2015 Crowd Watch

[lockyno1]

Of course i could get through it but i dont want to so l save my money. If i need to re think my reasons im just not going to go obviously. Im not an alcoholic and i dont even drink a lot anymore but the footy itself isnt enough to get me to go, i like to have some beers and enjoy myself and mid strength overpriced beers takes away from that but thats just me.

Well said, some people just don't get it. I get the fact that not everyone drinks, I get the notion that you go to the footy to watch the game. However our aim should be bringing neutrals that haven't seen a game to be a league fan. You recon that will happen with poor match day experiences which does whether people like it or not, include full strength beer at non extortion prices.

 

[CowboyFuriousFury]

'Pride of league' and WS heartland team have no excuses of pulling a big crowd on a public holiday. If they can't pull a big crowd on Friday, there's no chance of NRL getting a big crowd in the heartland. The fact the biggest crowds in the heartland only come from public holidays is a problem itself.

Big crowds should be happening weekly not just on public holidays as one-off. True heartlands have big crowds all the time.

 

[papabear]

Well said, some people just don't get it. I get the fact that not everyone drinks, I get the notion that you go to the footy to watch the game. However our aim should be bringing neutrals that haven't seen a game to be a league fan. You recon that will happen with poor match day experiences which does whether people like it or not, include full strength beer at non extortion prices.

lockyno1 is 100% right.

Which is rare for a qlder so due respect must be given.

 

[oldmancraigy]

'Pride of league' and WS heartland team have no excuses of pulling a big crowd on a public holiday. If they pull a big crowd on Friday, there's no chance of NRL getting a big crowd in the heartland. The fact the biggest crowds in the heartland only come from public holidays is a problem itself.

Big crowds should be happening weekly not just on public holidays as one-off. True heartlands have big crowds all the time.

Cool.

 

[TheFrog]

It's a bit frustrating when you pay 100 bucks fro a ticket to the prelim and your only option is mid strength beer, at a pretty high price.

Unfortunately, a small minority of people react badly to alcohol. You sell full strength booze at a location where large numbers are crammed into a small place, trouble is guaranteed to ensue. This is why we have mid-strength. If someone is going to get rotten on this stuff and cause trouble, its going to cost them many dollars and many trips to the bar.

 

[lockyno1]

Unfortunately, a small minority of people react badly to alcohol. You sell full strength booze at a location where large numbers are crammed into a small place, trouble is guaranteed to ensue. This is why we have mid-strength. If someone is going to get rotten on this stuff and cause trouble, its going to cost them many dollars and many trips to the bar.

Here is a novel idea....don't sell them the booze if they are being fruit cakes. How about those RSA officials do their job. So we are all punished because a few can't control themselves....you realise how ridiculous that is?

 

[Valheru]

Unfortunately, a small minority of people react badly to alcohol. You sell full strength booze at a location where large numbers are crammed into a small place, trouble is guaranteed to ensue. This is why we have mid-strength. If someone is going to get rotten on this stuff and cause trouble, its going to cost them many dollars and many trips to the bar.

Or they just sneak in straight spirits which is exactly what a lot of people do at ANZ stadium.

 

[betcats]

Well said, some people just don't get it. I get the fact that not everyone drinks, I get the notion that you go to the footy to watch the game. However our aim should be bringing neutrals that haven't seen a game to be a league fan. You recon that will happen with poor match day experiences which does whether people like it or not, include full strength beer at non extortion prices.

Exactly, if the footy alone was enough to draw big crowds every week we wouldnt be having this conversation, clearly there arent enough die hards and the game day experience isnt worth the price for a lot of neutrals, both those areas need to improve and tbf they are getting better in some areas such as membership.

A lot of people on here such as Timmah imo have the attitude "its not the game or the clubs fault that we arent getting big crowds, its all those stupid people who dont want to pay money to see our game, there must be something wrong with them"

 

[lockyno1]

Or they just sneak in straight spirits which is exactly what a lot of people do at ANZ stadium.

Yep....and which one gets people more 'drunk'. Whoever is making these decisions is rather dumb to say the least.

 

[lockyno1]

Exactly, if the footy alone was enough to draw big crowds every week we wouldnt be having this conversation, clearly there arent enough die hards and the game day experience isnt worth the price for a lot of neutrals, both those areas need to improve and tbf they are getting better in some areas such as membership.

A lot of people on here such as Timmah imo have the attitude "its not the game or the clubs fault that we arent getting big crowds, its all those stupid people who dont want to pay money to see our game, there must be something wrong with them"

Correct. The way it should be is more tight RSA officials ( and I would support this move) but allow full strength drinks and possibly 1-2 spirits (limited to 2 per person). Honestly, we have to make the game attractive. Get a local band (very cheap) to play before the game, get full strength drinks at say $6-7 max, and then all of a sudden you are getting neutrals to the game. We need more fans at the game, not sitting at home. People on here will go whether this is the case or not. However to grow your 15,000 ish crowd to 25,000+ you need better match day experiences. The NRL have butchered the match day experience for years. It shows. You have a core 10,000 fans to most sides. This isn't growing much.

 

[betcats]

You have a core 10,000 fans to most sides. This isn't growing much.

This is what concerns me. How much have crowds improved since the ARLC entered and more importantly we got a huge injection of money from the broadcast deal? The clubs have pumped the memberships out there and are seing a good response but even that isnt having a major effect on crowds.

 

[lockyno1]

This is what concerns me. How much have crowds improved since the ARLC entered and more importantly we got a huge injection of money from the broadcast deal? The clubs have pumped the memberships out there and are seing a good response but even that isnt having a major effect on crowds.

Exactly, so something is wrong. We can defend it (like time does) till we are blue in the face. Fact is we haven't seen any real increase, in fact crowds have gone down. So whats wrong?

I'll tell you what is wrong- GAME DAY EXPERIENCE. Not that hard. People want an event, they don't want to fork out money just for a game, they can do that at the pub. Give them something they have to go to the ground to see.

Honestly give the fans what they want, make drink prices relatively similar to a pub (with perhaps 10% on top, meaning around the $6 mark for a Rechs or a Crown Lager). Give people 4-5 full strength options- VB, Carlton, Peroni, Reshs, Crown, and possibly a cider like Strongbow.

Then give the fans a band they like, could be just a local band. People will come, they want to be entertained. So frankly, entertain them.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Correct. The way it should be is more tight RSA officials ( and I would support this move) but allow full strength drinks and possibly 1-2 spirits (limited to 2 per person). Honestly, we have to make the game attractive. Get a local band (very cheap) to play before the game, get full strength drinks at say $6-7 max, and then all of a sudden you are getting neutrals to the game. We need more fans at the game, not sitting at home. People on here will go whether this is the case or not. However to grow your 15,000 ish crowd to 25,000+ you need better match day experiences. The NRL have butchered the match day experience for years. It shows. You have a core 10,000 fans to most sides. This isn't growing much.

It isn't really the NRL's job to make match day better is it? Shouldn't the clubs be doing that?

You look at some clubs who are making efforts, and you see that their crowds are growing.

 

[lockyno1]

It isn't really the NRL's job to make match day better is it? Shouldn't the clubs be doing that?

You look at some clubs who are making efforts, and you see that their crowds are growing.

It should be a combined effort not just the clubs. One has to ask why it takes a Good Friday game or an ANZAC Day game to get a bumper crowd. This shouldn't be a few games a season. People want an experience, they don't want just a game.

The NRL got a billion dollars, one has to question where has that money gone because it sure on earth hasn't grown the crowds much!

 

[Timmah]

A large portion of the crowds, probably a majority are over 18.

Yes, but food prices affect ALL ages - you don't buy beer for children, you do buy food for children.

Point being, food prices IS an issue across the board, which can have an impact on whether a FAMILY attends etc etc.

Alcohol prices affect a smaller percentage of the crowd and to me, are a secondary issue.

And if it stops someone from coming to the game who might turn into a drunk abusive f**kwit and cause an issue in the crowd, making others feel uncomfortable, then the job is correctly done.

 

[betcats]

Yes, but food prices affect ALL ages - you don't buy beer for children, you do buy food for children.

Point being, food prices IS an issue across the board, which can have an impact on whether a FAMILY attends etc etc.

Alcohol prices affect a smaller percentage of the crowd and to me, are a secondary issue.

And if it stops someone from coming to the game who might turn into a drunk abusive f**kwit and cause an issue in the crowd, making others feel uncomfortable, then the job is correctly done.

What about all the sober abusive f**kwits? lol They have security and RSA people for a reason. I have been to Penrith and sharks home games most recently (besides Penriths semi last year) and they didnt have any problems controlling people despite serving real beer.

Im not saying its a major issue but its stop people from going I have no doubt.

 

[DC_fan]

What about all the sober abusive f**kwits? lol They have security and RSA people for a reason. I have been to Penrith and sharks home games most recently (besides Penriths semi last year) and they didnt have any problems controlling people despite serving real beer.

Im not saying its a major issue but its stop people from going I have no doubt.

If people dont go to the football because they can't get a 'real beer' there then they have a problem.

 

[lockyno1]

If people dont go to the football because they can't get a 'real beer' there then they have a problem.

Well don't complain if the 13-15,000 average doesn't improve. Don't come crying when the other sports that offer this actually improve their crowds. Fact: Australians love a beer. Fact: More than half (and I'd be betting close to 60-65%) are over 18 that come to games...guess what 80% if not more love a drink.

 

[DC_fan]

Well don't complain if the 13-15,000 average doesn't improve. Don't come crying when the other sports that offer this actually improve their crowds. Fact: Australians love a beer. Fact: More than half (and I'd be betting close to 60-65%) are over 18 that come to games...guess what 80% if not more love a drink.

If people can't spend two hours without drinking 'real beer', then as I said they must have a problem. Go to a game and enjoy the footy. You don't need t o drink beer to enjoy the game.

 

[elbusto]

If people can't spend two hours without drinking 'real beer', then as I said they must have a problem. Go to a game and enjoy the footy. You don't need t o drink beer to enjoy the game.

FFS shut up you self righteous wanker. I love beer watching footy. And I will not pay for half strength diluted rubbish. At Redmonis they have it right - family hill alcohol free - and full strength beer and bourbon for people like me with some cops to ensure behaviour is good everywhere else. It works and caters for all.