The Harbour City faces the sporting embarrassment of having a combined attendance total from three big games across two codes being matched and possibly beaten by a single AFL match in Melbourne.
And it appears as though Sydney’s two stadiums — Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium — will have up to 80,000 empty seats during NRL and AFL semi-finals this weekend.
Sydney, please get off your backside.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Friday night’s NRL elimination semi-final between the Sydney Roosters and North Queensland at Allianz Stadium will only draw about 20,000 fans — a weak attendance figure even given only one Sydney team is playing.
Even more disappointing is that Saturday evening’s fierce knockout semi-final between Canterbury and Manly at the same venue looks like drawing just 27,000 fans.
The AFL preliminary final between Sydney Swans and North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park on Friday will attract a robust, if not spectacular, crowd of about 48,000.
All up, about 95,000 fans will attend the three Sydney games.
The second AFL preliminary final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide is tracking for a crowd of more than 90,000.
Sydney fans have no excuses.
The two main stadiums have easy access and are comfortable, free buses are running on Saturday and there are cheap family tickets.
And take a look a look at the talent on offer in Sydney.
The stars are out, including Sonny Bill Williams, Johnathan Thurston, Brett Stewart, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Morris, Buddy Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey.
It is a five-star menu but getting people to the restaurant is proving difficult.
Sydney NRL fans are proving more and more elusive. Crowds have been solid this year but overall attendance figures simply aren’t growing.
Surely a sudden-death semi-final between Manly and Canterbury — with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler plotting the exit of his former team — should draw a crowd of 40,000.
“Fans have the chance to see the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Johnathan Thurston competing in elimination matches — so it does not get much more exciting than that,” he said.
“We are making it easy for fans to travel to the game on Saturday night with special buses and trains for Manly and Bulldog fans.
“And a family of four can attend the semi-finals for as little as $50.
“So on all the key issues — the quality of the matches, transport and prices — there’s every reason for fans to attend the matches this weekend.”[/size][/size][/size]
Manly general manager Dave Perry claimed his club’s game against Canterbury would be “classic encounter”.
Sydney fans’ turnout for the AFL and NRL finals are an embarrassment
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nr ... 7063260696.
We are making it easy for fans to travel to the game on Saturday night with special buses and trains for Manly and Bulldog fans.
“And a family of four can attend the semi-finals for as little as $50.
typical shitney, continue to be the embarrassment of Australia
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