For the last three to four years, Manly fans have been by far the worst travellers in the NRL. It seems that they are glued to Brookvale Oval.
But, they have an opportunity to change that on Friday night.
For a team who has been in pretty good form over the last few months and is striving for back-to-back premierships, it seems a no brainer that the Sea Eagles will be able to reach 20,000 people for this match against the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium.
But at the moment, it’s looking like 10,000 to 15,000, which in my opinion is embarrassing not only for the club, but for the NRL.
The AFL would be grinning at such a poor crowd to a finals sudden death match. I would go to as far as to say that the Cowboys fans will go close to outnumbering the Sea Eagles fans at the SFS tonight.
To portray just how stubborn Manly’s supporters are, the Raiders members have bought more tickets to their respective final against South Sydney (a three hour drive for Canberra fans).
While Sea Eagles fans have every right to be angry about not having this match at Brookvale Oval, they shouldn’t act like children and they should take it on the chin.
They have a opportunity to prove myself and the doubters wrong, but at this stage they will continue the tag as being the laziest supporters in the National Rugby League.
If they can’t make the half hour trip to watch their team play in a finals match without free public transport and begging from the media and NRL, they are perhaps the least loyal, most fairweather fans in NRL history.
As a Bulldogs fan, Manly are our ‘new rivals’ but rugby league needs a good crowd.
Go and support your team. You can be angry with the NRL, but don’t take it out on the players.
They want your support, not an empty stadium. It should be a cracker of a match.
Freddy
Guest
Yep - left Newport at 5.30 to pick up mates at Brookvale at 6pm. Arrived SFS 7.35. Trip home was 1h25mins to Newport. I love Manly, and yes they put on buses from Warriewood and Brooky which was great. That's how many of the 16000 odd got there but you need a lot of buses to fill up the SFS - 365 Bendy buses to achieve 30,000. I really object to being told we don't travel to support our Club. We are the only Club north of the Bridge but the Fan bases is the Peninsula. Most of the other Sydney Clubs are in much more densely populated areas, have rail and bus access as well as decent roads. Last time I went to a Manly home game it was against Newcastle and before that Canterbury. Both had great numbers.. not so many non Manly fans though. Why? Its a long freakin' way to go! Manly fans are just as loyal as any other - the fact we don't travel should never be taken as a lack of loyalty.
Carl Unger
Roar Pro
I can't think of any other part of Sydney that requires so much bus travel en route to ANZ Stadium. I did a bus trip from the northern end of the northern beaches ito the city and it is a very slow and boring journey. I couldn't imagine then having to catch a train to Lidcombe then for a shuttle then repeat this on the way back. I'd do it for a grand final or prelim but for anything else would require alot of encouragement.
yewonk
Guest
well they got it.
Football United
Guest
I hope there is a poor crowd, not because i hate NRL (Storm Member for 6 years now), but i'm sick of them just trying to match the AFL with there one size fits all policies. Manly deserve a home advantage for their position, SFS is NOT home for Manly or anyone who lives north of the harbour. I live in Melbourne for good sakes and even i know that it's just stupid asking someone from the north shore to travel to Moore Park for a friday night game. If Manly, Parra, St George etc want to play all their games at home then they should be allowed to, the NRL should have ZERO say unless there is a tv crew access issue like with ballymore.
Janter
Guest
Finals football is not a bigger stage or occasion. With Manly always making the finals it never will be. Sure, why don't we play the game in the park? Manly supporters suck and are an embarrassment to the game. And tonights crowd is... 11489 (My guess at 7:45pm EST)
onside
Guest
Agreed.But the NRL want the game shifted to stadiums. League is not necessarily a stadium game.Except in the likes of Suncorp .The magic of League is in the 'smaller' suburban grounds.Half the people who go to stadiums have to watch the big TV screen, or they miss out.
eagleJack
Guest
So you have done the trip on a Fri night before Renegade?? Please leave the conversation to the adults who have actually experienced what they are saying.
Calcio
Guest
Rugby league is actually much better at the ground if your seats are consistently excellent (ie. around half way). Current trend is TV camera work is too tight to properly read what is happening on the ground, whereas with a good position at the ground and knowledge of the game, this aspect opens right up to the viewer.
onside
Guest
NF,not really mate. Watching League on TV is a fact of life. It's a better game on TV. Sure you dont get the atmosphere, but the recent billion thingmebobs TV deal was done on the back of those that watch league on TV. If ten percent of the people who enjoy League on TV went to the game,they wouldn't be able to fit them in
Renegade
Guest
It's a shame that you actually believe that as a stat..... Other teams would have packed out the SFS but the games below were at ANZ to cater for the fans (which any game involving Manly, you don't really need to cater for extra seats) Parra vs Cowboys - 05 Roosters vs Cowboys - 04 Sharks vs Warriors - 02 Penrith vs Warriors - 03 Dragons vs Storm - 06
Renegade
Guest
Exactly Springs. Warriors vs Raiders at SFS pulled over 30'000 Storm vs Cowboys at SFS - 16'000 Brisbane vs Newcastle at SFS - 22'000 Manly vs Cowboys at SFS - 13'000 How all these games that didn't involve a sydney team pulled more than the manly-cowboys game is laughable. Pathethic....
Renegade
Guest
"4 Hour round trip" ... I've heard it all. The match isn't in Newcastle mate - it's at the SFS.
Australian Rules
Guest
Yeah I realise that. I said "stated capacity" because 23k is the "official capacity" of Brooky. Anyone know the real capacity figure of the what the stand can currently hold? Surely 20k.
NF
Roar Guru
onside Your post typifies the laziness of rugby league fans who think watching it on TV is 'support'.
onside
Guest
As a matter of interest, what do the tickets cost. What does a family ticket cost (2 Adults 2 kids) Considering "add ons' maybe not a cheap night. The game is brilliant on TV. Beer,wine and pizza. 'Go Manly' on the plasma TV in the lounge room. Makes sence to me.
oikee
Guest
Yes, when a AFL fan can do the numbers and work out that Manly cant, and will never grow, it is no wonder John Grant was going in hard, real hard for a man with knowleadge. Nothing wrong with having Mnaly in the comp, but come on, Parramatta and Penrith, our 2 biggest heartland clubs have to rise. A strong western Sydney is a strong comp.
Calcio
Guest
23,000 can't fit into Brookvale presently. That is the only unrealistic thing in your post.
Calcio
Guest
Mals, No wonder there were no facts. It is a rehashed version of a Sydney Telegraph article. They never include facts.
ManlyMuzz
Guest
If you say Manly fans don't turn up i'd love to hear the excuses from why in a one team town of over 2 million people, Brisbane didn't get even close to a sell out once all year. Funny that.
NF
Roar Guru
Correction: 7. But aleast I went to games and not sit on the couch.