The atmosphere at Moore Park for the Sharks' elimination final vividly illustrated the discontent among fans regarding venue decisions. Despite a solid 26-16 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys, concerns about fan turnout gained significant attention.
The Sharks, having finished the regular season in fifth place, expected to host the match in their home territory. However, due to the NRL's decision, the elimination final was relocated, resulting in limited attendance.
On this occasion, merely 17,429 spectators watched the game, marking one of the lowest finals crowds at the venue in recent years. This number stands in stark contrast to the Rabbitohs-Knights encounter held the previous day, which attracted 28,152 fans.
Nicho Hynes, the Sharks' star halfback, expressed mixed feelings about the venue situation following the match. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon also voiced his concerns, indicating that the NRL should have provided the club with earlier notice regarding the relocation.
"It's not the decision," Fitzgibbon said, emphasizing the disappointment of fans and members. "They pay their money all year to watch their team play semifinals and play at home, and we earned that, but they didn't get that."
While the Sharks advanced to face either the Roosters or the Panthers in the next round, the lingering frustration about fan engagement and venue choices remains unresolved. The irony lies in the fact that attendance, though low, exceeded the current capacity of Ocean Protect Stadium.