A handy guide to the NRL grand final for Victorians

[dubby]

I can remember Elle McFeast doing the same thing in Melbourne years ago leading up to a SOO game, but she had a photo of Mal Meninga.

Most people at the airport could name him......

 

[adamkungl]

Typical sh1t RL article, 20 people ffs? They could have been outer Mongolians on holiday!

Perverse thing is people don't seem to realise that the fact players aren't recognised is a blight and damning indictment of the state of OUR game, not the ignorance of Victorians or the failure of the Storm. I bet if you took the captains of Australias 5 main sports the RL one would be least recognised in over 1/2 the country. No wonder Gasnier couldn't get a 3rd party deal to keep him in the game!

I'm willing to bet most od the country would recognise the cricket captain (i dont follow cricket so i cant even name him off the top of my head lol, could probably recognise him though), most people in NSW and QLD would know the League captain, most people in Mexico, SA, and WA would know....oh wait, AFL doesn't do internationals, some poncey north shore wank might recognise the union bloke if your lucky, and no one would give a rats about the soccer.

 

[In-goal]

Melbourne is a city of around 2.5 million all the NRL need to do is capture 20K of them to become members, the rest will occasionally watch the big tv matches.

 

[Perth Red]

900k Victorians watching last years GF should be an indication of the interest and value of the storm to the NRL!

 

[Pass the Ball]

I'm willing to bet most od the country would recognise the cricket captain (i dont follow cricket so i cant even name him off the top of my head lol, could probably recognise him though), most people in NSW and QLD would know the League captain, most people in Mexico, SA, and WA would know....oh wait, AFL doesn't do internationals, some poncey north shore wank might recognise the union bloke if your lucky, and no one would give a rats about the soccer.

You are so far off the mark...

Harry Kewell would be recognised by more people in Australia than Lockeyer, Mortlock and James Hird??? put together....

 

[Whos Ya Daddy]

Typical sh1t RL article, 20 people ffs? They could have been outer Mongolians on holiday!

Given this was in Melbourne it is more likely they were 20 mongoloids.

 

[oneeyedeaglesman]

I would like to know how many Storm fans are born and bred in Melbourne.A city the size of Melbourne has people from all over Australia and NZ.Are these people Melbourne's fan base?I.E. people from non AFL backgrounds.How many AFL fans now follow the NRL?Good on the Storms crowds but are we winning the hearts and minds?

 

[pnub]

I would like to know how many Storm fans are born and bred in Melbourne.A city the size of Melbourne has people from all over Australia and NZ.Are these people Melbourne's fan base?I.E. people from non AFL backgrounds.How many AFL fans now follow the NRL?Good on the Storms crowds but are we winning the hearts and minds?

Born and Bred in Melbourne and used to follow the afl as well...
Now i'm a storm fan through and through and have been since 1999 and i refuse to even watch afl anymore and haven't for years..
On top of that i usually watch 4-5 other games of league a week as well and i have quite a few friends that have turned from the dark side as well... So yes there are quite a few Melbourne fans and over time there will be more and more

 

[mave]

Typical sh1t RL article, 20 people ffs? They could have been outer Mongolians on holiday!

Perverse thing is people don't seem to realise that the fact players aren't recognised is a blight and damning indictment of the state of OUR game, not the ignorance of Victorians or the failure of the Storm. I bet if you took the captains of Australias 5 main sports the RL one would be least recognised in over 1/2 the country. No wonder Gasnier couldn't get a 3rd party deal to keep him in the game!

*edit* Couldn't be bothered arguing.

 

[hineyrulz]

You are so far off the mark...

Harry Kewell would be recognised by more people in Australia than Lockeyer, Mortlock and James Hird??? put together....

You do know 55% of the country live in QLD and NSW???

 

[pantherz9103]

I'm willing to bet most od the country would recognise the cricket captain (i dont follow cricket so i cant even name him off the top of my head lol, could probably recognise him though), most people in NSW and QLD would know the League captain, most people in Mexico, SA, and WA would know....oh wait, AFL doesn't do internationals, some poncey north shore wank might recognise the union bloke if your lucky, and no one would give a rats about the soccer.

Your comments may have been pretty accurate - 10 years ago. The socceroos would be alot more recognised today after making the world cup and playing more regular games in Australia. As well as the growing popularity of european soccer due to the boost in pay tv subscriptions.

The NRL should certainly persist with Melbourne but also maybe sooner rather than later bring in another qld team and investigate the possibility of teams from central coast, perth and adelaide. If the product is greater as a whole then the profile will rise in melbourne as well.

 

[hineyrulz]

Every man and his dog got on the Socceroos band wagon, but now after the hoopla has died down unless you are a soccer fan most people couldn't give 2 sh*ts about Harry Kewell or Soccer.

 

[parano1a]

Melbourne is a city of around 2.5 million all the NRL need to do is capture 20K of them to become members, the rest will occasionally watch the big tv matches.

Actually its closer to 4 million. Once the new Stadium is built, it will be easier for the NRL to attract more casual fans to games. At the moment Olympic Park is light years behind the MCG and Telstra Dome in terms of spectator facilities and comfort.

 

[Loudstrat]

Typical sh1t RL article, 20 people ffs? They could have been outer Mongolians on holiday!

Perverse thing is people don't seem to realise that the fact players aren't recognised is a blight and damning indictment of the state of OUR game, not the ignorance of Victorians or the failure of the Storm.

Geez, they get recognised more than any other sportsmen if the a seen to be in a pub getting pissed and doing something silly! Remember Tim Smith and Michael Clarke in a punch up in Cronulla. The papers were all over it because of Smith's involvement, not Clarkes.

I bet if you took the captains of Australias 5 main sports the RL one would be least recognised in over 1/2 the country. No wonder Gasnier couldn't get a 3rd party deal to keep him in the game!

I bet more people saw Darren Lockyer in action in 2006 than Ricky Ponting. Think about it - 30 games for Brisbane, inc. the GF, all in front of big crowds, and big TV audiences. 3 appearances in the biggest rep sporting event in the country - Origin. And a well followed Tri Nations.

Given this was in Melbourne it is more likely they were 20 mongoloids.

Pay that one! :lol::lol:

Every man and his dog got on the Socceroos band wagon, but now after the hoopla has died down unless you are a soccer fan most people couldn't give 2 sh*ts about Harry Kewell or Soccer.

Agreed. Did Kewell play against Qatar? Did anyone know a soccer international was recently on? Bet Cameron Smith was more in the headlines than Kewell.

 

[PaulyTom]

I went down for a Storm game and I was wearing my Rabbits jersey. I was pulled aside many times in bars and also heckled in the street by Storm fans.

I also went to the game and it had 14K of the most passionate fans I have seen in the NRL excl Brisbane, Nth Qld and maybe Newcastle. To pull 14K to a real poor facility like the Olympic Stadium is a good effort.

I know some absolute fanatics in Melbourne who were born there. It is amazing their passion.

Don't be fooled by crap reporting. Yes there are Melbournians that choose not to look at League but there is a real hard core supporter group that do.

 

[Perth Red]

Now now Pauly, don't go shattering the Sydneysiders delusions!

 

[Surandy]

You are so far off the mark...

Harry Kewell would be recognised by more people in Australia than Lockeyer, Mortlock and James Hird??? put together....

Harry Kewell? Got a photo? I wouldn't have a clue what he looks like, same with Mortlock. James Hird? Ah, he is one I would recognise, is he still playing fumble ball?

Lockyer, yep, definitely would recognise him.

 

[KalgoorlieRed]

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24436499-10389,00.html
still the Storm have made little impact in Victoria and they never will

Give it chance! RL never was taken one as an instant hit back in the early 1900's FFS!

 

[scruffy_tyson]

Your Bagging Melbourne people for not recognising Billy Slater. A state where Rugby League is about the tenth biggest sport. There was a survey the other day in the Herald Sun where the showed a picture of the current NSW premier and of the 20 people surveyed only 3 people recognised him.

 

[oneeyedeaglesman]

Born and Bred in Melbourne and used to follow the afl as well...
Now i'm a storm fan through and through and have been since 1999 and i refuse to even watch afl anymore and haven't for years..
On top of that i usually watch 4-5 other games of league a week as well and i have quite a few friends that have turned from the dark side as well... So yes there are quite a few Melbourne fans and over time there will be more and more

Thats great that you have seen the light.We need to attract more people like yourself.Hopefully next years origin will win over more fans as well.Unlike most I can see a long and successful(support wise) future in Melbourne.We have the best product.Melburnians love their sport.