The NRL can expect plenty of opposition from Manly and their fans, who won't travel south to Sea Eagles games, if the club are forced to relocate home matches to Allianz Stadium, says Jamie Lyon.
Manly and Cronulla could be forced to move games to Allianz Stadium, if the NRL is to receive a funding upgrade package from the NSW government for the Moore Park venue, Pirtek Stadium and ANZ Stadium.
It was something the Sharks would consider, club boss Lyall Gorman indicated.
Under NRL policy, Manly have been forced to relocate finals matches to Allianz Stadium, which has often been met with a lukewarm response by Sea Eagles fans in the way of sparsely populated games.
Manly skipper Lyon said he didn't want home games moved to Moore Park and was sure fans wouldn't either.
"I don't really like the idea. We would rather stay at Brookvale - that is our home," Lyon said on Wednesday at Manly's Narrabeen training base.
"I'm sure there will be some angry people over this side of the bridge.
"I don't usually cross the Narrabeen bridge let along the Sydney Harbour Bridge so ... we will cross that bridge when we come to it."
ARL Commission chairman John Grant met representatives from Manly and Cronulla on Wednesday as the NRL attempted to meet a 65-game commitment at Sydney's major stadiums.
Under that criteria, Manly and Cronulla might be required to move games to Moore Park.
It is a move that would be considered if the financial arrangements were positive, Gorman said.
"I want to ensure our members, corporate partners and supporters across the country that we have an absolute commitment to our venue, the Sutherland Shire and to the rich history that has brought us to where we are today," Gorman said.
"Should, in the future, commercial or other factors be so strong that our club might contemplate taking any games to other venues, I am sure such a decision would not be reached without detailed consideration regarding the best interests of our members and key club stakeholders.
Manly, in particular, could prove a difficult case in the NRL.
Since privatisation in 2004, the club's constitution states they must play at least 10 games a season at Brookvale Oval.
That figure could only be decreased via a referendum of the district football club's members, who hold a minority stake on the NRL club's board.
The Sharks only acquired a new naming rights sponsor earlier this month for their Woolooware base.
The NRL has until April 1 to achieve the 65-game commitment, and will then have until May 31 to decide how it wants the $1.6 billion funding split between Moore Park and ANZ Stadium.
Upgrades on Pirtek Stadium will begin this year.
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