David Smith...is footy better off?

[Perth Red]

What?
I'm sorry, I must have imagined the Auckalnd 9s then?
and also imagined the final of the 4nations going to New Zealand.
While Smith might not have been the driving force in these moves going ahead his administration has certainly turned its focus to winning over the kiwis

Both good outcomes for the game in NZ that needed NRL support but neither NRL initiatives and in the mean time the NZRL has had a very lean financial year and struggling to grow its infrastructure to grow the game due to lack of resources. Given the spin offs in terms of first grade players that come out of NZ and the $'s the game gets from the NZ tv contract a stronger partnership and sharing of resources would seem almost an obligation the NRL should have. At the momnent the NZRL is totally reliant on International games for revenue and the NRL could help a lot by supplying a more steady and reliable income stream.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1406/S00757/nzrl-clarifies-financial-standing.htm

 

[Western_Eel]

How many shoulder charges were in each game anyway? I dont really miss them,
Im more pissed about the shitty refereeing

 

[oikee]

The problems Dave Smith has are endless. From scheduling , player behaviour, clubs in crisis, lack of attendence to the video refs, his work is cutout for him.
He can make a small change to the game and start to rebuild the faith.
Bring in the Captains challenge.
Take the heat off the refs, the video ref and give the fans back their game.
The only time we should look at a video replay should be if the captain of the team challenges the try.

Imagine that, imagine it, a game without going to the video ref for every little issue, where the players have the power to ask for a video ref call. The on-field ref just makes the call as they see it, the game flows without stopping for every little incident.
Just like the old days. Good times.

Even the under 20's games are better to watch than the NRL because we have less stoppages.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Even the under 20's games are better to watch than the NRL because we have less stoppages.

Bullshit. The 20s is by and large awful.

This thread could be a DT article it is so ill-informed and tabloid-based.

The 'the game's gone soft' meatheads make me laugh every time. They're the ones that sat around with chubbies on during SOO II, not really worried whether a game was likely to break out from all the niggle and bullshit.

 

[Rodney]

At the momnent the NZRL is totally reliant on International games for revenue and the NRL could help a lot by supplying a more steady and reliable income stream.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1406/S00757/nzrl-clarifies-financial-standing.htm

Fair point.
But I don't think that'll change anytime into the future.
Neither do I think it's necessarily a bad thing that the NZRL have to configure their own income stream.
It encourages the national bodies to get pro-active and organize tests rather than sit on their ass.
New Zealand are now involved in more tests than anyone (with the French tour next year) which I doubt would happen if they were given enough money to survive without playing tests.

If NZRL are bleeding debt (which while they are in debt their release makes it sound like they've got it under control) i'd want the NRL to step in and start pumping in money, but considering the outcomes we have at the moment (New Zealand playing more tests than ever) I don't think the NRL's absence has been a particularly bad thing.

 

[Captain Apollo]

I'd like to know how people think the ARLC, which David Smith is only the CEO of, is able to step in and take over the NZRL? :crazy:

 

[eozsmiles]

Given all the cheap tickets that are on offer week to week, I can't believe you think he isn't trying to grow the attendances. He can't help it if people don't take advantage of it. It's hard to change people's mindset that they would rather sit at home and watch it on TV.

Thus why most of the cheap tickets target families, because it's a long term view that if you get the youngsters used to going to the footy, as they get older they may feel that going to the footy is how you support your club. This takes time, and a whole generation to make that leap, it's not like the AFL when they focused on memberships suddenly had 50K members for clubs, it took 30 years for that to happen and they were starting off on a better base.

With the amount of free tickets that have been given out every week for years, I can't believe he'd think that cheap tickets would encourage many people.

 

[eozsmiles]

One of the mods should check his IP. Has to be some news ltd hack

....and then what?

 

[Sydney Knight]

I like the cut of his gib.

 

[eozsmiles]

So pretty much just expansion stuff. DSmith has already said that this exansion review isnt just about putting in 2 new teams, its about expanding the game as a whole...




This is just not true...

Crowds are steady, tv ratings are steady and, had this years Origin gone to a decider, it would have been the biggest ever.

The reason there is a perception as less interest is because everyone is a year older and just a bit less interested in NRL. For everyone, watching footy as a kid is the most exciting thing ever, as you grow up that goes away and eventually its only nostalgia keeping you around.

But as we all become less excited each year, new crops of kids are discovering the sport spending their entire week at school discussing next weeks games.

I know its hard for everyone to do, but you need realise how fallible and subjective your perceptions are...

While this is all true, there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that there is a higher level of dissatisfaction and frustration this season than last season (and maybe recent years). I reckon I've seen more posts across this site and other mediums from random fans this season saying they are watching or attending less games. People seem to be getting more frustrated with aspects of the game that are directly related to broadcast - delayed telecast and the dilution of quality during Origin period. I don't know how many people are happier with the game this year, despite still enjoying it enough to consume it.

With the numbers being steady, it shows that many of these "rusted on" fans who say they are leaving are either full of shit or being replaced in equal numbers by new fans. Either way it makes no difference to me and Smith. He is running a business so it doesn't matter who watches the game, so long as they do. And I just watch it nowadays, so I don't care either lol.

 

[kbw]

The current plan for the game revolves entirely around corporate sponsorship and optimising income. If this is want you want then the current NRL heirarchy is a success.

Personally I think its a massive fail (not all Smith's fault) becuase the average fan is being ignored. Junior clubs and associations are being absolutely hammered and inundated with crap processes. The NRL junior passes are a fail for the second year in a row simply because NRL marketing want access to information to get more $s.

The most important thing to the game is grass roots clubs and fans. These are deemed unimportant by the NRL as they don't generate enough revenue.
They let the media (primary Ch9) dictate what is happening regardless of the outcome.
Refereeing is inconsistent and frankly disgraceful, every week and its not being addressed.

IF the NRL persists on its current path, the attendances at games will drop dramatically

 

[kbw]

But as we all become less excited each year, new crops of kids are discovering the sport spending their entire week at school discussing next weeks games.

More time is spent by kids talking about why they haven't received their player cards to go to games, or how they have 2 or 3 cards.

 

[taipan]

This post is biased towards smith.

You seem like an nrl employee.

He would say that.:roll:

No just a mug fan who has spent a small fortune over the years on membership/season tickets/merchandise and watched admins since the start of the SL wear fumble and bumble their way ,to the extent the no2 code in this country had no money in the bank end 2012.

If bias means one administrator (despite his faults at times)is doing a far better job in as much shorter span of time ,than the prior timid one,then I am biased.Biased because I feel a little more confident about the code's future.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

nice of Phil Rothfield to join the forum

No. It really isnt.

 

[Perth Red]

This is just not true...

Crowds are steady, tv ratings are steady and, had this years Origin gone to a decider, it would have been the biggest ever.

The reason there is a perception as less interest is because everyone is a year older and just a bit less interested in NRL. For everyone, watching footy as a kid is the most exciting thing ever, as you grow up that goes away and eventually its only nostalgia keeping you around.

But as we all become less excited each year, new crops of kids are discovering the sport spending their entire week at school discussing next weeks games.

I know its hard for everyone to do, but you need realise how fallible and subjective your perceptions are...

Avg crowds have not significantly changed for 6 years and have in fact dropped over last two seasons. In that time population growth in Cities with NRL teams has increased significantly, probably close to 1 million people plus extra. Last year TV audiences were down and I suspect this year we will see around same. This isn't perception it is fact. Aside from one high profile game series, and the final game was a drop, all facts would suggest a diminishing interest in the NRL.

 

[Perth Red]

I'd like to know how people think the ARLC, which David Smith is only the CEO of, is able to step in and take over the NZRL? :crazy:

I'd like to know where you read anyone was suggesting that?:crazy:

 

[DJShaksta]

The current plan for the game revolves entirely around corporate sponsorship and optimising income. If this is want you want then the current NRL heirarchy is a success.

Personally I think its a massive fail (not all Smith's fault) becuase the average fan is being ignored. Junior clubs and associations are being absolutely hammered and inundated with crap processes. The NRL junior passes are a fail for the second year in a row simply because NRL marketing want access to information to get more $s.

The most important thing to the game is grass roots clubs and fans. These are deemed unimportant by the NRL as they don't generate enough revenue.
They let the media (primary Ch9) dictate what is happening regardless of the outcome.
Refereeing is inconsistent and frankly disgraceful, every week and its not being addressed.

IF the NRL persists on its current path, the attendances at games will drop dramatically

This.

 

[Nice Beaver]

I disagree - he's supposed to be all about growing the game, which means growing the fanbase.
He doesn't give two shits about the fans.

Disagree with that.

We was hired as an outsider who clearly had no idea about the NRL. That was done with the clear intnetion of having someone come in impartial to the infighting rife in league.

He ahs put pople on in positions who supposedly have league at heart with extensive knowledge of the game.

These poeple seem to knot gove a shit about league.

I think Smith is doing a bloody good job.

You can't build a strong house without laying a solid foundation. I htink he's doing that.

The AFl did not become a monster under Demitr......Demetro......the bloke with the big chocko name, the day after he walked in.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Both good outcomes for the game in NZ that needed NRL support but neither NRL initiatives and in the mean time the NZRL has had a very lean financial year and struggling to grow its infrastructure to grow the game due to lack of resources. Given the spin offs in terms of first grade players that come out of NZ and the $'s the game gets from the NZ tv contract a stronger partnership and sharing of resources would seem almost an obligation the NRL should have. At the momnent the NZRL is totally reliant on International games for revenue and the NRL could help a lot by supplying a more steady and reliable income stream.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1406/S00757/nzrl-clarifies-financial-standing.htm

A relatively autonomous association (similar Touch Footy Australia) would be a much better idea than a takeover.

Which i would assume is the current situation anyway....

 

[Perth Red]

The AFl did not become a monster under Demitr......Demetro......the bloke with the big chocko name, the day after he walked in.

ARLC has run the game for over 2.5 years and Smith has been CEO for over 18 months. Not exactly short term. In his favour he walked into a basket case with no infrastructure, no leadership and little talent so he has had a lot of rebuilding to do.