Lost fans to the game

[thorson1987]

During my early high school years, I recall going to 4 matches involving the Northern Eagles:

Northern Eagles vs Melbourne at Gosford, 2000
Newcastle vs Northern Eagles at Newcastle, 2001
Northern Eagles vs Newcastle at Gosford, 2001
Newcastle vs Northern Eagles at Newcastle, 2002

From those 4 matches I went to, although I saw the Eagles fans in either the Northern Eagles or old Manly Sea Eagles jerseys, I don't ever recall seeing one person in a Norths jersey. I wonder why that is? Do you think the Norths fans believed that their fate was doomed once their team entered into the merger?

Probably due to the jerseys being closer to Manly than Norths.

 

[LineBall]

Just a couple of things I'd like to share...(long post coming up here)

1)

http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/brisbane.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/lang_vn.html

On the topic of the Broncos,

When the Broncos moved back to Suncorp in 2003, they averaged 28275/home game (not to mention their late season form slump where they lost their last 8 matches of the season). Since then, their average has moderately improved in the following years to 30-35k/home game (peaking with 35032/home game in 2010 - the year the Broncos missed the finals for the first time since 1991).

The Broncos averaged 43200/home game during their first year at QE II Stadium in 1993, the highest seasonal home crowd average of any team in the history of NSWRL/ARL/NRL . During 1993-95 (before the effects of the SL-war on crowds started to show in 1996), there were 5 times (6 if you include the 1997 SL GF) where the Broncos got 50k+ to a match there. Most who have been to both Suncorp and QE II Stadium will agree that Suncorp is by far the better stadium, let alone closer to the CBD.

The question I want to ask is this: Do you believe the Broncos will ever get back to averaging 40k+/home game in a season? If so, what will it take for that to happen? Does it concern you that their blockbuster home match vs Cowboys got 42,303 compared to the 50k+ it got in 2007 and 2008?

I'll continue my 2nd point in the next post

How many of the 50k plus crowds were day games? I can remember watching them play the warriors there with a huge crowd at a day game. The broncos crowds would increase if the had less Friday night games.

 

[Parra]

anyone who chose to follow another sport was never a fan of the game

Can't agree with that. Club comes first and for people who supported something all their life and then had it removed for no good reason the issue is the other way around - the game bailed out on them.

 

[RedVee]

Actually there are a few of us on here.

I guess it depends on how old they were and if their family were bears fans aswell.

Can I assume you chose Melbourne after the Bears were cut primarily because they weren't a team from the old Sydney comp?

 

[undertaker]

How many of the 50k plus crowds were day games? I can remember watching them play the warriors there with a huge crowd at a day game. The broncos crowds would increase if the had less Friday night games.

58593 Brisbane v St George, 1993
57212 Brisbane v Gold Coast , 1993
54751 Brisbane v Canterbury, 1993
54645 Brisbane v Auckland, 1995
51517 Brisbane v Parramatta, 1993

Of those 5, 3 of them were Sunday games. From my research,

1) the game vs Parramatta was the Broncos first at QE II Stadium on a Sunday, so unsurprisingly you'd expect a big crowd

2) the game vs St George was a Friday night match in the final round. The top 5 were very strong teams that year. Broncos and Dragons were both in the running for the minor premiership as well.

3) the game vs Gold Coast was on Friday night (televised only to QLD viewers, as the NSW folk got Illawarra vs Canterbury). Surprising that match drew 57k as it was during Origin, the Broncos had their Origin players out, and as you know the Seagulls were crap - only winning one game that year and getting their 3rd consecutive wooden spoon.

4) the game vs Auckland was on Sunday. Don't know how this game got 54k other than the Warriors were still in contention for a top 8 spot and would've made it had they won, but got thrashed 44-6. I'm assuming this was the game you went to.

5) Don't know much about the Bulldogs game other than it was on Sunday.

But, it's quite amazing to think of the crowds the Broncos got at a much crappier stadium than Suncorp pre-SL. Goes to show how much of an effect SL had on them.

 

[CowboyFuriousFury]

97 was honestly a complete flub. The Rams? Yes, they deserved to go.

Rams in 97 outdrew Cronulla, Canberra, Bulldogs, Penrith, Newcastle Manly and the Roosters.

In 98 the Rams outdrew Souths and not too far from outdrawing the Bulldogs.

http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1997SL.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1997.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1998.html

Both the Reds/Rams should of been kept in the long run for a fully national competition comprise of the current 16 teams and Reds/Rams is a best nation-wide reach competition.

 

[undertaker]

Can't agree with that. Club comes first and for people who supported something all their life and then had it removed for no good reason the issue is the other way around - the game bailed out on them.

This.

For fans who have supported the club for many years, I could understand if they couldn't bring themselves to support another team if their one folded.

For me personally, as a Knights supporter since the mid-90s, I could never see myself being a fan of another club if the Knights folded. I would still watch Origin and test matches, but otherwise would have great difficulty following the NRL.

There may be a slight chance I would become a casual fan of a Central Coast franchise if there was one at the time due to the close proximity between the Hunter and Central Coast. In addition, the Bears were my defacto, 2nd favourite team that I had a soft spot for back in the '90s and was sad to see them go. They were extremely unlucky not to win a premiership in the '90s with some of the sides they fielded, which would give every current roster in the NRL a run for their money (even if you factor in all the niggly stuff like the rule changes which have occurred since then, changes in the way the game is played, tactics etc.).

 

[undertaker]

97 was honestly a complete flub. The Rams? Yes, they deserved to go.

Rams in 97 outdrew Cronulla, Canberra, Bulldogs, Penrith, Newcastle Manly and the Roosters.

In 98 the Rams outdrew Souths and not too far from outdrawing the Bulldogs.

http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1997SL.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1997.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/1998.html

Both the Reds/Rams should of been kept in the long run for a fully national competition comprise of the current 16 teams and Reds/Rams is a best nation-wide reach competition.

The Rams at one stage had 7,000 season members, which is more than several NRL sides and far more than the majority of NRL clubs had for years before the NRL started pushing club memberships during their diabolical centenary year of 2008 in reaction to the AFL. What was supposed to be a glorious year of celebration was a year marred back too many incidents involving RL in the media. Club memberships needed to be pushed and promoted YEARS AGO. Yet, another glorious legacy that David Gallop left for the code.

 

[CowboyFuriousFury]

The Rams at one stage had 7,000 season members, which is more than several NRL sides and far more than the majority of NRL clubs had for years before the NRL started pushing club memberships during their diabolical centenary year of 2008 in reaction to the AFL. What was supposed to be a glorious year of celebration was a year marred back too many incidents involving RL in the media. Club memberships needed to be pushed and promoted YEARS AGO. Yet, another glorious legacy that David Gallop left for the code.

Memberships should of been pushed heavily in the early 90's pre-SL war alot of clubs back then would of benefit from a heavy membership push eg Broncos. Amazing the Rams had 7k members if they had the proper dedication given to them ala AFL to Lions/Swans that base could of grow over time if the hard yards were put it.

It's no secret when it come to non-heartland areas the admin prefer to cut and run than digging in and doing the grind which could of benefit them in the long run like the Lions/Swans.

 

[El Diablo]

Can't agree with that. Club comes first and for people who supported something all their life and then had it removed for no good reason the issue is the other way around - the game bailed out on them.

why would i listen to a moron Yawnion fan :?

 

[Parra]

You are getting slower with your trolling efforts.

 

[georgesnmith]

Perhaps if the ARL didn't bury their head up their arses the super league war could of been avoided

There were mistakes from both sides

nope.

the ARL made league such a good spectacle that rupert mudoch wanted it badly.

if the ARL were doing a bad job murdoch wouldnt have chased league, after all he grew up in SA.

the only mistake the ARL made was not bringing in two brisbane clubs from the start and letting the broncos basically get away with murder for too long.

that 20 team comp wouldve been fine if murdoch hadnt meddled.

 

[georgesnmith]

Just a couple of things I'd like to share...(long post coming up here)

1)

http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/brisbane.html
http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/lang_vn.html

On the topic of the Broncos,

When the Broncos moved back to Suncorp in 2003, they averaged 28275/home game (not to mention their late season form slump where they lost their last 8 matches of the season). Since then, their average has moderately improved in the following years to 30-35k/home game (peaking with 35032/home game in 2010 - the year the Broncos missed the finals for the first time since 1991).

The Broncos averaged 43200/home game during their first year at QE II Stadium in 1993, the highest seasonal home crowd average of any team in the history of NSWRL/ARL/NRL . During 1993-95 (before the effects of the SL-war on crowds started to show in 1996), there were 5 times (6 if you include the 1997 SL GF) where the Broncos got 50k+ to a match there. Most who have been to both Suncorp and QE II Stadium will agree that Suncorp is by far the better stadium, let alone closer to the CBD.

The question I want to ask is this: Do you believe the Broncos will ever get back to averaging 40k+/home game in a season? If so, what will it take for that to happen? Does it concern you that their blockbuster home match vs Cowboys got 42,303 compared to the 50k+ it got in 2007 and 2008?

I'll continue my 2nd point in the next post

2nd brisbane NRL side will do it

Broncos are lazy, they dont need the extra money, they cant spend it on players

the minute their market is challenged they will be more proactive re crowds.

brisbane needs another team ASAP, the market is stale there.

 

[El Diablo]

You are getting slower with your trolling efforts.

you're the Yawnion fan on a Rugby League forum

 

[Red Bear]

you're the Yawnion fan on a Rugby League forum

You can enjoy more than one code.

 

[El Diablo]

You can enjoy more than one code.

there is no joy in Yawnion

 

[Newcastle Cow]

I was a bears tragic growing up and even 15-odd years later it still fires me up.
I still love the game and am a cowboys fan (I basically randomly picked them because literally no one I knew I supported them).
The circumstances of the bears getting shafted just made it harder to cop. They saw the writing on the wall re “too many teams in Sydney” bit the bullet and proactively tried to do something to ensure they made it (move to Gosford) and got the chop anyway.
Obviously I’m biased but I don’t know why the NRL hasn’t given the green light to the Central Coast bears. That area loves their sport, a lot of work has been put into the bid, the stadium is of a good quality and the franchise would have a good ready-made rivalry with both Manly and Newcastle. I know expansion isn’t that simple but, honestly, how does it not make sense?

 

[STORM.99/07]

I started following Melbourne Storm when my AFL team Fitzroy Lions team merged with Brisbane bears. I have lost all interest in AFL.

 

[undertaker]

I was a bears tragic growing up and even 15-odd years later it still fires me up.
I still love the game and am a cowboys fan (I basically randomly picked them because literally no one I knew I supported them).
The circumstances of the bears getting shafted just made it harder to cop. They saw the writing on the wall re “too many teams in Sydney” bit the bullet and proactively tried to do something to ensure they made it (move to Gosford) and got the chop anyway.
Obviously I’m biased but I don’t know why the NRL hasn’t given the green light to the Central Coast bears. That area loves their sport, a lot of work has been put into the bid, the stadium is of a good quality and the franchise would have a good ready-made rivalry with both Manly and Newcastle. I know expansion isn’t that simple but, honestly, how does it not make sense?

Manly, Newcastle...you can also add Souffs to that list. Lots of Souffs supporters on the Central Coast. Three home matches guaranteed to be packed to the rafters, as well as strong away support at Hunter Stadium and Brookvale Oval.

IN addition, I'm confident the Bears fans would definitely turn out to their other away games in Sydney.

 

[Perth Red]

I started following storm when the Reds were sacrificed to keep the over saturation of sydney. Mainly as a number of reds players and coaches went to melbourne and I'm pro growing the game.