Is TV killing the stadium experience?

So right there mate in regard to RL/RU teams as I think the Waratahs should play out of Concord and if the Sydney NRL teams should all play out of 10000-15000 grounds and just play the big games at the sfs and Homebush...in fact all Wallaby games in Sydney now should be at the SFS.

Wow.....egg all over my face Ricky! Actually you sound like my second wife....hang on...maybe my third......she used to whine more. In any case I saw you get interviewed the other night on Fox Footy and I'm glad you're back on the road to recovery. As far as the discussion goes I claim victory.....and please...please..no need to self mutilate.

You can bang on all you like about Rugby being a bigger brand world wide because it is just another example of how you are trying to start a new argument to back up your original argument that is fundamentally flawed. Your see people come here to read articles, comment on them and then provide debate (sometime arguments). I don't know you and this will be the last time I converse with you on any topics, regardless of your opinion. Why? Because you lack any credibility and that's what counts on these boards. Part of you most likely is trying to show boat to anyone else reading this and no matter how much you say, 'I won this argument', to anyone else reading this they will most likely think otherwise. Why? Because I believe my argument is more compelling than yours. You have used a non-credible source as evidence to back up an opinion, which a fellow Roarer in 'Carrington' above has pointed out to you. You have then taken it out of context to make your argument (most likely never actually reading it yourself). I have taken your article and used it against you by quoting the very man who has been accredited to the turn around of a club that was on the brink of extinction 3 years ago. Whether you think he is a brick head or not, the consensus is that he has done good for the club (but of course you are entitled to your opinion), however, don't think because you see it this way in anyway strengthens your argument because that is up to others to decide. My point is the very man accredited to this short term success currently admits they are not the biggest sporting franchise in Australia. Now as I mentioned, people will either believe what he is saying or what you are saying and if Gould says they are not the biggest in Australia and you say they are, then I think you are on a hiding to non when it comes to credibility. This brings me back to my first point. Once I realise that someone is a troll or can not make a logical, concise argument based on fact then I don't bother with them. You will find two people left to chat with you then: a. Fellow trollers b. people that actually make fun of you constantly like that poor guy in the NRL forum who talks up QLD every week. You have been weighed, measured and found wanting my friend. I will let you have the last say since I'm sure you will want to end with something witty or nothing to do with the argument to save face, so you go right ahead...

Gee Ricky, I just go with the independent umpire who said Penrith weren't only the biggest club in Sydney but in Australia. If you want to make up your own metrics I'm sure you could find that Ganmain Grong Grong Matong United are the biggest brand in Australia. If you're only happy with the answers you want to hear you might want to start reading Grimms fairy tails. As for Phil Gould.....fair dinkum mate......the blokes had more head knocks than Chuck Wepner. In any case my original premise remains unchallenged.......the Rugby codes smash the AFL in overall brand identification. I mean... I have watched international RU in London, Paris and Rome and international RL in the cultural beauties of Wigan, Hull and Manchester. The poor old AFL follower has got the suburbs of Melbourne, the Sahara states and the expatriate teams of the free northern states......no comparison really.

"In the next three, five, 10 years Panthers will become the most recognisable brand and the biggest sporting franchise in the country." That is a direct quote from Phil Gould who basically runs the Panthers now in relation to that report. You have failed miserably in your efforts to bring 'FACTUAL' evidence to the table. Even the great Gould has said in his statement that currently they are not the biggest sporting franchise in the country so for you to some how conclude they are from this is just ridiculous. You are quite impressive though, because it's hard to conclusively beat someone down 100 percent in an argument, because most around here are smart enough not to hang themselves on their own evidence. I asked you to show me who was the biggest football club in Sydney based on the metrics given. Not some rubber tripe report based on pokie revenues. Read the entire article and report and you will realise this. However, I'm a sporting man and I'm going to give you this report because like I said, even Phil Gould concedes they are not the biggest at present and that my friend ends your argument right now 100 percent. If you want to start up a new debate on who will become the biggest sporting franchise in 3-5,10 years time then go do that. But I'm a betting man and I don't even think you are stupid enough to declare it will be Penrith, but please amuse me and start one up in the NRL forum and see if anyone agrees with you.

Ah yes, found that article you mentioned Bruce. The title of which "AFL clubs “running away” from NRL in brand value race: Report" you neglected to mention. Reading of the article shows the research was not done by BRW but by an agency called Brand Finance. The methodology they used to generate the list (of football codes) included a weighted value of pokies revenue and the sheer weight of $ coming in to Penrith from gambling dragged them to the top of the list.

That wouldn't have anything to do with pokies revenue now would it? I wouldn't have even thought the Panthers would be the most valuable brand amongst the League clubs.

Also Rick, even though I have won the debate I don't expect you to self mutilate and you are free to retain your manhood.

Dear oh dear Rick settle down old mate, we're having a gentlemen s discussion here. Now....... the BRW rich list in December said that the Penrith Panthers were the most valuable brand in Australian sport with Collingwood coming in second. I would think that publication is totally objective so I would have to say that Penrith are the biggest club in Sydney. In Melbourne I would say the top 10 clubs would mainly be AFL but the Victory could be up there somewhere due to soccer being a global sport. The Rugby siblings would probably be behind most AFL teams at the moment but that is not surprising as Melbourne is basically a captive AFL state. I hope that clears a few things up for you Rick.......and have a great day.

Can you just remind me again which club in Sydney is considered the BIGGEST football club? By that I mean using the following combined metrics: Highest membership Highest average attendance Highest average TV ratings Highest corporate Sponsorship Highest Turn Over Richest Club Have I missed anything? Now if the Swans don't tick most of the boxes in that list then I will eat my left nut, but you go ahead and troll your little heart out. Come to think of it, which one is bigger in all those metrics between the Tah's and the Swans in a so called 'RUGBY' state???? That's a pretty good test right there considering the AFL has 2 teams to Rugby's one? Quite embarrassing really when you finally figure that answer out. Usually when someone gets put in their place they use the old , 'but the Swans are just one team (well now two actually) in Sydney, compared to 9 NRL clubs (well ten if we include the Tah's in your equalisation stupidity)'. Now if you want to go with this line when defending the NRL, then I will return fire with this one before you do. Can you list for me the top ten football clubs using the same metrics in Melbourne please? If we want to compare apples to apples then lets do that. So when you see the Storm and the Rebels at the bottom of that list using 'FACTUAL ANALYSIS', I'm sure you will pack your marbles up and crawl back to the NRL & Union forums where you belong. You have a nice day.

That is complete and utter tripe. The two rugby codes do nothing to assist each other, they do however do everything they can to take the other codes best players away. IE: they compete against each other.

I might add, like all siblings there are occasional squabbles and disagreements - like in the UK in 1895 and out here in 1908 but essentially we are one big family the sum of which dwarfs the game played in Melbourne and the 2 desert states.

Except Union is a great game full of strategy and spectacle, whereas League is British Bulldogs with a ball.

Micka, I'm sorry if I've upset you with my factual analysis. I realise it is hard for the southerners to understand but the Rugby codes are like siblings from the same family and it is fair and proper to analyse them in the manner that I have.

Which bridge do you live under Bruce? If an Aussie Rules fan points out the obvious in how relatively close Rugby and Rugby League are, they are shouted down as not understanding the difference. Now you, a fan, are saying that they are perfectly interchangeable and don't impact on one another. Turn it up... "Spilt the demographic for support" in other words the demographics are halved (well majority to league). By the same argument I could say that the rebels, storm, MVFC, MHFC and all the AFL teams in Victoria can be combined as a powerhouse and just split the Victorian demographic for support, ipso facto Aussie rules is the biggest game in the country.

Thats the point GAC, they are interchangeable, if you haven't noticed they both have Rugby in their name and they split the demographic for support. Whilst the AFL has desperately been trying to get another game going with the Irish to try and get some international relevance the Rugby codes already have it covered.

Funny how you have to combine your stats with a rival code (one which keeps signing some of your best players away) to 'come out on top'. Typical troll.

AR, I wouldn't expect you to understand coming from your southern enclave. Unfortunately you people suffer from the Stockholm syndrome and are unable to see things in perspective. In the free northern states we have clear minds and 20/20 vision.

How about sitting just under the lights and watching ants run around because you have to pay double the price to sit next to the action. That's not footy!

"In total the Rugby brands leave Aussie rules in their wake." Er, and when tennis and cricket are combined, they "smash" the rugbies! Sorry... what's your point again?