2019 Crowd Watch

[yakstorm]

The only crowds I've since mentioned for Bankwest Stadium today was 5,500... Haven't heard or read anything near the 9K mark.

Crowd announced for Leichhardt was 2,293. A bit crazy both matches went almost head to head against each other, one surely could have taken the Saturday Day timeslot or they both could have been played at Bankwest.

 

[sempmrh]

So last night was my first time at the SCG and I have a few thoughts.

The walk from Central Station was a bit of a hike. I definitely sympathise with people who make that walk on the regular and I won't be taking the relatively easy walk from the Melbourne CBD to AAMI Park for granted anymore. Is the light rail supposed to be going right along the front? That'll help.

Other than the obvious issues with playing on an oval I thought the viewing was fine. Maybe it was because of where I was sitting (in the middle of the Storm section right in front of the giant screen) but I felt the issues with the ground have been exaggerated. Not perfect but it was fine. The facilities were on par with everywhere else I've been.

I did have issues with the overall layout, though. The mixture of buildings and stands around the place (and all from different eras) made it a little confusing for a visitor. I'm sure I entered through the correct gate but I ended up being on the complete opposite side. After walking around most of the concourse I somehow ended up outside the stands and had to re-enter the correct stand. Figuring out which way to go when exiting was a little confusing as well - better signage would be helpful.

Disappointing result but there was good energy in the Storm section and I'm glad to check another stadium off the list.

 

[Rooster8]

So last night was my first time at the SCG and I have a few thoughts.

The walk from Central Station was a bit of a hike. I definitely sympathise with people who make that walk on the regular and I won't be taking the relatively easy walk from the Melbourne CBD to AAMI Park for granted anymore. Is the light rail supposed to be going right along the front? That'll help.

Other than the obvious issues with playing on an oval I thought the viewing was fine. Maybe it was because of where I was sitting (in the middle of the Storm section right in front of the giant screen) but I felt the issues with the ground have been exaggerated. Not perfect but it was fine. The facilities were on par with everywhere else I've been.

I did have issues with the overall layout, though. The mixture of buildings and stands around the place (and all from different eras) made it a little confusing for a visitor. I'm sure I entered through the correct gate but I ended up being on the complete opposite side. After walking around most of the concourse I somehow ended up outside the stands and had to re-enter the correct stand. Figuring out which way to go when exiting was a little confusing as well - better signage would be helpful.

Disappointing result but there was good energy in the Storm section and I'm glad to check another stadium off the list.

Let me guess, entered from Gate B/C and had to walk all the way around? That was one of the biggest complaints from our bronze members who sat where your fans sat. Most either catch the bus or arrive around the western forecourt. I thought you were able to walk around to gate H, but after the knock down of Allianz, only SCG members are allowed that way (unless you arrive via Moore Park Road near the otherside of Allianz).

 

[Suitman]

So last night was my first time at the SCG and I have a few thoughts.

The walk from Central Station was a bit of a hike. I definitely sympathise with people who make that walk on the regular and I won't be taking the relatively easy walk from the Melbourne CBD to AAMI Park for granted anymore. Is the light rail supposed to be going right along the front? That'll help.

Yes, the tram will run from right outside Central Station to in front of the SCG/Allianz and then beyond, so this will certainly help.
In the meantime, buses run from Central to the SCG now, and always have done.
Furthermore, for those who don't mind doing the walk, there are some great old pubs along the way for a refreshing ale or 8.

 

[sempmrh]

Let me guess, entered from Gate B/C and had to walk all the way around? That was one of the biggest complaints from our bronze members who sat where your fans sat. Most either catch the bus or arrive around the western forecourt. I thought you were able to walk around to gate H, but after the knock down of Allianz, only SCG members are allowed that way (unless you arrive via Moore Park Road near the otherside of Allianz).

The ticket said to enter through either gate G or E - I entered through gate E on Driver Avenue. Everything else you're saying sounds about right.

 

[moffla]

Let me guess, entered from Gate B/C and had to walk all the way around? That was one of the biggest complaints from our bronze members who sat where your fans sat. Most either catch the bus or arrive around the western forecourt. I thought you were able to walk around to gate H, but after the knock down of Allianz, only SCG members are allowed that way (unless you arrive via Moore Park Road near the otherside of Allianz).

Yeah, me and my misso did the long walk

Didn’t mind, but found it strange and it would be annoying for someone with older joints!

 

[ReddFelon]

So somewhat audience related, last nights game between Easts and the Storm had an average audience of 1.7 million which is the highest for a prelim since 2014 and the highest viewership in Melbourne for RL outside of a Grand Final. Up 13% from last year's Souths/Easts prelim. Canberra/Souths had 1.57 million which was also up on last year's Friday prelim by 10%.

At the same time, the AFL grand final had its lowest ratings since 2011 and 1.7 million fewer viewers than the same fixture last year and less than 1 million viewers in Melbourne.

Current projections have Origin #1 winning the national ratings battle, but these numbers are a huge win for RL as it is likely all 3 Origins and next weeks Grand Final will outmatch their biggest competitor.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ro...fl-grand-final-flounders-20190929-p52vyd.html

 

[carcharias]

So last night was my first time at the SCG and I have a few thoughts.

The walk from Central Station was a bit of a hike. I definitely sympathise with people who make that walk on the regular and I won't be taking the relatively easy walk from the Melbourne CBD to AAMI Park for granted anymore. Is the light rail supposed to be going right along the front? That'll help.

Other than the obvious issues with playing on an oval I thought the viewing was fine. Maybe it was because of where I was sitting (in the middle of the Storm section right in front of the giant screen) but I felt the issues with the ground have been exaggerated. Not perfect but it was fine. The facilities were on par with everywhere else I've been.

I did have issues with the overall layout, though. The mixture of buildings and stands around the place (and all from different eras) made it a little confusing for a visitor. I'm sure I entered through the correct gate but I ended up being on the complete opposite side. After walking around most of the concourse I somehow ended up outside the stands and had to re-enter the correct stand. Figuring out which way to go when exiting was a little confusing as well - better signage would be helpful.

Disappointing result but there was good energy in the Storm section and I'm glad to check another stadium off the list.

Welcome to Sydney.

Try doing that plus the added travel time of getting there from your house in the outer suburbs.
Add another 3 hours approx round trip.
That’s what a central stadium for all teams would be like for the vast majority of NRL fans here.

 

[The Vaulting Violinist]

Yes, the tram will run from right outside Central Station to in front of the SCG/Allianz and then beyond, so this will certainly help.
In the meantime, buses run from Central to the SCG now, and always have done.
Furthermore, for those who don't mind doing the walk, there are some great old pubs along the way for a refreshing ale or 8.

Tipped a few in along that well worn path over the years

 

[PARRA_FAN]

So somewhat audience related, last nights game between Easts and the Storm had an average audience of 1.7 million which is the highest for a prelim since 2014 and the highest viewership in Melbourne for RL outside of a Grand Final. Up 13% from last year's Souths/Easts prelim. Canberra/Souths had 1.57 million which was also up on last year's Friday prelim by 10%.

At the same time, the AFL grand final had its lowest ratings since 2011 and 1.7 million fewer viewers than the same fixture last year and less than 1 million viewers in Melbourne.

Current projections have Origin #1 winning the national ratings battle, but these numbers are a huge win for RL as it is likely all 3 Origins and next weeks Grand Final will outmatch their biggest competitor.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ro...fl-grand-final-flounders-20190929-p52vyd.html

No doubt people wouldve turned off in the AFL after that disaster from the Giants lol. So much for "embarrassing" ratings in the NRL.

Btw I saw the QLD cup GF that crowd looked almost full, what does Redcliffe hold?

 

[siv]

We harp about leaving ANZ for the big event games

In NSW preliminary finals games regular attract 40 to 60k crowds ie a big event

NRL needs to stipulate that preliminary finals games should be restricted to venues with 40k capacity

Happy to play in Canberra if they have a venue big enough or erect temp seating

Looking at the configuration there was ample room for another 4000 people standing

Lots of wasted viewing areas at North and South ends where they have tried to locate shops and big sign instead of seats. Most of this should be moved to ground level behind viewing areas

 

[sempmrh]

Welcome to Sydney.

Try doing that plus the added travel time of getting there from your house in the outer suburbs.
Add another 3 hours approx round trip.
That’s what a central stadium for all teams would be like for the vast majority of NRL fans here.

It’s not that central stadiums are a problem it’s just that with the way Sydney is and the way it’s developed over time, they’ve basically backed themselves into a corner. If they bulldozed the entire city and started over you’d make smarter choices - such as building a stadium in a central location, easily accessible by public transport from anywhere in the city.

The Sydney stadium discussion should be less about the actual stadiums and more about public transport.

 

[carcharias]

It’s not that central stadiums are a problem it’s just that with the way Sydney is and the way it’s developed over time, they’ve basically backed themselves into a corner. If they bulldozed the entire city and started over you’d make smarter choices - such as building a stadium in a central location, easily accessible by public transport from anywhere in the city.

The Sydney stadium discussion should be less about the actual stadiums and more about public transport.

Oh it’s a shit fight
Just walk down around the rocks
All those roads were made for horses and they have not really changed.
It’s just one big bottle neck - the whole joint.
The harbour and botany smack bang in the middle don’t help either.

 

[adamkungl]

Really frustrated with the way Ticketek and the NRL sell tickets to big events.

I got mine yesterday morning, with multiple refreshes all giving me nosebleed seats for Gold category and Silver and Bronze all but sold out.
Today, the members allocation comes out. Surprise surprise, you can easily get Gold class tickets on level 1.

So by getting in early i've paid a premium price for worse seats in the same category. Awesome.

Why do they release bad seats before good seats? Why not just let me choose?
Pissed off

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Has anyone sat up the top of the Eastern or Western stands at ANZ? Will I need binoculars or is the view still alright up there?

 

[adamkungl]

Has anyone sat up the top of the Eastern or Western stands at ANZ? Will I need binoculars or is the view still alright up there?

Is that the sides or behind the posts?

If its the sides.. depends how high. The gold area is ok... silver is worse.. bronze is ridiculous

 

[Western_Eel]

Has anyone sat up the top of the Eastern or Western stands at ANZ? Will I need binoculars or is the view still alright up there?

depends what row your in, if your at the front its actually a good seat. if your on the last row id just sell your ticket now, ive sat there for a state of origin and highly regretted it, the bar and toilets feels like its a mile away, and make sure you enter the stadium early as it takes about 30mins to get to your seat.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Is that the sides or behind the posts?

If its the sides.. depends how high. The gold area is ok... silver is worse.. bronze is ridiculous

It's on the sides so I guess I'm in the ridiculous section...

 

[Western_Eel]

Really frustrated with the way Ticketek and the NRL sell tickets to big events.

I got mine yesterday morning, with multiple refreshes all giving me nosebleed seats for Gold category and Silver and Bronze all but sold out.
Today, the members allocation comes out. Surprise surprise, you can easily get Gold class tickets on level 1.

So by getting in early i've paid a premium price for worse seats in the same category. Awesome.

Why do they release bad seats before good seats? Why not just let me choose?
Pissed off

its actually a really smart idea (for them) to sell them that way.

 

[carcharias]

Has anyone sat up the top of the Eastern or Western stands at ANZ? Will I need binoculars or is the view still alright up there?

If you remember the last minute of 2016 when Chambers f**king threw the premiership away by not passing to Cronk?

I sat directly above that about 10 kms up in the air.
It was fine for viewing.
It’ll be f**king unreal no matter where you sit... as long as win.