The game is bigger than it has ever been

[Chook Norris]

I’ve asked this elsewhere but why do people think this is? After a couple of decades of stagnation the game has just exploded. I’ve said my reasons elsewhere but I’m curious what others think.

Leveraging what others have said on here, I'll go with:

* Rule changes: 6 again rule has eliminated most of the wrestling and sped the game up.
* Social media: Great digital and media strategy. All clubs and the NRL social media pages engage well with their fan base. Leading to a lot more engagement and tribalism. Social media blew up even more during COVID. Seeing a lot more cross over promotion between touch and NRL on social media too
* Female / family friendly: Game has become more safe with that audience in mind. There has been a cost to this (some say the game is softer and it is).
* Leadership / vision: Game is being led well and people are generally confident in where the game is growing

IMO. The biggest factor is 6 again and NRL's willingness to adapt the game to make it more entertaining

 

[beave]

I think the amendment to the 6 again where it was only from the 40m onwards was actually the big change that made the game better. When the 6 again first hit the comp, players were happy to rush offside to put a hit on when teams were coming off their own line or laying down early in the count as it didn't really mean much when it was down the other end of the field.

I think the tweak was the sweet spot.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Two sold out Preliminary finals, two great match ups, we've just had the biggest TV audience, crowds are up. Amazing!! PVL has listened to the fans and the game will get bigger and better.

 

[footy75]

PVL is a magnificent operator.

 

[Perth Red]

You have to look at what’s changed from say ten years ago.

1. streaming and social media has opened up the game to more people
2. the game has more revenue so can invest in marketing etc
3. it’s Sydney centric and people dont hate the penrith dominance like they did the Melbourne dominance
4. many stadiums have improved increasing attendance
5. Vlandys and Abdo not afraid to talk game up, perception is everything
6. media has softened, isnt as critical about the game as it used to be creating a more positive public perception of the game
7. long overdue brisbane 2 club has added a % increase to the stats
8. Australia’s population has grown by 4mill in last ten years so you’d expect some relative growth in line with it.

just some of the reasons, imo.

 

[CAS]

There was a time a few years back I fell out of love with the game, all wrestling in the tackles, attacking play all around big drives and try for a drop out, six again, someone would have been dropped for daring to run the ball on the last tackle, chip over the top in your own half would have your contract ripped up, I stuck with it through shear love of the game. Now it’s pure entertainment, the odd stinker now and again but players expressing themselves, you can hype stuff all you like but as a sport I watch it and am always entertained, be gutted when the season is over.

 

[Perth Red]

There was a time a few years back I fell out of love with the game, all wrestling in the tackles, attacking play all around big drives and try for a drop out, six again, someone would have been dropped for daring to run the ball on the last tackle, chip over the top in your own half would have your contract ripped up, I stuck with it through shear love of the game. Now it’s pure entertainment, the odd stinker now and again but players expressing themselves, you can hype stuff all you like but as a sport I watch it and am always entertained, be gutted when the season is over.

Apart from the soft head high tackle penalties, players laying down and the random six agains to give teams a leg up.

 

[no name]

PVL talking the game up has definitely made an impact.
While still negative, the media are less negative than they were 10-15 years ago.
Can you imagine the uproar of the Friday-Sunday split of prelims 15 years ago?

 

[Trifili13]

We must change 'when Souths are going well the League is going well'. Everyone has embraced the Smug. The People's Team.

 

[Nealo 12]

We must change 'when Souths are going well the League is going well'. Everyone has embraced the Smug. The People's Team.

Or what about “ when Souffs are going well the refs are giving them leg ups “

 

[Chook Norris]

What has made the media less negative? Is it PVL being closer to News Limited?

He was slammed for being close to News a few years back, but I daresay its paid dividends

 

[gerg]

Many factors but the key one is the quality of the onfield product. Those years of too much wrestling was incredibly frustrating and boring to watch really. Who would have thought that fans prefer to watch attacking football instead of defence focused games where teams just suffocate the ruck, allowing them to reset and rest their defensive line.

 

[steeden.]

What has made the media less negative? Is it PVL being closer to News Limited?

He was slammed for being close to News a few years back, but I daresay its paid dividends

Maybe the sweetheart tv deal he gave News Ltd during covid? Or the Vegas and magic round junkets. He loves providing a headline, which makes a journo’s job easier

 

[Wb1234]

Maybe the sweetheart tv deal he gave News Ltd during covid? Or the Vegas and magic round junkets. He loves providing a headline, which makes a journo’s job easier

That’s not fair about Vegas

Lachlan Murdoch got the games on prime time east coast channels at no big benefit to them in America

Fox have been huge supporters of Vegas

Nine didn’t even want to send commentators there

 

[soc123_au]

We must change 'when Souths are going well the League is going well'. Everyone has embraced the Smug. The People's Team.

Pretty much. People are tuning in to witness greatness. Plus all the talent we supply to prop up the rest of the comp. Kotoa lighting up at the Dolphins, Iongi making Parra entertaining, Billy Burns dragging the Sharks to a Prelim, Dogs looking a threat until they diluted Panther with Tiger. Word is even Walsh is getting his toilet water piped in from the pumping station outside the demolished stadium (Salary cap auditor probably should look at who paid the plumber, wouldn't have been cheap) And the list goes on.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Shame it's time for another rebuild...

I don't think we were winning any comps with that spine. Hopefully Woods is the goods, and with Galvin they should grow together. Maybe 3 years time we might be pushing for a premiership. Will take a bit of time for them to get enough time together on the field. That said, the forward pack should improve out of sight in that time.

 

[Chins]

I don't think we were winning any comps with that spine. Hopefully Woods is the goods, and with Galvin they should grow together. Maybe 3 years time we might be pushing for a premiership. Will take a bit of time for them to get enough time together on the field. That said, the forward pack should improve out of sight in that time.

Gus will have moved that pairing on in 3 years

 

[Dogs Of War]

Gus will have moved that pairing on in 3 years

So you say. Lets see. Burton has a boot, but just doesn't do enough on the field at 5/8th. He has his moments, but they are far and few between. But maintaining what we have will just mean we have a team that makes the eight, but is really making up the numbers. I'm happy to roll the dice, cause there are some damn good teams coming along and hopefully Woods is the halfback that can be the guy for our team.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I don't think we were winning any comps with that spine. Hopefully Woods is the goods, and with Galvin they should grow together. Maybe 3 years time we might be pushing for a premiership. Will take a bit of time for them to get enough time together on the field. That said, the forward pack should improve out of sight in that time.

Good centers, good Wings , now you have a good half. Hooker and Fullback need to be upgraded to one's a little more dangerous with the footy , easy to shut down halves when that all you're worried about. Maybe more depth in the front row.
A 9 , 1 and some muscle up front.

In other words Galvin isn't on the front foot and the only real threat.
That's my take anyway.

 

[Wb1234]

Gus will have moved that pairing on in 3 years

So salty

Penrith leagues club were hours away from going broke till Gus got an emergency loan from packer

Dogs are on the up even if he did sabotage then this year

Dogs are now one of the biggest clubs in Sydney and they haven’t even won anything yet