Ok, with the beginning of a new thread, let's go beyond whining and having dick-measuring contests and discuss how to improve crowds.
Here are my suggestions:
1. First and foremost, go to games. I know a lot of people on this forum already do this, so good for those who do. (I personally live on the other side of the planet, so that is my excuse). I know some of you like to complain about the weather, traffic, etc., but it is still the sport you love. (Why would you be here in the first place otherwise?). For me personally, rugby league is my second favorite sport, and if I were in a position that I could to NRL games, I most likely would. I know a lot of you have work commitments, money troubles, flooded houses, etc., that prevent you to go to games. If you don't, then go to matches.
2. I would love for the NRL to meet with clubs to develop a long-term plan for where teams are based. I also think the NRL needs to meet with the ARU and the FFA to ensure that quality rectangular stadiums are built in Australia.
3. Long-term, I think tv scheduling needs to be looked at for the next tv contract. I do not think MNF works for any club. Personally, for the next tv contract, I would like to have 2 games on Fri Night, 2 games on Sat Night, and the rest on Sunday. I would have a game on Sunday night, and have the broadcaster (either FTA or pay) pick the game from the Sunday games to be broadcast on Sunday night a few weeks ahead of time. I think that is a compromise between totally fixed schedule and one where fans don't know what day their team is playing until a couple weeks ahead of time.
4. I would have the NRL start a week earlier. Therefore, there can be a standalone weekend for Origin game 1. The ARLC can market that weekend as "Origin Weekend", akin to NBA All Star Weekend. I would fill that weekend with PI tests, a NZ origin game, an NRL skills competition, and Origin style games in lower grades. I would have games 2 and 3 played on Wednesdays, as is the case now, with games spread 2 weeks apart from each other. On the weekends straddling games 2 and 3, I would try to schedule low drawing games and schedule as many games in expansion/regional areas as possible. This approach would reduce the impact the SOO has over the NRL competition while still maintaining the traditional timeslot for 2 of the 3 games.
5. I would try to market more games. I know there a lot of games played in the Sydney metro region. As such, there is a lot of noise when it comes to NRL games in Sydney. I would therefore market a "Sydney Game of the Week" series where the best games in Sydney (by traditional rivals and ladder position) are highlighted to drum up fan interest in the games.
6. I would try to keep ticket prices as low as possible. If it all possible, the NRL should subsidize ticket prices for the clubs.
7. I would have events for the fans (especially members). Like autograph sessions, or something like the AFL has with kick-to-kick.
Here are my suggestions:
1. First and foremost, go to games. I know a lot of people on this forum already do this, so good for those who do. (I personally live on the other side of the planet, so that is my excuse). I know some of you like to complain about the weather, traffic, etc., but it is still the sport you love. (Why would you be here in the first place otherwise?). For me personally, rugby league is my second favorite sport, and if I were in a position that I could to NRL games, I most likely would. I know a lot of you have work commitments, money troubles, flooded houses, etc., that prevent you to go to games. If you don't, then go to matches.
2. I would love for the NRL to meet with clubs to develop a long-term plan for where teams are based. I also think the NRL needs to meet with the ARU and the FFA to ensure that quality rectangular stadiums are built in Australia.
3. Long-term, I think tv scheduling needs to be looked at for the next tv contract. I do not think MNF works for any club. Personally, for the next tv contract, I would like to have 2 games on Fri Night, 2 games on Sat Night, and the rest on Sunday. I would have a game on Sunday night, and have the broadcaster (either FTA or pay) pick the game from the Sunday games to be broadcast on Sunday night a few weeks ahead of time. I think that is a compromise between totally fixed schedule and one where fans don't know what day their team is playing until a couple weeks ahead of time.
4. I would have the NRL start a week earlier. Therefore, there can be a standalone weekend for Origin game 1. The ARLC can market that weekend as "Origin Weekend", akin to NBA All Star Weekend. I would fill that weekend with PI tests, a NZ origin game, an NRL skills competition, and Origin style games in lower grades. I would have games 2 and 3 played on Wednesdays, as is the case now, with games spread 2 weeks apart from each other. On the weekends straddling games 2 and 3, I would try to schedule low drawing games and schedule as many games in expansion/regional areas as possible. This approach would reduce the impact the SOO has over the NRL competition while still maintaining the traditional timeslot for 2 of the 3 games.
5. I would try to market more games. I know there a lot of games played in the Sydney metro region. As such, there is a lot of noise when it comes to NRL games in Sydney. I would therefore market a "Sydney Game of the Week" series where the best games in Sydney (by traditional rivals and ladder position) are highlighted to drum up fan interest in the games.
6. I would try to keep ticket prices as low as possible. If it all possible, the NRL should subsidize ticket prices for the clubs.
7. I would have events for the fans (especially members). Like autograph sessions, or something like the AFL has with kick-to-kick.
