I'm in Sydney the weekend of 23-25th April.

I'm staying at the Marriott Hotel next to the Harbour Bridge.

Which of the following games should I attend (first-time NRL match for me)... <I'm thinking of a nice stadium with atmosphere, easy (and near) to get to from my hotel by train or cab, and which is in a nice area>.

Bulldogs vs. Broncos
Dragons vs. Roosters
Panthers vs. Wests Tigers
Sea Eagles vs. Titans
Sharks vs. Knights

I've heard Cronulla is a nice place to watch RL? Not too far from Harbour Bridge?

Also what's the best way to get there (train, cab etc)...

Thanks if you can help

PS from Google Earth it appears Manly is the closest.

Nice area? easy to get to from my hotel?

Cheers.

Either of the top 2 games based on quality of team. Bit Manly V Titans would be good too.

Manly is the best place to visit but poor ground, especially if weather isn;t good. (if you like your beer head to the three pines micro brewery opposite the ferry wharf!)

Bulldogs game will be a good un with a decent crowd and ANZ for all its faults is worth a visit if you've not been to it before.

Crounlla I wouldn't bother with, quite a trek out there, ground is poor and atmosphere is non existant (though the locals are friendly bunch and the leagues club next door is ok for a cheap drink)

Dragons should be ok game, usually a good atmosphere

Panthers long trek out to sit in a half empty stadium and Penrith hasn't alot going for it imo!

Manly and Bulldogs games would be my choice.

I like Manly, big fan of grounds with grass banks - provided the weather is nice, went to Manly v Titans last year, good atmosphere. I took the bus, it drops you off right next to the stadium and there are free buses back to the city after the game.

Is the Bulldogs game at the Olympic stadium? I went there last year, and although it was Hazem El Masri's last game and there was 40,000+ people there it was still not much of an atmosphere.

I prefer the smaller, packed stadiums, so I would go to St.George, but I think it's a little far from Syndey.

Out of all the ties I would say Penrith v Wests Tigers would be best for action, plenty of fast-paced footy to be had there.

Anyway have fun, you will enjoy all the action anyway!

Cronulla is definately your best bet.

About 45 mins on the train from Central. You can catch a train from either Wynyard or Circular Quay though.

Shark Park (the home of the mighty Sharkies) is best accessed by getting off the Cronulla train at Wooloware.

Cronulla is a great suburb to spend a day in as well if you are bored.

Unless you are of Lebanese extraction.

Maybe.


Enjoy.

trip from Penrith to Katoomba isn't long - about 45 mins, but it's not like 3-4 hours..Then again it is Cityrail...

Far better to hire a car if you are doing the Blue Mountains.

There are some great spots to stop between Penrith and Katoomba.

Govetts Leap at Blackheath springs to mind.

Plus the train station at Katoomba is a bit of a walk from the scenic bits like the 3 sisters and the Scenic railway.

If you have the money the hire car is a great idea..

If you don't, Blue Mtns Council has a fantastic trolley car that starts at Katoomba Railway Station and basically takes the Scenic Rd route to all the touristy spots like the 3 Sisters, Echo Point and nice little spots like Valley of the Waters..It does cost, but not hire car prices

Govetts Leap is after Katoomba and not between it and Penrith, but not far away..It's just as beautiful as the 3 Sisters, but us Blue Mtns lovers like to keep it to ourselves while the tourists hog Echo Pt/3 Sisters..

Forget what you've read.

I'm not a fan of either team but the Saints v Chooks game at the SFS is the one to go to, the game is on ANZAC day & is a bit of a traditional derby, they usually put on a bit of a show, fly over etc, minutes silence & a bit of a march etc, ex services can get in if they wear medals etc, & the way both teams are going & if they keep it up, it should be a good game

I agree, this St Merge v Roosters game is always a good occassion if only for the ANZAC side of things

The Dragons Roosters game will be the easiet for you to get to, not too far from the city centre. This is the ANZAC game and is normally a good atmosphere, had a black hawk helicopter land pre match last year. Usualy get a good crowd for this game, 28,000 last year i think (although im sure there was twice as many Dragons fans as Roosters fans). Might be a competative game this year, seeing as they the Roosters look like they have improved, hopefully better than losing 29-0 last season.

I wouldnt bother going to the Bulldogs game, the ANZ is a horrible stadium to be in when its only 1/4 full, no atmosphere. Penrith is a great ground to go to but its a bit far from the city. Love going to Manly, another great ground to watch rugby league.