here's a beauty of a thread from TFR, nrl fans moaning about lack of atmosphere at games and talking about how they should copy soccer - the a-league in particular - to boost the atmosphere which is otherwise dead


copying the AFL was also encouraged
looks like you'll be jumping at games like me soon enough dave


if yall nrl nuffies want any tips on improving atmosphere at games i'm always here to help fellas.... =D>
if you are like me, and just finished work, want to kick your feet up and have a beer + relax...do that, while you read some of these gems...won't be disappointed

here are the best bits
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"Accept the fact that Rugby League is never going to have atmosphere like soccer matches" - peverse....at least you got to the point
"As shit of a sport as it is, people turn up to AFL games because of the tribalism and how it's sold" - penrosewarrior...ouchy

"Team anthems at the beginning of every game (and im being dead serious about this)" - helloimthedoctor....i see you've been watching a-league and AFL games... :D
"I hate to use the example of AFL but Port Adelaide play 'Never Tear Us Apart' before their games and it's a raging success." - penrosewarrior....indeed =D>
"plenty happens in an ESL RL match and the atmosphere sh*ts on the NRL's" - popeye...damn...


"The reason certain A-League games have the oft-talked about "amazing atmosphere" is the people who create are doing it for that specific purpose" - grouch =D>
"They still have the soccer fans and crowds showing them how it's done " - peverse

"Turn to an NRL game at Suncorp with 20k there and you hear f**k all" - madunit :_<> ....that's how you roll
"they(NRL) need to invest in their product if they want it to compete for the next century with soccer and AFL" - maple69 scared?

"not enough jumping castles." - alwaysgreen ...raiderdave can attest to this

"It's frustrating when I sit in the Dragon Army, and the Saints fans sitting near the Dragon army don't actually join in, but instead choose to watch us with this big grin on their face" - saint.nick




"Not a soccer fan but the Wanderers crowds look amazing" - indenible

"I'm not sure what the answer is but i think it's a big part of why we struggle to increase crowds" - Billythekid awwe...that's a shame

"I don't just mean soccer either, AFL crowds seem noisier as well." - Billythekid ....double shame

"Even some of the bigger crowds for the knights this year were incredibly quiet. You can pretty much hear a pin drop outside of the occasional bogans yelling nonsenical sh*t" - Billythekid




"I regularly go to CC Mariners home games, we have a band that plays all game and does a few team songs and it gets the crowd into it for sure. Wonderful atmosphere even if there are only 10k there. Wouldn't be the same if they were just pumping Train songs over the PA." - thevelourflog...taking tips from the mariners....jesus that's when you know...

"I also think it's hard for the average fan to get involved when the majority of each tackle and match is spent watching blokes lying on the ground wrestling each other" - chook norris

"Nothing can be done" - branvan3000...you said it

" Soccer is different as it attracts lots and lots of pssed up twenty year old blokes plus ex pat Europeans who are used to singing and chanting to lift the team. " - perth red....uhh ok?

" I think that clearly tells you that the answer is culture. Yes, we do seem to be a bit louder at A-League games" - saint.nick...WOOT!

"I'm not saying I want to go and watch the soccer but it is a model that we should learn from. " - maple69


"I think it's a bit rude when a team scores and they're all high fiving or whatever then just head back in field without so much as a kiss my arse to the crowd." - macattack



"Give out prizes at each game for best dressed supporter/ best banner etc etc, put them on the big screen for their 5 minutes of fame, would really encourage people to go all out." - u4er...pls gimme sum handouts so i cen mak betr atmosphr

"it's clear that the culture of NRL team followers is the reason why the atmosphere is so much duller" - chook norris, dull sport followed by dull fans it seems
"I was on a bucks weekend in Melbourne over the weekend and one of the activities was going to the Victory/Wanderers game. Approx 2000 Wanderers fans flew down for it and booked out a pub close to the venue. The atmosphere at the pub was amazing with chanting etc. and then there was a march to the stadium. I have never seen anything like that prior to a regular season NRL game. " - velheru

"I was in Brazil for the World Cup and the fans would be moving around the city getting geed up all morning, on the train, at the game and post game." - maple69
