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NRL beats AFL to play at new Perth Stadium

Staff WriterSouthern Gazette

THE new Perth Stadium’s first major sporting event won’t feature a Sherrin but a Steeden – with NRL heavyweights South Sydney and Canterbury to feature in a double header on Saturday March 10.

The two clubs will play back-to-back against opponents yet to be named.

Thousands of people are expected to travel to Perth for the two matches.

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The double-header, to date the first of the confirmed sporting events at Perth Stadium, is the final part of a three-part NRL sponsorship deal.

The other two events are a Rugby League World Cup double-header at nib Stadium on November 12 this year and game two of the State of Origin series at Perth Stadium in 2019.

The double-header is conservatively expected to attract between 40,000 and 45,000 people, about 3000 from interstate, boosting the WA economy by about $2.25 million.

Tickets are available to Bulldogs and Rabbitohs’ club members from August 29 with tickets on sale to the general public on Wednesday.

“NRL continues to grow in popularity in Perth and we expect this double-header, in round one of the 2018 NRL premiership season, to be extremely popular,” Sports Minister Mick Murray said.

“The NRL premiership fixture between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors played at nib Stadium in June 2015 was a sell-out match. The crowd of 20,272 still holds the record for sporting event attendance at the venue since its redevelopment.”

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the double-header would be a boon for the Perth economy.

“This is just one more way we can drive visitation to fill planes, get visitors to Perth and fill our hotel rooms,” he said.

British musician Ed Sheeran is the first confirmed performer at the venue, playing two concerts on March 2-3.