ALBURY could host one of the biggest sporting events in the city’s history with top level talks being held to bring a National Rugby League game for premiership points to Lavington Oval.
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The potential coup could see NRL heavyweights Manly and Canberra play their round 5 fixture on Easter Saturday.
Albury is poised to trump Dubbo as the host for the game.
Dubbo officials are apparently struggling to raise the reported $175,000 needed to clinch the game which has left the door open for other regional centres, including Albury and Gosford.
NRL best and fairest winner and Albury lawyer Mike Eden is behind the Border bid.
Discussions were under way last night between Albury Council and Albury Thunder rugby league club about a deal to underwrite the match at Lavington Oval for an estimated $200,000.
The NRL has been made aware of Albury’s interest in the match with further talks to be held today.
Mr Eden is a former Manly player and had several talks with the chief executive of his former club, Joe Kelly yesterday.
“We’ve never been closer to getting an NRL premiership match to Albury,” Mr Eden said last night.
“If given a chance we can pull it off and get a crowd of somewhere around 15,000 people.
“This is too good an opportunity to pass up.
“Imagine the economic spinoffs and exposure Albury will get by having this match.”
It is a Manly home game with a perfect storm of factors playing into Albury’s hands regarding the fixture if the Sea Eagles decide to come south.
The Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League season starts at Easter.
But the O and M backflipped on an original plan to play a Good Friday game at Lavington which leaves the ground free for the rival code.
Twelve months ago the ground successfully hosted an A-League soccer game for premiership points between Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart.
The Sea Eagles-Raiders fixture has the potential to attract more than 10,000 people given the Easter holidays and the two clubs having large supporter bases.
The biggest rugby league fixture played at Lavington was the NRL pre-season grand final in the early 1990s.
The city’s premier sporting venue will also be in perfect condition with an AFL NAB Challenge game between Port Adelaide and Richmond to be played on March 14.
The Manly-Canberra match is scheduled to start at 5.30pm and will be televised on Foxtel.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said last night it was too early for council to commit to the game.
“As always the devil is in the detail,” he said.
“We will not be paying for games of any sporting codes using ratepayers money.”