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Fozz -
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JOINED: .March 4, 2008
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Re: the location of magic round, I'm not going to argue Brisbane just deserves it.
There are two "reasons" for Magic round:
The NRL says growing the game but the real reason is to extract some cash from the hosting state government. The government says tourism but it's so they can say "this event is pumping x amount into the economy, look how good we are. X is the best place".
So the future host will be determined by which government is willing to stump up the most cash. And the tourism numbers are going to drive that.
Townsville isn't going to get it because a 25,000 seat stadium is too small.
Darwin, same reason.
Perth has the right size but WA isn't as interested in tourism as the east coast states.
Adelaide and Melbourne have big ovals but league is a micky mouse sport compared to AFL and the political mileage isnt as great.
For Sydney, the tourism arguement is harder because the majority of teams are already based in and around Sydney. Putting together a triple header is child's play.
But the reality is when it comes to Brisbane vs Sydney, it's just the NRL playing each state government as usual.
New Zealand is the actual best choice for the supposed reasons for magic round - growing the game and tourism. League may take a back-seat to yawnion but it's closer than AFL is. NZ is also reliant on tourism.
TLDR: it's all about which government can offer the most dollarydoos and which government can justify those dollarydoos.