Rugby league heavyweight Brad Fittler has called on Manly to consider relocating to a suburban club rugby ground to ensure their NRL survival.
The NSW coach and Roosters great, who lives on Sydney’s northern beaches, says Brookvale Oval has had its day and a move to nearby Rat Park – home of Shute Shield club Warringah – should be seriously looked at.
Freddy’s controversial stance comes after Brookvale’s playing surface came under fire following a knee injury to Roosters star Brett Morris during his side’s win over Manly on Saturday night.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson was highly critical of a ground well past its used by date, according to Fittler.
“Brookvale Oval’s not in an appropriate place. It’s on a busy road, there’s very little parking, it’s a public area where people can walk their dogs during the week,” Fittler told the Sunday Footy Show.
“I know there’s a history and sentimental value in Brookvale Oval, but there has to be a better location than Brookvale Oval.
“If Manly want to be part of the future of rugby league – and we’re talking about expansion and these sort of things – you’ve really got to look past Brookvale Oval.
“There’s got to be a better answer. I think they can do better.”
Fittler believes the Sea Eagles have been approached about a shift to Rat Park – officially known as Pittwater Rugby Park – but knocked it back.
He said: “I know they’ve looked at Rat Park, which is much more suitable.
“There’s been an approach to Manly and for whatever reason it gets put into the back pocket.”
The Sea Eagles have played trial matches at Rat Park but the ground would need a considerable upgrade if it was to regularly host NRL matches.
There are no real corporate or media facilities, there’s a lack of food and drink outlets, few toilets and a crowd of over 6000 would stretch it to its limits.
But former Melbourne superstar Billy Slater agrees something needs to be done about Brookvale Oval.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve spoken about the surface,” he said.
“This has been a growing trend. The surface has always had a question mark over it.”