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Huge surge in NRL crowds
Dean Ritchie
Big boost...South Sydney crowds have increased by an average of 25 per cent this season. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
THIS is the story AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou won't be too eager to read.
It shows how rugby league in its spiritual heartland, Sydney, is absolutely powering ahead as winter's premier sport.
The NRL yesterday released data showing why and how league continues to dominante Sydney in crowds, members and television ratings.
Demetriou will struggle to digest the figures despite his $200 million war chest to win over western Sydney with GWS.
Overall, rugby league crowds in Sydney have increased a whopping 12 per cent over the opening 10 rounds compared to the same time last season. The numbers show Sydney fans are truly passionate about their traditional clubs.
Parramatta's average home crowds have increased by a staggering 50 per cent on the back of last year's efforts and the Jarryd Hayne factor.
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Average home crowds for Souths, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers have risen by more than 25 per cent.
"You have to compare apples with apples and which teams you played last year with which teams you played this year," said Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys.
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"But it is good news. There is obviously a lot of appeal in a strong product."
Eels CEO Paul Osborne added: "I am very proud of our supporters."
In a boost for Fox Sports, attendances are up 20 per cent for Monday night footy and 15 per cent for Sunday games.
"The skills of the players and the closeness of the competition has fans flocking to our grounds," said NRL chief executive David Gallop.
"It is a strong mix of regional clubs and Sydney's powerhouse clubs.
"It's a measure of the game's underlying strength and of the excitement rugby league generates among fans week in and week out. From time to time there are always going to be issues but it's clear fans are finding the Telstra Premiership more enthralling with every year."
But the crowd boon isn't just in Sydney. Melbourne fans - despite the pain of their salary cap rorting - have flocked to games, with Storm crowds up a massive 60 per cent. And Canberra's crowds are up 34 per cent.
Average crowds across ANZ Stadium, Parramatta Stadium, CUA Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney's western suburbs have risen 21 per cent from 16,136 in 2009 to 19,519 in 2010.
However, Queensland is a problem for the NRL with crowds down some 15 per cent.
Brisbane's crowd have increased again but there have been significant falls in crowd numbers at home games for North Queensland and Gold Coast - traditionally the strong crowd pullers.
"I'm very happy with our crowds at the moment," said Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen.
"We are above where we were last year."
With the figures combined, crowds overall are up four per cent on last year. So far this year 1,367,693 fans have attended NRL matches.
He should be, he's about to piss 200 million dollars up the wall in a placewhere RL continues to go strength from to strength.
