The game is bigger than it has ever been

[Gobsmacked]

NRL beats AFL as grand final sets TV ratings record

The NRL has smashed the AFL television ratings, setting an all-time sport record with more than four million viewers tuning in to watch the Storm-Broncos classic.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

Perth red... Silent on this one...

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

When you look at the game closely, there is no other sport in the world, that encompasses so much athletic ability, toughness and skill.

The speed, the skill, the strength, the endurance, the power, the characters, the drama, the nail bitting finishes!
Greatest game of all!

I said this to a bunch of union blokes at a party about 30 years ago, in League we have the use of the hands with the ball (passing) and the use of the feet with the variety of kicks, most other sports use mainly one or the other: basketball - hands only; soccer - feet only, little bit of head admittedly, but largely feet; NFL majority hands; fumbles both but that punching the ball business is just plain ridiculous and limits what they can do.
Ironically union is similar to League but they stuff it with a bunch of arcane and obscure rules.
Then there is the whole physicality aspect of League and the gladiatorial nature of the game which is another aspect we have covered. Greatest sport of all, nearly all bases covered.

 

[Jamberoo]

Only downside from the massive GF ratings win is that it makes it harder to move back to arvo, or twilight.

 

[RedVee]

Got a message from my mate in Kentucky.

“Watched it Sun evening. That was a great game. Without question one of the best I've ever seen. Possibly the best”

At least one American watched it!

 

[Gobsmacked]

Going to be hard to top this season.. if only we could add new franchises in new states and countries...

 

[T-Boon]

Only downside from the massive GF ratings win is that it makes it harder to move back to arvo, or twilight.

So many people were out on the town in Newcastle, almost like New Years eve. I don't know if it was like that in other cities.
I think a 4pm start would have been bigger because those mainly youth type would not be getting ready to go out yet and would be watching.
I would actually consider moving it to Saturday of the long weekend as most people stay in the Saturday night of a long weekend.

 

[Phil McGrawhan]

So many people were out on the town in Newcastle, almost like New Years eve. I don't know if it was like that in other cities.
I think a 4pm start would have been bigger because those mainly youth type would not be getting ready to go out yet and would be watching.
I would actually consider moving it to Saturday of the long weekend as most people stay in the Saturday night of a long weekend.

If you’re not trolling then seek help

 

[Jetka100]

So many people were out on the town in Newcastle, almost like New Years eve. I don't know if it was like that in other cities.
I think a 4pm start would have been bigger because those mainly youth type would not be getting ready to go out yet and would be watching.
I would actually consider moving it to Saturday of the long weekend as most people stay in the Saturday night of a long weekend.

Saturday? WTF

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Only downside from the massive GF ratings win is that it makes it harder to move back to arvo, or twilight.

Yes but the argument of Day Vs Night shouldnt be put to bed. Whats to say the ratings couldve been similar or higher if it was a 4pm kick off? The game is so big you'll still have a massive audience nationwide, day or night. The fans love the day games and the recent finals matches says it all.

 

[The_Wookie]

Wookie in tears

lOL Ive spent most of the year telling anyone who will listen that its a great year for league.

 

[James Rick]

So many people were out on the town in Newcastle, almost like New Years eve. I don't know if it was like that in other cities.
I think a 4pm start would have been bigger because those mainly youth type would not be getting ready to go out yet and would be watching.
I would actually consider moving it to Saturday of the long weekend as most people stay in the Saturday night of a long weekend.

Nah keep it on Sunday no need to fix something that isn't broken.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Nah keep it on Sunday no need to fix something that isn't broken.

You'd keep it on Sunday. Just start the game at 4pm instead. Would be way better.

 

[Pippen94]

lOL Ive spent most of the year telling anyone who will listen that its a great year for league.

Lol

 

[Captain Apollo]

I think NFL 2-point play percentage is about 50%. They use them chasing down a big lead.

Wouldn't it be better if the NRLs was similar to that rather than maybe like a 5% chance so they get used chasing down big leads rather than the specific scenario you are talking about?

Season 2024 saw the 2 point conversion drop to a 15 year low of 41% in the NFL.

Why the NFL’s Two-Point Conversion Rate Is At a 15-year Low | FOX Sports

Failed two-point plays ended the title dreams of the Ravens and Bills last season. Why are teams having so much trouble converting the play?

www.foxsports.com

 

[Captain Apollo]

You'd keep it on Sunday. Just start the game at 4pm instead. Would be way better.

In 30+ degree heat? I doubt the players would concur with that.

 

[Chins]

I think 5-6pm kickoff is the sweet spot.

 

[Hooked]

I think 5-6pm kickoff is the sweet spot.

Yep, Stuff nine news.

 

[Dogs Of War]

In 30+ degree heat? I doubt the players would concur with that.

It was ok for many years like that. It used to be a 3pm Sunday kick off until they moved to the night grand final.

Had many a BBQ setup for the grand final. A great time was had by all. Except for 1994 which was like a morgue with all the Bulldogs supporters at my mates house and watching Terry Lamb knocked out, and any chance of winning go with it.

 

[Gobsmacked]

In 30+ degree heat? I doubt the players would concur with that.

How often is it 30+ in Sydney at 4pm at the start of October?
We literally play at 4pm the week before.

 

[Captain Apollo]

It was ok for many years like that. It used to be a 3pm Sunday kick off until they moved to the night grand final.

Had many a BBQ setup for the grand final. A great time was had by all. Except for 1994 which was like a morgue with all the Bulldogs supporters at my mates house and watching Terry Lamb knocked out, and any chance of winning go with it.

There used to be unlimited posession in rugby league. It used to be if you caught the ball on the full you could claim it as a "mark" and kick for goal. It used to be you could kick for goal from a scrum penalty. There used to be a 1 yard ruck rule. Used to be you stayed on if you were injured, even when you had a broken limb as there were no replacements.,

Not everything from the past was always better.

Also go look up about what happend to Danny Shepperd when playing a for the Roosters in 1990 against the Gold Coast. He was in hospital for 4 weeks on life support due to it, and in an induced coma for 14 days. His friends and family thought he'd never recover. Prior to then there were no rules around"drink breaks" due to the heat (source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/n...s-grow-rugby-league-World-Club-Challenge.html).

Consequently, with that in mind, just because it suits certain "old time" fans who preferred an afternoon BBQ is just low on my threshold of concerns for timing of a GF.