2017 Crowd Watch

[T-Boon]

Does any club do a free game day magazine?

I've found that there is nothing like leaving a place feeling like you got something extra for free.

I think if we have free game day magazines and numerous other things (example: as with MLB if you catch the ball in the crowd you keep it) we could improve crowds.

 

[Perth Red]

You have no grasp of reality in the Sydney area. Besides a growing population it is the foundation of the NRL. Your method of expansion is throwing out the baby and keeping the bath water. Shear lunacy.

So you have no evidence to back up your claims?, like I said, myth. And at the moment that foundation is looking very shaky. The waters cold and the baths half empty. Time to install a shower.

 

[Timmah]

You have no grasp of reality in the Sydney area. Besides a growing population it is the foundation of the NRL. Your method of expansion is throwing out the baby and keeping the bath water. Shear lunacy.

If you don't agree the future means less teams in Sydney then I don't think you understand the concept of expansion.

 

[Stallion]

Expansion can occur with additional clubs. Dilution of clubs in a very high populated area, Sydney, is crazy thinking! If you dont think genuine expansion can have additional teams and areas then you are dilluting and minimising rugby leagues very fragile footprint. After all Sydney is the largest capital city in the world that has rugby league as its number code. But you would rather see this strength weakened when it does not have to be?

 

[Perth Red]

All the evidence would suggest not. NRL has been pretty clear that the current clubs financial stress and player depth means expansion is not being thought about. We need at least 4 new clubs to start the game going forward, that won't happen without consolidating the over crowded Sydney market.

Where's your evidence that it is crazy thinking. The evidence we have suggests it is a logical Thi g to do if you want to grow the game. Melbourne are outperforming the bears last few years in every facet. Maybe Perth ormadeliade or Brisbane p2 or Wellington would do the same against the poorly performing Sydney clubs

 

[morley101]

There is enough talent with in the NRL ranks to create another team. It all depends on recruitment and yes it may cause issues with other club's depth but this will disappear within 3- 5 years.
Every year there are teams that struggle.

 

[Stallion]

All the evidence would suggest not. NRL has been pretty clear that the current clubs financial stress and player depth means expansion is not being thought about. We need at least 4 new clubs to start the game going forward, that won't happen without consolidating the over crowded Sydney market.

Where's your evidence that it is crazy thinking. The evidence we have suggests it is a logical Thi g to do if you want to grow the game. Melbourne are outperforming the bears last few years in every facet. Maybe Perth ormadeliade or Brisbane p2 or Wellington would do the same against the poorly performing Sydney clubs

Its not overcrowded at all. In fact it is being weakened as each club gets almagated, relegated or relocated. You just dont get it. Facts like the dormant fan base of South sydney were ignored when the NRL decided to punt that club out. Then their return seen millions of fans come back to the game of rugby league. The loss of North Sydney is still hurting the game. Iconic clubs like Balmain and Wests have had to spli their idenity for this flawed logic. A peace meal deal would be promotion and relegation conference for the greater Sydney area. Then this would maintain exponential growth in the area not eliminate /weaken rugby league. Their are people out there wanting to see rugby leagues demise so sure and certain growth with development is the right way to go. Im an ex player and participated in the trialist system and im absolutely certain the talent is out there. Guys that were cut b4 myself were freaks but for a bit of bad luck or injury they missed out. The lack of depth argument is absolute crap but the guys whom havent done the trial dont know this and blindly ignore it when informed.

 

[Perth Red]

There is enough talent with in the NRL ranks to create another team. It all depends on recruitment and yes it may cause issues with other club's depth but this will disappear within 3- 5 years.
Every year there are teams that struggle.

don't disagree but that is not the nrl's opinion and they are the ones deciding on expansion.

 

[Clifferd]

There is enough talent with in the NRL ranks to create another team. It all depends on recruitment and yes it may cause issues with other club's depth but this will disappear within 3- 5 years.
Every year there are teams that struggle.

Is there really though? Wests and Newcastle this year were basically reserve grade standard with the exception of about 1-2 rep players

But that is also due to shit salary cap management I guess lol

 

[Perth Red]

Its not overcrowded at all. In fact it is being weakened as each club gets almagated, relegated or relocated. You just dont get it. Facts like the dormant fan base of South sydney were ignored when the NRL decided to punt that club out. Then their return seen millions of fans come back to the game of rugby league. The loss of North Sydney is still hurting the game. Iconic clubs like Balmain and Wests have had to spli their idenity for this flawed logic. A peace meal deal would be promotion and relegation conference for the greater Sydney area. Then this would maintain exponential growth in the area not eliminate /weaken rugby league. Their are people out there wanting to see rugby leagues demise so sure and certain growth with development is the right way to go. Im an ex player and participated in the trialist system and im absolutely certain the talent is out there. Guys that were cut b4 myself were freaks but for a bit of bad luck or injury they missed out. The lack of depth argument is absolute crap but the guys whom havent done the trial dont know this and blindly ignore it when informed.

No evidence at all that this "dormant" support exists. Attendances, memberships, merch sales, tv audiences all show the real depth of support for each club, and it doenzt look pretty for a number of Sydney clubs. The real argument is not the loss in Sydney but could a new club coming in bring more than the club lost. Now that is subjective and you can argue till blue in the face on that one. Allegedly sharks got 60k fans to gf, last week 15k could be arsed to turn up for a repeat finals game. What's the value of the other 55k if they turn out once every 40 years for a one off game?

What is clear is that cutting bears has not reduced the amount of real nrl support in sydney or boosted real support for afl or union clubs.

 

[Stallion]

No evidence at all that this "dormant" support exists. Attendances, memberships, merch sales, tv audiences all show the real depth of support for each club, and it doenzt look pretty for a number of Sydney clubs. The real argument is not the loss in Sydney but could a new club coming in bring more than the club lost. Now that is subjective and you can argue till blue in the face on that one. Allegedly sharks got 60k fans to gf, last week 15k could be arsed to turn up for a repeat finals game. What's the value of the other 55k if they turn out once every 40 years for a one off game?

What is clear is that cutting bears has not reduced the amount of real nrl support in sydney or boosted real support for afl or union clubs.

So the growth of another rival code at the same time Sydney clubs are being diluted has nothing to do with it? You are kidding! If thats your stance and im a supporter of a Perth side and another Brisbane team then I certainly will not support your quest for weakening the code in Sydney. Until your type agree to genuine growth and not carving up the Sydney clubs then your intent is not for the benefit of the code. The West Coast Pirates will remain a myth! I think the NRL are intending to genuinely expand to 18 clubs and your scurrilous and disrepectful talk doesnt help.

 

[Billythekid]

Is there really though? Wests and Newcastle this year were basically reserve grade standard with the exception of about 1-2 rep players

But that is also due to shit salary cap management I guess lol

This is silly logic. Even if you reduced the comp to 10 teams there would always be ones below the standards of the others. That has nothing to do with depth and everything to do with clubs being unable to put a good squad together.

There is a lot of talent that never sees the top grade. There is heaps of untapped potenial in PNG and NZ. We have heaps of players still going overseas to play in the SL.

Playing talent isn't the problem, money is.

 

[Jamberoo]

Forgive my ignorance
Who'd they play?

Man that would've been a damn good piss up.

Kiama. I live in Melbourne and am coming up for the NRL GF, so could not make it up twice in two weeks. The police made the pub shut at 9pm last night, but the party went long after that.

 

[Billythekid]

So the growth of another rival code at the same time Sydney clubs are being diluted has nothing to with it? You are kidding! If thats your stance and im a supporter of a Perth side and another Brisbane team then I certainly will not support your quest for weakening the code in Sydney. Until your type agree to genuine growth and not carving up the Sydney clubs then your intent is not for the benefit of the code. The West Coast Pirates will remain a myth! I think the NRL are intending to genuinely expand to 18 clubs and your scurrilous and disrepectful talk doesnt help.

Suggesting that getting rid of the bears led to the rise of the swans and the AFL has got to be one of the biggest reaches I've ever seen. The swans have gained in popularity due to the AFL spending a f**kton of money in Sydney and also rigging the comp to perpetually keep the swans at the top of ladder.

If anything super league was what really turned fans away from the game and opened the door for their codes.

In a way i think both arguments have merit. I agree that culling Sydney clubs has the potential to be extremely detrimental to the code. Even culling a small club could see a lot of disenfranchised fans. That plus the negative PR would be awful for the code.

At the same time it's clear that the spread of clubs in the NRL needs to change. Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and NZ are all overdue for an NRL club. Then you have PNG looking desperate to come in. Can the NRL support as many as 22 teams? Because looking at the areas that need an NRL club that's about how many we would need to fit in all those areas.

Now I don't think culling or merging clubs is the answer. I think we can expand to 18-20 clubs in the next 15 years without killing off any existing clubs. I'm just sick of that being pushed back over and over again because supposedly it will send a few clubs broke (even though it would bring heaps more revenue into the game).

This conversation really belongs in another thread

 

[adamkungl]

Suggesting that getting rid of the bears led to the rise of the swans and the AFL has got to be one of the biggest reaches I've ever seen. The swans have gained in popularity due to the AFL spending a f**kton of money in Sydney and also rigging the comp to perpetually keep the swans at the top of ladder.

If anything super league was what really turned fans away from the game and opened the door for their codes.

In a way i think both arguments have merit. I agree that culling Sydney clubs has the potential to be extremely detrimental to the code. Even culling a small club could see a lot of disenfranchised fans. That plus the negative PR would be awful for the code.

At the same time it's clear that the spread of clubs in the NRL needs to change. Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and NZ are all overdue for an NRL club. Then you have PNG looking desperate to come in. Can the NRL support as many as 22 teams? Because looking at the areas that need an NRL club that's about how many we would need to fit in all those areas.

Now I don't think culling or merging clubs is the answer. I think we can expand to 18-20 clubs in the next 15 years without killing off any existing clubs. I'm just sick of that being pushed back over and over again because supposedly it will send a few clubs broke (even though it would bring heaps more revenue into the game).

This conversation really belongs in another thread

20 teams in 20 years should be the long term aim, in my opinion.
Perth
Brisbane 2
Adelaide
NZ South
in the NRL

PNG
Fiji
Tonga
Samoa
playing 2nd tier leagues and developing strong international teams.



But does anyone want to talk about crowds for the upcoming finals....?

 

[Perth Red]

So the growth of another rival code at the same time Sydney clubs are being diluted has nothing to do with it? You are kidding! If thats your stance and im a supporter of a Perth side and another Brisbane team then I certainly will not support your quest for weakening the code in Sydney. Until your type agree to genuine growth and not carving up the Sydney clubs then your intent is not for the benefit of the code. The West Coast Pirates will remain a myth! I think the NRL are intending to genuinely expand to 18 clubs and your scurrilous and disrepectful talk doesnt help.

No because the growth hasn't happened and what growth there has been has been far far more due to the hundreds of Millions of $'s invested by AFL than anything the NRL has or hasn't done. Swans haven't really grown in 20 years, GWS bah, AFL Tv audience in Sydney? yeh right. Again take a look at the actual evidence rather than your perceptions. Reality is NRL isn't weaker than pre 2000 and AFL or union isn't stronger post mergers and cull.

 

[Billythekid]

20 teams in 20 years should be the long term aim, in my opinion.
Perth
Brisbane 2
Adelaide
NZ South
in the NRL

PNG
Fiji
Tonga
Samoa
playing 2nd tier leagues and developing strong international teams.



But does anyone want to talk about crowds for the upcoming finals....?

Not much to talk about until we get some snippets about ticket sales. The storm game looks likely to pull 25K+ and I would think a sellout should be on the cards.

Not sure what to expect from the roosters game. I'm thinking it'll go over 30K but I'm not confident of anymore than that.

2 sellouts would be phenomenal but I think if we get around 60K from the 2 matches I'd be happy.

 

[T-Boon]

Most of this conversation could go to my B-League thread. This is my crowd thread.
I think free game day magazines distributed at the grounds will increase crowds. I have numerous other ideas like that which would increase crowds. Lets talk about that.

 

[Stallion]

Suggesting that getting rid of the bears led to the rise of the swans and the AFL has got to be one of the biggest reaches I've ever seen. The swans have gained in popularity due to the AFL spending a f**kton of money in Sydney and also rigging the comp to perpetually keep the swans at the top of ladder.

If anything super league was what really turned fans away from the game and opened the door for their codes.

In a way i think both arguments have merit. I agree that culling Sydney clubs has the potential to be extremely detrimental to the code. Even culling a small club could see a lot of disenfranchised fans. That plus the negative PR would be awful for the code.

At the same time it's clear that the spread of clubs in the NRL needs to change. Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and NZ are all overdue for an NRL club. Then you have PNG looking desperate to come in. Can the NRL support as many as 22 teams? Because looking at the areas that need an NRL club that's about how many we would need to fit in all those areas.

Now I don't think culling or merging clubs is the answer. I think we can expand to 18-20 clubs in the next 15 years without killing off any existing clubs. I'm just sick of that being pushed back over and over again because supposedly it will send a few clubs broke (even though it would bring heaps more revenue into the game).

This conversation really belongs in another thread

Agree. However the superleague war culled some very iconic clubs though. The peace deal agreement was a sham and basically destroyed confidence within and outside of the code. When new clubs are being planned young aspiring football ranks swell. Believe me i was one of them. Culling doesnt do this nor does merging. Additional clubs is both developmentally fruitful and positive for the game.

 

[Stallion]

No because the growth hasn't happened and what growth there has been has been far far more due to the hundreds of Millions of $'s invested by AFL than anything the NRL has or hasn't done. Swans haven't really grown in 20 years, GWS bah, AFL Tv audience in Sydney? yeh right. Again take a look at the actual evidence rather than your perceptions. Reality is NRL isn't weaker than pre 2000 and AFL or union isn't stronger post mergers and cull.

Unbelievably poor read on what is going on! The NRL has been sitting on its hands! Other codes have been invited to take up the slack and are doing so. Junior numbers have been affected in the city I live in. As a teacher I am hearing plenty of kids are playing AFL and union. Soccer has always been popular and to me that code is not a threat. The others are. And are getting juniors that should be playing rugby league. Go figure Perth Red. "Let's dilute and perish" instead of gaining the potential exponential growth of additional clubs with genuine expansion.