No problems with Monday night games, if they are bringing in the TV dollars.
Massive problem with how they handle them. The current ad-hoc approach is horrible for all concerned.
It is particularly unfair that the likes of Newcastle, Canberra and NQ (who rely on huge catchments) are constantly disadvantaged by scheduling, where Sydney teams basically get to pick their own draw to ensure "blockbusters".
How can we fix MNF?
Simply, Monday night games should be made into an event - a weekly event at the one stadium - ANZ stadium.
All Sydney teams get massive advantages when it comes to scheduling, and they should have no problems committing one or two home games a year to make Monday night games an event at ANZ.
If the Sydney teams commit to it and grow it, it won't be long before Monday night at ANZ is an institution, and the games are getting the same or even better crowds than weekend games.
Moving the kick-off to 7:30 might help, and obviously knowing the schedule in advance will as well - for example, Manly v StGeorge Illawarra MNF could be scheduled on a long weekend to enable both sets of fans every opportunity to come along.
Instead of being the black hole it is now, with the right marketing and hype Monday could be the blockbuster that is talked about all weekend - just like in the NFL.
Also with the cash that ANZ stadium splashes around, it could certainly be made financially enticing to the clubs who don't ordinarily play there.
Might even be able to offer discount tickets, or dedicated MNF packages for RL fans to attend every MNF game, or a selection of them. Having such a big stadium provides the flexibility to have some innovative ticketing packages.
Huge marketing potential, but of course it would take a bit of foresight and (short term) sacrifice to make it happen..... RL isn't exactly renowned for either...
