MANLY looks ready to stay at famous Brookvale Oval forever.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Sea Eagles are poised to receive substantial Government funding to upgrade the decaying ground on Pittwater Road.

It would mean a new grandstand — with undercover seating for 3000 fans — be built on the eastern side of the ground and the playing surface upgraded.

The news will be welcomed by NRL players, with Brisbane forward Todd Lowrie on Wednesday describing the ground as “a shithole”.

media_camera Few clubs enjoy a trip to Brookvale to face the Sea Eagles.

The revamp will kill off talk Manly may forced out of their spiritual home to either Allianz Stadium or ANZ Stadium.

Clubs officials met with NSW Premier and local member Mike Baird last week.

As revealed recently in The Daily Telegraph, the State Government has a strict stadia strategy preventing ongoing hand-outs to suburban grounds.

Manly plan to incorporate community facilities in the new grandstand, however, meaning State Government money may be shared around different departments, not just sucked from the sport budget.

The Sea Eagles need between $20 million and $25 million for the new stand, the Federal Government has already pledged $10 million.

That would another $10 million from Mr Baird or attracting some private investors. No final decision has been made but Manly remain more than confident they can strike a deal with the State Government.

Manly officials have presented plans for the upgrade and new stand to the State Government and NRL. Aside from community facilities, a new high-performance centre could also be built on the site for all sports.

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The Central Coast Mariners A-League club are looking at playing games at Brookvale, as are the new Northern Rays, which will play in a third-tier national rugby competition. Brookvale Oval would be declared a category two ground behind Sydney’s premier arenas.

There would still be some hill area remaining either side of the new grandstand and at the northern end of the ground.

media_camera Manly players enjoy a close relationship with their fans at Brookvale.

“There have been positive ongoing discussions with the State Government for the community and Sea Eagles fans,” said Manly general manager David Perry.

“It would be a multi-purpose facility. The meetings have been confidential so I won’t go into specifics but hopefully there will be some positive news soon. It would put us in a position where we could be more sustainable and increase our membership going forward.

“We are discussing a range of options but there has been no formal commitment just yet.”

Brisbane forward Lowrie will head to Brookvale Oval on Friday night to play Manly — and he isn’t looking forward to the experience.

“The field’s heavy, muddy and boggy. I’m surprised they let us play on it sometimes,’’ Lowrie said.

“The sheds are crap and the fans are right on you. I really do love the fact they’ve still got the hill and the crowd’s right involved ... but it’s probably everything else about it. It’s a pain in the arse to get to on the bus. She’s certainly one of the more daunting road trips in the NRL.”