Television Feature: 7News Sydney

11 December 2021

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0JSWhJP2Yc&ab_channel=7NEWSAustralia


<TRANSCRIPT>


MICHAEL USHER (PRESENTER): Canterbury's diehard footy fans say they're the victims of politics, claiming they've missed out on a homeground upgrade because they don't live in a government seat. It follows a $300 million deal for a new stadium at Penrith.

[Crowds cheering]

TOM SACRE (REPORTER): At Belmore Sports Ground, it's a rusted-on fan base that carries the Bulldogs through highs and lows.

WARREN CAIRNCROSS (BULLDOGS FAN): Been following the Bulldogs for about 50 years.

TOM SACRE: But they say it's about time the rust at Belmore went away.

STEVEN ELLIS (BULLDOGS FAN): Bulldogs are always famous for more action, less talk.

TOM SACRE: Luke Brailey is angling for action as the face of 'Back to Belmore', an initiative to return the stadium to its former glory.

LUKE BRAILEY (BACK TO BELMORE PATRON): This venue needs to be saved. This venue needs to be preserved. We all need to work together. It is so important.

TOM SACRE: Luke found Thursday's $300 million announcement - a brand new stadium at Penrith - hard to swallow, believing his beloved suburban ground is a victim of politics.

LUKE BRAILEY: I think that's a bit of a cop out. I think that Belmore Sports Ground should be given the same consideration as other venues.

TOM SACRE: Panthers Stadium is in the Liberal seat of Penrith. Belmore Sports Ground is in the safe Labor seat of Canterbury.

CHRIS MINNS (NSW OPPOSITION LEADER): The government, in many respects, has been proud of their legacy in relation to pork barrelling. It needs to be based on need, not the political needs of the government of the day.

TOM SACRE: This stand was taken from the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1936 when Belmore was still in the shape of an oval. It hasn't had an upgrade since it was turned into a rectangle in 1968.

AARON WARBURTON (BULLDOGS CEO): It just comes down to who's investing in it and at the moment, as I said, the discussions are happening, but there's just no definite answer just yet.

TOM SACRE: The government says it's open to proposals.