First of all I wish to apologise in advance for the negative nature of what you are about to read, but it’s now at the point where I wonder if TV stations even take fans into consideration when making decisions.
In fact judging by tonight’s 8:35pm kick off in the Shire, I doubt the fans matter at all.
For those who were not aware, tonight’s Cronulla vs Brisbane game is set to kick off at 8:35 pm NSW time.
This is so it will fit into the live 7:35pm time slot that the Broncos have made their own in QLD.
Regular viewers will rightly laugh at the scheduled time of 7:35pm, as most games kick off much closer to 8pm, with last Thursday Night’s season opener not kicking off until 8:05pm.
This means that fans of the Sharks, and those travelling fans of the Broncos, will likely have to wait until almost 9pm for kick off tonight.
Okay, tomorrow is not a school day, which means it’s not a complete loss for families with younger children, but I severely doubt my four-year-old son will make kick off, let alone the completion of the game.
By all rights, tonight should attract a good crowd. Ben Barba will play against the team that cast him aside during the odd-season. Brisbane always attract attention from home fans due to their successful past. Brisbane traditionally have a decent Sydney-based fan base.
Not to mention the player clashes on show. Gallen vs Gillett. Fifita vs McGuire. Milford vs Barba.
The home side, the Sharks, have a new look side, and fans, at least on social media, are keen to support their side.
Last weekend they had to wait until the made-for-tv 6:30 pm time slot, instead of hosting a far more sensible 2 pm kick off.
I understand the weather is warm at this time of the year, but it’s not stopped A-League sides from producing excellent quality games, in front of big crowds.
Tonight’s 8:35pm kick off will probably rate through the roof in Brisbane. Too bad there will only be ten or so thousand there to witness the game live.
As an aside, it looks as though the weather may also play a huge part in tonight’s crowd.
That, of course, cannot be helped, but I’d imagine a few fair would be willing to brave the weather should they be able to be home, showed and in bed by 10 pm. Tonight’s game will not even be complete by 10pm. It’s simply too late for kids, not to mention those who have worked eight hour days.
Pie Thrower
Guest
Literally?
chris
Guest
Something is seriously wrong with both Rugby codes at the moment as the NRL and a15 are not getting bums on seats like the NH Rugby but even UK/France and Italian Rugby is being slagged off for it's boring 10 man power play in the press. Both Rugby codes need a complete fresh start.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Sponge bob?? It's me squidward!
Baldie
Guest
3 days extra rest is the equivalent of a free win.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
Spot on Scott mate. Crowd was just over eight thousand. That's horrible for a Friday Night clash.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
No you can't unfortunately. It's zone protected. i.e. you can watch the Dogs Eels game live but not the QLD game. The old 4 pm delayed game was also shown on the pass delayed. It is a great idea tho, I used it last year when I couldn't get Foxtel hooked up
Pie Thrower
Guest
To be 'literally' handed a free win, the nrl would have had to cancel the game and give the ponies the two points, not just a scheduling matter. The Sharks literally didn't win because they couldn't complete a set of six, because Ben Barba is rubbish at 6 and because they never threatened the defence.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I'm in my 50s and by 10 pm I was done. Watched the first game between the Dogs and the Eels which held my interest. After two or three ad breaks that seemed to last 5 minutes each in the first half hour of the Sharks vs Broncos match I gave up. When I heard the final score was 10 to 2 I was glad I gave up! If there was an AFL game on I would have switched over. The second game on a Friday night takes forever. I know it's too late for this contract for TV broadcast rights but surely the solution for free to air viewers was to have a match broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights - not two matches on a Friday night. Matches could start at 8 pm and you could enjoy the game until 10 pm and then get an after match wrap up. The second match on the Friday should be rescheduled to 3 or 4 pm on Saturdays. You'd think the NRL would have enough sense and clout to demand this.
turbodewd
Guest
Ben Barba is an overpaid bust! whats he doing at 5/8th? Flanagan must be on drugs to put Barba in a skill position.
Kirk
Guest
Those who couldn't watch, you didn't miss anything, one of the worst games i've ever seen and with the 9k crowd - just a bad, bad advertisement for Rugby League
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It's only for a month or so while you southerners fiddle with your clocks. I agree it is more sensible to play the QLD derbies in the first part of the season, but common sense doesn't seem to apply to ch9.
Kevin Dustby
Guest
League fans complain about the smallest things. It's only one game and more people benefit (viewers in qld) than the small group that are slightly disadvantaged. Here in the USA, many sports finish games as late at 11. If one game is going to stop a 4yo from being a NRL supporter then..
Boomshanka
Guest
Ben Seek an injunction or at the very least threaten one. I was all set to go to court seeking an injunction in 2012 as the AFL deal is illegal and I was disadvantaged at the time with the league down here similarly delayed beyond midnight thanks to ministers inaction and disregard for the law. The injunction could have realistically stopped Fox showing live AFL (as their rights, bought straight from the sporting code are in breach of the broadcasting act. Strangely and somewhat cynically, a few days before the first bounce of the 2012 AFL season (and when Fox would have shown live protected sport), I received a call from the ministers office telling me that a deal had been reached to shown live NRL into Melbourne at the same time as Sydney. Hence I was no longer disadvantaged and had to drop injunction proceedings. I still cynically believe that Nine still to this day do not want to show league into Melbourne, and only do so because we're waiting to bring the whole corrupt anti siphoning legislation down. As soon as changes to anti siphoning legislation are made where sports codes can legally sell direct to subscription TV, they will drop league outside NSW and QLD. The AFL deal where they sell directly to Fox is illegal under the broadcast act. After the AFL deal was announced to much fanfare back in 2011, the then minister for broadcasting said that required changes to the act would be made soon As of last week, these changes have never happened and as if to rub salt into the wounds, a proposed review of the anti siphoning legislation (due by the end of 2014) has never proceeded. http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s872 Nine cannot survive without its protected access to sport. We were also promised HD from 2014 but don't hold your breath.
Baldie
Guest
Something that is not being talked about is the Sharks played Sunday night and then had to follow up with a friday night game, where as the friday night donkeys got their stock standard 7 day rest and and uninterrupted routine. What a joke, Brisbane was literally just handed a free win by the NRL.
Boomshanka
Guest
Exactly; It's not like Nine have no involvement in the draw.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Ridiculous kick off time just for QLD tv audience.... During day light savings - there just simply shouldnt be any QLD teams playing in Sydney on Friday night - just plain silly. Why not just have all three QLD derbies in the early rounds and they get to have their 7:30 kick off and live game.
pat malone
Guest
its not that late
SpongeBob
Guest
Not sure you can - I can't get Dogs vs Eels to open, it says "this is a delayed telecast, do you want to reveal scores". No I want to watch the game... I also have an Aussie VPN, same thing when connected via there.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I they wanted to cater to kids and building the next generation they would show live Sat and Sun arvo games on FTA and dail back the betting TVC's.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Last weeks game was advertised as kicking off at 7.05pm Brissy time and thats when it did kick off. Personally I hate such early kick offs and prefer 8pm or late times as I have very young kids and I can't see anything until they are in bed so on a very selfish personal level 8 or 8.30 brissy time kick offs are great.