Watching NRL without crowds

[The Vaulting Violinist]

I’ve had the ‘interesting’ experience of being able to follow a ‘sport’ through the pandemic over the last few months. OK...well maybe not a sport, but let’s call it something close to one (rasslin’)

Ive taken a step back the last few weeks and thought about whether there being no crowds at the event has impacted my enjoyment levels while watching. They’ve by in large found a way to limit the number of shots of the empty arena, and even inserted noise via having a few people at ringside

that said - has it impacted my enjoyment and investment in watching it? Absolutely

which brings me to the nrl. Next Thursday we’re back, sans crowds. I expect to feel a similar way to be honest. I’ll still love watching the games, but will it be to the same extent? Probably not

now I’ve seen the unfortunate blow up (lol) in Korea with the dolls. That said - I do think there being noise is the biggest missing element in the viewing experience. Would it be beyond 9/fox to think about how they could incorporate some form of noise without it looking hokey/cheap? I remember a few years back you could listen to the crowd on fox without the irritating commentators.

Would it be beyond the realms of possibility to have a set of pre-recorded sounds that play depending on what’s happening on the field? I personally think it’s worth a go...can see the counter arguments as well though so interested in both sides

 

[big hit!]

night games, played in dew, particularly at WSS, will have more of an impact on the quality of games than the lack of crowd. in the short-term, the viewer will get an insight into the calls and chat on the field between players. but in the long-run, yes, no atmosphere will have an impact, particularly with casual viewers.

 

[Cactus]

Have had the sound turned off for years if it was a channel 9 game

 

[The Marshall]

I think it could have an effect on results after the initial excitement of being back on the field dies after a couple of weeks. There's been plenty of games games at ANZ with crowds of 5k-10k over the years that has seen teams come out flat as a tack and it could be the similar with no crowds.

 

[Greenfields]

There weren't any crowds in Round 2 and I thought it was fine from a viewing perspective. Has that feel of watching the schoolboys comp on a Saturday morning but I'm ok with it.

 

[T-Boon]

At a minimum the full coaching staff needs to be on the sideline not sitting up in a box.

 

[Frailty]

I quite liked hearing more of the contact and the talking on the field.

It also gets rid of players trying to tell referees they didn't hear calls.

 

[hunters]

Maybe you should download your own sound grabs and you can create whatever atmosphere you need.

Personally, no amount of pretend sounds is going to trick me into thinking there's a crowd. I'll just watch the game and yell at the ref myself.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Cue the Rolling Stones...

You can't always get what you want..

But if you try sometimes.. You'll find...

You get what you need...

 

[big hit!]

At a minimum the full coaching staff needs to be on the sideline not sitting up in a box.

the best place to watch rugby league from a coaching perspective is up behind the try line.

this new rugba league might be different

 

[shear_joy9]

no crowds doesn't hurt the viewing experience much in rugby league. Having 20+ players only 10m apart there is a heap of on field noise and now you can really hear the hits.

AFL was an absolute abomination without crowds. Soccer isn't that much better

 

[mongoose]

no crowds doesn't hurt the viewing experience much in rugby league. Having 20+ players only 10m apart there is a heap of on field noise and now you can really hear the hits.

AFL was an absolute abomination without crowds. Soccer isn't that much better

Yeah I think AFL relies on crowd noise and atmosphere more than NRL. Lets be honest, there are plenty of NRL games in front of woeful crowds that are still entertaining. AFL could get exposed as the nonsense sport it is.

 

[moffla]

Of course it's not the same, but I'd 100% take this over the alternative of not having crowds. It'll be a unique season, but for many if gives us something to get excited for each weekend - even if it's not as exciting as it would be with a packed stadium

Side note, storm have approached the Vic Government about the possibility of "trailing" crowds later in the season..worth a shot, doubt it'll happen

 

[T-Boon]

the best place to watch rugby league from a coaching perspective is up behind the try line.

this new rugba league might be different

Its not about where it is best for a coach to watch it is about maximising entertainment for TV.

 

[Greenfields]

Its not about where it is best for a coach to watch it is about maximising entertainment for TV.

It's safer for everyone if Bellamy is confined to a box during game time.

 

[shear_joy9]

It's safer for everyone if Bellamy is confined to a box during game time.

 

[T-Boon]

It's safer for everyone if Bellamy is confined to a box during game time.

I get your point. It would be pretty entertaining, especially with no crowd noise cancelling out the yelling.

 

[King hit]

The players are professionals and are taking the games seriously. It’s strange without a crowd but it’s still top level sport. I still found the quality of games I saw in round 2 good.

 

[Canard]

There hasn't been crowds at most Thursday night games for years, so it's not going to be much of change, same with the 6pm game.

 

[King hit]

Of course it's not the same, but I'd 100% take this over the alternative of not having crowds. It'll be a unique season, but for many if gives us something to get excited for each weekend - even if it's not as exciting as it would be with a packed stadium

Side note, storm have approached the Vic Government about the possibility of "trailing" crowds later in the season..worth a shot, doubt it'll happen

I heard the Victorian sports minister or someone like that say that it’s not impossible to see a crowd at sport this year. Later in the season if the situation improves even more it could return.