What to expect early on

[Saint_JimmyG]

I disagree...McGregor has shown a lot of confidence in Dufty and has talked him up after both trial games. He may be under the pump because of his position but so is everyone else. He has been one of the best players in both trials..

"He (Dufty) did enough to get a start next week (against Souths)" - Paul McGregor', following the trial against Hull.

Considering he's the incumbent at fullback, and SHOULD be the runaway favourite to play in the no. 1 jumper - as there are no real alternatives - this hardly seems a rousing endorsement.

The point here is whether 'the coach' would've made such a statement if Dufty had his confidence.

I don't reckon he does.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

Heart says Saints x 2.
Head says " chill out dude ".

A little disappointed in the promotion of this game by the club. First game of the season, back at our home ground, 2 gun signings, you think there would be a massive built up both locally, and via social media.

I hope we get 15k plus, but cant see it happening. Yes I also understand its a Thursday night.. My guess is 12k..

Very good point there, TruSaint.
First game of the season.
The club and the NRL should be all over it.

 

[TruSaint]

NRL 2018 TO KICK OFF WITH A WHIMPER
This is why fans are left scratching their heads at the big wigs at the NRL.

The opening round of the 2018 season between St George-Illawarra and Brisbane at Kogarah Oval could be one of the lowest - if not the lowest - drawing crowds of the entire first week of footy.

Just 12,000 are expected to attend the Thursday night 8pm kick-off.

It's a shocking example of how the NRL - despite having full control of the season draw - have little clue on which games should be played and where.

Another example is the Sharks hosting the Dragons - a classic local derby - in round two at 8pm on Thursday night.

Instead of a potential 20,000 crowd, the Sharks will struggle to pull 12,000.

 

[muzby]

NRL 2018 TO KICK OFF WITH A WHIMPER
This is why fans are left scratching their heads at the big wigs at the NRL.

The opening round of the 2018 season between St George-Illawarra and Brisbane at Kogarah Oval could be one of the lowest - if not the lowest - drawing crowds of the entire first week of footy.

Just 12,000 are expected to attend the Thursday night 8pm kick-off.

It's a shocking example of how the NRL - despite having full control of the season draw - have little clue on which games should be played and where.

Another example is the Sharks hosting the Dragons - a classic local derby - in round two at 8pm on Thursday night.

Instead of a potential 20,000 crowd, the Sharks will struggle to pull 12,000.

perhaps because thursday night is a f**ked night for footy.

so is monday.

so is 6pm friday.

families and those who work regular hours just can't get there.


NRL needs to fix the schedule.

Friday 8pm

Saturday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm.

Sunday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

 

[Alec's-saints]

perhaps because thursday night is a f**ked night for footy.

so is monday.

so is 6pm friday.

families and those who work regular hours just can't get there.


NRL needs to fix the schedule.

Friday 8pm

Saturday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm.

Sunday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

i reckon we will get a decent crowd. 15k is a must.

 

[Life's Good]

"He (Dufty) did enough to get a start next week (against Souths)" - Paul McGregor', following the trial against Hull.

Considering he's the incumbent at fullback, and SHOULD be the runaway favourite to play in the no. 1 jumper - as there are no real alternatives - this hardly seems a rousing endorsement.

The point here is whether 'the coach' would've made such a statement if Dufty had his confidence.

I don't reckon he does.

In fairness to Dufty, the implied lack of confidence is more a slight on the coach. IMO Dufty has shown enough to warrant first choice at FB(as you allude to)& the coach should be vocally behind him.
I haven’t heard Bellamy hedge his bets on Brodie Croft.
I know comparing SuperCoach to Bellamy is an exercise in futility but he is a great reference point nonetheless.

 

[dragonssamy61]

perhaps because thursday night is a f**ked night for footy.

so is monday.

so is 6pm friday.

families and those who work regular hours just can't get there.


NRL needs to fix the schedule.

Friday 8pm

Saturday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm.

Sunday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Agree with but it all to about tv ratings. The nrl don't care about the average fan at all

 

[TruSaint]

15k would be a blessing.

I agree 12k will be the mark.

Some people suggesting over 17k should look at massive games we have had at home over the past few years and haven't achieved any where near that

I would be so happy to be proved wrong, and we sold the place out.

 

[Crush]

Agree with but it all to about tv ratings. The nrl don't care about the average fan at all

That is killing the game IMO.

 

[BennyV]

Should be upwards of 15k. My bets are on 9k - 11k at most...

 

[saintm]

"He (Dufty) did enough to get a start next week (against Souths)" - Paul McGregor', following the trial against Hull.

Considering he's the incumbent at fullback, and SHOULD be the runaway favourite to play in the no. 1 jumper - as there are no real alternatives - this hardly seems a rousing endorsement.

The point here is whether 'the coach' would've made such a statement if Dufty had his confidence.

I don't reckon he does.

I still don’t agree he also said “he’s exciting and confident and doesn’t need much help there. His in a lot better condition this year than last...Dufty gives us another option ball playing which we didn’t have in the past” I think those words are a pretty good endorsement from the coach

 

[Old Timer]

I still don’t agree he also said “he’s exciting and confident and doesn’t need much help there. His in a lot better condition this year than last...Dufty gives us another option ball playing which we didn’t have in the past” I think those words are a pretty good endorsement from the coach

You understand the coach well I'll be damned we have a MENSA among us.

 

[saintm]

You understand the coach well I'll be damned we have a MENSA among us.

I didn’t say I knew the coach well my only argument is he is so far endorsing dufty at fullback based on his preseason and trial games
PleaseDon’t put words in my mouth...

 

[Old Timer]

I didn’t say I knew the coach well my only argument is he is so far endorsing dufty at fullback based on his preseason and trial games
PleaseDon’t put words in my mouth...

Never suggested that you did know him.
I merely suggested as "a joke" that if you could understand the coach then you are smarter than everyone in here including the coach.

 

[saintm]

Never suggested that you did know him.
I merely suggested as "a joke" that if you could understand the coach then you are smarter than everyone in here including the coach.

All good

 

[Redhoopz]

perhaps because thursday night is a f**ked night for footy.

so is monday.

so is 6pm friday.

families and those who work regular hours just can't get there.


NRL needs to fix the schedule.

Friday 8pm

Saturday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm.

Sunday 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

Agreed.

I've mentioned in other threads that the NRL have no idea what they're doing when it comes to suburban ground fixtures. Any game at a suburban ground should ONLY be played on a Saturday or Sunday.

Having a Dragons vs Sharks game at 6pm on a Friday night last year was pathetic. Had they moved that game to a Saturday or Sunday, they could've easily got 15k+. Clearly they haven't learned this year either. I highly doubt that any the 6pm games will have decent crowds. If you live in Sydney and have experienced what it's like trying to get anywhere during peak hour, then good luck getting home, getting the kids ready and making it to the game on time. I'd rather watch the game at home.

I get it that the networks pick the games but surely if the NRL are serious about getting more bums on seats, they would schedule the games accordingly.

 

[ouryear]

Agreed.

I've mentioned in other threads that the NRL have no idea what they're doing when it comes to suburban ground fixtures. Any game at a suburban ground should ONLY be played on a Saturday or Sunday.

Having a Dragons vs Sharks game at 6pm on a Friday night last year was pathetic. Had they moved that game to a Saturday or Sunday, they could've easily got 15k+. Clearly they haven't learned this year either. I highly doubt that any the 6pm games will have decent crowds. If you live in Sydney and have experienced what it's like trying to get anywhere during peak hour, then good luck getting home, getting the kids ready and making it to the game on time. I'd rather watch the game at home.

I get it that the networks pick the games but surely if the NRL are serious about getting more bums on seats, they would schedule the games accordingly.

I know most forum members think AFL is a second rate game, but their opening crowds will be around 50,000.
Our poor old nrl game, we think it's so much better than AFL, but crowd numbers say otherwise.

Just waiting now for the cries of disgust. However, our crowds are embarrassing.

 

[mickeylane]

I’m expecting a big first up showing .. too much fire in the belly’s of Graham, Hunt, Widdop, Vaughan, JDB, Frizell to fail.. I expect 15k plus and if sanity prevails I expect Lomax to be picked at right centre ....if he fails to choose Lomax then Mann has to get the nod because Aitken is totally useless!

 

[ouryear]

I’m expecting a big first up showing .. too much fire in the belly’s of Graham, Hunt, Widdop, Vaughan, JDB, Frizell to fail.. I expect 15k plus and if sanity prevails I expect Lomax to be picked at right centre ....if he fails to choose Lomax then Mann has to get the nod because Aitken is totally useless!

Mickey, Mcnugget will pick Aitken, guarantee it. He ain't gonna change.

 

[ALSGI]

Knock off at 6pm (maybe 5.30pm). Logistics of travelling by car or train has knocked me out.
Round 4 v Knights is the first game I can get to.
Shame on you NRL and SGI for not making it easier for fans.