Going to be a big one!

[Nicolas Hart]

official crowd of 15,197! Looked very full from where i was standing, atomsphere was great too

Agreed.

There was a decent turn-out for the WA Reds match (approx 5,000); though the majority definitely forced their way in for the NRL match

I'm incredibly happy to have seen such a strong crowd. I was at the Crusaders -v- Force preseason game which "sold out" during February, and was very hopeful that the NRL match would live up to similar expectations.

It was equally pleasing to see the many fans getting involved in the game, generating that atmosphere. The music and large-screen TV definitely assisted. I was glad they installed the TV, since Perth Glory can afford using it; so the NRL should've as well.

A bigger scoreboard would be nice.

The Family Stand was good, I thought. I was sitting in it, though, so didn't take notice of any empty seats behind.

The standing room near the shed was a fortress wall of bodies though - very crowded.... looked great.... and the stadium / crowd / games looked sensational on Foxtel broadcasting.

Equally as fantastic that both games were close, and well fought out to the end. Hopefully it provides a strong case for a Perth club, 2012/2013.

 

[Nicolas Hart]

Fox said it was sold out so great effort Perth.
On the other hand the game at Gosford wasa ghost town
6000 was announced and that seemed generous.

So we have to areas that would like to be involved in leage in the future stage games on the same night.

1 Central Coast - Close enough for Roosters fans to make the trip and only draw 6000 (how many Central Coast people in that figure??)

2 Perth - Sell Out with the crowd being 99% locals

Wow.

Things like this worry me, though.

David Gallop & Co are wanting to build a team in the Central Coast, moreso than looking at Perth as an option.

Even though we (Perth) over-doubled / almost tripled the attendance in Central Coast; ... who knows why David Gallop ever makes the decisions he does.

 

[Nuke]

I'm not making excuses for the Central Coast, but they have numerous games a year there with different teams playing. They can have their choice (and, as others have said, Sydney & Newcastle aren't that far away for them). If they know their team is playing there later in the season or has already played there, they are less likely to turn up to all games there every year.

Then take a look at Perth. This is the 1st NRL premiership game here since 2005, with the previous NRL premiership game before that one being in 1999. If you want to include pre-season games, then you can add another game to each of 2005 & 2009 seasons. Both this game last night and the Dragons-Roosters pre-season game, I decided to see how many clubs were represented by fans in the crowd. Both occasions, all 16 current NRL clubs had fans in the crowd, plus North Sydney, Newtown, Western Reds, WA Reds, Illawarra, Balmain, and St.George (plus probably others too that I didn't see).

Should Perth get 5-6 games a year, you will probably find the crowds won't be as big.

 

[Perth Red]

TBF the CC crowds are often significantly boosted by travelling Sydney fans of the clubs playing. Last night only around 2-3000 CC RL fans turned up. Hardly a ringing endorsement for a city hoping to get an NRL team.

Re more games, if anything this can add momentum and with increased profile for NRL in Perth it will get more people interested. I see no reason why we wouldn't get 12-16,000 regularly at MES.

 

[Nicolas Hart]

Should Perth get 5-6 games a year, you will probably find the crowds won't be as big.

Should we manage to acquire our own franchise - it would be dependent on the size of membership; but it could very well be of similar stature as the game(s) this year - (between 10,000 - 15,000).

After all, the Western Force by example, have 15,000 members - when they start their campaign at Members Equity Stadium next year, they will be unlucky not to achieve 15,000+ tickets sold each match (accounting for casual supporters to make-up for members not in attendance).

There is no reason a WA NRL Franchise couldn't achieve a similar accomplishment.

 

[Nuke]

Sorry, I should have made my point clearer. I meant 5-6 NRL games in Perth with different teams, not a home team (WA Reds) and different opponants.

 

[Nicolas Hart]

Sorry, I should have made my point clearer. I meant 5-6 NRL games in Perth with different teams, not a home team (WA Reds) and different opponants.

This may be true.

I do think, however, there'd be a 10,000 strong crowd at regular NRL games (if there were 5-6 held through-out the year).

 

[Perth Red]

I'd be gutted if less than 3000 Perth fans turned up for any NRL game that's for sure!

 

[Nicolas Hart]

I'd be gutted if less than 3000 Perth fans turned up for any NRL game that's for sure!

Me too.

I remember David Gallop, on the NRL footy show, laughing at us because "we couldn't even get 5000 people to a local grand final".

That made my blood boil , considering they find it equally as difficult to draw fans to their local league. National competitions draw greater interest. It is unfortunate, but it's also reality.

Oh well......... The only way we'll ever know is through it being trialled.

 

[Nuke]

Yeah. Gallop was comparing the WARL's current position in the WA sporting landscape with the position it was in in the early-mid 90's when the GF was broadcast on tv, attracted thousands of people to it, and the competition had a fair bit of space in the media (compared to now).

 

[black and gold]

Yeah. Gallop was comparing the WARL's current position in the WA sporting landscape with the position it was in in the early-mid 90's when the GF was broadcast on tv, attracted thousands of people to it, and the competition had a fair bit of space in the media (compared to now).

w.a as one really big factor in our favour to get the green light into the nrl.T.V RIGHTS they are to be renewd in 2012 i think, and with our time zone difference the football will be on t.v longer with the extra game which sponsors will love the extra advertising. it works in the super 14. when we do get the green light, you watch the influx of players flock to perth to get a run just like in 1994-95 when the local comp was at its strongest. i remember those days when we had full pages of the local comp in the paper and like you were saying when they played the canning north beach grand final live on t.v in 1994.bring it on

 

[Perth Red]

yeh being able to have a 9 or 9.30pm live game on a Saturday for Fox or a live game anytime from 5pm on a Sunday for Ch9 would have to be attractive. It basically gives them a live game that they couldn't have at the moment.

Noticeable how much more the NRL was in all the papers this weekend compared to normal.

 

[Smithtown]

Wow.

Things like this worry me, though.

David Gallop & Co are wanting to build a team in the Central Coast, moreso than looking at Perth as an option.

Even though we (Perth) over-doubled / almost tripled the attendance in Central Coast; ... who knows why David Gallop ever makes the decisions he does.

I think in this case we are comparing apples and oranges.

No Club (Reds included) have been shafted as much as the good old Bears, who poured millions into that stadium on the CC and were cut off at the knees.

The good CC folk are a bit sick of Clubs using their area as a short term fix for their own poor management, and the small crowd on the weekend is clearly a protest vote. Much the same as there was a local backlash against Cronulla's planned move there. All these are just short term grabs for cash, using the CC area and people.

Other Clubs like Souths have put more effort into the CC, and the result is a crowd of over 15000- for their game earlier in the year against Newcastle. Similarly, only two seasons ago, Wests did some good things there and drew a crowd of over 19000. Souths having Norths as their feeder team is a clear help with them.

So the difference was that the Reds used the Souths/Melbourne game as a vehicle for NRL inclusion, and it had a goodwill feel to it with everyone on board. The Roosters/Titans game was totally different and the result was a local boycott.

Anyway, the CC is a fantastic ground with a vast Leagues Club across the road. The Bears are up and running with a strong committee headed by Greg Florimo, an appointed coach in David Fairleigh and big dollar local backing in John Singleton. They have a successful local league with some very well run Clubs, and a vast junior league. They will be success there if re-admitted.

If you were to compare the CC and the Reds right now, the CC are well ahead and deservedly so given their hard work. But like the AFL there is no reason why two teams cannot be added 2 years apart.

It would be good to see the Bears at the CC added in say 2011 and the Reds in 2013. If that decision was made now everyone could get on with their jobs given they have clear targets.

 

[WA Power]

The big problem the REDS face is gaining support from the WA government and that was the key issue with the Western Reds no local government support which basically meant the side and players relocated to Melbourne to become part of the Melbourne Storm side. The Victorian government were not silly and welcomed the NRL with open arms as they could see the added revenue the sport would bring to the already sport mad capital. The rest is history and the Melbourne Storm have gone on to become one of the best clubs on and off the field. On the other hand the WA Government put up barriers at every chance for the Western Reds by not providing any support forcing the side to play at the WACCA which was not suitable. Also with a new side in WA and already the Eagles were up and running the Fremantle Dockers all chasing the almighty corporate dollar the Western Reds were never going to win. The Western Australian newspaper at every chance would publish any negative stories about the Western Reds. I can remember Julian O’Neil had the front pages for some thing very minor and Mark Geyer was also a target with a lot of lead stories about his off field behaviour at the time.

While I would love a NRL side in Perth my money is on CC who are up and running it would be very hard to relocate a side to Perth.

Saturday night however proved Rugby League supporters will support the game in WA and this was a fantastic start.

A couple of key areas that would certainly help there bid would include;

The REDS need to be successful and at present for want ever reason are unable to play for 80 minutes and this is a real sticking point

MES is to expensive and the REDS should look at a better option going forward perhaps the Arena is one solution as the Sunday fixture recently held up there was a great success.

A bigger focus on the local competition as there seems to be a real disconnect between the REDS and the local teams. If the local competition is strong the REDS can develop and mentor young players along with coaches.

To help with all of this look at the age groups we participate in each year for example if in 2009 the Junior competition fields under 13, 15, 17, in 2010 they should then field 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 rather than base our structure on a model that is used on the east coast by doing it this way each year we will continue to grow and not loose boys from ages 15 – 17. Perhaps set up a steering committee from exec at the local clubs to oversee this and to provide feedback to the WARL board

A few ideas ;;;;

 

[Perth Red]

While I would love a NRL side in Perth my money is on CC who are up and running it would be very hard to relocate a side to Perth.

No there not! The North Sydney Bears are and in fact they seem to be doing very little to actually establish a presence in Gosford. The NRL clearly want an exisitng NRL team to relocate rather give a valuable place to another NSW team.

Saturday night however proved Rugby League supporters will support the game in WA and this was a fantastic start.

Yep, I was hoping for around 12,000 so to get virtually a full house was brilliant and shows the supporter base is clearly here for an NRL team.

A couple of key areas that would certainly help there bid would include;

The REDS need to be successful and at present for want ever reason are unable to play for 80 minutes and this is a real sticking point

Has virtually no link to an NRL team other than helping to build a membership and corporate base from the ground up. It is highly unlikely the Reds team in teh Bundy cup will have any relevance to our 2013 NRL squad. A win wouldn't hurt though!

MES is to expensive and the REDS should look at a better option going forward perhaps the Arena is one solution as the Sunday fixture recently held up there was a great success.

They aren't playing at MES anymore for exactly that reason. I'd have 3 games Joondalup, 3 games Freo and 1 game at the other 3 grounds.

A bigger focus on the local competition as there seems to be a real disconnect between the REDS and the local teams. If the local competition is strong the REDS can develop and mentor young players along with coaches.

Agreed and I think the WARL have relaised this with the move to have a board specifically for the Reds. The move to suburban grounds must also be helping as it is financially benefitting the WARL clubs. Other than that what more do you think they can be doing?

To help with all of this look at the age groups we participate in each year for example if in 2009 the Junior competition fields under 13, 15, 17, in 2010 they should then field 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 rather than base our structure on a model that is used on the east coast by doing it this way each year we will continue to grow and not loose boys from ages 15 – 17. Perhaps set up a steering committee from exec at the local clubs to oversee this and to provide feedback to the WARL board

A few ideas

Certainly the strenghening of jnrs and schools is importnat and hopefully increased ARL development officer funding will help with this.

re the WA Govt, you have to appreciate RL is small fry for them. Not sure what support you think the Storm are getting from the Vic Govt beyond teh new stadium? The WARL does get some support from sports grants and smarter than smoking sponsorship. Until teh NRL get off tehir backside and actually engage with the WA Govt it is doubtful how much influence the WARL/Reds are going to have.

 

[Western_Eel]

I think Perth has done far better than cc, with the supporters anyway, the majority of supporters at Gosford would of come up from Sydney, so really i think there is more support over in WA, plus we don't need another Sydney team anyway, i know its called the central coast but GOSFORD is classed as Sydney, thats how rugby league got in this mess anyway to many Sydney teams!

 

[gallagher]

The bears are shooting themselves in the foot by wanting some games in Sydney. The NRL have said they want a fulltime team up there, not part timers. Work it out Flo.

 

[black and gold]

if the state goverment said we are going to build a 20000 seat rectangular stadium tomorrow, i think the reds would be 1st pick in to the nrl.both parties should realise that its a win win situation.the gov should pay for the whole construction[with tax payers money] rather than privite enterprise because the ground would basically used all year round with the reds, force, and glory sharing the facillities.in return the gov would be racking in some pretty good rent.the nrl would benifit from a truley national comp and will recieve more money for television rights.the 3 codes would be more succesful on and off the feild than in the past because they crowds will fill the place up because we will be able to see the game not like the past days of the waca and subi.so come on wa goverment, give us a go.they shold look at melbourne whos new stadium will be ready soon for the storm and victory and i bet they will get an inclusion in the super 14s too because of this

 

[Nicolas Hart]

Hi,

I struggle to understand why the Government wouldn't support Rugby League. It would only increase internal 'tourism' within the country (to the state), and could only hold positive benefits for Western Australia. The government claims to have an active interest towards encouraging health through sport (and increased physical activity); whereby hosting another sport within the states ranks can only further appeal to a wider audience.

If the NRL were clever, they would relocate a team from NSW. Too many clubs in the New South Wales region are reporting losses, or very dismal "profits". The saturation of clubs in that particular market only cannibalises their fan base, which is evident through their financial struggles (and in some cases, poor crowd numbers to lesser clubs). In the past they've encouraged mergers to assist in combating this, though new measures are necessary. I've never understood why the NRL initially decided to reside solely in states considered "rugby strongholds" over spreading their competition nationally. It has always been, in my view, a short-sighted design with limited growth prospects - as we've seen now, and in relation to their threats (in soccer, aussie rules, and rugby union).

I disagree with you 'Perth Reds' - when you say that winning will not have any relation to the "2013" side. Much of the problem with the Western Reds back in Super League was their lack of winning power. If we cannot demonstrate strengths in a second-tier competition, it will have a direct influence over what history has already dictated. I am not suggesting it will be the main consideration - as sustainability, support, and financial viability are the main considerations; though it's negligent to suggest that it is of 'no concern'. Winning is absolutely relevant.

To my knowledge, the main reason behind why they are no longer playing at MES; is due to the fact that the ground manager wouldn't allow the WA Reds to train on the ground during the week, due to fears that it may degrade the surface quality for the Perth Glory matches when they're in-season. This is what made the financial burden of remaining at Members Equity each week undesirable, as it was the same cost, for less benefit. The other focus of moving to "suburban grounds" was to attempt to create this "connection" between the WA Reds and the local competition - however merely turning up to the ground, and playing a game, does not constitute adequate "connection". Administration of the WA Reds, and local clubs should be in frequent contact, and additional schemes should be devised to have a truly united and cohesive WA competition, developmental pathway, and organisation.

As for having the government fully-fund the rectangular oval - in the current economic climate - that is not a suitable option. They have far more pressing issues to be concerned with, in relation to their budgetary restrictions. Irrespective of which govenment is leading the state. I think the Government should certainly contribute to the redevelopment, support it, and assist in as many ways as it can - though private enterprise should supply most of the funding, and I see no reason why that won't occur. To my knowledge, the redevelopment is a certainty (towards a 28,000 seat stadium), in preparation for the Western Force next season; by 2010/2011.

Good luck to Melbourne for Super 14's. It will only make the competition richer. An iniative the NRL have terribly neglected, again to their own demise; a very short-sighted administration.

 

[Perth Red]

Reading about the FIFA world cup and stadium requirements it wouldn't surprise me if the State Govt put MES on ice until we see if we are succesful. If we are then they will build a new stadium in order to host WC games here imo. Doubt they will want to spend $75mill now and then have to knock MES down and spend another $200mill building a new ground.