Brookvale Oval is the most dilapidated venue to regularly hold NRL matches and was infamously described by Brisbane back-rower Todd Lowrie as a "shithole". In a match against Canterbury earlier this year players from both sides were shocked by the number of potholes on the ground, while the parking and amenities are second rate. However, the Sea Eagles faithful are steadfast in their belief it is their only viable home and the team has built a formidable record at "Fortress Brookvale".

Under the terms of the Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club's constitution, a minimum of 10 games must be played on the northern peninsula. For there to be any change, management would need to put a proposal to the MWRLFC, which would then decide whether to pass it on to its members. Should it do so, the special resolution would need 75 per cent of support in order to be passed. MWRLFC directors are steadfastly opposing the removal of any games from Brookvale.

"There is no way Manly fans will cop a move from Brookvale," a source said. "It's our home and that's where we have to be playing the majority of games."

This season, the Sea Eagles took two of their 12 home games away – one to Gosford, the other to Albury's Lavington Park. But officials, concerned about the prospect of posting a record loss, believe they can increase revenue by taking more games on the road.

Manly management have a number of issues in relation to their tenure at Brookvale. As revealed by Fairfax Media, Warringah Council engaged debt collectors to retrieve an outstanding six-figure sum after the club stopped paying their hiring fees. Council passed the matter onto "collections", reserved only for cases long overdue or for large amounts, and it is believed the parties are yet to settle the matter.