18th club, whose next?

[Canard]

In 1966 Queensland's population was below 2 million. It had more people playing fumbleball than the current participation rate for rugby league in WA.

How do you explain that?

There's more chance of you not being a virgin, then that statistic being even remotely correct.

You would have to swallow the Aussie Rules KoolAid to believe it.

 

[Centy Coast]

News Ltd invested $100m in the Storm over 20 years.

I thought it was more $$$ than that, News Ltd were trying for years to sell to Storm once their contract expired.
Funny how News Ltd folded both the Perth Reds and Hunter Mariners up at the end of 1997 for their new pet project the Melbourne Storm in 1998, they had a great debut season making the semi finals but were losing money and struggled to make an imprint in VIC.
With all of the Storms success on the field, they are only now starting to develop a pathways system, thats after 26 seasons in the NRL.

 

[Canard]

I thought it was more $$$ than that, News Ltd were trying for years to sell to Storm once their contract expired.
Funny how News Ltd folded both the Perth Reds and Hunter Mariners up at the end of 1997 for their new pet project the Melbourne Storm in 1998, they had a great debut season making the semi finals but were losing money and struggled to make an imprint in VIC.
With all of the Storms success on the field, they are only now starting to develop a pathways system, thats after 26 seasons in the NRL.

Because News didn't give a f**k about junior development.

But clearly the new owners do.

 

[Wb1234]

I thought it was more $$$ than that, News Ltd were trying for years to sell to Storm once their contract expired.
Funny how News Ltd folded both the Perth Reds and Hunter Mariners up at the end of 1997 for their new pet project the Melbourne Storm in 1998, they had a great debut season making the semi finals but were losing money and struggled to make an imprint in VIC.
With all of the Storms success on the field, they are only now starting to develop a pathways system, thats after 26 seasons in the NRL.

100 million on top of the grant they got from the arl like every other nrl club

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

There are 9 pathways in Queensland and 1 in WA. Do you think more opportunities will lead to more players and there is no way there are at least 1k female players, 500 maybe.

Then that means the WARL and WA Gov are telling lies.

"WA has strong foundations to support an NRL franchise with participation in the sport behind only NSW and Queensland, and encouragingly, nearly a quarter of all registered players are female.

Government to support third party bidder for WA-based NRL team

McGowan Government to support potential third-party bid for a WA-based NRL team. Preliminary work has already begun with VenuesWest appointing consultants Freshwater Strategy to ascertain interest from potential third parties and determine bid structure.

www.venueswest.wa.gov.au

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

I thought it was more $$$ than that, News Ltd were trying for years to sell to Storm once their contract expired.
Funny how News Ltd folded both the Perth Reds and Hunter Mariners up at the end of 1997 for their new pet project the Melbourne Storm in 1998, they had a great debut season making the semi finals but were losing money and struggled to make an imprint in VIC.
With all of the Storms success on the field, they are only now starting to develop a pathways system, thats after 26 seasons in the NRL.

The Storm were spending about $4-5m per annum more than they made from football operations. The shortfall was covered by News Ltd.

When News Ltd sold the Storm and their stake in the NRL they demanded the ARLC provide the club with another $30m over 5 or 6 years.

The $30m wasted on the Storm between 2013 and 2018 could have gone towards the QRL and NSWRL. I don't see Perth Dread whinging about this sum being spent on a parasitic NRL club that cheated the cap.

Altogether, the total News Ltd/ARLC spent propping up Melbourne's losses was about $100m. There are idiots on LU who think that's not much money and should be replicated with unwanted teams from Adelaide and Perth.

 

[Jimmy Wiggle]

Then that means the WARL and WA Gov are telling lies.

"WA has strong foundations to support an NRL franchise with participation in the sport behind only NSW and Queensland, and encouragingly, nearly a quarter of all registered players are female.

Government to support third party bidder for WA-based NRL team

McGowan Government to support potential third-party bid for a WA-based NRL team. Preliminary work has already begun with VenuesWest appointing consultants Freshwater Strategy to ascertain interest from potential third parties and determine bid structure.

www.venueswest.wa.gov.au

Yeah, it’s not like governments to exaggerate. Why did you argue against something pedantic and not about the pathways, surely you can make up some reason.

 

[Canard]

Can someone point out where in the Australian constitution it states that you can only spend money on Rugby League in QLD and NSW.

And also the addendum that says, you will have an aneurysm if it's spent elsewhere?

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Yeah, it’s not like governments to exaggerate. Why did you argue against something pedantic and not about the pathways, surely you can make up some reason.

Supply vs demand.

No point in having a lot of pathways when there's little interest from the public.

 

[Jimmy Wiggle]

Supply vs demand.

No point in having a lot of pathways when there's little interest from the public.

Build it and they will come. If theres no supply, you can’t build demand

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Build it and they will come. If theres no supply, you can’t build demand

Who is going to pay for it?

 

[Colk]

Who is going to pay for it?

Is the sport broke?

 

[Jimmy Wiggle]

Who is going to pay for it?

The same grant everyone else gets and then the owners will have to chip in like all the other clubs do.

 

[Colk]

The Bears didn't start playing their games in Brisbane until 1993. Up until then their games were played at Carrara on the Gold Coast. Their move to Brisbane for the 1993 season saw their attendances increase signdiciantly, despite struggling on the field. Their four seasons at the Gabba between 1993-1996 drew more fans than the Storm drew at Melbourne's Olympic Park between 2002-2005.

The Bears' 18k average at the Gabba in 1996 was 5k more than the Western Reds drew in their best season.

The Melbourne Storm have never averaged 18k at MRS in a season, despite being camped inside the top four over the bulk of their existence. When the club dropped out of finals contention in the early 2000s their attendances dropped below 10k for four seasons straight.

Storm Attendances 2002-2005
2002 - 9,088
2003 - 9,626
2004 - 8,896
2005 - 8,898

In 2006 the club made the grand final, yet their attendances were just 10,853. In 2007 they won the GF, yet drew 11,711 to their games. In 2008 they made the GF and drew 12,474. In 2009 they won the GF and drew 11,978.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances /Melbourne

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

The Bears drew 11,149, 12,434, 10,305 and 18,088 to their four seasons at the Gabba. They finished 8th in 1995 and were a top four team in 1996, losing in the preliminary final. Despite not having as much onfield success as the Storm, they drew higher attendances.

Did you actually look at the link that I sent because that is an absolute lie. They have averaged over 18k for five seasons since 2016. They also averaged 20k last year.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances /Melbourne

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

It seems like you are making excuses for the Bears (i.e. they weren’t playing at an ideal venue) that you aren’t extending to the Storm. They were clearly playing at a substandard venue and their crowds have gone up since they moved to AAMI Park. You can bemoan their existence and the fact that they cheated or whatever but you can’t sit there and argue that their crowds and support haven’t grown - the stats are right in front of you.

On the Bears at the Gabba thing vs Perth what are you trying to prove. That supporter bases grow over time. I agree with you because that’s the only point that could be made.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Is the sport broke?

How much money does thr ARLC have left in the bank after paying the 17 NRL clubs, QRL, NSWRL and staff?

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

The same grant everyone else gets and then the owners will have to chip in like all the other clubs do.

Hold on. You brought up "pathways". Now you're talking about an NRL club.

 

[mongoose]

100 million on top of the grant they got from the arl like every other nrl club

yeah but other clubs have LC's chipping in so the Storm probably didn't spend that much more than any other club. I certainly doubt they spent any more than the Broncos did, probably Roosters too.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

Did you actually look at the link that I sent because that is an absolute lie. They have averaged over 18k for five seasons since 2016. They also averaged 20k last year.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances /Melbourne

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

Sigh.

Try reading what I wrote, then go back and look at the data. The 20k figure you're citing includes all of Melbourne's 2023 home games.

Not all Melbourne's 2023 home games were played at MRS.

Only nine were played at MRS in 2023 for an average of 17,072.

One of Melbourne's "home" games was played at Lang Park during Magic Round. It drew 50,183 on 6 May.

Another two games were played at Docklands. Those games averaged 23,639.

Don't take my word for it.

See for yourself.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2023

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

Melbourne have been taking "home" games to Brisbane for years. It's how they boost their average.

They take one game a year to Brisbane. They have done this for at least a decade. It helps them boost their attendances.

In 2022 they took a "home" game against Penrith to Lang Park for Magic Round. That year they played 11 games at MRS for an average of 15,831.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2022

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

In 2019 Melbourne played 11 games at MRS with an average attendance of 16,104.

They took a "home" game against Parramatta to Lang Park for Magic Round.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2019

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

Before Magic Round began, Melbourne took an annual game to Lang Park. It was played alongside a Manly "home" game in a double header. In 2018 and 2017 Melbourne played the Titans at Lang Park as the "home" team.

In 2018 the Storm averaged 16,036 at MRS over 11 games.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2018

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

In 2017 they averaged 16,034 at MRS over 11 games.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2017

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

In 2016 the Storm took a home game against the Cowboys to Lang Park. That year they averaged 14,963 at MRS over 11 games.

Rugby League Tables / Attendances 2016

Rugby League Tables - NRL Stats & Tables

afltables.com

Are you starting to see the picture yet?

It seems like you are making excuses for the Bears (i.e. they weren’t playing at an ideal venue) that you aren’t extending to the Storm. They were clearly playing at a substandard venue and their crowds have gone up since they moved to AAMI Park. You can bemoan their existence and the fact that they cheated or whatever but you can’t sit there and argue that their crowds and support haven’t grown - the stats are right in front of you.

Are you saying that a Melbourne team playing at a shit venue in inner Melbourne is the same as a Brisbane team playing at a shit venue 100km away on the Gold Coast?

That takes some mental gymnastics.

Bears didn't become a strong team until 1996. Storm were strong from the day they entered the NRL.

On the Bears at the Gabba thing vs Perth what are you trying to prove. That supporter bases grow over time. I agree with you because that’s the only point that could be made.

The Western Reds were more successful on the field than the Brisbane Bears. The Reds only drew 13,039 in their debut season. The Bears were playing their games 100km away from Brisbane on the Gold Coast until 1993. Reds were playing their games in Perth.

How many people would attend Storm games if they were played in Geelong?

The Bears' average at the Gabba was better than the Reds' average at the WACA, despite the former struggling on the pitch until 1995.

 

[Colk]

How much money does thr ARLC have left in the bank after paying the 17 NRL clubs, QRL, NSWRL and staff?

Wasn’t their revenue $600 million last year and aren’t all these clubs viable now because of this grant - essentially the game could expand to anywhere they wish in Australia or New Zealand.

Rugby League as a sport isn’t the A-League or the ARU. The game is not destitute.

 

[Get Rid of The Donkeys]

yeah but other clubs have LC's chipping in so the Storm probably didn't spend that much more than any other club. I certainly doubt they spent any more than the Broncos did, probably Roosters too.

This is bullshit. Storm spent more on their football department than every club bar the Broncos. The difference was the Broncos were able to pay their bills. Storm did what they've always done -- get some one else to pay their bills.

The Storm have new owners following the sale by media outlet News Corp. The financial depth of the new owners is unknown, and only time will tell if they can make the highly successful football club a financial success. The Storm has been overspending to the tune of between $2 million and $5 million for 15 years. This shortfall has been financed by News Ltd and the amount spent by the club does not seem to be falling since the salary cap scandal in 2010.

The Storm football club spends about $20 million a year, or about $2-$4 million more than most other clubs except for the wealthy Broncos. The new consortium of owners, led by New Zealander Bart Campbell, are projecting the club will break even in five years, which is a long time to be losing money. The Storm has risen to the top of the competition by overspending; if the club has to curtail its expenses it is very difficult to see the performance on the field continuing, placing greater financial stress on the group.

Moneyball: how is your club placed?

amp.smh.com.au