Newcastle Rugby League: Maitland Sportsground on agenda to host 2020 grand final

No.2 Sportsground was recently ruled out of the equation for the October 18 event while intended venue, prior to the global coronavirus pandemic, McDonald Jones Stadium won't be used for a sixth straight decider.

Newcastle RL chief executive officer Matt Harris said the season showpiece could move inland for 2020 and a decision was expected after a board meeting in coming weeks.

The Pickers are winless in men's tier one so home ground advantage won't be an issue in the main game. Also, by that stage the club's top squad will have finished their commitments in the statewide President's Cup.

"It looks like No.2 Sportsground isn't available so we will have a chat to Maitland about possibly hosting the grand final this year," Harris said. "They won't be in the first grade semis so it basically turns into a neutral venue. We've got a board meeting coming up and then we'll go from there."

The three-week finals series opens on October 3-4. There are four grades - men's tier one, men's tier two, men's under 19s and women's Blues Tag.

Harris said any move would only be temporary and the Newcastle RL grand final will return to McDonald Jones Stadium in 2021.

* PREMIERS won't appear on the Newcastle RL honour roll in 2020 and no player of the year will be awarded.

Harris said it was simply another casualty of the COVID-19 crisis with competitions reverting to amateur status and volunteer judges impacted by crowd restrictions.

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