I, like many punters around the grounds, am disappointed at the lack of support the federal government and the NRL have given to suburban grounds
With none other than the prime minister of this great country being Manly’s number one ticket holder this year, I had hoped that funding would be provided to Brookvale Oval.
It is a massive embarrassment to not only the northern beaches, the fans and the club, but to the game as a whole.
The game is supposed to be provided for the fans, the people who essentially provide a great deal of the NRL’s income. Ticket sales and merchandise are one thing, but the big money is in advertising and broadcasting deals.
Sure, that’s fair enough. As the Young brothers attest to, ‘Money talks!’
But even Blind Freddy can tell that you that it’s the fans who watch the telly, ads and all. Keep turning them away, and rugby league, as a franchise, won’t net a billion dollars.
Take footy out of the suburbs, put it in the bigger stadiums, at the best and most TV-friendly times. The times where families would be struggling to make games, as they’d end past their children’s bedtimes. Throw in the added time for the commute home, and of course they’re going to watch it on the telly.
A win for the broadcasters, for sure.
But, honestly, how long does the administration expect loyal fans to remain loyal? How long until they’ll say enough is enough and turn off their sets. Or switch over to another sport.
Brookvale Oval, Leichardt Oval, Parramatta Stadium, Remondis Stadium, and many others house loyal, hard working fans, who come to all the home games, bring their rugs to sit on the hill and fly their flags, while their scarfs fly about it in wind.
They sometimes freeze out of refusal to don a jumper over the jersey they’re so bloody proud of. Their home ground holds a special place in their hearts. They remember big wins their boys have had there, and remonstrate over harsh loses.
Their home ground has heart and soul, and often a nickname like ‘The Fortress’, because their team lift to new heights every time they set foot on that sacred ground.
Take that away, just for what will the NRL hope and presume to be a bigger profit, and you take away the real community spirit that this great game was founded on.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Really since when of late?. Give me examples of the last occasion Orville ,and whilst you are at give us the names of your various monikers you have used. It's hard to keep up,there has been so many. Here's another country:- http://www.totalrl.com/nigel-wood-rugby-league-popularity-time-high/ And it's from the Sport's AGM not from Total RL thoughts.
Champ
Guest
The fact that there were up to 10 games of RL and only 2 were on TV left an opening for RL to sell many games
Champ
Guest
Orville
Guest
You seem to mention Serbia and Jamaica a lot, Non
Orville
Guest
Roy has written 4 articles where he claimed refs even up games - the NRL/refs have not sued nor have denied it - imagine if there was an equivalent AFL story in Melbourne. The imputation is even in the headline Did you not watch the last 5 minutes of SOO 1 just one example I remember when the captain of the Australian TBirds came out in the old Roller Derby and said the fans would still follow it even if we admitted it was fixed - I think some of those fans still exist...
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Wording of 'thrusting' was probably not the most appropriate wording then. Now the NRL has money in the bank, I hope we do get proactive and start partnering with government to get some of these grounds redeveloped. I agree with you there. Straight question-AR, are you employed by the AFL? Are you a fan of the NRL? if so, team?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Orville, I'm not a fan of the game and don't have AR's warped sense of life that somehow he's captain Melbourne saving the world from the evils of rugby league. Come on, he must trawl every league thread and to think he's made a life decision to waste time doing this is nothing short of sad, pathetic really. I don't care what AFL fans say in their own threads nor should he bother on league threads. Is it really going to stuff up his day?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The very reason Harrigan sues.He maintains he is doing the right thing. The print media gets things wrong immeasurably.Have a look at retractions at times in the papers. I gave a story to a local paper's journo about a close relative who died,and it was 50% inaccurate when it came into print. Masters is not only employed to write about NRL ,that's the first point. He writes about other sports.He was after all on the Sport Commission,and is married to an AFL lady. He gets things wrong on rl at times too.But I find it ironic his critics bag him when he comments critically on other codes,yet quite happy to reference him when he writes something positive about their codes.He has had shots at Cronulla,Manly on many occasions. I could mention the ASADA issue when it first came out the NRL was going to have the biggest number of players involved and it was lay the boot into the NRL by other code writers.Since the final figures have come out the silence is deafening. Matter of fact ,of all the sports journos in Sydney he would leave most of the others for dead with his reliability'and background experience.Some I wouldn't employ if they paid me. .
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No it's not about me that's why I have reduced the no of posts in rl threads for many reasons. Every comment by you TRex/PW/Orville is about sniping at rl. either directly or indirectly. As it is a rl thread,and supposedly an open debate,anyone can comment on a statement.They sure as hell do when I post. And I remind you which you did not acknowledge ,the fact I did not bring up the Jamaica/Serbia comment initially.The poster had a shot at me,I responded.So your comment about me being paid re these two countries. is ludicrous
Orville
Guest
Cross I was responding to this "Orville’s just upset his AFL is one dimensional in world interest-Zilch" Just as gridiron is narrow, most AFL fans don't care if its only played in Aus. AFL heavies are trying to broaden the game for more $$ just like the NRL and every other code. And we get a bit tired of soccer people telling us we must follow soccer because it is the world game - so's terrorism Its not my AFL - I support the Wallabies Not every comment is about you
AR
Guest
"when the AFL has the scheduling nitemares of which Nine/Foxtel thrust upon the NRL" That's completely wrong. Nine/Fox don't "thrust" scheduling nitemares (sic) onto the NRL. The NRL knowingly sells those rights and powers to Ch.9 after lengthy discussions about broadcasting rights. If the NRL wanted to retain control of its fixture - it could - but it would mean taking less money from the host broadcaster. "How did GWS get a brand new redeveloped stadium for 25,000 when it’s attendances were 0?" That one's easy. It's called partnering and capital sharing. The AFL goes to the NSW Govt and says "here's $10M to contribute to a new stadium. The RAS are also putting in $7M. There's huge potential growth over the next 20 years and we want you to put in the balance". The same applied for Metricon Stadium. The AFL contributed $14M, the GC Council $23M, the Fed Govt $36M and the Qld Govt $72M. Basic partnering and capital sharing. The alternative... is to ask the Govt for 100% funding, like Robina Stadium ($160M from the Qld Govt) or AAMI Stadium ($270M from the Vic Govt). It's a basic theory of lobbying - go *with* something in order to *get* something.
Orville
Guest
He is employed to write RL - when he writes on other sports he struggles You didn't answer my point about defamatory statements harrigan has been known to sue often
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I repeat has he provided evidence,or proof,not an article.? According to many Masters writes BS,now you say he is the fountain of learning.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You stated AFL doesn't claim to be a world sport,by trying to shaft rl for having a RLWC.Then why bring in the AFL into the argument,they are chalk and cheese overseas. Can read you guys like a book.. Lithuania, Serbia and Jamaica was brought up and I responded so it was not moi.Interesting it has now been deleted..Good trolling effort though.You must get paid for every post to try and point score on a rl thread..Almost a 2nd home. And you get upset every time a country is mentioned that now plays the code.Figures.
AR
Guest
...and put millions into Homebush and Docklands.
Orville
Guest
Did you not read my first words "AFL doesn’t claim to be a world sport" And I assume you get paid every time you mention Jamaica and Serbia...
Orville
Guest
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/dramatic-licence-whistleblowers-in-danger-of-playing-to-script-to-ensure-theatrical-finale-20120806-23qe1.html and other articles The NRL has never denied or sued and the refs including harrigan have never sued - make up your own mind or rewatch the 2014 SOO Game 1 in the last 5 minutes and the ref was reappointed for the deciding game 2...
Orville
Guest
So Blacktown now has a facility they can be proud of which will be used by many sports - Blacktown was never going to be a permanent home for an AFL team which you would expect will attract 15K when they are up, competitive and winning...
Orville
Guest
Cathar You are welcome on AFL threads to correct any misinformation which is what AR does here - see his retorts to your comments above
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Oh Bruce, you've brought that nutcase Flick over. How many personas can you get Trex? How many times can you be ousted on league forums to come back? You are one sick puppy