Parramatta have avoided the embarrassment of playing before a near-empty ANZ Stadium by moving their round 25 clash against St George Illawarra to Parramatta Stadium.
The Eels were set to play the Dragons at the cavernous Olympic venue on Monday night, but the decision was made to move the game a week out from the contest.
Normally a high-drawing fixture, the Eels-Dragons has the potential to be a attendance disaster, with the two clubs occupying the last two positions on the ladder.
The Eels did their best to paint the shift in a positive light, claiming in a statement that the move would “provide a fitting venue for the final home game of 2013.”
“This week is member appreciation round at the Eels, and this venue change will let our Eels members and fans enjoy the last home game of the season in the place where they feel most at home,” interim chief executive Matt Phelan said.
“We’ve been working on the logistics of this move for a number of weeks now, and we’re very grateful for the help ANZ Stadium has given us in making the switch relatively straightforward.”
The Eels are contracted to play two home games a year at ANZ Stadium, having played Canterbury there in round two.