The ultimate double header!!!!

[legend]

What does everyone think about a double header consisting of Parra v Canterbury and Souths v Dragons to kick off next years NRL comp? It would be a huge boost to the game and would easily attract 100k fans.

 

[ozbash]

well i reckon they would have to incorporate souths.although they will never admit they (the nrl) were wrong,i think putting souths in the double header would be a very subtle apology.
i hope they do anyway.

 

[G@v]

I reckon that would be the perfect opener to season 2002, especially if the Eels are premiers.

The two traditional giants of the game, Souths v Saints.

The dominant teams of the 80's, Parra v Canterbury.

 

[imported_Kaon]

The Saints v. Souths clash would draw a huge crowd by itself so if the played Parra v. Bulldogs at a different venue, they would maximise the crowds for the first round. I would put 2 low drawing clubs as the other match in the double header (Tigers, Roosters?)

 

[imported_EskimoRichy]

I am not too sure yet but if Souths and another Sydney based team play each other at Stadium Oz then they'll get 70,000+ easily!

 

[legend]

G'day RJ, how was the sleepout and what was it for? Souths will definitely play Saints at Stadium Oz but we will have to wait on who the other two sides will be.

BTW, I was on your site yesterday(i think) and added my two cents worth.

 

[G@v]

What if the Eagles unmerge... wouldn't that be the perfect DH?
Manly v Norths
Followed by
Souths v Saints

 

[legend]

Yeah Gav, i'd go along with that one. To me, the NRL seem to be listening to the wishes of the fans. Finally. The next step should be a membership drive from all the clubs to fund any possible shortfall.

 

[kobe wan kenobi]

Great to see Souths back. Unlike Manly, Norths, Saints, Illawarra and all of the super league teams, they didnt bitchify themselves. They say its better to die on your feet than live on your knees - now look at the state of the eagles - GONE!!!!!!!!

 

[legend]

Good to see you back on deck Kobe. We need our resident Eel to defend all things blue and Gold. My thought is I will have Souths, Norths, Manly, Newcastle, Roosters, Bulldogs and Saints to hate next year and that is a good thing. The more the merrier and it will give a lot of the young kids a chance to prove themselves in the top grade.

 

[imported_Bigbopper]

Sorry about joining this late but only just got into the forum.
I would not have a double header. Souths vs Saints as the season opener (on Friday night) might fill the stadium by itself. I'd follow it with the grand final reply (assuming Saints didn't make it) on the Saturday night, which should draw a top crowd. Five other strategically selected games (again depending who was in the grand final) and we would get a record first round attendance.
Tell the world that Rugby League is back.
Cheers
Bigbopper

 

[imported_BulldogTim]

Hope the (16 team) NRL take heed:

Souths v 2001 Premiers (e.g Bulldogs)
Brisbane v Sydney
Newcastle v Parramatta
Manly v Norths
Sharks v Melbourne
St George-Illawarra v NZ Warriors
Canberra v Wests
Cowboys v Penrith

I reckon that'll be a big drawing round.
BulldogTim

 

[Hass]

Assuming that Manly and Norths de-merge (which I know there is bugger all chance of), here's how they should start the 2002 season.

*Manly v Norths and Parra v Canterbury in the Double-Header at Std Australia on Sat Night
*A Grand Final Replay on the Sunday (if it's Parra or C'Bury then we get someone else for the double-header)
*Souths v St.George-Illawarra in the Match of the Round on Monday Night at the S.C.G.

Why have I put Saints and Souths on the Monday Night. I don't know who it was, but someone mentioned that having the most anticipated game of the week on the Friday Night kills the rest of the weekend. Having a one-off Monday Nighter between these two teams would kill it. Yes, they'd draw more than 45,000 people- but surely the S.C.G is the most fitting venue for this clash.

Channel 9 would have to show all of these 4 blockbuster games live in a huge start to the year.

Cheers.

 

[imported_Bigbopper]

Hass,
There is some good thinking but I doubt whether they will demerge Norths and Manly. One other thing - would the SCG be available becasue of the cricket?
I really like your Monday night idea and the notion of getting things off to a good start.
Cheers
Bigbopper

 

[TheSaint]

I say just scrap the double header. It's lost it's novelty and I'd rather an ordinary home or Away fixture to kick off the season. The Double Header really isn't the best advertisement for League with scrappy play due to it being the start of the season and half the crowd seems dis-interested. Another problem with the crowd is it gets quite Ugly towards the end because a fair few people have drunk to much, and start getting into fights.

I really don't want to see my team there this year.

Canterbury and Parramatta, Saints vs Souths would be attractive fixtures but they are wasted when played at the start of the season, at Stadium Australia.

I would prefer to wait a few Rounds, then have a "Blockbuster" at Stadium Australia between the likes of St George, Parramatta orCanterbury. Have it as a neutral game and hype the game up.

 

[TheSaint]

My ultimate Double Header. St George Illawarravs Bulldogs 1st Division followed by St George Illawarra vs Bulldogs NRL

 

[imported_bronco]

I never thought i'd hear the words come out of my mouth but saint i totally agree with you.
While in some ways i supported the NRLs darby match idea to start the season this year, they were potential blockbusters thrown down the drain. Your not going to get your best game entertainment wise at the start of the year, thats simple logic.
I agree with your idea to leave the double header until a few rounds in when teams have warmed into the season and players have found their feet.

I'd love to see old enemies Canterbury and Parramatta face each other followed by a charity shield match between Souths and Saints. You'd get a great crowd and a much better spectacle if this was held in say round 5.

Another idea is a Queensland double header. The double headers at the moment have a strictly Sydney feel to them. Why not have a Brisbane and North Queensland double header as well. Brisbane could face off against say melbourne (my personal choice, there is a little rivalry building there) and North Queensland against, well i don't know exactly maybe a few suggestions there. Still Have the Nth Qld game first heading into the main event of a very lively clash between brisbane and melbourne. Have the match at ANZand when lang park is fixed up move it there. I think the idea could take off and draw in a big crowd for the 2 Queensland sides.

For the first round, i don't think they have to be big showdowns, no real one sided match ups but nobody really expects much first round. One thing i would like to see are the 2001 premiers against the newly admited Souths as the first game in 2002 to hopefully welcome in a new beginnning for league.

Cheers
bronco

 

[TheSaint]

I think just stand alone blockbusters are the way to go.

With your Queensland Double Header idea, well, it's not a good idea what so ever.Sydney is actually closer to Brisbane then Brisbaneis to Townsville. Either way, one side would be throwing away valuable income from a home game. It's costing me $240.00 Australian Dollars for a return flight between Brisbane and Townsville if that makes it any clearer for you.

It might work in the should a secondBrisbane team be set up. That wont be for a few years with the Bronco's notto keen on oposition.

 

[imported_bronco]

It was just an idea because i feel the double header has become a exclusive sydney affair, there are other teams in the comp and if the NRL are trying to make out the Double header is some jewel in its crown its unfair to exclude out of town teams even though they may not have as greater rivalry but in saying that the saints v brisbane matches always have a bit of passion in them.

Cheers
bronco

 

[TheSaint]

I think it's more to do with supporters being able to get to the game. A side like Penrith wasted a home game against Parra there this year. Penrith fans traditionaly don't travel well and there was huge Parramatta support. It's no good trying to get a big crowd when your support is a 1000 miles away.

If your going to try and make a game an event for out of state teams, it's pretty much got to be against Saints because we have the largest traveling Away support in the League not to mention wide spread support. There was a large St George presence in Melbourne and Brisbane (partly due to the Queensland supporters club) this year and there are quite a few ofus going up to Townsvillefor Saturdays game.

Hopefully in the future,Sth Queenslandand Wellington will geta team. This would create some much needed local rivalaries outside of Sydney.

The NRL is still basically an expanded Sydney Comp.Until that trend changes, hopefully due to expansion,most Rugby League events will be held in and based around Sydney.

At the moment, the focus with New Zealand is to really get them up to a standard where they can match the Kangeroos in a Test Match. A two test series during the year would be a lot better then the one off test that exists now.