Dolphins, Broncos to make history at Suncorp Stadium
The Dolphins and Broncos will host back-to back games at Suncorp Stadium in an historic day for rugby league in round 17 of the NRL.
In two separate matches, with two different crowds filing in and out, the Broncos will host the Warriors at 2pm on June 28, followed by the Dolphins against South Sydney at 7.50pm.
The Dolphins were slated to play their round-one match against the Rabbitohs at Suncorp, before Tropical Cyclone Alfred intervened and the clash was relocated to Sydney.
The two clubs agreed to swap home games, but there was no guarantee the Dolphins would host the Rabbitohs at Suncorp because the Broncos were scheduled for the same day.
Officials from the NRL, broadcaster Fox Sports and Suncorp Stadium have held talks with the clubs over the past months and reached an agreement.
"It's big for our club because there was the chance we might have to forgo a home game and play in front of no one in Sydney," Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said.
"Credit to Souths that we were able to swap the games, and we thank the broadcaster Fox (Sports), who have actually pushed back the kick-off time to turn the stadium over and have two major events on the same day.
"The Warriors-Broncos game will be massive. They are averaging 40,000 and we are averaging 30,000. It just shows this is the home of rugby league."
Suncorp Stadium has hosted double-headers and even triple-headers in Magic Round and during the COVID period, but never with two distinct fan bases and corporate types having to be turned over in a matter of hours.
Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham said the Broncos and Warriors crowd would file out of the stadium at full-time to allow for cleaning before the Dolphins and Rabbitohs faithful file in.
"We have done our homework and talked to all the stakeholders," Graham said.
"It is almost a second Magic Round. From a rugby league point of view it is the first time it has been done, and certainly for any game in Queensland.
"One of the first things we needed to do was work on the timing to make sure we had enough of a window. The other thing was to work with police and Transport (Department) to make sure we could get the pedestrian crowds out and also the people on buses and trains.'' Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett will line up against his old club at Suncorp Stadium for the first time. It is a venue that has been kind to him for almost 50 years as a coach, and was where he masterminded a maiden 40-6 win over the Broncos in round 26 last year as Dolphins mentor.
"Any time you have got Wayne here there is always going to be a headline," Graham said.
"Then there is the association he's had with the Dolphins, and the role he played in getting them established."The two clubs have membership entitlements and there will be no two-for-one tickets, although fans will be able to buy tickets to both matches separately.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
The logistics behind Broncos and Dolphins double header on the at Suncorp Stadium
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's the Suncorp sister act leaving NRL fans – and stadium staff, seeing double. For the first time in its hallowed history, Suncorp Stadium will on Saturday host two separate NRL games, with an extraordinary logistical undertaking required to pull off the rare feat. Rescheduling caused by the mayhem of Cyclone Alfred back in March has led to a scenario where both the Broncos and Dolphins will host home games at Suncorp on the same day, requiring an almost military-scale operation to clear the venue and be ready for another kick-off just a few hours later. Suncorp has hosted plenty of double headers – and even triple headers during Magic Round, but this is the first time the stadium has hosted two separate events on the same day, with more than 40,000 spectators from the Broncos-Warriors match required to exit the arena before an estimated 30,000 arrive for the Dolphins v Rabbitohs encounter. In the three hours or thereabouts between full-time in the Broncos' game and kick-off for the Dolphins, about 1500 staff members will take part in a frenetic effort to clean the grandstands, repair divots, change signage and logos and scour for any opportunistic fans trying to hide in the toilets. Stadium management have stressed the message that both events require a separate ticket and fans from the first game will not be allowed to re-enter the venue unless they have tickets to both matches. Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham said all parties had worked hard to ensure the day runs like a well-rehearsed backline play. 'We'd like to thank the Broncos for their co-operation in making this happen as well as the Dolphins who have made some concessions on their normal entitlements to achieve this,' he said. 'We've worked with all stakeholders in particular Queensland Transport and Queensland Police and believe we have the correct plans in place. 'We're looking forward to a great double spectacle of rugby league.' Lizzy Mahoney from the venue presentation team said she was confident of being able to pull off the necessary changes to the stadium in the tight window available. 'It will be a huge effort especially in the short time between games but we're excited for the challenge of turning the venue around for the Dolphins,' she said. The historic double act came about after the Dolphins were forced to move a home game against the Bunnies back in March to Sydney as Alfred bore down on the Queensland coast. It meant the return fixture – which was due to be played in Sydney, was moved back to Brisbane on a weekend when the Broncos were already scheduled to host one of their biggest home games of the year, against the high-flying and well-supported Warriors. With about 80,000 fans expected across both games, Caxton Street is also set for one of its busiest days of trade for the year, rivalling the mega performance of Magic Round. Originally published as How Suncorp Stadium will go from Broncos Maroon to Redcliffe red in just two hours
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Why Woolf is poised to break the Bennett curse, and build his empire
It did not take long for Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader to know Kristian Woolf was the man to spearhead the NRL's newest outfit into the future. Even though the shadow of Wayne Bennett was going to loom over whoever took the reins, they knew they had their man. 'He was the number one target for us at the start,' Reader declared. 'Even with Wayne as our coach, we still had a lot of questions. He said 'we'll do it together, let's find the best coach, and he'll be the assistant and take over at the end'. 'I don't think there's ever been a better transition of NRL coaches than what's happened. We weren't building a house of cards, we were setting up a club for the future.' Thus far, Woolf has dared to orchestrate a miracle – overcoming four-straight defeats in the first month to have his side one-point shy of the top eight. He has done so amid a concerning injury toll – one which has claimed stars Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Daniel Saifiti, Max Plath and Jack Bostock for the rest of the season. Felise Kaufusi will also be sidelined with a knee concern, while Ray Stone has been playing with two busted shoulders. Loading Given their season even began with a last-minute relocation to Sydney due Cyclone Alfred, Reader did not hesitate to claim 'I don't think a first-year coach has ever gone through what Kristian has'. And yet, as he plots a boilover of his former mentor against South Sydney on Saturday, Woolf turned his nose up at excuses. 'I've never seen anything like what we've had, particularly with season-ending injuries. That's footy, we're not going to get frustrated or whinge about it,' Woolf said. 'We need to go out with a mindset that we'll be at our best, be hard to beat and give ourselves a really good chance. 'I know how hard they worked in pre-season, I know how hard they work for each other. They haven't given me any indication that they're going to change anything because we've lost a couple of players. 'If anything, they're more committed to working hard for each other.' Building his empire Barely 24 hours before the Dolphins announced Selwyn Cobbo would join the fold in 2026, Reader hinted the Broncos' flyer was not in their sights. How things can change quickly in rugby league. 'He's one of those blokes that can do things other people can't. He's a guy you want in your team rather than the opposition,' Woolf said. 'I don't think it was ever no interest, it's about availability, spots and things like that. A fair bit has changed in 24 hours … there's a bit of movement all over the place and both ways for us.' That movement suggests those off contract face uncertain futures, but points to Woolf assembling the squad he believes can deliver a premiership. Cobbo will be joined by St Helens lock Morgan Knowles, while Francis Molo and Sebastian Su'A arrived mid-season. Flegler, Gilbert, Bostock, Plath, Saifiti, Isaiya Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-King, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Kurt Donoghoe are signed until at least 2027, while Herbie Farnwort expressed his desire to remain. Reports also emerged England halfback George Williams could be signed, and even swapped with Kodi Nikorima. Woolf dismissed the notion. 'Kodi Nikorima is not up for sale or going to be swapped – that's not going to happen,' he said. 'He's playing his best footy at the moment. That's one thing we wouldn't entertain.' Breaking the curse Woolf tasted success before taking over from Bennett – guiding St Helens to three Super League titles while transforming Tonga into a global force. But given the history of Bennett's successors, the question was asked: could he break the Bennett curse? 'Coming into the NRL and the expectations and toughness of the competition, there are nerves anyway,' Woolf admitted. 'That [replacing Bennett] can certainly add to it. I thought about all that well before I came, [but] my two years working with Wayne gave me some confidence.' Loading Bennett has proven a tough act to follow. Jason Demetriou, Ivan Henjak, Steve Price, Rick Stone and Anthony Seibold did not last long. Yet after a winless first four rounds, Woolf did not panic. 'He's held up a high standard for us as a team. I think you can see from the way we started the year, to have a plan, now everyone's bought into what he's been teaching us,' Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth said. 'He's very calm, he's pretty much the same as what you see him on TV the whole time. The goal now is to make finals.' That mentality has guided them to seven wins their past 11 games, including triumphs of heavyweights the Storm, Bulldogs and Panthers while boasting the competition's second-best points differential. Despite losing 15 of 20 games across their past two campaigns from round 17 onwards, Woolf believed history was in no danger of repeating. 'It's always a challenge, when you don't get the start or results you want. That's part of the challenge,' Woolf said. 'I'm going to trust the work we've done, we've got great assistant coaches that put some new things in place. We've got to keep trusting each other. 'What's going to stop us falling into freefall is I trust the group.'
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why Woolf is poised to break the Bennett curse, and build his empire
It did not take long for Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader to know Kristian Woolf was the man to spearhead the NRL's newest outfit into the future. Even though the shadow of Wayne Bennett was going to loom over whoever took the reins, they knew they had their man. 'He was the number one target for us at the start,' Reader declared. 'Even with Wayne as our coach, we still had a lot of questions. He said 'we'll do it together, let's find the best coach, and he'll be the assistant and take over at the end'. 'I don't think there's ever been a better transition of NRL coaches than what's happened. We weren't building a house of cards, we were setting up a club for the future.' Thus far, Woolf has dared to orchestrate a miracle – overcoming four-straight defeats in the first month to have his side one-point shy of the top eight. He has done so amid a concerning injury toll – one which has claimed stars Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Daniel Saifiti, Max Plath and Jack Bostock for the rest of the season. Felise Kaufusi will also be sidelined with a knee concern, while Ray Stone has been playing with two busted shoulders. Loading Given their season even began with a last-minute relocation to Sydney due Cyclone Alfred, Reader did not hesitate to claim 'I don't think a first-year coach has ever gone through what Kristian has'. And yet, as he plots a boilover of his former mentor against South Sydney on Saturday, Woolf turned his nose up at excuses. 'I've never seen anything like what we've had, particularly with season-ending injuries. That's footy, we're not going to get frustrated or whinge about it,' Woolf said. 'We need to go out with a mindset that we'll be at our best, be hard to beat and give ourselves a really good chance. 'I know how hard they worked in pre-season, I know how hard they work for each other. They haven't given me any indication that they're going to change anything because we've lost a couple of players. 'If anything, they're more committed to working hard for each other.' Building his empire Barely 24 hours before the Dolphins announced Selwyn Cobbo would join the fold in 2026, Reader hinted the Broncos' flyer was not in their sights. How things can change quickly in rugby league. 'He's one of those blokes that can do things other people can't. He's a guy you want in your team rather than the opposition,' Woolf said. 'I don't think it was ever no interest, it's about availability, spots and things like that. A fair bit has changed in 24 hours … there's a bit of movement all over the place and both ways for us.' That movement suggests those off contract face uncertain futures, but points to Woolf assembling the squad he believes can deliver a premiership. Cobbo will be joined by St Helens lock Morgan Knowles, while Francis Molo and Sebastian Su'A arrived mid-season. Flegler, Gilbert, Bostock, Plath, Saifiti, Isaiya Katoa, Jeremy Marshall-King, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Kurt Donoghoe are signed until at least 2027, while Herbie Farnwort expressed his desire to remain. Reports also emerged England halfback George Williams could be signed, and even swapped with Kodi Nikorima. Woolf dismissed the notion. 'Kodi Nikorima is not up for sale or going to be swapped – that's not going to happen,' he said. 'He's playing his best footy at the moment. That's one thing we wouldn't entertain.' Breaking the curse Woolf tasted success before taking over from Bennett – guiding St Helens to three Super League titles while transforming Tonga into a global force. But given the history of Bennett's successors, the question was asked: could he break the Bennett curse? 'Coming into the NRL and the expectations and toughness of the competition, there are nerves anyway,' Woolf admitted. 'That [replacing Bennett] can certainly add to it. I thought about all that well before I came, [but] my two years working with Wayne gave me some confidence.' Loading Bennett has proven a tough act to follow. Jason Demetriou, Ivan Henjak, Steve Price, Rick Stone and Anthony Seibold did not last long. Yet after a winless first four rounds, Woolf did not panic. 'He's held up a high standard for us as a team. I think you can see from the way we started the year, to have a plan, now everyone's bought into what he's been teaching us,' Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth said. 'He's very calm, he's pretty much the same as what you see him on TV the whole time. The goal now is to make finals.' That mentality has guided them to seven wins their past 11 games, including triumphs of heavyweights the Storm, Bulldogs and Panthers while boasting the competition's second-best points differential. Despite losing 15 of 20 games across their past two campaigns from round 17 onwards, Woolf believed history was in no danger of repeating. 'It's always a challenge, when you don't get the start or results you want. That's part of the challenge,' Woolf said. 'I'm going to trust the work we've done, we've got great assistant coaches that put some new things in place. We've got to keep trusting each other. 'What's going to stop us falling into freefall is I trust the group.'
