While COVID restrictions forced recent NRL crowds at both Bathurst and Wagga to be smaller than many would have hoped, more than 11000 fans are set to create an electric atmosphere at Apex Oval this month.
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South Sydney and Penrith will meet in a blockbuster match at Dubbo's premier ground on May 23 and forward planning has ensured there will be a crowd worthy of the occasion on hand.
It was announced last week a new capacity of 11300 was allowed for the match and a sellout was confirmed on Monday.
The confirmation of a sellout is welcome news for many who had feared the crowd numbers could potentially drop given the current Sydney COVID scare and last weekend's match at Wagga being capped at less than 7000 people.
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Dubbo MP and chair of the NRL Regional Taskforce Dugald Saunders applied for a crowd exemption for Apex Oval roughly two months ago and the work done by Dubbo Regional Council staff and the Office of Sport since allowed that to be approved.
It may not be the regular gameday experience, as fans will have to stay in their ticketed zone at Apex Oval throughout the contest and won't be able to come and go at the ground as they please at all but Saunders said it will be worth it and will showcase the passion of country fans.
"It will all be managed in a different way to how it normally would and all of that had to be proven and shown to get the exemption," the Dubbo MP said, adding the excitement around the match was already evident.
"Talking to people at South Sydney, they are incredibly pleased with how well it's gone and I think the feeling is if we didn't have to worry about COVID this would have hit 15000, there was that much interest when the tickets went on sale.
"Once we're over some of the initial COVID stuff this is a game that could really blow the minds of some clubs and coaches who worry about travelling and the financial side of things.
"It will show that you can make pretty good money by travelling to regions, which is important for clubs to know."
Saunders originally applied to have the crowd capped at 14000 but that was knocked back as it would have been too hard to manage and fit in with all regulations.
I think it's going to be wonderful watching our talent playing in those jumpers.
- Paul Loxley
Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley is delighted Dubbo will be able to host a crowd that could potentially outdo a number of matches in metropolitan areas this season.
Last round alone, five of the eight matches played in the NRL attracted crowds of less than 10000.
A bumper crowd at Dubbo watching on as Western Rams juniors run out with NRL clubs has fans like Loxley already buzzing with excitement.
"We've always pulled a crowd, when we've had trials or City-Country. If they let us have 14000 we'd get 14000," Loxley said.
"The highlight of the weekend is going to be Isaah Yeo, Charlie Staines, Matt Burton, possibly Braidon Burns for South Sydney, and maybe even Brent Naden could get a run.
"That would mean four Group 11 juniors plus Braidon from Coonamble running out in an NRL game in Dubbo and I that sends shivers up my spine.
"I think it's going to be wonderful watching our talent playing in those jumpers."
The figure of 11300 is still far greater than the recent matches at Bathurst and Wagga, which each only held less than 7000 people.
"Wagga hosted a game that had only six-and-a-bit and Dubbo will look twice as good as that, literally," Saunders added.
"I know people will have concerns but the thing is this is still being very much managed in a COVID-safe way and we've had to do things in a certain way to make it happen."
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