Popular rugby league legend Wendell Sailor has vowed to help the NRL win the cross-code war in western Sydney amid reports the AFL is seeking $70 million in government funding to redevelop the Sydney Showground.
It is believed the new Greater Western Sydney franchise has agreed in principle to play its home games at the Homebush Bay venue from 2012 on the proviso the State and Federal governments tip in the money for a new grandstand.
Sailor, who announced his decision to hang up the boots earlier this month, says he's not surprised by the AFL's audacious request and stressed the importance of taking the fight up to the rival code in the coming months.
"That's typical AFL, they're confident in their product and they are all right at what they do and they've got a lot of money," Sailor said.
"I just think it would be disappointing to see them with a brand new stadium for us, but I just know as a rugby league player and personality that I want to see league dominate western Sydney because it's a big part of what we do."
"And I hate to say it but when they (Parramatta) beat us (St George Illawarra) this year I just loved the momentum that western Sydney picked up. And we need to sustain that out there because they've rolled out (AFL legend) Kevin Sheedy (to be the first western Sydney coach) who's got that presence about him."
The dual international believes the AFL's quest for cash borders on shameless 'because they get a lot of money anyway'.
But Sailor, who served a two-year ban after testing positive to cocaine in 2006 whilst contracted to the Australian Rugby Union, warns the AFL threat must be taken seriously and stressed the need for NRL players to be on their best behaviour next season.
"They've got a solid product but I just think we showed this year in the ratings and the commercial product that we have, that we're going to be hard to knock off," he said.
"We've just got to get our behaviour off the field right in 2010 and hopefully I can be a big part of that in mentoring a few blokes in that area."
Despite his recent retirement, Sailor resumed training with the Dragons on Monday in preparation for February's match between the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars.
The 35-year-old says he's grateful for the opportunity to farewell his legion of fans and admirers as a member of the star-studded Indigenous side.
"It's my last game and I'm just glad for the opportunity to go out on this note rather than the Broncos beating me in the last semi-final," the dual international said.