American Rugby News

[Footyhead2]

While it's great to see ARN reporting on AMNRL games, I wonder why almost every article features the game of the week involving Jacksonville? My husband and I were two of the fans at the Slayers/Eagles game yesterday and saw a very tough, exciting game that was only decided in the final few minutes (unlike most of the blowouts I read about in the AMNRL). Isn't Slayers/Eagles THE great rivalry in league in this country? But games down in the DC area only get a brief mention in ARN articles...

Also, after attending a few games in the US where we have to bring folding chairs, the game yesterday was played in a first class stadium. (Even the three referees wore matching uniforms, something that I've never seen in AMNRL, even in grand finals).

There is a rematch coming up this week in DC. There is a lot on the line with the loser essentially gone for the season. I would expect ARN will promote this as the match of the round and giving it appropriate coverage?

 

[deluded pom?]

We'll soon find out fh2 and a belated welcome to the boards. It's good to hear from a US based fan.

 

[roopy]

It might come down to Spinner being very proactive in giving news to ARN.

 

[DINGb@T]

Also has to do with the fact that they can see the game online. I dont know if they even get to any of the other games but with the Axemen they can just watch online and give a short review without leaving the office.

And welcome to the boards FH.

I heard the Eagels got a new stadium. How was the match day experience from a supporters perspective FH? Many fans there?

 

[Footyhead2]

Also has to do with the fact that they can see the game online. I dont know if they even get to any of the other games but with the Axemen they can just watch online and give a short review without leaving the office.

And welcome to the boards FH.

I heard the Eagels got a new stadium. How was the match day experience from a supporters perspective FH? Many fans there?

Around 200, but the 97 degree heat and high humidity probably turned a lot away. You guys should schedule your season in the fall which would be better for players and fans.

 

[adamkungl]

Around 200, but the 97 degree heat and high humidity probably turned a lot away. You guys should schedule your season in the fall which would be better for players and fans.

Who would want to be playing football in that heat!

36 deg C! :crazy:

 

[deluded pom?]

Around 200, but the 97 degree heat and high humidity probably turned a lot away. You guys should schedule your season in the fall which would be better for players and fans.

The problem with that is a lot of the AMNRL players also play rugby union and that game is probably the first choice of the majority of them. I think in it's present format the AMNRL will struggle to be anything other than a summer fitness boost for union players. I'd like to see the AMNRL push the end of the season back so that it actually overlaps the union season kick off. Surely union teams would be more inclined to allow players back to them late rather than missing their end of season big games. As someone said in another forum regarding rugby league in Ireland. I'd sooner see six teams playing a twenty game season than twenty teams playing a six game season.

 

[Rampart66]

Around 200, but the 97 degree heat and high humidity probably turned a lot away. You guys should schedule your season in the fall which would be better for players and fans.

The summer really is the best time to schedule the league for a whole bunch of reasons.

1-Some of the teams play at high school stadiums which are in use in the fall by the high schools.
2-Going up against said high school sports, hockey, basketball and of course, American Football would hurt the league exposure.
3-It may be easier to get a TV deal with a summer schedule. There are now more sports networks out there and other than baseball, their summer programming is pretty lackluster.
4-And the rugby union thing.

I think the teams may have to take a look at 5pm or later starts for next season.

 

[Big Picture]

The problem with that is a lot of the AMNRL players also play rugby union and that game is probably the first choice of the majority of them. I think in it's present format the AMNRL will struggle to be anything other than a summer fitness boost for union players. I'd like to see the AMNRL push the end of the season back so that it actually overlaps the union season kick off. Surely union teams would be more inclined to allow players back to them late rather than missing their end of season big games. As someone said in another forum regarding rugby league in Ireland. I'd sooner see six teams playing a twenty game season than twenty teams playing a six game season.

Extending the season backward into spring would make more sense. In the fall American football will swamp every other sport for coverage. That might require targeting more former American football players like Akarika Dawn. They'd all find RL much better to play than RU in any case. The ones like Dawn who've played at a high enough level could be a draw for new fans too.

 

[deluded pom?]

Well it's no surprise to see what's game of the week.

http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Regular_Season_Finale.shtml

Regular Season Finale

Posted in: Rugby League
By Brian Lowe
Jul 22, 2010 - 6:43:17 AM

(Marvin Dangerfield photo)
It’s the final round of the regular season in the American National Rugby League and there are some very competitive matchups on tap this weekend as teams roll the dice.
Everything is on the line with the postseason looming and apart from qualifying for the playoffs; the most important prize of all will be home field advantage.
Perhaps the tastiest match of the lot is the Jacksonville Axemen at the Aston DSC Bulls in Philadelphia.
The second-placed Axemen (5-0) have been red hot since the season began and will be looking to continue their scintillating form to ensure another home game in the quarterfinals on August 14.
The fourth-placed Bulls (3-1) have a game in hand against Philadelphia, which is set to be played next Wednesday, July 28, but will want to erase the memories of their only loss so far at the hands of Jacksonville earlier in the season.
Another good test sees the first-placed New Haven Warriors (5-0) on the road at the fifth-placed Wildcats (2-3) in Norwalk, CT.
Like Jacksonville, New Haven has been putting up some impressive numbers while sweeping aside all comers - the flipside is that the Cats have been in good form of late and will be looking to end the regular season at .500.
Another enticing contest pits the eighth-placed Philadelphia Fight (2-2) at home to the ninth-placed Boston 13s (2-3).
Only the top eight teams go through to the postseason so one of these teams could miss out and given that Philly has that game in hand, it's a must win match for Boston because if they lose it’ll be the end of the road for them in 2010.
There's also a replay of last week’s rivalry game between the seventh-placed Washington DC Slayers (2-3) and sixth-placed Fairfax Eagles (2-3).
Not much separated them last Saturday and not much is likely to change this week so look for this one to be another tight tussle.
The final matchup sees defending champs and third-placed New York Knights (3-2) taking on the winless Northern Raiders (0-5). The Knights are assured of a playoff berth, the only question is whether they'll be at home.
Round 7 (home team listed first):
Washington DC Slayers v Fairfax Eagles
Connecticut Wildcats v New Haven Warriors
Philadelphia Fight v Boston 13s
Aston DSC Bulls v Jacksonville Axemen
New York Knights v Northern Raiders

 

[Play some footy]

actually 2 games of the week -

philly vs boston

dc vs fairfax

huge playoff implications

great to see that for the most part there is parity throughout the league this year

 

[amnrlfan]

Washington DC Slayers v Fairfax Eagles - Eagles

Connecticut Wildcats v New Haven Warriors - Warriors

Philadelphia Fight v Boston 13s - Fight

Aston DSC Bulls v Jacksonville Axemen - Axemen

New York Knights v Northern Raiders - Knights

 

[Rampart66]

New York Knights - 20, New York Raiders - 0

Bucks County Sharks at New York Knights (exhibition) - New York.

 

[DINGb@T]

Was that New York team against the Bucks County team a 'reserve grade' team?

 

[deluded pom?]

New York Knights - 20, New York Raiders - 0

Bucks County Sharks at New York Knights (exhibition) - New York.

Two forfeit wins going into the playoffs won't do the Knights any favours.

 

[Shownuff]

New Haven Warriors beat CT Wildcats 80-14 at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven yesterday