Pirtek Stadium has been a hub of activity recently with the stadium having just hosted an Asian Champions League quarter-final for A-League club the Western Sydney Wanderers and a crucial NRL grudge match between the Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Eagles.
Both games attracted an impressive 17,000-strong crowd, begging the question which code Western Sydney loves more.
The Wanderers, entering just their third year of existence, are already commanding a loyal band of followers. Initial membership numbers for the 2014/15 season are reaching impressive heights, with 13,000 renewals from last year alone. Such drastic growth in numbers means the round ball game may now rival the Parramatta Eels’ 2014 membership total of more than 20,000.
Statistically speaking, the battle between the NRL and football looks to be deadlocked, with the Eels ahead but Wanderers growing exponentially. But what about the passion of these respective fans?
The Wanderers have created many a headline with its infamous Red and Black Bloc, with the round ball game reigniting a sporting passion and active support that the NRL has been increasingly losing. Possibly linked to an embedded love of football in the west, the Wanderers have provided die-hard football fans with an outlet to vocalise this love.
The crowd’s ritualistic 80th minute Poznan, which involves fans linking arms and turning their back on the game in a show of unity, is a spectacle I have personally never witnessed and would never envision seeing at an NRL match. Hell, the closest I get to another person at an NRL game is when someone bumps into me trying to protect their cherished beer.
While the atmosphere at Wanderers’ matches have at times turned explosive, on the whole, the Wanderers’ fan-base is one of immense dedication and pure admiration.
The mighty Blue and Gold Army on the other hand has, particularly in recent years, lost a lot of its colour. Consecutive wooden spoons have undeniably contributed to this less vocal fan-base, but its heart and soul remains intact.
In a spirited Eels performance on Friday night, the Parramatta faithful played a key role in keeping the Eels players slick and slippery enough to continuously outmanoeuvre the Sea Eagles in the second half. It was truly buoying to finally hear the Parra chant again reach through the TV and embrace me in the anxiety of my living room. And although it’s been a long time coming, I’m confident that if the Eels themselves remain passionate, the fans will too.
Form of both teams will and has inevitably altered the popularity of each. Riding a wave of persevering success, it will be interesting to see just how many Wanderers commit their time and voice to a side when they eventually hit a poor run of form. Parramatta, on the other hand, has been wracked by poor form and in turn proven that it has a committed and loyal fan-base that won’t wander when times get tough.
In saying this, I am confident that the Wanderers fan-base won’t go a wandering when times do get tough, but will they still be singing just as loudly?
Alluded to as a battle, it is clear the fight between NRL and football is an unwinnable one. And it is in not having a victor that I believe the two codes will most benefit. Not having to make hefty sacrifices in the heat of battle, both the Wanderers and Eels could be put in an enviable position to broaden their fan-base if they can put their differences aside.
Conversion of Eels fans to Wanderers and vice versa should be a relatively easy process, with each code occupying differing seasons and in turn meeting an omnipresent need for sport within Sydney’s west.
As a football fan first and foremost, it was in the football season concluding that I was left with a massive sport-sized hole to fill. In stepped the Parramatta Eels. Having supported them since birth, I had shunned them ever since I became a Wanderers fan, perceiving it to be a lesser team and sport.
But such arrogance was to my own detriment as I was left empty without a team or sport to follow. Recently jumping back on the Eels bandwagon, I’ve realised that both codes have their respective appeal, with the Eels doing an impressive job of compensating for the Wanderers.
Reaching this epiphany on my own, the potential both codes have if they team up to expand their fan-base has been highlighted. With home games of each side primarily taking place at the same stadium, fans are clearly already in a position to attend games. So surely twin memberships for both the Eels and Wanderers at a discounted price are a logical first step in turning these supposed enemies into allies.
matt on football
Guest
But the quality of even lower Soccer leagues sportsman, is still much higher than the 2 Micro Football codes that play here in OZ ..... Too few players ( go to the ABS site ) and way too many teams ( team with larger numbers too 13 & 18) I like league and AFL but as local tradition, not because of the quality of the sport ... The A-League wins that one, do the math..
bryan
Guest
I.in turn, would just make THIS slight change.:- "The militant code-war mantra is such a silly (mostly "The Roar" "Football" tab) construct."’
Matthew
Guest
I can speak a little to this. I was having a long (35 day holiday) in America recently. In that time I went to a MLS game in New Jersey and 2 MLB Games (one in New York the other in Oakland just outside of San Fransisco) It was actually at the MLS game (New York Red Bulls vs some team I dont really remember). I was wearing my Perth Glory shirt (because hey why not?) and was speaking to some fellow fans in the stands. The Consensus I got is that the MLS is really picking up speed there. They are getting to see some quality players who are not just Americans, but the likes of Thierry and others. I would say the quality is about as good as one of our own A-League games with about as many fumbles as youd expect. However the fans were watching the World Cup and during my travels around America lots of bars were showing the games. People said it was a slow pickup because its not as 'flashy' as Basketball or Baseball but it would probably become a 2nd tier sport eventually there. People were talking about it on buses and trains too.
Josh
Guest
Stick to your Melbourne bubble AR
AZ_RBB
Guest
Fox Sports to show SU58 v SFC and Tuggernong v MVFC live. Other 6 matches will have highlights. No live streams this round.
SVB
Guest
"Do you even read what you type before you submit it?" :) Thanks for your contribution Matthew Edwards.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Kick off is nearly upon us. From all reports, it's a typically sweaty humid day in Guangzhou.
SVB
Guest
You have to be kidding if you think it doesn't happen the other way around. Happens even moreso. Each code has it's supporters who think the other sport is a "lesser sport". Have heard it a million times before from other people. One is no more guilty than the other. Perhaps you should not read threads on the Football tab because it seems to rile you up. Better for your own health.
AZ_RBB
Guest
He was responding to me. I raised the issue of global audiences as an additional point to the discussion of poor local ratings.
Belmore eel
Guest
For sure we are spoilt for choice in sydney - 9 nrl clubs - 2 afl - 2 aleague - 1rugby Thats 14 top flight clubs in major football codes only, 12 of which play thru the winter. When u factor in all teams in lower level competitions and other non football sports, we can see how tough it is with less than 5mil population
Matthew Edwards
Guest
The viewership in china is really important when we are talking about the popularity of these sports in the local area. Seriously... No one is suggesting that league is bigger than soccer worldwide... Do you even read what you type before you submit it?
clipper
Guest
It is one of the venues for the 2015 RWC and Saracens sometimes use it - I think it changed once Wembley was upgraded and was a bit more trendy.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I think it's a worthy debate. Sydney is blessed with a rich sporting landscape and for general sports fans like me (and I imagine you as well) it is interesting to discuss how each club is faring against others in its own competition and those in other sports. I don't agree with the debate of the superiority of one sport over the other. I find that quite aimless.
clipper
Guest
Why would you do that - waste your time to make some sort of point that doesn't really exist. They would bank some of the free tickets not showing up, so it's not really a guaranteed empty seat. I'm pretty sure if the free tickets aren't used, they don't get counted - otherwise the roosters game where they got 5279 would have had a larger crowd. The counting isn't done by the AFL, but by the stadium operators.
Matthew Edwards
Roar Pro
You are right. It must be really hard supporting a team that has been runner up in two successive seasons. That isn't the point and you know it.
Matthew Edwards
Roar Pro
It was the point though. it was pointed out that Eels played the 'lesser code'. This is why supporters of the 2 larger codes have so many problems with soccer supporters. Soccer fans bait them until they bite and then they act all holier than thou and blame AFL and NRL for the code war against soccer. I don't care at all and it is really starting to rub me the wrong way.
Matthew Edwards
Roar Pro
I have read a tonne of your comments on this thread. You are just so wrong all the time… You constantly are baiting AFL fans with incorrect information and making generally incorrect claims. I am not a troll mate Infact i would say you are the troll. I am just pointing out how you are wrong. Here are the facts: WSW memberships are cheaper. Ticketed WSW members sell out. Non-ticketed WSW members exist. WSW represents a much larger area of Sydney than Parramatta does. from this you make the jump that somehow WSW don't have any non-ticketed members and that somehow these non-ticketed members are in the 15000. Even though i could become a non-ticketed member at any point i felt necessary. You also conclude that WSW are the more popular club. Despite the fact that Parramatta are among the most supported clubs outside of Sydney. Parramatta have a massive group of followers derived from people who were children during their success in the 80's. Same with the Bulldogs. Same with the Roosters except for the early 2000's and the dragons for the 50's and 60's. You just don't get how the world works man and it is baffling.
AR
Guest
Brian, are you honestly suggesting that the Giants count the "AFL" as one of its sponsors..?
Belmore eel
Guest
Absolutely, nrl and afl will never have that global reach that football has, and thats why the acl is massive for aleague teams. Lets just say that in west syd, the wanderers have been embraced by large parts of the community to fill a sporting void during the summer months. To compare them to the eels, bulldogs, tigers and panthers is wrong. Maybe if there were 4 aleague teams in west syd and 5 others in the rest of sydney (like nrl) then we could compare apples with apples
Ian
Guest
Terry on his quest to degrade an Australian football competition. Think of how any people play football and want to play football. Globally. Think of how many positions are available in teams. Think of how many different places football players can go to ply their trade. There is no correlation for your statement that outside of Europe and South America leagues are mediocre (read as crap). Much like your claim that the majority of A-League grand finals weren't sold out (with 7/9 being sold out), you simply speak rubbish. How is gridiron going Terry? You seem to enjoy that 'foreign' sport.