After all the backlash that came from both clubs and fans regarding Monday night football, I am surprised that the solution was a 6pm Friday game.
Just like Mondays, the games are for TV audiences only and the crowd numbers prove this.
The Roosters, Panthers and Warriors have all received their smallest crowds this season while hosting a game in this timeslot. The Warriors case is particularly interesting as the game would have kicked off at a more convenient time in their time zone.
The Bulldogs have also had disappointing crowds in the time slot, but their records are a bit skewed as they have taken those games to Belmore and Forsyth Barr Stadium in New Zealand. Their one game at ANZ stadium was also on a Thursday night in torrential rain.
The only club to buck this trend is the Knights, who had a respectable crowd of 16,929 last Friday.
This problem is definitely compounded by Sydney traffic, so I feel sorry for the Rabbitohs and Dragons, who host games in this timeslot over the coming weeks.
It seems the NRL and Fox Sports have recognised this, with the Warriors hosting a lot of games in what will be 8pm New Zealand time.
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Like Monday night football, the perennial battlers, who don’t rate big on Channel Nine, generally have to absorb the brunt of the low ticket sales when playing on Friday evenings.
What’s more, not only are the games hard to attend but can prove difficult to catch on TV – the Round 5 match between the Roosters and Manly is the only 6pm Friday game I have viewed.
Long commutes home from work, Sydney traffic, getting dinner organised for the family, and unwinding for a few hours at the end of the week can all prove obstacles when trying to find a Fox Sports telecast to park in front of.
I’m sure there will be some people out there who love this new addition, but I see it as another instance of the television networks holding the clubs and the fans to ransom.
My solution is two games on a Friday night, both played at 8pm, with one telecast on Channel Nine and Fox Sports providing the option to show both.
This might be wishful thinking, and I guess TV ratings will be the final indicator of if the 6pm timeslot sticks around.
MJ
Guest
I'm still working at 6PM most Friday's (a couple of weeks ago I didn't finish until after 1AM) so I have only managed to watch the first game (Rostered Day Off).
Griffo
Guest
So have one less Sunday game. It just doesn't make sense to me. You've got the start of the weekend, like Friday nights usually are . Additionally it has Thursday night matches every other week yet this week has no game.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
As a tradesman finishing at 3pm like a huge portion of the NRL market I've watched every 6pm game and the pub and enjoyed every rehydrated moment of it
BigJ
Roar Guru
With the time difference it's pretty convenient here in the NT so no complaints here
Matt Jones
Guest
and they talk about football rather than drama
Matt Jones
Guest
because most of the world does
Matt Jones
Guest
agree, and CH 9 totally underestimated the viewers they would lose to Fox.
Matt Jones
Guest
true, a huge amount of people would be watching in pubs at 6pm on a friday so the numbers are much higher
Swanny
Guest
Mike Since when have channel 9 ever thought abt the good of the game .
terrence
Guest
Fox and CH9 said 3 games Friday!
terrence
Guest
I think the first priority for both Fox and Ch9 is the best return for their shareholders (advertising revenue for both / plus subscriptions for Fox) against their outlay (the $ they paid for the rights). No doubt that Fox is eating into Ch9 audience share and putting pressure on their advertising department about the amount they spend on advertising. Expect the amount they both pay to even out eventually, with Ch9 being the under pressure in the short-term.
terrence
Guest
Yes, missing Monday Night Footy. Thursday just doesn't feel right. Too early in the week. One game Friday as well at 8pm.
terrence
Guest
Yep, Ch9 commentary is awful, then the commercials pop in.
terrence
Guest
Yep, Ch9 commentary is awful, then the commercials pop in.
terrence
Guest
In 1927.
Old Greg
Guest
Broncos home games at 6pm (ie not on Channel Nine) ? Don't hold your breath mate.
Old Greg
Guest
If the Pirates come in (unlikely) it'll probably be 7:30pm AWST on Saturday nights and 4:00pm AWST on Sunday afternoons.
Griffo
Guest
Can anyone explain to me why the NRL don't play a Thursday night game on the Easter weekend?
Griffo
Guest
Given that they are persisting with the Thursday night games, having two games on Friday night actually helps to prevent 5 day turnarounds. Last year the only way to prevent 5 day turnarounds for teams playing Thursday nights was to have one team play consecutive Thursday night games and one team from the Friday night game the previous week. Of course this doesn't give much scope for variety and rarely happened. This year there are now 3 matches from the previous that can be drawn on for the Thursday night match and still give teams a 6 or 7 day turnaround. Getting rid of Monday nights also has helped as now the Monday to Saturday turnaround has been eliminated, leaving only Sunday to Friday or Saturday to Thursday. Now it's time for the NRL to just stop the 5 day turnaround!
The Barry
Roar Guru
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