Titans first game

[gcbronco]

True but that doesn't necessarily mean having the Broncos play at home in round one. They've been around for twenty years and a one year disruption to their three year old "tradition" with the Cowboys is hardly a big deal. On the other hand the Titans are going to play their debut match just once. Who's going to appreciate and fondly remember that match more, the people of Melbourne or the people of SE Qld? Where does it do more good for the Titans and the game of RL in securing their fanbase for the future, Melbourne or SE Qld? If the Broncos aren't willing to accomodate this once off circumstance, and they don't have to by any means, then the Titans are happy to take the hit of playing on the same weekend to ensure they are born in front of their own fans. And the Broncos can just lump it.

And it doesn't mean the Titans have to play round one, just like the Melbourne Storm not every side that enters the competition in their first season plays their first round at home and likewise shifting their first debut home match back a round whereby it will not clash with a Broncos vs Cowboys game (which has been requested by both sides, not just the Broncos and the interests of two clubs is greater then that of one) increases their chances to draw a bigger crowd, people who want to follow the Titans and see what they are about aren't suddenly going to decide, gee I won't attend their first home match because its in round 2. The hype will still exist after one its not suddenly going to disappear as the hype will be their first competition home game not their first game. :roll:

This way the game benefits in a bumper crowd in round 1 and a bumper crowd in round 2 instead of two reduced crowds in one round that while you may get 40,000 for both matches, having both over two rounds increases your chances of having 50,000+ for both matches, which is better for the game? This way the Titans get their first debut home game and the Broncos and Cowboys get their traditional home match without either side making any real compromise. Both sides happy which is a far better compromise then upsetting two teams just to make one happy. In fact I would be prepared to even play the Broncos vs Cowboys game in round two if it would mean avoiding a conflict for two top games so early in the season, bottomline is I care about both matches, not just my own. I couldn't think of anything better then to see capacity crowds in two league matches over two rounds in Brisbane, rather then just two reduced crowds.

 

[gcbronco]

It says on Fox Sports News channel (on the scrolling bar thing) that Brisbane have requested to play the Titans in round 1.

If thats true then great, I'm all for that if all clubs involved support that.

 

[gcbronco]

Both games by their own right will draw 45,000 - 50,000 each. Together I'd say around 40,000 mark. Thats 10,000 - 20,000 less people attending RL between the two games, thats a lot of people, especially when say you look outside of Brisbane and a crowd of 15-20K is considered a pretty good crowd.

Exactly by moving one match to another round your increasing your chances of drawing close to capacity crowds in both matches which is better for the game then two matches with reduced crowd figures(a figure closer to 100,000 is a lot better then a figure thats closer to 80,000), considering the flak the NRL copped for crowd attendances this season they should be doing whatever they can to ensure that every match can reach its potential when its possible to achieve. It also gives the games the opportunity to draw bumper crowds for two rounds instead of just the one.

 

[Misty Bee]

...Only problem is that the Broncos/Cowboys opening round "tradition" is also a Sunday afternoon tradition. But I suppose if they're going to complain that they should get first stab at the fans wallets then they have to accept the move to Friday. ........Broncos are welcome to pick which one they want.

Leigh.

Hence my comparison to Sydney.

Firstly, no club outside QLD gets so hung up on when certain games are scheduled, hinging on some 3 yo 'tradition' like it's embedded in the constitution somewhere. That's why slubs such as Souths and Saints hold the Charity Shield pre season - they can market that as a traditional clash, and let the draw happen anyway. Clashes such as Saints v Sharks, Parra v Canterbury, Knights v Manly will be anticipated, and draw keen crowds whenever and wherever they are played.

A few years ago David Gallop came up with the 'brilliant' idea of opennig round 1 with traditionlal rivalries. He came to this conclusion watching a passionate battle between Parra v Penrith. So we copped Penrith in round 1, ignoring the fact that we had far greater rivalries with Canterbury, Manly and Saints. I also recall the Warriors drew Melbourne :lol:

The result was that the sprinkling of rivalries that happen periodically throughout the season didn't, and neither did the regular opportunities to promote the code that comes with them.

Having 'first stab' at the wallets should not be a concern. It's irrellevent, because unless the crowd is NOT 80% hardened Broncos or Cowpats fans, then they are relying on a very fickle market for their survival. Frankly I doubt it. They could play that game at midnight on Tuesday and still draw 20k.
The other problem is that it would seem that both games would be TV games. Therefore, on opening weekend, the NRL would be showcasing QLD teams only, and ignoring the hugely marketable clubs fromelsewhere - eg Dogs, Knights, Tigers, Eels, Chooks, Storm etc.

The NRL have been trumpeting the Titans for a while, so much so that AFL are pushing hard to minimise it's impact. Therefore, the Titans first post must be a winner, and Round 1 Friday Night at Suncorp is the best chance to get it -unless the Titans get flogged. Saints is still the codes best known brand, threfore the perfect choice.

And the Broncos should NOT 'pick' which one they want. They should be allowed to request, but should, like every other team in 100 years, accept the draw and get on with it!!!!!!!!

 

[Quidgybo]

Having 'first stab' at the wallets should not be a concern.

None the less, it *is* a concern for the Broncos. And it's no skin off anyone else's nose to accomodate that concern - the Titans have said as much.

The other problem is that it would seem that both games would be TV games. Therefore, on opening weekend, the NRL would be showcasing QLD teams only, and ignoring the hugely marketable clubs fromelsewhere - eg Dogs, Knights, Tigers, Eels, Chooks, Storm etc.

That's rubish, it's not a problem at all. There are three FTA TV games and only three Queensland teams. If one of the matches is all Queensland then that already means one of the other two games will be all non-Queensland and the third half and half. It's actually a nice balance from Nein's point of view - espeically if the half and half is the standalone match on Sunday. They get both NSW and Queensland fans tuning in on Friday night for the two different matches and both NSW and Queensland fans tuning in on Sunday for the shared interest match.

And the Broncos should NOT 'pick' which one they want. They should be allowed to request, but should, like every other team in 100 years, accept the draw and get on with it!!!!!!!!

I'm paraphrasing the view expressed by the Managing Director of the Titans. They don't care which match is played first whereas the Broncos want to go first. Therefore both parties are satisfied if the Broncos request to play first is granted. It's not a general policy of allowing to Broncos to pick which they want.

Leigh.

 

[Misty Bee]

Why is the Broncos the only club concerned? If it's a non issue to anyone else, why are the Broncos throwing their weight around about it???

That's my point - if it's not a problem, why not just let the NRL sort it out - as marketers of the game AS A WHOLE? No other club gets paranoid about match scheduling!!!!

And if anyone is getting paranoid, it should be the Dogs/Tigers/Rabbits at telstra, and Easts, becasue round 1 will directly coincide with a dual attack from AFL (Grand final replay at Telstra) and S14 v Auckland at SFS. The AFL are worried, and I bet any clubs playing in Sydney that weekend are as well.

But hey, as has been mentioned so often on these forums, when have the Broncos woried about anyone bar themselves?

 

[Quidgybo]

Why is the Broncos the only club concerned? If it's a non issue to anyone else, why are the Broncos throwing their weight around about it???

They've said it's a concern to them. Whether it is for anyone else or not is irrelevant. All they've done is say this is a concern to us and we request that our match is played before the other Suncorp match in that weekend. They're hardly throwing their weight around. Like the Broncos and their fans, you're trying to make a big deal out of something that isn't. It doesn't worry anyone else if we accomodate that request and that includes an explicit statement to that effect by the only other team who are affected - the Titans. Is there any reason left to argue against it other than the fact it is the Broncos asking?

That's my point - if it's not a problem, why not just let the NRL sort it out - as marketers of the game AS A WHOLE? No other club gets paranoid about match scheduling!!!!

Every club get's paranoid about scheduling. You've only got to ask why we don't still have 3pm Saturday matches to know that. Or listen to the complaints when a club doing well doesn't get on FTA TV (eg. Canberra). Brisbane have made a request, which they have every right to do - there's no harm in asking. No one else has a request that conflicts with it or a problem with the request, least of all the team most affected by it. So what's the problem with granting it?

Leigh.

 

[innsaneink]

As sick as I already am of you whinging?

I have as much right to ffer my opinion as anyone else here...
There is an ignore function hickboy, you have the power, use it instead of boring everyone sh*tless.

Sorry Im not going with the flow like everyone else...the lack of broncos fans posting here is highly noticeable, maybe they too think like everyone else, their prerogative, in this case though I agree with everything they say

 

[miccle]

Christ - I'm actually really over this topic.. mainly I guess because I can see both sides of the story now after reading and hearing a lot from both sides of the fence.

Of course I want what is best for my club... that's just natural.

But I also want what's best for the game. I hate the Titans - I now have real local rivals! But I still want them to succeed financially and with crowd figures.

If that means them opening up the season on Friday night at Lang Park, all I can say it good luck to 'em. It'd be a good way to start their lives, and we'll still comfortably pack out the grand old girl on Sunday arvo to face the Cows.

Miccle over and out - and hoping sense prevails, the less bad headlines in the game the better!

 

[nqboy]

*double post*

 

[nqboy]

I have as much right to ffer my opinion as anyone else here...
There is an ignore function hickboy, you have the power, use it instead of boring everyone sh*tless.

Sorry Im not going with the flow like everyone else...the lack of broncos fans posting here is highly noticeable, maybe they too think like everyone else, their prerogative, in this case though I agree with everything they say

You're so easy Ink...:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[innsaneink]

Exactly. Only problem is that the Broncos/Cowboys opening round "tradition" is also a Sunday afternoon tradition. But I suppose if they're going to complain that they should get first stab at the fans wallets then they have to accept the move to Friday. The only alternative would be to put the Titans on Monday night after the Sunday afternoon Broncos/Cowboys match. But that then moves the Titans game to pay TV which loses half the benefits of the Titans debut match. So if both games are going to FTA it's pretty much Friday night and Sunday - Broncos are welcome to pick which one they want.

Leigh.

Tradition takes a back seat to dollars, too many insecure RL fans are only looking at big crowd numbers to boast to rival codes fans about, tooo many looking at the here and now rather than 40, 80, 120 years on.
Game 1, and they wanna hold it at their rivals home....unbelievable ....they should be embarrassed, shouldnt we be encouraging these new chums to begin their tradition as soon as possible?

McTitans...would you like acrobats before kick off, sir?

 

[innsaneink]

You're so easy Ink...:lol: :lol: :lol:

Oh man, you got me good huh? :roll:

 

[The Preacher]

Oh man, you got me good huh? :roll:

Can you make it back from these depths Inky, or are the wounds inflicted to deep to survive ??? :shock:
This could be "forum murder" charges you're facing NQ !!!:x

 

[Gibbo]

Titans worried about crowd for opener
10:16 AM November 2

The Gold Coast Titans say they are concerned up to 30,000 fans could miss the chance to see the club's National Rugby League debut if the match is played at Carrara Stadium.

The Titans have applied to play St George Illawarra at Lang Park in the opening round, but the Brisbane Broncos want to play North Queensland at the ground on the same weekend.

Titans managing director Michael Searle says the club's debut should be a blockbuster.

"It's been a seven-year battle for us to come into the competition and, look, I'd be bitterly disappointed if we locked out one fan because of the capacity issue," he said.

"I think everyone should get the opportunity to enjoy it because at the end of the day Suncorp Stadium is a Queensland asset and 40 minutes up the road or a train ride, I think [it] is a great opportunity for fans to enjoy the atmosphere."

He said Carrara Stadium would not be able to accommodate the crowd expected at the first game.

"It was important for us to ensure that no matter who we play, that essentially we didn't lock fans out," he said.

"The very real threat for us is that this is going to be such a historic event for the Gold Coast that there's potentially 30,000 people that could be locked out of the event.

"It's such a memorable thing for young kids and fans alike that we would be reluctant to make that decision."

Source: ABC

 

[Gibbo]

...

 

[Gibbo]

Tradition takes a back seat to dollars, too many insecure RL fans are only looking at big crowd numbers to boast to rival codes fans about, tooo many looking at the here and now rather than 40, 80, 120 years on.
Game 1, and they wanna hold it at their rivals home....unbelievable ....they should be embarrassed, shouldnt we be encouraging these new chums to begin their tradition as soon as possible?

McTitans...would you like acrobats before kick off, sir?

Not ideal i know but do you know of any other ground in SE QLD/Nth NSW that holds over 30K?

ANZ doesn't anymore and i don't think they'd be real keen to have it at the Gabba.

 

[nqboy]

Can you make it back from these depths Inky, or are the wounds inflicted to deep to survive ??? :shock:
This could be "forum murder" charges you're facing NQ !!!:x

If Inane Ink was my victim, I'd plead guilty and proud.

 

[Quidgybo]

Tradition takes a back seat to dollars, too many insecure RL fans are only looking at big crowd numbers to boast to rival codes fans about, tooo many looking at the here and now rather than 40, 80, 120 years on.

Couldn't agree more. Too often it comes down to arguments about who has the bigger dick (eg. Swans GF ratings in Sydney vs NRL GF ratings in Sydney). But if we both have big dicks does it really matter who's is bigger? We're obviously still doing pretty darn well. That said, I think it's a touch unfair to tar the Titans with that brush. This is a once in a lifetime moment, their debut game. It's no shame that they want to let as many of their fans as posisble see it and we can be pretty certain that there are more wanting to see it than could ever be accomodated at Carrara. If it was just about maximising crowds then the two games would be on different weekends. But it isn't just about maximising crowds. And it's not about playing at a rival's ground either. It's about hiring the venue that fits the occasion and the only such venue in SE Qld is Suncorp. It's hardly going to undermine their rivalry with the Broncos. There's many years and decades ahead in which to build that tradition. But let's not begrudge the Titans this one day/night and their birth in front of as many of their fans as possible.

Leigh.

 

[Misty Bee]

I still don't see the problem with Brisbane's fears. As I have said before, multiple games at Sydney grounds happen regularly.

Storm in a teacup, Quidgey. Obviously the best thing for the game would be a Titans/Dragons opener over Broncs v Cowpats.