Move the GF to Brisbane / Melbourne

[Bulldog Force]

There is absolutely no justification moving the GF out of Sydney. The games head quarters are here and will always be here. Victorians aren't taking this one away from us!

 

[Timmah]

Have you actually been any further north than Brisbane???? Do you realise that Townsville has a population of 170k????? We rely heavily on other areas like Mackay and Cairns to bolster our crowds, and guess what, they are both over 350kms away. You clowns down south whinge and put up deluxe excuses for $hit crowds if a game is held at the SFS because you little sweethearts may have to pay $15 for parking...................... or god help your obese a$$es, walk the 20 mins from Central station to attend said game. God knows how you would get a crowd or season ticket holders down there if you had the same obstacles as some up here.......................

And don't try and throw south's into the equation, you are comparing a team that has won the most premierships in the leagues existence, had over 100 years history and based in the biggest city in Oz, to a team that has had minimal accolades, only 15 years in the big time and based out of a large 'town'. F$#K me, whenever we had to play your team from 05-08 at your home ground, you had to move it north to get a crowd because of the minimal NQ fans in Sydney............. if we applied the same logic up here, we wouldn't have a home game, because we rely totally on our own fans to go through the turnstiles and put up the $$$ to keep the club going. The only other team up here that has any real presence is the Broncos, and even then, most of those fans have started tp disappear now that we have been around for a bit.

Your 'heres a $90 season ticket' is a joke. I am all for boltstering fans to each club home games and propping up teams due to the pokie tax, but right there you are undervaluing your teams worth. You might have 100 odd more season ticketed fans than us, but our cheapest season ticket is $200 odd for a general admission seat on the hill, we are making more coin than the dogs per person at our home games. Greenberg is a good operator and I wish we had someone that had some ideas akin to his, but $90 season tickets is a cheap gimmick and no matter how you try and paint it with 'well it will encourage those people to drag other people along to games" BS (whilst amusing), it was a cheap stunt to keep up with other more popular teams and try to create the 'feel good' attitude towards the dogs. There's no way even with inflation athat it will continue on in the future.

I generally agree with most things you say on here, but your comments about our situation seem to be spoken from a mouth than is implanted firmly straight up it's own a$$.

So you thought rather than argue the toss you'd bag all Sydneysiders (obese) and then me with a snide remark? Could've done without that mate.

I won't take issue with the first two paragraph, you obviously know your stuff about your region. I just think one town teams should always have a stronger showing that Sydney. By the same token the Knights figures are very poor, although they've had a whole other landslide of issues.

Now this $90 thing you're bagging :lol: First of all, congrats for bagging an initiative that has helped the club net 8,270 members Our 2009 figure of 5,415 has been eclipsed by almost 3,000 now and it will be close to 9,000 - almost 3,500 more - by the time we reach season kickoff next week. So really, good on ya for bagging that

The reason we are able to offer such cheap memberships (and Souths really should investigate it) is because we play at ANZ Stadium. With the extent of food & bev outlets there and how much coin the stadium makes, they are able to subsidise clubs massively to the point where they can get such small crowds they make a profit anyway. Also, have you heard of the logic that 20k at 10 dollars looks better than 10k at 20 dollars?

I highly doubt one of the best administrators in the game (Sports Administrator of the Year in fact) would allow this to go ahead if it didn't make business sense, but thanks for your negativity nonetheless.

 

[Fein]

There is absolutely no justification moving the GF out of Sydney. The games head quarters are here and will always be here. Victorians aren't taking this one away from us!

bullsh*t.

If the game is to be expanded then a grand final in a decent sized stadium should be considered anywhere in which an NRL club is represented, including New Zealand (on an earned home final basis).

Decent sized being the key and 50,000 would probably be the minimum in my opinion for Australia and then whatever the max. sized stadium is in New Zealand.

 

[beave]

So you thought rather than argue the toss you'd bag all Sydneysiders (obese) and then me with a snide remark? Could've done without that mate.

I won't take issue with the first two paragraph, you obviously know your stuff about your region. I just think one town teams should always have a stronger showing that Sydney. By the same token the Knights figures are very poor, although they've had a whole other landslide of issues.

Now this $90 thing you're bagging :lol: First of all, congrats for bagging an initiative that has helped the club net 8,270 members Our 2009 figure of 5,415 has been eclipsed by almost 3,000 now and it will be close to 9,000 - almost 3,500 more - by the time we reach season kickoff next week. So really, good on ya for bagging that

Apologies for the obese comment, it wasn't aimed at you specifiically mate, I know you cop $hit in here about that but I wasn't aiming it directly at you, I just noticed a lot of 'larger' people down there a few weeks ago when I was down to see Faith No More.

The reason we are able to offer such cheap memberships (and Souths really should investigate it) is because we play at ANZ Stadium. With the extent of food & bev outlets there and how much coin the stadium makes, they are able to subsidise clubs massively to the point where they can get such small crowds they make a profit anyway. Also, have you heard of the logic that 20k at 10 dollars looks better than 10k at 20 dollars?

I highly doubt one of the best administrators in the game (Sports Administrator of the Year in fact) would allow this to go ahead if it didn't make business sense, but thanks for your negativity nonetheless.

Apologies for the obese comment, it wasn't aimed at you specifiically mate, I know you cop sh*t in here about that but I wasn't aiming it directly at you, I just noticed a lot of 'larger' people down there a few weeks ago when I was down to see Faith No More. Anyways, apologies, it wasn't aimed at you, but I understand you could have interpreted it that way.

I am not being negative about the dogs membership drive either mate, I am all for it and stoked that clubs down there are finally getting the message that they can't rely on the pokie machine coin to prop you up, but you have to compare what each club is charging their patrons as a measuring stick to the final numbers for each team and we simply don't get the subsidised 'rent' like the teams that go to ANZ. I know the MSFA up here charge like a wounded bull for DFS and in turn the cows pass it on to us, I have been critical of the cowboys in the past for price increase, but tbh, I'm now more critical at the government and MSFA up here for the price rise on our tickets. Without boring you, my seats (as I have said in here previously) were $650-$700 for a family in 2006, now, even with a 15% discount I get for being loyal, the exact same seats are $1250-$1300, you see what I am getting at here. The fury need 10k to each game up here to break even, they are about to post a $5million loss in their opening season, most of that IMO would be thanks to the ridiculous rent fees for the stadium.


I have to fly back from Perth in 30 mins, I will retort more to your above post later tonight, I don't have the time to get all 'war and peace'............ ;-)

 

[bender]

Sacrifice 20,000 to grow? :lol:

League is already "growing" in Brisbane - hosted the WC final in 2008, has had a number of big matches awarded to it, particularly at an international level.

Why then, would you take RL's biggest product and freeze 30,000 fans out of it? You're saying be progressive and then contradicting yourself in the same breath.

I dont understand this argument. If we use it, Arent we freezing out people by playing it in Sydney instead of the MCG?

Did you want it played in Brisbane before the olympic stadium was built in Sydney? Or did you want to freeze out people and play it at the SFS instead of Brisbane?

You need to look at the effect of moving from all angles. Move to Melbourne or Brisbane or even New Zealand or any other area, and it is a huge boost in the arm for the game their. Although admittedly, it doesnt really need the boost in Brisbane. In Sydney, their will be some outrage and missing out from people for the year, but really Sydney is rugby league as much as Qld. The game is not going to fall over. But, the next year, when they get it back, They would almost certainly get massive govt interest and support, and massive public interest, which i dare say would spill over and convert into massive crowd increases in the semi finals and probably through the year. That would be a massive boost.

The long term goal, really should be to have a set down criteria including a guaranteed govt or private sponsorship level of the GF and if all clubs meet this, then the club who qualifies first for the Grand Final should get it.

 

[petetheileet]

Iv only been to 2 Grand Finals in my lifetime, but it was amazing how many Dragons fans were at the 09 GF. Cant speak for the 3 GF's previous, but id imagine that most were not Storm fans.

I saw more Dragons and Dogs Jerseys on my side of the field than Storm ones

 

[Bulldog Force]

bullsh*t.

If the game is to be expanded then a grand final in a decent sized stadium should be considered anywhere in which an NRL club is represented, including New Zealand (on an earned home final basis).

Decent sized being the key and 50,000 would probably be the minimum in my opinion for Australia and then whatever the max. sized stadium is in New Zealand.

50,000 should not be the minimum:

Brisbane: Again, why should 30,000+ fans miss out on getting a ticket? If they can expand Suncorp to 65, then maybe they could be considered to host a GF, although the argument about 15000-18000 fans missing out may still be raised.

Melbourne: I don't care how big the MCG is, it is NOT a Rugby League stadium, neither is Etihad. You need the fans to enjoy the atmosphere and you will not get that in Melbourne.

Auckland: Simply not big enough and Rugby League is not the dominant sport over in New Zealand, not to mention the stadium size.

 

[Lambretta]

50,000 should not be the minimum:

Brisbane: Again, why should 30,000+ fans miss out on getting a ticket? If they can expand Suncorp to 65, then maybe they could be considered to host a GF, although the argument about 15000-18000 fans missing out may still be raised.

Melbourne: I don't care how big the MCG is, it is NOT a Rugby League stadium, neither is Etihad. You need the fans to enjoy the atmosphere and you will not get that in Melbourne.

Auckland: Simply not big enough and Rugby League is not the dominant sport over in New Zealand, not to mention the stadium size.

Do you really think that 80,000 FANS of Rugby League go to the Grand Final? I think you're deluding yourself if you think it's anywhere near 60,000. Apart from a 15,000 allocation to the clubs that actually make it, the Grand Final is sold out long before the final week comes along.

Corporate sponsers, people involved with the game etc all get their allocations (true many of these tickets are then on sold on e-bay etc or donated to the finalists to sell to their desperate fans) but the ticket allocation for fans of the teams involved is still under 20,000.

Yes many, many tickets are sold well in advance of the Final and bought by fans of clubs that arent participating and yes, they're fans of the game but they're not fans of the clubs involved.

If the Grand Final was held somewhere else the number of fans of the clubs involved getting tickets wouldnt be reduced, but corporate sponser tickets and club allocation tickets would be reduced.

Yes fewer people would be at the game, but if the game was compensated by the Queensland State Government for the loss of revenue those fewer seats resulted in, then your arguement is really that you would prefer that a greater number of corporate sponsers and fans of clubs not involved in the game are able to attend.

If the game can increase revenue by involving Queensland - a long time staunch supporter of Rugby League (and if you hadnt noticed we dont have that many) then surely that's a positive?

I like the arguement "if it aint broke dont fix it" but I also enjoy enhancements that improve things and I think that we should be open to suggestions of moving the Grand Final IF AND ONLY IF it's going to make our code stronger.

Why would any Rugby League supporter be against strengthening our code?

 

[Fein]

50,000 should not be the minimum:

Brisbane: Again, why should 30,000+ fans miss out on getting a ticket? If they can expand Suncorp to 65, then maybe they could be considered to host a GF, although the argument about 15000-18000 fans missing out may still be raised.

Melbourne: I don't care how big the MCG is, it is NOT a Rugby League stadium, neither is Etihad. You need the fans to enjoy the atmosphere and you will not get that in Melbourne.

Auckland: Simply not big enough and Rugby League is not the dominant sport over in New Zealand, not to mention the stadium size.

Well I would prefer more however to cater for QLD, that's why I selected 50,000.

I'd also prefer to see larger stadiums than 50,000 given a go.

Please, spare me the argument that ANY ground is not fit for Rugby League, MCG or otherwise.

Atmosphere is what you, the member of the crowd create.

 

[Timmah]

Apologies for the obese comment, it wasn't aimed at you specifiically mate, I know you cop $hit in here about that but I wasn't aiming it directly at you, I just noticed a lot of 'larger' people down there a few weeks ago when I was down to see Faith No More. Anyways, apologies, it wasn't aimed at you, but I understand you could have interpreted it that way.

I am not being negative about the dogs membership drive either mate, I am all for it and stoked that clubs down there are finally getting the message that they can't rely on the pokie machine coin to prop you up, but you have to compare what each club is charging their patrons as a measuring stick to the final numbers for each team and we simply don't get the subsidised 'rent' like the teams that go to ANZ. I know the MSFA up here charge like a wounded bull for DFS and in turn the cows pass it on to us, I have been critical of the cowboys in the past for price increase, but tbh, I'm now more critical at the government and MSFA up here for the price rise on our tickets. Without boring you, my seats (as I have said in here previously) were $650-$700 for a family in 2006, now, even with a 15% discount I get for being loyal, the exact same seats are $1250-$1300, you see what I am getting at here. The fury need 10k to each game up here to break even, they are about to post a $5million loss in their opening season, most of that IMO would be thanks to the ridiculous rent fees for the stadium.


I have to fly back from Perth in 30 mins, I will retort more to your above post later tonight, I don't have the time to get all 'war and peace'............ ;-)

I didn't take the obese remark personally if you check again, I'm well aware of my figure and it's nowhere near that category, despite the protestations of hundreds of morons around here ;-)

The Fury will almost certainly fold if they can't crack any decent crowds in 2010-11 btw.

I dont understand this argument. If we use it, Arent we freezing out people by playing it in Sydney instead of the MCG?

Did you want it played in Brisbane before the olympic stadium was built in Sydney? Or did you want to freeze out people and play it at the SFS instead of Brisbane?

You need to look at the effect of moving from all angles. Move to Melbourne or Brisbane or even New Zealand or any other area, and it is a huge boost in the arm for the game their. Although admittedly, it doesnt really need the boost in Brisbane. In Sydney, their will be some outrage and missing out from people for the year, but really Sydney is rugby league as much as Qld. The game is not going to fall over. But, the next year, when they get it back, They would almost certainly get massive govt interest and support, and massive public interest, which i dare say would spill over and convert into massive crowd increases in the semi finals and probably through the year. That would be a massive boost.

The long term goal, really should be to have a set down criteria including a guaranteed govt or private sponsorship level of the GF and if all clubs meet this, then the club who qualifies first for the Grand Final should get it.

What case is there for staging a Grand Final at the MCG? At least ANZ gets reasonably close to a rectangle shape - you can't bring in any stands at the G!

For the record the SL Grand Final was played at ANZ Stadium (now QSAC) in 1997 and it had a greater capacity than SFS at the time. All for it - bigger capacity ground.

I honestly think the freezing out of such a large number of fans is not worth it. There hasn't been less than 79,000 for a Grand Final in the last decade (perhaps except for ANZ getting renovated) and to be truthful, there shouldn't be. Your MCG argument is silly as 1. it's already hosting the AFL GF in the same fortnight, and 2. it's not a rugby league stadium.

 

[Red Bear]

Whilst Sydney can hold over 20 000 extra fans why the f**k would you move it to the backwards sh*thole that is Brisbane.

 

[melbourne_belle]

There is absolutely no justification moving the GF out of Sydney. The games head quarters are here and will always be here. Victorians aren't taking this one away from us!

Keep the GF we will just have to keep taking the Premiership home with us :lol: I kid I kid.
Your distaste for Victoria makes me laugh. A tad insecure are we?
Victoria will never take the GF unless the government magically turn the new stadium in a 80 odd thousand seater and Victorians give up on Fumble ball and follow the Storm instead.
This topic comes up every so often and some of you sydneysiders take the bait everytime.
Until Queensland can come up with an extra 20,000 seats at Suncorp and Victorians do the above, the GF should and 99.9% likely will stay in NSW, so calm down child.

Although it would make it so much easier personally if it was in Melbourne. We will kindly gift you the AFL GF for a straight swap please. Thanks

 

[Lambretta]

Whilst Sydney can hold over 20 000 extra fans why the f**k would you move it to the backwards sh*thole that is Brisbane.

I included a picture for you as you appear to be hard of understanding

If the QLD State Government coughs up enough of this stuff, why would we continue to say no to our Rugby League lovin' bretheren north of the border?

 

[Loudstrat]

Fair dinkum there's some dumb logic from Queerlanders and Victorians on this subject. You know when they spin crap like "growing the game" that they have nothing.

How is it growing the game when you shut out 30 000 people?

Whether it is played at ANZ or Scully Park in Tamworth it's going to attract around 4.2 million viewers in Australia. And how would Wests v North Queensland fill the MCG for f*cks sake?

Most of you twats bagged Parra and Saints for not moving games to ANZ because IT LOCKED OUT THE FANS. Now you want to lock out the fans to make a quick buck out of Anna Bligh. The game needs cash - but to the tune of an extra $300 million per season. If Bligh can pay that then she can play the GF at Birdsville showground. Even if she covered the extra 30k (at $100 a pop for tickets and probably another $100 for food, drinks, transport and other goodies that's $6 million), how do you cover the loss of 30 000 fans not inspired to turn up again to games next year?

Plus, these alternative venues are one team towns - a 1/16 chance they will actually be playing, and a 15/16 chance that at least one of the teams will be from interstate.

Consider that Brisbane is starved of league - good strategy for getting big crowd stats - bad strategy for gaining income though. Sydney residents are twice as likely to go to a league game than Brisbane residents are. Why should we reward that?

Brisbane forfeited the right to host a GF the second they stopped having the majority of teams in the comp residing there. The last was 1987 in the old pre Broncos Brisbane premiership. How many QLD cup GF's have been held outside Brisbane (honest question).

It's an event that Sydney created and nurtured. It ain't for sale.

 

[1999]

go watch your old winfield cup tapes of the mapies and the bears loser, the games expanding with or without you. I remember a similar argument afew years ago about taking origin to melbourne... remember how that turned out? nrl loves melbourne and if we want the grand final we will get it sooner or later, same as origins, anzac tests and the rest we've wanted and taken.

 

[MsStorm]

I included a picture for you as you appear to be hard of understanding

If the QLD State Government coughs up enough of this stuff, why would we continue to say no to our Rugby League lovin' bretheren north of the border?

That's it Lambretta!
The NSW Gov't only has to cough up those dollars and posters like Misty wouldn't be so stressed.

 

[Loudstrat]

go watch your old winfield cup tapes of the mapies and the bears loser, the games expanding with or without you. I remember a similar argument afew years ago about taking origin to melbourne... remember how that turned out? nrl loves melbourne and if we want the grand final we will get it sooner or later, same as origins, anzac tests and the rest we've wanted and taken.

I don't remember an argument about the 94 Origin at the MCG, anyway Origins are shared.

Besides, you never "took" them, we offered them to you dickwad. Arguably, Melbourne never wanted them - didn't know they existed until you got the odd Ashes test (yes, there was league before 1999).

MS Storm, the NSW govt doesn't have to pay too much - they have a stadium that's bigger in Sydney. Simple.