Logically rationalising sydney probably makes sense. BUT from an emotional and historical point of view it doesn't. IMO sport is built on emotion and tradition so i think unless a sydney club is beyond financial repair and chooses to relocate/partial relocation/merger then the governing body should NOT force them to do so.
I would like to see some of the clubs make a permanent base of another market such as Hawthorn and North melbourne are doing in Tasmania with local backing and funding. Even st. kilda are planning to play a number of games per season in wellington of all places by 2014!
Adelaide, Central Coast (if the bears fail to get a licence), Darwin could all be candidates for a struggling club to boost its finances while removing smaller drawing games from the sydney basin and assisting in spreading the gospel
I would like to see some of the clubs make a permanent base of another market such as Hawthorn and North melbourne are doing in Tasmania with local backing and funding. Even st. kilda are planning to play a number of games per season in wellington of all places by 2014!
I don't know who this guy is but he presents a common argument on this blog eloquently.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/05/09/souths-and-roosters-fans-letting-the-nrl-down/
Should be a good crowd for the Sharks-Melbourne game...
ET Upper and Lower sold out, Peter Burns and Southern Stands almost sold out, and Eastern Concourse selling fast apparently.
Sunday arvo in Cronulla for what will be the game of the round.
Pretty sure I suggested that for the Roosters & Cronulla...
Pretty sure it involved Cronulla in Christchurch/Dunedin with 10 games and still getting 7 Cronulla home games. Pretty sure it meant Cronulla could get first claims over corporate, fan and grassroots player support on the South Island.
Pretty sure it involved Roosters in Wellington with 10 games and still getting 7 SFS home games (big games against teams like Broncos, Souths, Dragons, Tigers, Bulldogs etc). Pretty sure it involved Roosters getting a North Island base (below Auckland) with a 1,000,000+ population and first chance at all their corporate, fan and grassroots player support.
Pretty sure Roosters & Sharks fans had a good old whinge.
Pretty sure some of the complaints said that they didn't want to share the team with a bunch of Kiwis. Pretty sure some said that having an 'International' club was a bad thing. Pretty sure a few said that they'd have too many home games (despite having to do just as much travelling as other teams). Pretty sure others couldn't get around the "1 extra round" mathematics.
Oh well
I still maintain that would be a better idea than merging or full relocating teams.
Pretty sure anyway...![]()
I think your case above is just too much and is relocation in all but name. 4 games in another market would be all i could take without whinging. Ideally 3 though.
The code needs a fixed season schedule.My wife asks me when are the Sharks playing on such and such a date end July.I haven't a flipping clue.I am still a member however,such is my devotion.
There are people out there who will not commit,to memberships as they need certainty so they can plan ahead.
Having an extra game ,via expansion,gives more opportunities for sunday afternoon games.
The stats speak for themselves.Biggest crowds
Anzac Day.afternoon-family friendly
Club games sunday afternoon.
saturday night 7-30 more popular
friday nights popular but fewer familes,mainly involves Brisbane.
then saturday 5-30pm kids just finished sport,bit too early
Monday night worst night for crowds,therefore new deal must well compensate club involved.
i am still a firm believer in a twilight game say 5-30pm on sunday night-excellent Tv ratings IMO and decent crowds.
Pax for D/H as of 3 minutes ago - 41,924
Awesome considering everyone there will be for Broncos/ Manly game.
Would people really leave during the 2nd game? This will be my first time at a double header but I have a hard time believing people will leave during a live NRL game, even if it doesn't involve their team. Maybe I have different expectations because I'm a neutral not a Drongos fan.
Famililes may not stay, two games is a lot for those with small children.