DUBBO may have missed out, but the Manly Sea Eagles are still going bush in 2015.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Sea Eagles officials will confirm Lavington Sports Ground, Albury as the venue for their Round 5 clash against Canberra.

The match, to be played on Easter Saturday, will be the first NRL premiership fixture hosted by the border town.

Albury has previously been given NRL pre-season trials and the 2011 City-Country Origin fixture.

RAIDERS GO INTO BATTLE FOR BUSH

While Dubbo officials had originally thought they were getting the game, it’s now understood other regional areas including Albury and Gosford were always in the mix.

Manly CEO Joe Kelly said the decision to head bush proved his club’s connection with regional NSW had never been stronger.

Kelly added the northern beaches outfit had worked tirelessly with representatives from the Albury community, the NRL and Fox Sports over recent weeks to make the event a reality.

“I’m originally from Scone, so I know just how vital sport is to everyday life in regional communities,’’ the Sea Eagles boss said.

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“And I’m absolutely delighted that we have secured this game for the region. I’m sure seeing NRL stars in action will have a lasting impact, particularly on the next generation of rugby league supporters.”

Albury City Mayor, Kevin Mack added: “This is a major coup for us.

“We’ve been knocking on the door, trying to get an NRL match for a number of years. So to have now secured this match for Easter Saturday ... we’re thrilled.”

As revealed by The Daily Telegraph recently, the Dubbo community had spent five months going cap in hand throughout the community in a bid to raise the $175,000 they believed would gift them the Round 5 clash.

At the time, Group 11 secretary Ross McDermott said former Manly chief executive Dave Perry had told him in August, 2014 that should the town raise said bounty, the game was theirs.

While the Sea Eagles no longer employ Perry, McDermott said a group from Group 11 had also met with new Manly boss Joe Kelly again early this year and left convinced the game could still happen.

The matter made further headlines when, after initially falling $10,000 short of the amount, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said his club would meet Dubo’s shortfall to ensure the game went west.

However, The Daily Telegraph understands that there were always several regional centres vying for the game. It’s not known if the fact Dubbo only held the City-Country fixture last year counted against them.