That was confirmed by Osborne at a fan forum or something wasn't it? Eels will have two games at ANZ again, Souths and Dogs obvs.
We are dreaming...........the AFL does it, every other major sport in the world does it, but the NRL doesn't. Even when schedulling 6 weeks in advance, you still get rubbish games or games that are not as important.
Catch 22. Schedule all games prior to the season starting equals lesser tv deal, which equals less money for the NRL, which means we set ourselves back another 5 years. If you can think of another GUARENTEED income in the hundreds of millions of dollars worth as an alternative please elaborate.
Catch 22. Schedule all games prior to the season starting equals lesser tv deal, which equals less money for the NRL, which means we set ourselves back another 5 years. If you can think of another GUARENTEED income in the hundreds of millions of dollars worth as an alternative please elaborate.
Foxtel pay the AFL twice as much money per game than the NRL, for a game which rates far worse on pay TV. And this is for a fixed schedule rather than a rolling schedule.
The key to getting good TV rights is a fair bidding process. The AFL has an open bidding process and gets top market price. With the NRL, News Limited sells the TV rights to themselves for less than half price.
Just to make matters worse, the terms of the deal favour the media company rather than the competition. No other competition in the world is happy to trash attendances and club membership with a rolling schedule, even though the broadcasters would toss this up in negotiations. We don't (yet) have an independent executive that will put what is best for the clubs ahead of what is best for TV.
Look to News Limited to try to get one more half-price 5 year TV rights deal out of their mate David Gallop before an independent commission has full control.
Parra will play Saints in Round 1 next year. Probably at Parra again.
Christ. Hope its not Friday night. Opening game (at least in NSW) should be two Top 8 teams from the previous year. Had imagined it might be Dragons v Tigers round one
Apparently we've officially requested a home game for Round 1, and the club wants to play it at Eden Park.Maybe give the Warriors a home game?
Apparently we've officially requested a home game for Round 1, and the club wants to play it at Eden Park.
There is an NRL membership 2011 function tonight. Would make sense for them to announce the draw at this function, which I expect they will do
I thought tigers v dragons at sfs would be logical. Plus souths/ roosters, broncos/ cowboys, perhaps Canberra at home and then whatever!!