Exactly. When you go to a Reds game next, buy that NSWRL programme ($3), and have a look at the crowds the Jim Beam Cup gets in Sydney - a crowd of 300 is on the larger end of the scale. The WA Reds crowds of 1,700 is astronomical in comparison. That being said, casual Rugby League (and sport in general) supporters aren't that interested in going to Jim Beam Cup games in Perth. If it was NRL games, especially a Perth team playing in the NRL, you would see crowds of 17,000 in attendance. I'll be honest: The Reds don't excite me. I was pumped after their fightback and last minute win last weekend, and they have done that to me a few times in their existence thus far, but as I whole, I'm not that excited about them. I do know that the hard yards have to be done right now as fans in order for us to have our own NRL team. I don't make a lot of money, working in aged care as I do, but I've spent quite a bit on things like memberships (2007, 2008), WA Reds jersey, (petrol on coming to the games every home game!!!) ect, and will continue to do so because I know it all helps and makes a difference. I am a very patient person, and I can see the work and money being put in now and in the future will pay off. I would personally feel kinda embarrassed and guilty if I did nothing, didn't go to games, spread the word, ect, and the WA Reds gain entry into the NRL and then start supporting them.
Each game -including the 2 pre-season games at North Beach- I have brought at the very least one other person with me. The most to one game was 4 others + myself. The game against Mounties the other week, I brought along a union fan who was sitting around twiddling his thumbs because his sport's season had finished.
That would make sense, but WARL players wouldn't then be able to go out after the games and drink because they'd have work the next day! They couldn't go out on Saturday nights because they'd have to play the following day! We can't have that! Rugby League is a social and drinking culture -WA Rugby League is definitely no exception to that!. Sure the players could go out and have a few (or a few too many!) on the Friday night instead, but it wouldn't be quite the same as after-game drinks - either celebrating a win, or trying to put a loss behind them. It just wouldn't be the same.