The NRL’s aggregate figure of 75,361 across all four games was the lowest week-one figure since 2008, despite every match coming down to the wire.
In comparison, the AFL drew 235,328 fans — triple the NRL — at an average of 58,832 per match to continue their record-breaking season.
The Swans sold out the SCG with 46,323 fans. On the same night, just 15,408 attended the all-Sydney Manly-Penrith clash next door at Allianz Stadium.
The Monday Bunker crew says the crowd crisis can be turned around by playing first week finals at suburban grounds.
WATCH DEBATE IN PLAYER ABOVE
“With all this debate going on about the big stadiums, there’s never been more evidence that we should be concentrating on the suburban grounds,” says Paul Crawley.
“Brookvale should have a face lift and something like Central Coast Stadium put there. Penrith need one, Cronulla need one.
“Why are we trying to focus on getting 50,000 people to games each week when it’s just not going to happen?”
Dean Ritchie agreed: “There were 15,000 for the Manly-Penrith game and 16,000 on Sunday (Sharks v Cowboys). They would have got more at Brookvale or Shark Park.”
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