Why is the NRL currently booming?

[LeagueXIII]

And I’ll say you again are a miserable old turd.

Ok we've established that we have a difference of opinions youre happy to be under the thumb of news corp and Im not. We both want the game to flourish.

Now lets move on.

 

[Pneuma]

Ok we've established that we have a difference of opinions youre happy to be under the thumb of news corp and Im not. We both want the game to flourish.

Now lets move on.

I think what we have decided is that you are a miserable old turd.

 

[LeagueXIII]

I think what we have decided is that you are a miserable old turd.

Haha..

 

[Dogs Of War]

There is bloody Rabbitoh stuff everywhere down here. They are bigger than the Broncos probably but not the Storm.

Rabbitoh supporters are at all sporting events. I'm sure I saw a jersey at the Superbowl.

 

[mongoose]

Storm and Roosters dominance for so long has been hurting NRL more than anything... Panthers have breathed some life into the competition, although even they've become a villainous team.

If Broncos, Eels, Tigers, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Dragons were ever in the top 8 all at the same time you would really see a booming competition.

 

[Billythekid]

The main reason is simply because of increased access in terms of how to watch the game. It wasn’t that long ago that your only options were ch9 (and often ad filled) or an expensive foxtel subscription. There are so many more ways to watch the game these days and it’s far cheaper to watch all the games. IMO that has been a game changer.

In terms of crowds getting a few fantastic modern stadiums and a new team in SEQLD place is obviously helping the numbers.

 

[6 more kfc buckets]

Its those savvy guys at fox and their abilty to assemble the most informative commentary team thats been the difference for me.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Its those savvy guys at fox and their abilty to assemble the most informative commentary team thats been the difference for me.

 

[T-Boon]

we need an XFL style off season league. Compete against cricket.

 

[Wb1234]

we need an XFL style off season league. Compete against cricket.

More like an aflx version of league

so league played on a cricket field with 2 points awarded for knocking the ball on over the try line

 

[Reflector]

I've really noticed this in Brisbane. A lot more talk about NRL at work and with friends from school (Rugby school, not traditional league supporters). I've been seeing NRL apparel EVERYWHERE as well.

My theory why -

1. Super Rugby is basically dead (in Australia at least) so we've taken most of their supporters. Red's used to average 20 - 30k, Waratahs 35k+, Brumbies got 15-20k. They are currently getting about 1/3 of that, maybe even less. Where have they all gone? NRL.

2. The NRL has really cleaned up its act and is more attractive to a non-traditional audience. Not too long ago a lot of people thought Rugby League was a thuggy sport watched by bogans. Off-field dramas are much less, thug-like behaviour on the field has been stamped out, NRLW would have helped and the addition of 'higher class' sponsors have shed the low-class stereotype the NRL had and have made it much more attractive to upper and middle-class fans.

The bolded part sounds like the game during that 1989-94 period. Before SL undid all the great strides forward...

 

[King hit]

Storm and Roosters dominance for so long has been hurting NRL more than anything... Panthers have breathed some life into the competition, although even they've become a villainous team.

If Broncos, Eels, Tigers, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Dragons were ever in the top 8 all at the same time you would really see a booming competition.

That is always such a weird thing to say. Was rugby league hurting when Souths and St George won every premiership (except for 69) for 25 years or so back in the day? From what I know it had no negative impact on the game in any way at all

 

[Victoire]

The footy is better. Games are closer. Teams are trying things and working hard right til the end to win games.. instead of the 2021 Vlandoball 6 again era of carting up the field against fatigued defenders and falling over the line 10 times

 

[mozza91]

It’s those savvy guys at fox and their abilty to assemble the most informative commentary team thats been the difference for me.

Michael Ennis: The man who saved Rugby Loig

 

[King hit]

The footy is better. Games are closer. Teams are trying things and working hard right til the end to win games.. instead of the 2021 Vlandoball 6 again era of carting up the field against fatigued defenders and falling over the line 10 times

Say what you like about the quality of those seasons but I will always think the f**kvirus was the biggest factor in those years. Teams forced into bubbles, relocations, restrictions, border closures etc is severely going to impact quality. Those origin series from 2020/2021 aren’t exceptions either.

 

[Fangs]

The footy is better. Games are closer. Teams are trying things and working hard right til the end to win games.. instead of the 2021 Vlandoball 6 again era of carting up the field against fatigued defenders and falling over the line 10 times

It still is Vlandoball actually.

The difference is that teams have had a couple seasons to adjust to it. It was a significant change that got made overnight so you would expect teams to struggle (Especially the shithouse clubs).

 

[Victoire]

It still is Vlandoball actually.

The difference is that teams have had a couple seasons to adjust to it. It was a significant change that got made overnight so you would expect teams to struggle (Especially the shithouse clubs).

It isn't. They watered down Vlandoball just enough to make it closer to rugby league again. Has made a huge difference

 

[Wb1234]

It isn't. They watered down Vlandoball just enough to make it closer to rugby league again. Has made a huge difference

Yes it is

he brought in six again to get rid of the wrestle

then teams were cheating so he adapted it

if it wasn’t for vlandys it would be the same boring rugby league we saw for a decade which was wrestling in defence and block plays in attack

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Imagine there was a time when the people running rugby league thought the game was big enough to do without souths

the mind boggles

Fans of the other 16 teams know it. The game s bigger than a single club.

 

[Victoire]

Such close games in 2021, how exciting. Games effectively over by the 50 minute mark. Thanks so much Vlandys. Within a year of changing the 6 again rule we've got tight matches and more entertaining games again