The NRL is refusing to give up on a Civic stadium dream, taking another pot shot at existing elite facilities but at the same time saying a new 30,000-seat venue in the city won't guarantee major events for the capital.
As ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr pushes ahead with plans to redevelop Canberra Stadium, or build a new venue at Bruce, the NRL has lodged another submission to a federal inquiry into promoting the capital.
The stadium topic has been a divisive issue for the past 14 years, but appeared to be nearing a resolution last month when Barr announced a deal to partner with the Australian Sports Commission on an AIS rebuild.