Skipper Robbie Farah says the Wests Tigers want to continue playing NRL games at the joint venture’s spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval, amid doubts over the future of the iconic venue.

The Tigers play their first home game this NRL season at the ground on Sunday in the round-seven clash with Canberra.

It is one of only two matches the club have committed to play there this year, and the first since one half of the joint venture, the financially stricken Balmain, forfeited the lease last month.

“It would be a shame for us to leave, so hopefully the club can do something to ensure we’re still there for many years to come,” Farah said on Wednesday at training.

“If we had to go, it would be very disappointing.

“It’s no secret that I love playing there, being a local boy, and the other local boys have grown up playing there for many years.

“It’s been a part of our footy career, not only for our first-grade career, but growing up as well, through our childhood.”

The Tigers’ board will meet later this month to decide whether to play matches against Penrith and Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval.

The club has confirmed its round-13 fixture against Gold Coast will be at the venue.