 25 per cent of the investment properties. 'And that has been driving or fuelling the housing prices. And so, I don't think that we ever intended even for this to happen as a result of these tax measures. But this is where we're at. 'Unless we change it, working people can't live where they work. 'They can't live where they grew up. It is causing an enormous amount of pressure on people and a really disturbing thing is that a study in New South Wales said that there will be no grandchildren in Sydney because people between the ages of 30 and 40 can't afford to live there. Ms McManus also called on the government to 'get behind modular housing.' 'It's quicker and faster and cheaper in terms of producing those houses,' she said. 'Also, the rules around superannuation funds investing in housing are too limiting. And that's holding back investment in housing as well.' The Treasurer has opened the door to a broader debate on potential tax changes at the government's economic reform summit. 'I expect, I anticipate, I welcome tax being an important part of the conversation,' Mr Chalmers told reporters in an address to the National Press Club. But Anthony Albanese has repeatedly pushed back on the wisdom of negative gearing reforms, hinting that it could increase rents by not boosting housing supply. Economists warn that reforms to negative gearing could put modest downward pressure on housing prices, a boost for first-home buyers. Some experts believe that reducing the incentives for investors could reduce home prices by 2 to 4 per cent in the medium term if negative gearing reforms are combined with capital gains tax changes. But the flip side is that increasing taxes on property investors could deter investment in new apartments and homes, ensuring that the undersupply of houses that is driving soaring rents only gets worse. 'Well, when it has been looked at, it's been shown that it won't assist supply, and that's the problem here,' Mr Albanese said last year. 'For many people, of course, if you didn't have investment in housing, you wouldn't have private rentals, you would have less supply, and less construction is the concern which is there. 'Look, my view is that the key to housing policy is supply,' he said.
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Pride restored: The Wallabies' magnificent win proves they're back
The fact that this proved to be, without doubt, the driest and calmest 40 minutes of the entire night, made the decision appear absurd. Yes, storms with lightning can be serious, but surely this showpiece match being beamed around the world would only be stopped for that long when lightning had already taken out the three adjoining suburbs and was heading our way? The NRL match between the Roosters and the Manly Sea-Eagles over Brookvale way didn't blink, despite being under the same weather pattern, so why was this match? And it wasn't just that stoppage that caused frustration. Time and again in the second half there were so many injury stoppages and referee consultations with assistant referees and the bunker that – again – it was nothing less than absurd. Sure, the officials have to make the right decision, we get that. But that need has to be balanced against the need to keep the match moving. We'll live with the odd mistake — see the final decision of the second Test (don't get the fans started) — but rugby at this level cannot continue to have so many stoppages. And another frustration, seeing as you ask – beyond the wonder of the superb tries by Dylan Pietch, Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott – were the tries gone begging that were left out there. A cricket score to the goodies was possible, but just didn't happen. Just after the resumption of play, after superb lead-up work by Nic White and Tom Hooper – who had a great game – Will Skelton slipped a singularly slick pass to the hugely talented but slightly erratic prop Taniela Tupou who hit the accelerator in a manner entirely unbecoming for a man who would give you little change from 140 kgs. He was through the defence and going faster still! Oh how we roared in Row P on the southern end of the ground as Tupou roared towards us like 'Pavarotti on a skateboard', to borrow Denis Commeti's felicitous phrase. The line was wide open and a try for the ages was just 15 metres away. Quite what happened next was not clear – a pass gone awry, or a simple drop? But the ball slipped through his fingers and went to ground. Bugger! Twenty minutes later, just after Len Ikitau nearly burrowed through the Lions' forward pack to go over, the ball came out to our superb fullback Tom Wright on the fly, who just spilled the pill with the line again wide-open and Jorgensen all but unmarked on the wing. Just a couple of minutes later again, it was Jorgensen himself who raged towards the stripe with his fellow winger Dylan Pietsch just outside him. Jorgensen took the tackle and released the ball superbly, only for Pietsch to just bobble it. Against such quibbles however, the Wallabies really were magnificent for their richly deserved 22-12 win and the lessons out of this match surely obvious to all. First and foremost it was concrete confirmation of what your ever less humble correspondent wrote last week: two years out from a home World Cup, this side has the makings of magnificence in it. Ways must be found to keep them together. The heart of the pack must be Will Skelton. He is way too important to Australian rugby to be plying his wares in club rugby for La Rochelle in the French Championnat. Instead of having him as a fly-in fly-out Wallaby lock for three or four Tests a year, get him back here for the full season. It is not just his heft in the pack and his ability to make metres with five men on his back. It is his presence, his terrifying insouciance no matter what the opposition are throwing at him – his ability to lift the team around him. We now understand what we didn't when Eddie Jones unexpectedly named him Wallabies captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. How different that campaign, too, might have been had Skelton not been injured early to miss all but the first and last matches. But Skelton is the man. We all saw it tonight. With him, Nick Frost was a revelation in the lineouts, constantly securing the ball for us, and pinching theirs. Taniela Tupou, as mentioned, is like no prop we've ever seen before and like Hooper and Skelton is about to head off to European club rugby. Kiss' challenge will be to bring these crucial bits of the jigsaw puzzle back to Oz and turn them into the World Cup winning team they really could be, while Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight – and maybe even James Slipper for another year? – keep the home fires burning. Meantime it must be time to move Tate McDermott from the reserves bench to make him starting half-back every time. Yes, Nic White had a great game, and the standing ovation he received when he went off with twenty minutes to go was both for his Wallaby career now concluded, and how well he had played on the night. But McDermott is obviously the future, and it may as well start now. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii gets better with every match and – good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise – should be a mainstay of the Wallaby backline for years to come. Max Jorgensen on the wing was dangerous every time he touched the ball as was Dylan Pietsch. Tom Lynagh went off with concussion 33 minutes in, but there is now no more doubt about either his courage or his skill. This match proves it. The Wallabies are back. We just need to back them, keep them together and watch them continue to grow. For now, be proud. Tonight, they killed it. A word for the Lions, though? Yes. Congratulations. Led by your magnificent captain Maro Itoje, you were worthy winners and by and large played a great kind of rugby. Bravo. Your supporters were great, and displayed the spirit that makes rugby such a wonderful international game.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pride restored: The Wallabies' magnificent win proves they're back
The fact that this proved to be, without doubt, the driest and calmest 40 minutes of the entire night, made the decision appear absurd. Yes, storms with lightning can be serious, but surely this showpiece match being beamed around the world would only be stopped for that long when lightning had already taken out the three adjoining suburbs and was heading our way? The NRL match between the Roosters and the Manly Sea-Eagles over Brookvale way didn't blink, despite being under the same weather pattern, so why was this match? And it wasn't just that stoppage that caused frustration. Time and again in the second half there were so many injury stoppages and referee consultations with assistant referees and the bunker that – again – it was nothing less than absurd. Sure, the officials have to make the right decision, we get that. But that need has to be balanced against the need to keep the match moving. We'll live with the odd mistake — see the final decision of the second Test (don't get the fans started) — but rugby at this level cannot continue to have so many stoppages. And another frustration, seeing as you ask – beyond the wonder of the superb tries by Dylan Pietch, Max Jorgensen and Tate McDermott – were the tries gone begging that were left out there. A cricket score to the goodies was possible, but just didn't happen. Just after the resumption of play, after superb lead-up work by Nic White and Tom Hooper – who had a great game – Will Skelton slipped a singularly slick pass to the hugely talented but slightly erratic prop Taniela Tupou who hit the accelerator in a manner entirely unbecoming for a man who would give you little change from 140 kgs. He was through the defence and going faster still! Oh how we roared in Row P on the southern end of the ground as Tupou roared towards us like 'Pavarotti on a skateboard', to borrow Denis Commeti's felicitous phrase. The line was wide open and a try for the ages was just 15 metres away. Quite what happened next was not clear – a pass gone awry, or a simple drop? But the ball slipped through his fingers and went to ground. Bugger! Twenty minutes later, just after Len Ikitau nearly burrowed through the Lions' forward pack to go over, the ball came out to our superb fullback Tom Wright on the fly, who just spilled the pill with the line again wide-open and Jorgensen all but unmarked on the wing. Just a couple of minutes later again, it was Jorgensen himself who raged towards the stripe with his fellow winger Dylan Pietsch just outside him. Jorgensen took the tackle and released the ball superbly, only for Pietsch to just bobble it. Against such quibbles however, the Wallabies really were magnificent for their richly deserved 22-12 win and the lessons out of this match surely obvious to all. First and foremost it was concrete confirmation of what your ever less humble correspondent wrote last week: two years out from a home World Cup, this side has the makings of magnificence in it. Ways must be found to keep them together. The heart of the pack must be Will Skelton. He is way too important to Australian rugby to be plying his wares in club rugby for La Rochelle in the French Championnat. Instead of having him as a fly-in fly-out Wallaby lock for three or four Tests a year, get him back here for the full season. It is not just his heft in the pack and his ability to make metres with five men on his back. It is his presence, his terrifying insouciance no matter what the opposition are throwing at him – his ability to lift the team around him. We now understand what we didn't when Eddie Jones unexpectedly named him Wallabies captain for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. How different that campaign, too, might have been had Skelton not been injured early to miss all but the first and last matches. But Skelton is the man. We all saw it tonight. With him, Nick Frost was a revelation in the lineouts, constantly securing the ball for us, and pinching theirs. Taniela Tupou, as mentioned, is like no prop we've ever seen before and like Hooper and Skelton is about to head off to European club rugby. Kiss' challenge will be to bring these crucial bits of the jigsaw puzzle back to Oz and turn them into the World Cup winning team they really could be, while Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight – and maybe even James Slipper for another year? – keep the home fires burning. Meantime it must be time to move Tate McDermott from the reserves bench to make him starting half-back every time. Yes, Nic White had a great game, and the standing ovation he received when he went off with twenty minutes to go was both for his Wallaby career now concluded, and how well he had played on the night. But McDermott is obviously the future, and it may as well start now. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii gets better with every match and – good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise – should be a mainstay of the Wallaby backline for years to come. Max Jorgensen on the wing was dangerous every time he touched the ball as was Dylan Pietsch. Tom Lynagh went off with concussion 33 minutes in, but there is now no more doubt about either his courage or his skill. This match proves it. The Wallabies are back. We just need to back them, keep them together and watch them continue to grow. For now, be proud. Tonight, they killed it. A word for the Lions, though? Yes. Congratulations. Led by your magnificent captain Maro Itoje, you were worthy winners and by and large played a great kind of rugby. Bravo. Your supporters were great, and displayed the spirit that makes rugby such a wonderful international game.
