With Round 1 in the NRL finished, it’s time to consider if we’re buying or selling: some clubs are up, some are down, and TV ratings might be worth putting the mortgage on.
Penrith Panthers and 2011
Even though it’s only one game, you have to sell the Panthers of doing anything in 2011; they were absolutely disgraceful in a game where even the simplest of tasks (staying onside for a restart) seemed to be too much to handle.
They fielded as close to their strongest team as they could yesterday which is even of more concern. Let’s not forget this side went out in straight sets in the finals last year, haven’t recruited anyone and are still relying on kicks to score their tries.
Looks to be a long season ahead at the foot of the mountains.
North Queensland Cowboys to win more games than 2010?
After one game, the Cowboys looked much better than any anytime of the 2010 season. You have to buy the Cowboys winning more than five games like they did last year, however, playing finals is a bigger task.
If they can get Dairy Farmers back to the fortress it once was, then 12 wins are there for the beckoning.
Their defence last year resembled a team that had just met 10 minutes before kickoff, but to hold off a fast-finishing Broncos at home in front of a big crowd shows some hard work ethic on defence was a top priority in cowboy country.
Round 1 TV ratings?
Buy, buy, buy and buy some more!
The game started the year with a bang with some huge ratings along with some great crowds on Friday night. Roosters v Rabbitohs in Sydney alone attracted an average audience of 416,000, while up north the Broncos and Cowboys had 331,000 Brisbanites tuned in.
Super Saturday was truly super with the Toyota Cup game between the 2010 Champion Junior Warriors taking on the Eels with 88,000 average viewers, which earned the Toyota fixture a place in the top 10 most watched sports for the week!
For the NRL games between the Warriors and Eels, 262,000 watched an upset where the Eels shocked a record 38,000 fans at Eden park to notch up a great win for the club.
The Dragons and Titans take the honour of the most-watched show on Pay TV with 329,000 viewers watching a tight tussle and of course seeing a referee get smashed and then hearing him say so.
The last game for the Storm v Eagles also attracted a pretty good number with 165,000 fans staying up late to see the Storm take their first two points in almost a year.
The Panthers and Knights’ delayed game and the effort for the home-team didn’t turn off the fans with still over 200,000 people in Sydney tuning in.
The Raiders v Sharks and Monday Night’s Bulldogs v Tigers game averaged 365,000 viewers nationally, surpassing the previous record of 361,000 for the Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters game last July.
It peaked at 464,000.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
NRL came back to earth with a thud this weekend. After 200K+ record opening round 1, round 2 drew just over 110K, whiich is nearly half. Ratings were down too. Its a long season, so don't start counting your NRL chickens just yet.
friday night football
Guest
Live Friday Night Football rated 1.316 million nationally (regional & metro) in the 7:30pm - 9:30pm slot. That's up there with some Finals games in NRL/AFL.
GavinH
Guest
Mitch I agree the two codes will help exposure for both in Melbourne. But.... I think you miss the point. There were surely Storm fans that followed the team as it was the only 'rugby' option in town. Some of those will now go to Rebels matches only on certain weekends. The question is are there only 5 such fans or 5,000?
GavinH
Guest
the mt smart stadium is in the heart of more traditional league territory so some fans would probably be upset if more than 'one off' matches were held at Eden Park.
The Answer
Guest
Agreed, Add to that its 7pm and not 7.30pm to get all the way out to Homebush if you are coming from the city is always going to be a big ask. It will be interesting to see how the Dogs v Rabbitohs compares this week on the family friendly Sunday.
NF
Guest
The heat cause alot of people to leave apparently people were fainting,etc so those who did get a ticket and show up would of left a)before kick-off b)during the game.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Most penny fans had gone, i think the tv side of the ground the stand were fairly full at the start..
Working Class Rugger
Guest
What the hell happened there? Caught the last few minutes of that game and it certainly didn't look anywhere near 13,000. Let the rest down quite significantly
M1tch
Roar Guru
They say 13k..I doubt it lol
M1tch
Roar Guru
If the canibalisation was true the Storm would have got 5000 to the game, no members and no fans last year. There is plenty of room and a niche for both codes, The Rebels will help the Storm grow the brand of rugby (which some dont know the difference) ;) More juniors playing either rugby is good for both - there will be plenty of code swapping in the junior ranks.
Willy
Guest
The Penrith crowd looked absolutely terrible on TV. How many were there? Or should I say - how many did the NRL report were there? We all know NRL figures are often only vaguely aware of reality.
Willy
Guest
Yeah - Rebels look to have setlled at about 15,000 average, which they will be absolutely delighted with. If they keep turning on entertainment like the last two home games, that will grow! It'll be interesting to see whether the Storm crowd does grow... You would imagine the Rebels would have canibalised at least some of the Storm's support. We might see it more in those weekends when both teams are playing in Melbourne on the same weekend.
Brendan
Roar Rookie
Best ever monday night crowd is around 31-32K I believe.. FYI
M1tch
Roar Guru
Rebels are at 15k in their last 2 games, the Eagles arent a big draw card for the Storm, 14k is about what was expected..20k will be against teams like Warriors, Dragons and Broncos
NF
Guest
Willy I recall the Penrith & Canberra crowd being lower than Storm crowds so if anything you should be worrying about two low 'heartland' crowds. 14k considering the cap scandal and the Rebels on a Friday is a decent start they will build on it over time they need to win back the faith and they will take time throughout the season.
Willy
Guest
Melbourne were a worry - only 14,000 to a first round game on a balmy evening... And this is BEFORE the ALF starts. I wonder whether the Rebels are having an influence? Not many would go to both the rugby on a Friday and the NRL later in the weekend.
NF
Guest
Of course you wouldn't be confident of big crowds on Monday it's the worst night crowd-wise and I can't believe the NRL butchers the draw straight up by putting up Tigers vs Bulldogs on a Monday it should of being a Sunday Afternoon it would of got 30k+ easily. Now Cronulla vs St George is on a Monday it's screwed up Cronulla's highest drawing game on a Monday it's disaster.
clipper
Guest
They were flogging off Bulldogs / Tigers tickets on one of those half price websites - obviously weren't confident of a big crowd.
Ken
Guest
The Tigers v Bulldogs game at 27k might look a little disappointing at first glance but would prob be the best ever Monday night crowd. I'm now a fan of coming home from work on a Monday and getting another taste of weekend life but there's no denying it's a hard timeslot to draw a crowd to. Would have expected a much bigger crowd for that gameif it was in any other slot.
Ken
Guest
Well it was the Warriors first ever game at Eden Park - a much larger and more central stadium than their usual base at Mt Smart. Not sure why they've never done this before or why it's not their normal home ground. I'm pretty sure they're back at Mt Smart for the remainder of their games this year. Adding to that this is the first time in a while they have been considered a competitive team before the season began, probably didn't hurt that the team has some 'buzz' this year. edit: found this link http://www.warriors.co.nz/news/836/Vodafone-Warriors-break-record-for-NRL-home-crowd/ - no mention of free tickets, just that it was a big deal for them to have their first game at Eden Park