Blockbusters. A call to action

[TheSaint]

In recent weeks and through the season, we've seen some great crowds in attendance for games featuring Canterbury, Parramatta and St George Illawarra. Here's something I posted earlier in the year on another group. This is something thatis possible and will return some of the missing greatness back to Rugby League.


In the AFL, when ever Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood meet each
other, they get around 80,000-90,000 at the MCG. In the NRL when
Parramatta, Cantebury and St George Illawarra meet one another they
get 15,000-20,000 at The Sports Ground, Parramatta Stadium, WIN
Stadium or the SFS.
For some strange reason, a lot of supporters don't attend away
games. Even if it played at a ground close to there own, or even the
same ground for that matter. Can anyone else explain why a Saints
game at the SFS averages around 13,000, the Roosters average around
13,000 at the same ground and when the two meet at the SFS, you get
around the 15,000 mark.
Parramatta Canterbury and Saints have big September support, who turn
up once a year, and maybe for a double header or the odd big game.
It would be more benifitial for the clubs and the game if they turned
up a few times during the year.
My basic idea, is that when any two of these three clash, it be at a
neutral venue, with season ticket holders from both clubs being
allowed in. The idea is for neutral games at Stadium Australia. The
clubs would share the profits from the game, and hopefully, large
crowds would come to these games.
By making these clashes "Events", hopefully so called September fans
might be able to venture out to a four more games a year. Being a
neutral game, you'd hope to attract both lots of rival supporters to
the game. This would at least attract a crowd of 20,000+ alone. If
you could make this game attractive to less comited fans, I think
30,000 would be minimum and I believe that 40,000 would be a good
reachable target. If the upper sections were closed off partially
or fully, The atmosphere would be great.
In the case of St George Illawarra, this would make it easier for
Sydney based fans to accept the 7:6 ratio of home games between
Wollongong and Sydney, which is what I think the club has agreed to.
With Stadium Australia being formed into a Rugby League Friendly
shape, this would be a good venue for these games.
What does anybody think about this concept?

 

[TheSaint]

Here is the copy of a draft of a letter I sent to St George Illawarra Management earlier in the year on a similar note.


One of the St George Illawarra vs Parramatta games for next year has been scheduled for ANZAC Day. I believe this is a good initiative for both the game of Rugby League and the two teams involved but I believe that this is the perfect opportunity to turn these games into an AFL style blockbuster. When ever the Three big Melbourne clubs in the AFL meet, (Carlton, Essendon and Colloingwood) the match is played at the MCG in front of huge bipartisan crowds. It would be great to see a similar thing in Rugby League.
For Club Football, other then the Final series, in recent times the anual pre-season Charity Shield between St George and South Sydney and the Double Header's have been the only games that seems to have been able to attract a crowd on a similar scale to these big matches in Melbourne. The last two Double Headers attracted crowds around the 50,000 - 60,000 mark, but the concept has lost a lot of the excitement as the original double header in 1999. I was in attendance of the last two games and by the second half of the second game, many people had all ready left and the negative effects of alchol could be seen with multiple fights breaking out in the stands.
Parramatta and St George Illawarra have two of the largest supporter bases in Sydney, how ever, this doesn't seem to show when looking at the crowd figures for the home games of both teams. It would be preferable for both clubs if they could harness the wider support for both teams when the two clubs clash.
Since 1998, the Crowds at Finals played in Sydney featuring one of the two clubs are:
16,833 St George vs Canterbury, Kogarah Oval, 1998
16,033 Parramatta vs North Sydney, Parramatta Stadium, 1998
36,841 Parramatta vs Canterbury, SFS, 1998
22,053 Parramatta vs Newcastle, Parramatta Stadium, 1999
31,506 St George Illawarra vs Sydney City, SFS, 1999
27,555 Parramatta vs Melbourne, SFS, 1999
51,627 St George Illawarra vs Sharks, Stadium Australia, 1999
21,377 Parramatta vs Sydney, SFS, 2000
25,746 Parramatta vs Penrith, SFS, 2000
31,087 Parramatta vs Brisbane, Stadium Australia, 2000
As you can see, these two clubs attract large crowds come Finals time. Considering the amount of games listed here against out of town teams and teams which are tradirtionally poor travelers such as Penrith and the Sharks, the crowds are very impressive.
If St George Illawarra vs Parramatta games were turned into "Events" or "Blockbusters", there is no reason why crowds as big and hopefully bigger wouldn't be in attendance.
What I basically propose is that next years clashes between the two clubs (St Geroge Illawarra and Parramatta) be played at Stadium Australia, with both teams Season Ticket holders addmitted to the ground. If these two fixtures where advertised correctly and played at suitable times (preferably not Friday Night), there is no reason that this fixture wouldn't attract a large crowd.
If St George Illawarra are commited to 7 home games in Wollongong next year, having those who take out a season ticket to just Sydney home games, would be compensated with the admission to the additional game against Parramatta when it is listed as Parramatta's home game.
I would hope the club would try and take on this initiative. On a side note, I still believe the Sydney Football Stadium is the best venue for Sydney based home games until a suitable venue in the ST George district becomes available.

 

[Dog]

Brilliant post.

This idea really should be looked at by the NRL as a serious consideration. As a fan of one of the three clubs I can tell you that if those three games were held there, I would attend AT LEAST two of them, which is saying a lot cuz i'm a lazy S.O.B.

TheSaint - keep the ideas flowin - we need more fans like u

Dog

 

[TheSaint]

Thanks Dog, does anyone else have an oppinion on this?

 

[legend]

I also agree Saint. For some reason I think you will find the crowds at this years semis to be bigger than most of the others you quoted. I was at the Saints v Sharks semi in 99 and the atmosphere was one of the best I have ever seen and as you know, Saints don't sit that high on my rankings of likebale sides but, they can pull a crowd and a Saints v Sharks/ Eels/ Bulldogs/ Knights/ Broncos game will always bring a good crowd. Fortunately, this year all the big guns are in the semis which should make for bigger crowds and great atmospheres. I am also in agreeance with the promotion of blockbusters. The NRL should look to capitalise on these game and last Friday night was a prime example. the game should have been promoted for months and the venue should have been Stadium Oz. The NRL sold themselves a long way short by playing that game at the showground.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Yeah, its a good point Saint....we still have essentially 4 teams (Parra,dogs,saints and Souths) that could pull 30,000 fans with them to a game. Lets capatilise on this fact, make all game between the 4 blockbusters and give the AFL and their 4 big guns (Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond) something to think about.....
MFC.

 

[imported_bronco]

These words are difficult to say but great post saint. Please don't quote me on that

.

Its important to build some strong ties between these clubs that have such a great following and so much rivalry. The NRL brought in the local derby idea this year and this in my opinion is a much better option.Scrap the local derby idea (it kills off the derbies in the first round, these matches should be built up through the season to get that hunger in the fans mouths).
Stadium Australia is a good idea but just how many of those clubs are going to want to give up a home game? I think with the right promotion and build up the matches could get 40k easily. Its time to put the double header out to pasture and have a series of big events spread thoughout the year.
Its got a thumbs up from me.

Cheers
bronco

 

[TheSaint]

The beauty of it is that they sort of gain an extra two home games out of it. The crowds at games featuring these three are quiet bi-partisan any way. I would just love to see a few club games being anticipated as much as an Origin match or Semi Final.

This idea is also one which could actually get off the ground. I did get positive feedback from St George Illawarra on it and they said they were considering similar ideas.

This years final series looks likely to feature the three clubs I'm talking about. Parramatta and Canterbury are likely to at least get 2 games each and St George Illawarra will get at least one game, probably two if they can finish at least 5th or 6th. When you see the supporters these clubs have locked away in the wood work, you see the great potential. If only these fans went during the season.

I want to seriously lobby this idea. It may be to late for next year, but the year after would be a possibility. It would be great just to see the fans of the game achieve something of this magnitude.

I would encourage the supporters of the three clubs or just League in general to write in and propose the idea to the clubs and the NRL.

And Bronco, Is it Ok if I just paraphrase the "Great Post Saint" bit?

 

[imported_bronco]

LOL, no saint the comment was totally off the record and there will be no playing around with it or re wording it.

Cheers
bronco

 

[imported_Bigbopper]

Developing a blockbuster culture is part of the solution. But sadly, at the moment, only the Swans can draw 30,000 plus crowds to home and away matches in Sydney.
One point, that has been made before, is that we could develop some traditions. e.g., a particular game on Anzac Day and Good Friday. I'd like to see the season open with a grand final replay at the Olympic Stadium.
The strength of the AFL is not just in blockbuster games. They can get 250,000 bums on seats without a match between any of the big 4 as part of the round. We need to get fans going to all games. It is important that blockbusters don't swamp the other games - look at last weekend with a good crowd at the Eels/Dogs and less that 60,000 at the other sixth matches (including two games between teams in the 8).
The season is too long and I think we would be far better off with a 16 team competition with 22 rounds (but I won't go into that again).
We need to really promote the game in Melbourne and NZ and to think about the scheduling of matches (e.g., the Warriors clashing with the All Blacks). Care must be taken in the scheduling of rep games.
Don't misunderstand me - I believe blockbusters are great for the game. We just need it to be part of an overall plan.
Cheers
Bigbopper

 

[TheSaint]

We need something during the season to lift the profile of the game and I believe this would be the best way. Traditional clubs clashing in front of huge crowds.

We have to start a culture of going to games in Rugby League and this is a way we can actually do it.

If home games in this instance could be shared between two clubs, the ramifications could widen. For instance, Souths and the Roosters could share there home and away fixtures. In the past we've seen these two teams clash and the crowd was about the same as the normal club averages despite being a clash between two teams who share a stadium. The game becomes neutral, gets hyped up a bit, call it the Foundation Cup or something, promote the game as neutral and hello, you've just doubled your crowds. Like wise if a second South Queensland team ever gets admitted.

There is more that I'd like to see happen and more that should happen. The Warriors for starters could begin to represent the whole of New Zealand as their name suggests instead of just Auckland. Take one or two games to Wellington or Canterbury. Melbourne have great potential with crowd support, all you need is for the team and the game to be promoted more. Obviously any so called Derby will be a farce but it would be good to see a rivalary with another club hyped up. They beat Saints in controvercial circumstances ina Grand Final, promote that fact when a game is on, or battle of the Brother in laws when they clash with Canterbury. North Queensland is another kettle of fish. There situation differs because of the type of support they attract which is more similar to the Sharks or Panthers on a Saturday night. It's more of a night out and a love for the game rather then the Cowboys. Success should change that culture, but as you can see, the NRL need to get serious in the promotion of the game.

To sell games, they have to market their product, not some hack poet or American Singer. Developing passion for the game and for ones side has to be the aim.