Tigers, Dragons plan to escape ANZ Stadium

Wests Tigers are considering joining St George Illawarra in controversially walking away from ANZ Stadium, Homebush, next season.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Wests Tigers have held discussions about playing six matches next season at Sydney Football Stadium.

And in another development, Parramatta Stadium Trust will meet this morning and possibly make a bid for Tigers games to be played at Parramatta.

Wests chief executive Steve Noyce has held discussions with SCG Trust CEO Jamie Barkley about a possible shift across town to Moore Park.

ANZ Stadium management has also tabled a proposal to keep Wests Tigers at Homebush for a fifth successive year.

Should they move, Wests Tigers would continue to play three games each at their traditional home venues, Campbelltown and Leichhardt.

It is known that the NRL is privately encouraging clubs to play fewer matches at the 83,000 seat Homebush venue.

Noyce said his club would be attracted to the best "commercial venue".

ANZ Stadium chief executive Ken Edwards is working hard to retain Wests Tigers as a tenant.

"We've put a proposal to them," Edwards said. "Since they have moved to ANZ, their attendances have increased at their three home venues.

"We know they have been talking to the (SCG) Trust and we certainly hope they will continue to play some games here at ANZ Stadium."

Barkley was reluctant to discuss any details but said his organisation would work with "whatever is in the best interests of Wests Tigers, rugby league fans and SFS members".

The Parramatta Stadium Trust will meet today and talk about the possibility of luring the Tigers out west. Balmain played as the Sydney Tigers at Parramatta Stadium in 1995 and 1996.

"I'm sure it will be on top of the agenda," said Denis Fitzgerald, Eels CEO and Trust member.

"Parramatta Stadium is under-utilised and I'm sure the Trust can come up with a competitive proposal for the Tigers."

NRL chief executive David Gallop has been monitoring the situation.

"The ball is ultimately in Wests Tigers' court," Gallop said.

The Dragons will return to their spiritual home, a revamped Kogarah, to play six home games next season and another six at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

There is also a chance the Wests Tigers could shift one game next season to Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium.