The Who
Journey Man
The NRL’s fixation on modern stadia is a huge FAIL.
Playing most matches at night in a huge FAIL.
Giving TV the scheduling rights is a DISASTER.
Let’s look at this weekend’s matches:
So-called state-of-the art stadia ANZ (attracted just 11,832 for two Sydney well-performing teams), Allianz Stadium (13,083 for two well-performing Sydney teams), GIO Stadium (7,094; yes, I know, it was only the Faders playing).
Point 1 being: it’s not the quality of the grounds. Suburban grounds Brookie and Shark Park each attracted around 1,000 more fans than ANZ! So, the NSW Government’s plan to only pump money into giant stadia is dumb. So too is the decision of clubs like the Dogs and Souffs to play at ANZ and alienate many of their fans.
Point 2: It can be freezing at night. Brookie was at its coldest on Friday night. So more matches should be played in sunshine hours when not only will more fans attend but the quality of the football improves.
Point 3: No-one at the NRL is listening to us, the fans. While players come and go, we remain the lifeblood of the sport. When the NRL sold out to the TV networks it proved how unimportant they consider us.
I will always support my club, Manly. But in my own small way I’ll rail against what the NRL is doing to rugby league.
Playing most matches at night in a huge FAIL.
Giving TV the scheduling rights is a DISASTER.
Let’s look at this weekend’s matches:
So-called state-of-the art stadia ANZ (attracted just 11,832 for two Sydney well-performing teams), Allianz Stadium (13,083 for two well-performing Sydney teams), GIO Stadium (7,094; yes, I know, it was only the Faders playing).
Point 1 being: it’s not the quality of the grounds. Suburban grounds Brookie and Shark Park each attracted around 1,000 more fans than ANZ! So, the NSW Government’s plan to only pump money into giant stadia is dumb. So too is the decision of clubs like the Dogs and Souffs to play at ANZ and alienate many of their fans.
Point 2: It can be freezing at night. Brookie was at its coldest on Friday night. So more matches should be played in sunshine hours when not only will more fans attend but the quality of the football improves.
Point 3: No-one at the NRL is listening to us, the fans. While players come and go, we remain the lifeblood of the sport. When the NRL sold out to the TV networks it proved how unimportant they consider us.
I will always support my club, Manly. But in my own small way I’ll rail against what the NRL is doing to rugby league.