Bring back the afternoon final: Fraser

October 20 2006

Bring back the afternoon final: Fraser

Sport Minister Andrew Fraser has urged rugby league fans to join the push to have the NRL final restored to its traditional, time-honoured place in the Sunday afternoon timeslot by signing a petition to the Queensland Parliament.

On the eve of Game 2 of the Gillette Tri Nations match between Australia and New Zealand at the Telstra Dome on SaturdayMr Fraser encouraged football fans to take part in a the e-petition he and Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen have started. The e-petition is available on the Queensland Parliament website.

“The dust has settled on both the AFL and NRL grand finals and while it was a great result for Queensland, it’s well and truly clear the Broncos game would have been far better served by being staged on Sunday afternoon,” Mr Fraser said.

“It’s a Queensland tradition to have a barbie and watch the match in the afternoon and then kick the footy around with the kids in the back yard – it’s an institution Queenslanders have been passionate about for a long time.

“That tradition should not be being forsaken just so the match can be televised in a night-time slot because of pure commercial considerations.

“I encourage everyone who has an interest in the game and in this great Sunday afternoon institution to get behind this push and lobby the NRL.

“The e-petition will be available to join on the Queensland Parliament website and the more people who sign, the louder our collective protest will be.”

Mr Fraser’s push follows the petition launch by Mr Cullen who says the game needs to revert to an afternoon timeslot to allow for family viewing, with an emphasis on children, and because the Sunday game is not followed by a public holiday in Queensland. NRL grand finals have been held on Sunday nights since 2001.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874