Brissie Kid
Bencher
Officials said they did not consider switching the match to Brookvale Oval because it would reward the Sea Eagles for not being able to generate a big crowd elsewhere.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/fears-fans-will-stay-away-from-sea-eagles-semifinal-20120909-25mg0.html#ixzz260yaiIfo
So if Souths could only draw 15000 to ANZ how would they ensure they weren't to be rewarded with a home game?
Better still why wasn't last week's Cowboys game put on at ANZ?
The Cowboys will generate 40 fans for Friday night. Why aren't we bagging them for failing to help build NRL crowd interest across the game?
All of the Top 6 will have had home games in Week 1 or 2 except Manly.
Don't forget NRL that the finals at SFS and ANZ are supposed to be of interest to all NRL fans not just the two clubs. In the 1980s and 1990s fans of all Sydney clubs went to finals at SCG & SFS.
Maybe if the game was played on Sunday afternoon and not at end of peak hour on weeknight people would actually go.
SEAT OF POWER
The NRL might have matched the AFL for the TV broadcasting deal but there is absolutely no comparing the two codes for finals crowds. The other mob blitz us. 215,724 attended the AFL finals compared to 101,747 at the NRL semis. It would help the NRL if Manly fans for once decided to travel.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-coach-goeff-toovey-fails-on-tony-williams-tactics/story-e6frexnr-1226468508670
Rothfield seems to be unaware that in AFL many of the fans at finals in Melbourne are not from either of the two clubs playing. NRL fans stopped doing that in the Super League time when home finals started & moved from the SCG & SFS on weekend afternoons.
Maybe the NRL should try fixing that attitude than just calling on Manly fans alone to fill the SFS on a Friday night.
Put the game on early Saturday night or Sunday afternoon and plenty of Manly fans & families will be able to go. Suck up to tv and leave it on Friday night and reap what you sow.