Round 2:
Penrith: Panthers vs Rabbitohs - 17,000
Parramatta: Eels vs Sharks - 17,000
Brisbane: Broncos vs Cowboys - 45,000
Moore Park: Roosters vs Warriors - 15,000
Redcliffe: Dolphins vs Raiders - 11,000
Melbourne: Storm vs Bulldogs - 15,000
Leichhardt: Tigers vs Knights - 13,000
Kogarah: Dragons vs Titans - 8,000
TOTAL: 141,000
AVERAGE: 17,625
Seems disappointing that the Panthers and the Rabbitohs - arguably the biggest "big ticket" game of the past five years - have been scheduled on a Thursday night and are unlikely to sell out as a result. Tipping a similar crowd to Penrith's R1 attendance vs the Broncos.
Also tipping a similar crowd for Eels vs Sharks at Commbank to the home team's R1 attendance vs the Storm. Might be a bit higher though depending on how many Cronulla fans want to travel.
The Broncos vs the Cowboys could be the biggest single-game crowd of the year thanks to the resurgence of both teams. This clash hasn't drawn a crowd of over 40,000 since 2019. Indeed, a crowd over 45,000 would be the biggest single-game sporting crowd in Brisbane since the 2019 Broncos vs Cowboys game (excluding State of Origin and the 2022 Wallabies vs England test).
Hard to predict how many will turn out for the Roosters' first home game of the year at its (still new) home ground, but considering their lacklustre R1 effort + a visiting rival from NZ, I doubt it will be too big. Many will be waiting for the R3 clash vs the Rabbitohs (for which tickets are on sale for all tiers of Allianz and are selling fast).
Expect Kayo will be packed to the proverbial rafters, should be a fun sight to behold.
Expect the Storm to draw a respectable crowd for its first home game of the year.
The Tigers could have enjoyed a Dolphins-effect for R2 at Leichhardt Oval if they'd managed to beat the Titans, instead I think we will see the crowd figure drop off a bit.
Has anyone got any hope for the Dragons this year? I reckon this will be the first sub-10k crowd of the year.
