The Free tickets for the AFL/NRL Master thread.

[cos789]

I fail to see what's funny about that.
Expats tend to attend certain functions for nostalga's sake.
The sad part is that the nrl has failed to keep the interest of those people.

[Swans4ever]

No they wouldn't at present. They prefer to sit at home and watch the game on television. The venues are not attractive to attend on a regular basis.

However I will say that the first step needs to be ceasing free to air transmission live against the gate.

no the NRL has always had shit crowds and always will. the point in advertising and expecting people to pack stadiums, is something the bumsniffers need to stop dreaming about. the NRL has never had the revenue, sponsorship, membership or crowd figures to half what the AFL has. its not a matter of spending a billion on a new air con/heated, leather launge chair/ free wifi filled stadium or stop broad casting live games. it simple the NRL does not have the support or following as what you flogs think it does.

And yet the television ratings are generally competitive, and add in the State of Origin factor and your argument falls short of the mark.

Yeah and tell me what precise number in the TV ratings represent a club???

I did say "generally" competitive, Swans4ever. I think you know as well as I do that there are no figures available for individual clubs - for any elite level club let alone NRL. The State of Origin ratings clearly show that there is major interest in rugby league, and it gets capacity crowds as well.

No doubt it is an 'event' but interest does not translate into participation in the sport or sponsorship or even money - in the southern states it is a curiosity only - it may in time develop into an understanding of the sport and a following at club level - but as for actually developing a passionate following or even identifying with the teams, in time interest will wain where there is no attachment - hence it will only have those qualities in NSW/QLD!

I disagree. Melbourne will follow any sport, including rugby league, and with passion. The core supporter group for the Storm is excellent. It may not be as big as say Collingwood (who's is?) but it's there. Melbourne fans also recognise the value of a rivalry, and Rugby League State of Origin is the biggest. They also recognise that it's a game. An event as well, but it's not an event alone. It's rugby league. It stands right alongside Aussie Rules as a great game, and genuine sports fans know it.

But without the personal investment in a particular side will it only be a curiosity - that's my point I grew up supporting NSW but since having lived in Melb I have found I can take or leave it - what will happen with people who weren't brought up following either NSW or QLD - or as happened in AF once it became truly national interest also went - if and when the NRL becomes national and there are players from SA, WA or Vic that could be the best will they really want to represent NSW or QLD??? I wouldn't want my son to because it's not HIS state.

[Cracker]

I disagree. Melbourne will follow any sport,

Obviously wrong but we know what you mean.
But' it's a question of degree isn't it.
Most people, most Australians, most Melbournians will find an attraction with some sports to some degree.

That degree is determined by a lot of factors. History being the largest. Immigration being another.
AFL is big because historically it is big but also it's a spectacular product capable of attracting new devotees.
If you look at sports at perceived areas of growth you must ask is this an internal or external influence.
In Perth there has been a constant influx of people. The population has more than doubled in the same time that
Adelaide has reached one million. It's status quo in Adelaide with relatively no influx of expats for rl or even AL.
In the same time there has been a steady of expats into Perth. They seem to attend an nrl game for nostalga sake
then forget or are converted. I don't see any evidence of home grown support for rl outside of Sydney and Brisbane.
And I see evidence for the growth of AF in these areas.

One of the big issues that may explain the issue is the NRL's conduct towards expansion of it's interests. I already mentioned in another thread the abandoning of the Adelaide Rams. Throw in the Reds as well. These should have been pursued. The Krushers should have been as well but that is now being rectified.

Another related issue is the failure of the grass roots to grow. In Victoria this is a definite problem which I put down to News Limited when they owned the Storm preferring to put money into the main club instead of into developing grass roots competition. It's a limitation factor that the NRL need to reverse if they are to compete. And they can do it and it will work. Hence it will develop the base through personal investment per the comment by Swans4ever.

[cos789]

I agree. They should've persevered with the Reds and then maybe the nrl wouldn't exist today.

[Cracker]

That is highly unlikely.

[cos789]

They should've persevered with the Reds and then maybe the nrl wouldn't exist today.
For rl to become prominant in perth you'd be looking at GWS proportions not Sydney Swan proportions.

[Cracker]

No it would be somewhere in between the two in my opinion. The same would apply for Adelaide.

[cos789]

Adelaide would've been a total waste of time money and effort.
Pity they didn't.

[ParraEelsNRL]

Who cares about Adelaide unless you are in Adelaide and want a team?

You guys were having a crack at Parra in this thread, the current back to back wooden spooners for offering cheaper tixs in the corners, well for the weather that has been around and a 56 point smashing 3 weeks ago against the same side who happen to be the reigning premiers and have amassed well over 100 points for against us in the last 3 meetings, I am quite happy with the crowd that turned up. Next week, you can be sure the next parra home game would fill parra stadium and then some.

[cos789]

Who cares about Adelaide unless you are in Adelaide and want a team?

or anywhere else for that matter.

[ParraEelsNRL]

Yeah like AFL, Australia's lonely shame.

[Cracker]

Adelaide would've been a total waste of time money and effort.
Pity they didn't.

It is a pity they didn't, because if they did you would be needing to consume a serve of humble pie in my opinion.

[cos789]

Adelaide has zero interst in rl so any investment would have been a delirous waste of time, money and effort.
Pity they didn't

[Cracker]

If this was true, the Rams would have drawn no one while they were active. Such a claim is impossible under those circumstances. There is interest there.

[cos789]

rams drew almost nobody.