The Queensland government is pushing for future NRL grand finals to be played at Suncorp Stadium.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni says crowd numbers prove, Brisbane is the home of rugby league.

Jessica Riga reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The NRL is under pressure after the Cowboys Roosters preliminary final in Sydney was played in a stadium that was just over half full.

It comes after a season of low crowds in New South Wales.

The Queensland government has been quick to seize on the issue, in a bid to poach the NRL grand final.

Mick de Brenni, Queensland Minister for Sport: “For too long Queensland football fans have missed out on grand finals and finals here at our fantastic stadiums like Suncorp Stadium.”

The Minister for Sport says Brisbane crowds are consistently the league’s biggest, with Townsville not far behind.

Mick de Brenni, Queensland Minister for Sport: “The time to make a decision about hosting a grand final here and a State of Origin in Townsville is now.”

Not surprisingly, most Queenslanders agree.

VOX 1: “Absolutely. With the number of teams we have now playing and the quality of those teams, then I think it’s an excellent idea.”

VOX 2: “I think definitely, as much as the Broncos have pushed through. I reckon it’s a great idea.”

VOX 3: “It won’t happen. They’ll have it in Melbourne before they have it here.”

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is considered one of the world’s best rugby league grounds, while a new venue soon to be built in Townsville will be more than capable of hosting finals.

But is the government grand-standing?

Jessica Riga, QUT News.