Round 1 of the 2015 NRL draw has been leaked, and with Penrith set to play a blockbuster clash against rivals the Bulldogs on a March afternoon, Panthers fans are asking why?
Why play a day-time game in the March heat of Sydney’s west?
The question is a long-standing one, as year after year the NRL ignores the simple fact that Penrith is among the hottest NRL venues in March.
When comparing the attendance patterns of Sydney clubs’ fans to home game for day, evening and night games from 2001 to 2014, it is clear that the NRL has much to gain by reallocating day games to teams who play in coastal regions, rather than those who play in the heat of Sydney’s greater west.
In 2013, Penrith were allocated three of their opening four games playing at Penrith and Campbelltown during the day in March. Both grounds are poor for providing relief for fans against the heat and as a result crowds suffered.
Again in 2014, Penrith was allocated two Saturday afternoon games and two Saturday evening games, three of those played in Sydney’s west in the heat of March which adversely affected crowds, even against traditional crowd pullers Canterbury and Parramatta.
Why is this issue important? Last year Phil Rothfield took great pleasure in criticising Penrith’s crowds without doing much homework apart from stating the crowd results. One of the major factors was scheduling. These day matches, coupled with more Monday night football than any other NRL club, and the lack of Sydney-based teams playing at Sportingbet compared to their rivals, made it exceedingly difficult for the club to increase crowds.
The key facts (2001-14)
Penrith has played more daytime home games in March (12 from 24) than any other Sydney club – compare it to other Western Sydney clubs such as Parramatta (3 from 26), Wests Tigers (7 from 22) and Canterbury (10 from 25).
Those 10 Canterbury day time home games however include Good Friday blockbusters that take place in March, which at the cooler Homebush have been a resounding success
Penrith has played the least number of nighttime home games in March (7 from 24), while Western Sydney rivals Parramatta (19 from 26), Wests Tigers (12 from 22) and Canterbury (14 from 25) have had significantly more access to this time slot.
Canterbury (due to the Good Friday effect) plus coastal teams Manly, St George and Cronulla all average their best crowds during day games. The cooler conditions by the ocean provide a more appealing setting to attend a March daytime game. Sydney and Souths fare better at night on the back of high-end blockbuster clashes between one another to start the season.
It’s no surprise to see Penrith, Parramatta and Wests achieve their best average crowds in March when the game is played at night.
Penrith’s daytime March home games are the lowest in Sydney, averaging over 3,000 fewer than nighttime March home games. Based on conservative numbers – $30 per person spent on tickets, food and beverages, and an average of two home games in March – such decision-making from the NRL could likely cost the club $120K per game ($240K in one month alone). It’s not hard to see why clubs like Penrith are forced to sell off home games.
In 2015, will the advent of live Sunday afternoon coverage on Channel Nine have an adverse impact on crowds at venues likes Penrith during March? Are fans likely to vote with their remotes and stay at home in the comfort of their air-conditioned family rooms rather than bake on the eastern terraces of Sportingbet Stadium?
Last year the Gold Coast complained of Sunday afternoon temperatures so the NRL gave them a Saturday evening home game. Does their form, membership or average TV audience warrant this action? Probably not.
Instead it’s about time Sydney’s west and in particular a club on the rise both on and off the field in Penrith get a better deal from the NRL.
My fingers are crossed that Round 1 is an aberration in what will be a vastly improved draw for Penrith, and an opportunity for its fan-base to attend games in the time slots that have proven to be successful for the club in the past.
But if history is a guide, Penrith fans will be dudded yet again, while teams like Manly, Cronulla and St George – whose fans have a preference for daytime footy in March when given the opportunity – will again take away night spots that would surely be better suited to Sydney’s weather hotspot.
The RiffMarn Stew Moses
Roar Guru
I would think that the Dragons with some of their venues being on or near the coast would be perferctly suited to day time in March. I can say what I want re: March day time - its been proven yet again with our 2 March home games yet again allocated in the heat of the day. This & the Roosters home clash being played on MNF, overall Penrith's home game allocation has finally after years of neglect from the NRL has improved for the better in 2015.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dragons.... We have one Friday game along with 5 Monday games. Stop whinging yeah?
The RiffMarn Stew Moses
Roar Guru
Well well the NRL in its infinite wisdom gave Penrith its 2nd day time home game for good measure - fortunately able to take this game out to Bathurst where given it will be slightly cooler than Penrith considering the 4:30pm timeslot. Overall thou apart from the NRL attempting to kill off our home crowd numbers with insistance of playing day time footy in Sydney's hottest venue not a bad draw for Penrith - some Sat night, some Sunday arvos in Winter & even more Sydney home games
Stewart Moses
Guest
Scott which team do you support out of curiosity ?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Whinge whinge complain is all I hear. Last year Panthers fans complained about the lack of daytime footy, now they complain when they get a daytime game straight up in rd1.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Let's face it, it's too hot in coastal Sydney in June on some days to play league.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Well said. The author is trying to point out the stupidity of playing games in the afternoon in March in Penrith when they could be rescheduled to evenings. It makes about as much sense as scheduling 7.30 pm games in Canberra in the middle of Winter. Unfortunately the powers that be tend to ignore logic when setting up the draw or pander to the wealthier clubs first and the remaining clubs fill in the remaining spots. Fortunately for the spoilt Bronco supporters they have the Friday evening slots pencilled in by Channel 9 and NRL management for the first 12 rounds of the season so they don't need to worry. They may say they would like to attend afternoon games in March but they might think twice after attending a stinking hot game. AFL teams hate playing in day games in Brisbane or the Gold Coast in March. At least they have had enough sense to play Saturday NRL games in Townsville in the evening. Blind Freddy can see that it makes sense to reschedule these games for OH&S reasons as well as the comfort of spectators.
TheRiffMarn
Guest
You'll have to explain to me then how Sat 7:30pm timeslot averages 3-4k more than a Sunday arvo game in March over the last 14 years (even more when it's played against a rival seat) At least you know what a game in the Riff in March can be like when played in 35+ degrees - I doubt too many others on here have judging by the comments ;)
Jay C
Roar Guru
Ditto the Broncos. Everyone thinks you are blessed having 20 Friday night matches but I love Sunday arvo footy. Friday night means you can't have any other plans the whole night. Sunday Arvo is perfect, you can still have dinner plans etc.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Maybe this is why the NRL has released only round 1? To gauge fans reactions so as not to repeat mistakes throughout the season... I'm not saying it isn't hot. I know Sydney can get scorching over Summer. At first I thought it was probably just an oversight, like they picked the other games and this is what was left, but this should be a blockbuster game in Sydney. I'm sure they have their reasons, even if they are not obvious. When is it? Is it the Sunday afternoon FTA game? Because that might not have left the NRL with a lot of choice?
rossco
Guest
Souths have had one Sunday arvo home game in two years (2.30). As to membership: I'll take your word for last season's numbers but this new season Penrith are at the bottom of the pile to date with just 4800 - even worse than West Tigers and Roosters. Souths have passed 25000 yet get no consideration for day time games because of TV ratings.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Jay C, Penrith will be nearly as hot as Townsville in March. Townsville has a higher average temperature but Penrith has a higher maximum temperature (consistent with the annual patterns). The temperature could be 40 degrees, the average is 27. Humidity is also 80% plus. They have already had a 45 degrees day in November. You should also read the detail. The main complaint is that it is played in the day. At least at night it is likely to be cooler. Two wrongs don't make a right. The argument isn't about who is hotter, but whether it is sensible to have games played when it could be 35 degrees and 80% humidity. Why take the risk? Play the game in the evening and use costal venues to play the afternoon games. It is just common sense.
Dufeyz
Guest
I actually attended an early march game one year, it was Panthers v rabbitohs at penrith stadium in like 2010 or 2011. (Can't remember the year exactly). I slip, slop, slapped twice that day and still had a tan line that lasted 4 months. I'm not joking, I'm serious. It's bloody hot lol. A sunny Sunday arvo in winter is nice. A 40 degree meltdown in penrith is not. It saddens me that there are a lot of fellow panther fins in limbo. I don't think it's to do with scheduling, it's more to do how shit they have been for the last decade. People just don't realise penrith is a good team again. The scheduling doesn't help, but I still went to every game last year. The truth is that last year almost every home game involved rain. It's still Sydney, and we make the excuses not to go. You then add financial pressure on top, then u realise it's easier to sit at home and watch. I'm sure the crowds will improve for 2015. Especially with the media hype around the end of penriths season in 2014. Besides, penrith will win the 2015 grand final anyways.
Danny
Guest
It's one thing to be a member, it's another thing altogether to be a member and go to the games.
Danny
Guest
Spot on Jay C. Penrith had woeful crowds for all of their games. Phillip Ronald Gould is always sayinig how much he loves afternoon football so I don't see what the problem is.
Stewart Moses
Guest
I would say 16.5k members which on last years numbers put Penrith in the top half of membership numbers by club would suggest that Rossco is sadly out of touch. That said I challenge any NRL club to attract a crowd when the club in 2014 isn't allocated a single Sat night game / Sunday game & gets more Sat arvo (3) / MNF games (4) then any other club. Throw in the fact that while other Sydney clubs get at least 6 & most cases 7-8 home games v other Sydney teams while Penrith gets just 4 you can see why local fans think they get a raw deal from the NRL v Other Sydney teams when it comes to draw allocations, timing etc
rossco
Guest
Why does it matter as far as Penrith is concerned? They get so few people to home games and have a very poor membership they could play Christmas Day as still get the same miserly crowd.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
The best part is, nobody wants to pay more than $10 for a ticket, nobody wants to look at ads or jersey sponsors and everybody wishes that Channel 9 didn't have a say. Yet everyone wants money spent on this and that. But where is this money supposed to come from if nobody is paying anything?
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep I have season tickets and make and will likely make at best a handful of games a year.
Birdy
Guest
All I want is Balmain back , but that ain't neva gunna happen So because I now live in SE Qld all I want is a SE corridore team ( Qld) with a brand new stadium built at Ripley