'It will be no different': Cronulla boss shuts down Shark Park concerns ahead of NRL finals
Cronulla boss Dino Mezzatesta has shut down concerns over the conditions at Shark Park and denies there will be any issue in the NRL finals.
A column in The Sydney Morning Herald this week shone a new light on the poor state of the suburban ground, which is in desperate need of an upgrade.
Temporary fencing and toilets, extensions cords and a lack of corporate areas are just some of the issues facing Cronulla's iconic home ground.
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With the side still in the top-eight and a chance of securing a home final next month, there have been concerns raised over the usage of Shark Park for marquee fixtures.
But according to chief executive Mezzatesta, it will be business as usual.
Ronaldo Mulitalo celebrates a try at Shark Park Getty/Sydney Morning Herald
"If we're good enough to qualify for a home final in week one, it will be here at Sharks Stadium," he told the Herald.
"The ground has met all the requirements to host NRL games, and it will be no different for the first week of the finals. We can seat around 15,000 fans, which is actually up on last year when we could accommodate around 13,000 fans.
"Every other club has received some sort of funding for stadium upgrades or a centre of excellence, but we have received nothing.
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"We'll keep making the argument we deserve funding like everyone else ... but for now, this is what we've got, this is where we'll keep playing, and this is where we will play.
"Rival fans might complain that there isn't enough room to get in. But we still think it's an amazing experience, and you're so close to the action."
Mezzatesta has admitted the Sharks are in need of an upgrade worth $180 million which would deliver a state-of-the-art facility that could hold 23,000 spectators.
The club played their home games at Kogarah Oval during the 2020 season due to developments in the area, but the stadium itself received little love during that time.
Cronulla will host the Gold Coast Titans in round 24.
