2023 could be Leichhardt Oval’s last year as an NRL venue if the NSW state government don’t commit to upgrading the ground’s facilities.
According to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis, Wests Tigers Chairman Lee Hagipantelis has issued an ultimatum to the government that the club could stop using the venue if funds aren’t allocated towards it.
Hagipantelis is supported in his push for upgrades by club greats Paul Sironen and Steve Roach, and while the Inner West Council is investing near $1 million in the much-loved oval, Carayannis says that won't be “anywhere near enough” to keep the Tigers there long-term if the state government fail to chip in.
“Lee Hagipantelis has come out and is supported by club greats in Paul Sironen and Steve Roach,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They’ve basically issued an ultimatum to the state government that if they don’t find the cash to fix up Leichhardt Oval, they’ll have to seriously reconsider how many games – if any – that they play there.
“The local government is going to tip in $1 million in the off-season to give it a little bit of love, but that’s not going to be anywhere near enough to get it up to a working facility.”
SEN’s Andrew Voss is a huge fan of the historical rugby league venue and labelled the news “very sad” if the Tigers were to depart the iconic ground.
“That makes me cry, that’s very sad news,” Voss said.
“If that was to happen … but I guess that’s the way it is.”
Currently, the Tigers play their home games across three venues - Leichhardt Oval, CommBank Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium.
It’s believed they could shift permanently to CommBank and Campbelltown if Leichhardt isn’t upgraded.