Talking Footy

NRL blockbusters to fall well short in spectator stakes

Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
April 12, 2013 12:00AM

THE NRL is facing 24 hours of embarrassment with crowds at two premium games failing to reach half of what was expected.

Tonight at Moore Park, a crowd of around 40,000 was anticipated to watch Roosters recruit Sonny Bill Williams play Canterbury - the club he walked away from back in 2008.

The Roosters are hoping for a crowd of 25,000 but the realistic figure will be 22,000 - desperately disappointing for a game fans having been waiting five years to see.

And the man who could drag fans through the gates - Williams - is privately angry the Roosters used his photo to promote the game on billboards throughout the eastern suburbs and Canterbury areas. Williams hasn't been put before the media this week to promote the match.

And tomorrow night's match at Homebush between unbeaten Souths and Melbourne - a true blockbuster - should have attracted at least 40,000 fans. Officials are hoping for 25,000 but fear it could be as low as 20,000.

Lack of marketing and refusal from clubs to co-operate with the media are being blamed as partially responsible for the sluggish figures. Rival sports are now taking full advantage and attracting capacity crowds.

Here are the facts:



* A 21,500 sell-out will fill Parramatta Stadium tonight for the A-League semi-final between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.

* A 35,000 sell-out will cram the SCG next weekend for the Sydney Swans match against Geelong.

* And a sell-out 26,000 crowd will be Royal Randwick tomorrow to watch superstar race horse Black Caviar.

Remarkably, the Roosters are blaming their opponents, traffic, the venue and even the fact the match will be televised on Channel 9.

"It (the crowd) wasn't our expectation but the Bulldogs aren't in good form - that is a factor," Roosters official Brian Canavan said.

"There is an issue with Allianz Stadium, there will be a lot of commuter traffic at that time. And our product is so damn good on television - we can be our own worst enemy. But there is nothing like live rugby league at the ground."

Asked as to why Williams was upset at the billboards, Canavan said: "He didn't say anything."

Former Brisbane, Queensland and Australian forward Gorden Tallis added: "We have all had a love-hate relationship with the media but we have to look at the bigger picture and that is the game in general.

"When I was being interviewed, I always felt I was talking to the fans and supporters. Not the guy with the pen and pad.

"Coaches are the ones who don't want their players giving anything away. They are paranoid. Yet the same coaches want their money. They tell their players not to say this or not to say that. If they are that worried about what their players say then they should do more media themselves."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6618599866

eelofwest wrote:

The capacity of Parra is 20k and the current capacity of the SCG is not 35k

Another example of Beassie making threads based of flimsy articles that are only there to sell papers.

Beaussie wrote:

Oh deary me. NRL blockbusters set to attract half the crowds anticipated.

Why wont NRL supporters get out and support their teams? >

RL heartland

NRL blockbusters to fall well short in spectator stakes

Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
April 12, 2013 12:00AM

THE NRL is facing 24 hours of embarrassment with crowds at two premium games failing to reach half of what was expected.

Tonight at Moore Park, a crowd of around 40,000 was anticipated to watch Roosters recruit Sonny Bill Williams play Canterbury - the club he walked away from back in 2008.

The Roosters are hoping for a crowd of 25,000 but the realistic figure will be 22,000 - desperately disappointing for a game fans having been waiting five years to see.

And the man who could drag fans through the gates - Williams - is privately angry the Roosters used his photo to promote the game on billboards throughout the eastern suburbs and Canterbury areas. Williams hasn't been put before the media this week to promote the match.

And tomorrow night's match at Homebush between unbeaten Souths and Melbourne - a true blockbuster - should have attracted at least 40,000 fans. Officials are hoping for 25,000 but fear it could be as low as 20,000.

Lack of marketing and refusal from clubs to co-operate with the media are being blamed as partially responsible for the sluggish figures. Rival sports are now taking full advantage and attracting capacity crowds.

Here are the facts:



* A 21,500 sell-out will fill Parramatta Stadium tonight for the A-League semi-final between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.

* A 35,000 sell-out will cram the SCG next weekend for the Sydney Swans match against Geelong.

* And a sell-out 26,000 crowd will be Royal Randwick tomorrow to watch superstar race horse Black Caviar.

Remarkably, the Roosters are blaming their opponents, traffic, the venue and even the fact the match will be televised on Channel 9.

"It (the crowd) wasn't our expectation but the Bulldogs aren't in good form - that is a factor," Roosters official Brian Canavan said.

"There is an issue with Allianz Stadium, there will be a lot of commuter traffic at that time. And our product is so damn good on television - we can be our own worst enemy. But there is nothing like live rugby league at the ground."

Asked as to why Williams was upset at the billboards, Canavan said: "He didn't say anything."

Former Brisbane, Queensland and Australian forward Gorden Tallis added: "We have all had a love-hate relationship with the media but we have to look at the bigger picture and that is the game in general.

"When I was being interviewed, I always felt I was talking to the fans and supporters. Not the guy with the pen and pad.

"Coaches are the ones who don't want their players giving anything away. They are paranoid. Yet the same coaches want their money. They tell their players not to say this or not to say that. If they are that worried about what their players say then they should do more media themselves."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6618599866

Stewie wrote:

Wow, all these other sports events selling out, while the nRL falls well short of capacity. Reality is... nRL is boring.

eelofwest wrote:

The capacity of Parra is 20k and the current capacity of the SCG is not 35k

Another example of Beassie making threads based of flimsy articles that are only there to sell papers.

Raiderdave wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

The capacity of Parra is 20k and the current capacity of the SCG is not 35k

Another example of Beassie making threads based of flimsy articles that are only there to sell papers.

no no no eels

lets just sit back ... & allow this joke of an article's predictions to pan out & then pounce

piesman2011 wrote:

Scg sold out a week in advance? Is that speculation or fact?

piesman2011 wrote:

Scg sold out a week in advance? Is that speculation or fact?

eelofwest wrote:

piesman2011 wrote:

Scg sold out a week in advance? Is that speculation or fact?

What is the current capacity of the SCG atm Pies?

piesman2011 wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

piesman2011 wrote:

Scg sold out a week in advance? Is that speculation or fact?

What is the current capacity of the SCG atm Pies?

Its hard to say. Its a ground being redeveloped so its consistantly changing. They rip down one stand or close it off and then build another.

piesman2011 wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

piesman2011 wrote:

Scg sold out a week in advance? Is that speculation or fact?

What is the current capacity of the SCG atm Pies?

Its hard to say. Its a ground being redeveloped so its consistantly changing. They rip down one stand or close it off and then build another.

Stewie wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

The capacity of Parra is 20k and the current capacity of the SCG is not 35k

Another example of Beassie making threads based of flimsy articles that are only there to sell papers.

The capacity of the SCG actually is 35k.