Rugby League will be better off financially if it is to accept and sell one of the three prestigious State of Origin series games to Melbourne.
The series has matured into one of the nation’s most dominant annual sporting events. So much so that even AFL-driven Melbourne are asking to be a part of it for a long time to come.
It is no secret the Australian Rugby League commission have identified increasing league’s market share as one of their key concerns.
Melbourne is second to Sydney as the biggest advertising market in Australia. Therefore it cannot be denied how crucial having Rugby league in Victoria will be for the game.
A recent investigation disclosed that the National Rugby League stand to generate $2.5 million more if Victoria’s $12.5 million bid is accepted.
Unfortunately, the bid requires Sydney or Brisbane to relinquish one game annually.
Melbourne have already got the necessary tools in place: a strong crowd at local NRL games, live coverage of the Storm on free-to-air TV, and participation rates continuing to rise in the community.
Further, television statistics illustrate that Channel 9 ratings are much superior for Origin footy out of Melbourne than anywhere else.
When there are NSW and Queensland fans sitting in front of their television screens watching the games live in Melbourne, obviously there is an increase in ratings each time a game is played.
Even the strongest opponents, fans from NSW and Queensland cannot deny it will be a step forward as profits are redirected to the clubs – which could aid the development of an increased salary cap.
Even representatives from the NSW supporters group ‘Blatchys Blues’ can understand the sense of losing one of their home games.
“It’s become such a big spectacle you have to move markets that are willing to pay for it,” said Dan Blatch.
Melbourne has been host to six State of Origin games with both teams sharing three wins apiece.
So what is all the fuss about for NSW fans? League pundit Matthew Johns is all for the notion of a State of Origin encounter in Melbourne.
“The State Government of NSW have just about decimated some of our Rugby League clubs. Sydney City Council do very little for the game, and there’s been a great complacency here. If they want to stump up the money, let’s take it there,” he said.
During the past three seasons, Sydney has only delivered one sell-out of its 85,000-seat stadium.
Even less encouraging are numbers from the past two seasons where crowd numbers have dropped to as low as 72,773 and 76,924.
Sydney fans just aren’t talking with their feet anymore. This year, tickets for game two in Brisbane sold out in 90 minutes.
NSW and Queensland fans cannot keep the State of Origin to themselves any longer.
Three Origin games are on display every year. If the first two are played in Sydney or Brisbane, the third game can be sent to Melbourne: a neutral venue.
When or if the time comes for another expansion then the ARL can look more far and wide to their next targeted area – and conduct a similar process there.
It is clear that taking one of the three Origin games to Melbourne is not only the best option for the NRL, but also the fans. The sooner they realise this the sooner they can revel in its benefits.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That is indeed a worry AR LOL.The planets must have aligned.
Australian Rules
Guest
On this issue CC, we are in violent agreement.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Actually 81paling the last I heard their membership was growing approaching 13,000.Yes nothing to write home about but still growth after the disasters they had (self inflicted). Rugby league indeed loses 30,000 seats,but when a second game is played in Sydney a fair number of those 30,000 are not utilised. What they lose in seat revenue in Sydney,they make up for it with the Vic Govt promotional grant and some.Plus the game beamed backed to the northern states is an advertisers' delight.. it has been stated by Gallop Storm's presence in the 2nd largest city adds to the Tv deal value(beaming back to the nth). I will say one thing about AFL they are not scared to promote their game and take it to new territory.As a result they grow. We sit back like a kid with a box of chocolates, saying to his mates"nick off these are miiine!! If we wish to be concentrated in two states and earn skimpy Tv deals,by all means go for it.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Melbourne has been a disaster for Rugby League, they have a team who wins almost every game but their membership is not growing, Rugby League looses about 30,000 seats equating to almost approx $1m dollars in lost revenue ($30 a seat to the NRL) the game does not grow and about 30000 people get entertained who would rather be watching another code and will do so on the weekend coming. As for the rest 5,000 are from Sydney so would have been there anyway, another 5,000 from QLD (same applies) there are 10,000 expats of whom 5,000 will return to NSW and QLD eventually and what do we have, it just cost $1m to entertain 5,000 people who will eventually supprt a game that does not understand the term knock on or dropped ball and struggles to understand if it is playing basketball or Rugby Union. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stop playing Origin there ever, ever again.
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
I want NZ to get a game next. That will catapult league over there. I am not so sure the Vics should get a game as often as they say they want. They should miss one and give one to NZ.
Poor Boy Blues
Guest
Jesus guys. I think you all [ok, most, not all] take such a selfish and wrong perspective. It would be a different story if qld or nsw missed out on a game altogether. But, last time I looked they both still got a game. Rugby league is NOT whoring itself out. Its not being cheaply given, and its not given without cause, just for money, or minus any passion. There is PLENTY of love and passion down in Melbourne. This is about the spread of the game of rugby league. Victoria has a league component in its state, we want to spread the game there, home states still retain 1 match. And Y.E.S, I understand victoria is not fielding a team; but whats the argument when you want to grow the game in NZ, or in PERTH???? --->>> You take a home game away from a Brisbane or Souths. This situation is no different. Pull your heads in. Be generous, or no other area will want to play with you selfish fkrs :) Really. This is great for rugby league. Go to the game.
Renegade
Guest
No.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That Origin is an event, it loses in Sydney anyway its uniqueness,by having two.The crowds reflect such. Having the game played in Melbourne where it is appreciated and beamed back to the northern states live is a win, win for the code.Just as it would be if it were held in Auckland NZ,trouble is time zone factor of 2 hours, makes it awkward for a wednesday night. Any code worth its salt ,promotes its ultimate test to the masses.eg SOO G/F ,Bledisloe Cup and the AFL G/F.
oikee
Guest
Like i said, i dont mind the 3rd game being shopped around, it is locking it into one city that annoys me. If your going to grow the game, take it to other cities as well. NZ would be a good start, they watch rugby, and league. Why not a big promotion in Perth when they get a new team, imagine a Origin game the year this team gets into the comop. The NRL have to be careful not to sell themselves short. You do this by signing long term deals, this has got to stop.
Australian Rules
Guest
You're right about the Sydney sell-out Chris... The last few Origin crowds in Sydney: 2011 - 82k 2010 - 68k & 61k 2009 - 80k 2008 - 79k & 68k In terms of having a game in Melb/Perth/Wellington etc...you have to rotate each game through so NSW, QLD and Melb would all have a turn hosting Game I.
DumpStar
Roar Rookie
A lot, by this you mean a lot of Level 6 where you can only see dots running around and you end up watching the big screen all match? I would prefer to sit and watch at home if that's where I have to sit. Why pay $60 to sit there, pay for overpriced food/beer, when the experience is better elsewhere (even your local pub).
Matt_S
Roar Pro
Apparently 53,000 tickets sold for the Melbourne Origin game. 15,000 supporters will come from QLD & NSW. That leaves 38,000 locals & expats with maybe a few from the otrher states. great effort. For the $500,000 the Vic government have promised to pour annually into junior league in Victoria, an origin in Melbourne is a must.
chris
Guest
Sydney would sell out if they got only one game a year and held on a stand alone weekend on a saturday night and the next year a sunday afternoon.2nd game go to Brisbane and the 3rd shared between Melbourne/Auckland/Perth and Wellington.
Rossi
Guest
Do you know what the term 'white elephant' means? I don't think the mcg falls into this category in anyone's eyes, though we know u have a few issues oik. We know league will do anything 2 make a buck, heck, it needs 2. I welcome ur showpiece game down here- we are grateful 4 u supporting our economy. Also, know that this deal is between the vic government & the nrl,". Cannot believe the stupidity in some responses suggesting afl grand final should be moved. We don't whore ourselves like a kings cross hooker.
Rabby
Guest
I happen to agree that Brisbane needs a second team and should be one of the 2 new teams admitted. A team in Perth has to be the other one. However the selection must be based on what is best for Rugby League not on someone's opinion of where the capital of rugby league should be. That said, I also think that we need less teams in Sydney. Or rather we need less NRL teams in Sydney. What I would quite like to see emerge is an NRL division 2 giving a natural developing ground for players and clubs and vrating a real risk for under performing NRL clubs.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Qgirl, You might note neither rugby union nor cricket have a viable professional club competition between them, and their total number of paying spectators per week isnt particularily good either. Indeed, using rough numbers, it's about the same or less than Australian Rules gets in only Adelaide and Perth (1.1m paying customers last year) http://www.austadiums.com/sport/crowds.php
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
The Bledisloe Cup does not weaken the Tri Nations. The Ashes does not weaken Test cricket. State of Origin does not weaken rugby league. The sport's popularity in Australia before 1980 was far lower than it is today.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
If a game is going to be shifted to Melbourne then south-east Queensland needs to be compensated with two new NRL teams. Put one in Brisbane and the other in Ipswich. It's disgusting that only 12 or so NRL matches are played each year in rugby league's capital city.
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
What about Townsville and Newcastle? The third match of each series could be rotated between Townsville and Newcastle. It will rewarding the amazing fans from these regions and help the local clubs fight off competition from the other codes. The AFL can take as many Premiership matches to Cairns and Townsville as they like, but if the ARLC played an origin match in Townsville every 2nd year then the few kids who've given Aussie rules a try would return to rugby league and never look back. Hunter Stadium is a world class venue. An origin match at Hunter Stadium would provide a wonderful atmosphere. It would give the residents of New South Wales' north coast a chance to see a match without having to get on a plane. Dairy Farmers Stadium is long overdue for an upgrade. Rebuilding Dairy Farmers into a world class venue would help the Cowboys draw higher crowds and lure Tests and origin matches to the region. The 400,000 people who live in north Queensland would be lining up for months, possibly years, to see an origin match in Townsville.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Sweet - We'll organise to have the AFL Grand Final played at Redfern Oval then. I hear that they can comfortably fit five thousand !