If the hysteria is to be believed, we now have the proof that the AFL is clearly better and more popular than the NRL.
A combined 162,656 AFL fans attended the two finals in Melbourne over the weekend, whereas only 67,399 NRL fans turned up to the two semis held in Sydney.
The AFL’s attendance was 68.6 per cent bigger than the NRL’s.
The number of vacant seats at both Allianz Stadium on Friday night and at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night – while the AGL finals at the MCG had big crowds – was a clear demonstration that the AFL is Australia’s preeminent sporting code and that the NRL is failing. Right?
The good people at Fox Sports certainly found a lot of people who thought so.
But that’s all utter crap.
Sure, there were lots of empty seats at both NRL finals, but the 48,188 who turned up to ANZ Stadium for the Bunnies vs Dragons were the second biggest Week 2 finals crowd ever (50,621 in 2007 for Eels vs Bulldogs is the biggest).
(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Further, NRL club memberships are at an all-time high and the broadcast ratings are too. Earlier this season it was pointed out that the NRL – which is mainly based in just three of Australia’s states and territories (with a single outpost in Melbourne) – was looking like it might win the ratings battle with the AFL in 2018, in spite of the latter code being played in all eight states and territories.
This past weekend the free to air ratings for the four finals matches looked like this:
– Rabbitohs vs Dragons: 943k
– Magpies vs Greater Western Sydney: 1157k
– Sharks vs Panthers: 859k
– Hawks vs Demons: 1244k
Those figures don’t speak to me of one code’s popularity dwarfing or crushing the other by any stretch.
And let’s remember that the main audience for any code of footy in Australia is watching at home, the club or the pub.
While it is great for a big roaring crowd to be in attendance, the reality is that the broadcast deals are far more important the both the AFL and NRL administrations than ground attendance.
Bums on seats at the venue are highly desirable, but secondary concerns.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Further, the reality is that – in my view – the first two weekends of NRL finals footy has been superior to that produced in the AFL.
Speaking as a multilingual sports fan – I’m a long-term member of an AFL, an NRL and a Super Rugby side – the NRL finals matches have been far more exciting.
Three of them have been nailbiting spectacles that have had fans glued to the final siren.
Storm versus Rabbitohs, Rabbitohs versus Dragons, and Panthers versus Sharks were all superb games, truly worthy of finals status.
Conversely, of the six AFL finals so far only the results of Collingwood versus West Coast and Collingwood versus GWS were really in doubt come the fourth quarter. All of the rest have been frankly – a bit boring – although well attended.
However, nearly 100,000 more fans turned up at the two games held at the MCG than turned up at Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium. That’s a big number that needs to be dissected. There are a number of reasons that there is such a disparity in crowd numbers.
The AFL stadiums are in the right places.
The MCG and Marvel Stadium are both right on the edge of the Melbourne CBD. Not only that, the city’s rail and tram networks run directly to them, making it easy for fans to get there.
The Sydney stadiums are dreadfully located. The recent suggestion of a new stadium at Central Station is a really good one. However, it seems that the NSW Government is committed to rebuilding the Sydney Football Stadium at massive expense, despite its inconvenient location and distance from the rail network.
ANZ Stadium is in the Homebush Bay cul de sac. The rail that goes there is only a branch line. Further, the Homebush precinct is next to nothing. It’s not even that convenient to Parramatta, and it is ages away from the CBD. Allianz Stadium is a minimum 20-minute walk from Central Station. That’s not an ideal scenario with kids in tow at all.
To drive to either can be a complete nightmare.
Speaking from ghastly experience, Sydney’s road system from 3pm on Friday afternoons onwards is god awful, crawling traffic. The M5 and Eastern Distributor are frequently car parks. To get from the Shire to the Moore Park precinct can easily take over an hour.
For a Panthers fan to be confident of making their seat at Allianz Stadium by 7:30, they wouldn’t want to set off much later than 5pm. Lots of people don’t finish work until then.
Given that state of affairs, watching on the telly is a really favourable option.
Further, the broadcast deal is why a finals game is played at a time and day that makes it difficult for fans to get to. The Friday night time slot is clearly the highest rating for both codes.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Naturally, the broadcasters who pay such a massive amount to get the rights want to get the best value for their money. So while it would be much easier for fans to get to a Saturday or Sunday afternoon or evening game, the TV audiences would plummet. The broadcasters won’t wear that. But let’s not be surprised when there are plenty of empty seats at those games.
Part of the issue, of course, is the NRL’s insistence – possibly as a result of commercial arrangements – to play Sydney-based finals at Allianz and ANZ even when they aren’t the ideal venues. While it has half the capacity of the stadium at Moore Park, a full-to-capacity Shark Park (or Leichhardt, or Brookvale, or Panther Park, or Belmore, or Canberra, or Newcastle for that matter) has a brilliant atmosphere. It is the sort of vibe that really adds to the experience and makes people want to go again and again.
Just looking at the finals crowds for Allianz Stadium in recent times shows you that it hasn’t been the best option for some finals matches:
2018
Sharks vs Panthers – 19,211
2017
Sea Eagles vs Panthers – 15,408
Sharks vs Cowboys – 16,115
2016
Panthers vs Bulldogs – 22,631
In all of those cases, the higher-ranked side deserved an actual home ground advantage and that those games would have been packed out if that had been the case. If last weekend’s games had been held in the Shire and at Allianz respectively, both would have been sell-outs and this issue doesn’t get raised at all. We all just focus on how damn good the games were.
And how good were the games? That’s the key to focus on here.
Sure, there certainly are tweaks that can be made to improve the overall look, but so far the quality and competitiveness of the 2018 NRL finals show that the game is doing just fine and not subjugated by the AFL at all.
Zac
Guest
You rugby league fans complain get about playing a home final at Allianz ???? The Brisbane lions were forced to play a home prelim final at the mcg many years ago due to an afl law where at least one final had to be played there each week. The other final was played in Adelaide.
stephen
Guest
RL was created out of Rugby in Nth England in 1896. Aussie Rules was created in 1858, RL started in this county in 1908. RL supporters are a delusional lot. It's not even a competiton between the two, TV ratings mean jackshitt, when you clearly see RL doesn't get people through the turnstiles. Suggests the ratings are fake!
Mac
Guest
‘Just fine’ doesn’t cut it... The major issue for the NRL isn’t crowds, game rules, marketing etc. It’s the lack of a vision and long-term strategy. The game’s been going backwards for years and the damage has become irreversible. Die-hard fans will point out figures (broadcasting / memberships / a big crowd here and there) but for every positive that gets publicised, there are so many negatives that get swept under the rug. I personally would like nothing more than to see league flourish and capture me the way it did when I was younger but each season it gets further and further away from the game I used to love.
duecer
Guest
As usual in these code war articles, my reasonable questions on either side go unanswered. I suspect that the 15% may relate to pay tv and/or regionals and not the overall total. Of course there may be links to prove otherwise, but until then this looks like the situation.
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
A Qld. RL Official recently said that the NRL is a "diminishing" market in Sydney. Do you agree that the NRL is losing popularity in Sydney, compared to its more halcyon days? Its good to see that the NSWRL, for 2018, has reported an increase in its "participants", to about 101,000 (includes CRL). The NSWRL said this is the first official increase in in NSW participants in 5 years. Of the 101,000 NSW participants, how many of these, approximately, are playing Tag or Touch etc.? You say "there has been strong growth in Victoria and WA". The NRL's Peter Beattie and the NSWRL also specifically praised the strong League growth in Victoria and WA. What are the actual numbers of juniors in Victoria and WA playing League (this includes Minis modified rules jnr. League etc. -but not Tag or Touch etc.)? And adults in Victoria and WA (but not including Tag or Touch etc.)? Since the Melbournee Storm started, how many juniors, who were born in Victoria, have been recruited from Victoria, to play for the Storm? What have been the net losses, approximately, incurred by the Storm since it started? And payments made to it by the NRL and News Ltd etc? You mentioned 2 women were punched at AFL games in "recent times". These shocking assaults, of course, were reported. About 7,100,000 fans attend AFL matches per year in recent times Over 40 years, approximately 200,000,000+ fans have attended VFL/AFL matches. Approximately how many other female fans have been punched or assaulted at VFL/AFL matches over 40 years? Any?
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
I have previously said on The Roar that there are fluff figures in ALL sporting organizations' figures (including AFL and NRL), due to the multitude of programs and experiences offered. Of course AusKick is included in Australian Football participation numbers of 1,550,000. AusKick was started and fully implemented/funded by the VFL/ AFL about 30 years ago, and has been continuously controlled/modified by the VFL/AFL from its onset. and It is the AFL's official introductory program for young kids, where they are given group & individual skill acquisition activities -then later play a small match. As for your suggestion that the NRL/NRLW is a better standard or spectacle than the AFL/AFLW, I disagree. As for your suggestion that NRL/NRLW players are more skilled than AFL/ AFLW players, I again disagree (leaving aside the obvious fact they are different games, requiring different skill sets). What do you believe are six of the most difficult skills in League? And how difficult is it to master these six skills? From the age of 16-18, how many hours pw (on average) do League players spend on strength and conditioning if they are playing in a high level competitions? And how many hours pw does each actually HANDLE the ball? Same question for professional adult NRL players? For League players 10-18, how important is strength in affecting the likelihood of winning a match? Why has there been a big decline in males playing League from 14-18? Why has there been a big decline in adult males playing League?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Think hard because you are saying 1 in every 16 Australians are playing AFL? Really? And YES Auskick is included. ASIC do not care one iota about playing numbers, they deal in $$$ & governance etc. Can you show me a link about this otherwise so I can be corrected? A question I'd like to ask you is why can rugby league with its lower participation levels be of such a better standard than AFL in its flagship NRL & NRLW comps? The big number of women playing AFL certainly doesn't translate into the high skilled comp we are seeing in NRLW. Such large numbers doesn't translate into high quality competition. Even many AFL people are now open on the dive in quality & skills of AFL these days & it is just thankful it has such a rusted on fan base who are more likely to accept mediocrity?
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
The 2017 AFL official Participation numbers of about 1,550,000 are not "bogus". The names of the participants are recorded, and these records are independently audited (and are available to the Aust. Sports Commission; and are open to scrutiny from ASIC, where large penalties can be applied for providing false information). For Australian Football events (eg Gala days, school visits etc.) where no participant/player payments are required, these are NOT included in the 1,550,000. These types of participants are recorded by the AFL separately as Community Programs, and are noted (with an estimated number of those participating) separately. There would be some double counting -all sporting Organizations simply add up the numbers of partcipants in their various formats, none cross-reference names. Soccer would have the most double/triple counted -it has many different formats, including in summer; and its participants can play 2 games pw, as it is a FAR less strenuous game to play, compared to the contact codes. Australian Football has huge numbers playing in both primary and secondary schools throughout Australia, including Qld. and NSW. It is expected there will be another large increase in 2018.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
"why is this happening? Is this strong growth reversible?" AFL has received consecutively large TV contracts along with corporate backing of NAB Bank etc which has ploughed a ton of money into development. That helps don't you think? As for a reversal, only time can tell us that. As for the NRL, this is the first time its been handed a large TV contract commensurate with its ratings pulling power & perhaps we are only beginning to see the affects of this in terms of development etc. This is interesting reading, also the same is happening in QLD & there has been strong growth in Victoria, & WA. https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/09/20/more-than-100000-playing-rugby-league-in-nsw/ "League registered male contact numbers are in serious decline would be appreciated; and why is this happening? Is this serious decline reversible?" With the influx of TV money the above link suggests the serious decline perhaps is stabilizing & possibly reversing? I also believe the media has not helped with the growth of RL especially with the obsession of trashing the sport's image. AFL has in comparison come out smelling like roses when it has had just as many issues as RL. Even women being punched at AFL games (2 incidents in recent times not to mention fan violence in & around grounds) doesn't seem to tarnish the sport. A good bit of social engineering by our media but then again I don't think it has the respect toward our game. It still thinks of it as a purely working class game & journos have long distanced themselves from the workers. The influx of new stadia in Sydney & NQ to join with Melbourne & Suncorp in Brisbane will see most of the sport actually being played in decent stadiums for once. Manly need to get their act together though. Despite the media barking at the NRL at frequent will, the governing body is bringing the game into the 21st century. All they need know is to shake off this resigned expectation that the game just takes the media hits & fight back worthy of a sport that deserves respect.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
you're relying on AFL bogus numbers, caught out a number of ties to gain funding, double counting etc. They say there is 100k + women playing AFL alone in QLD, that is pure fantasy & rubbish! Rugby league numbers are actually on the increase again as they create comps that are less competitive & introducing 9's tournaments making the game more free flowwing for those wanting that. League tag is definitely as close version to RL tackle than you can get. By your reasoning AFL tag & 9's etc is not AFL hence you should subtract that from your 'official' AFL playing numbers just as soccer counts beach soccer, futsal, 5 a side etc.
Nat
Roar Guru
Still avoiding the question/s and still throwing back the 'I know you are but what am I' re: multi ID? Nope that's just you. Everything you want to know about me has been written, I don't have to hide. If you had a set and weren't just here to t.r.o.l.l. you would have no problem with it either but that's not how little bridge dwellers thrive it it?
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Its like you and Tim are the same person - the silly insults and hysteria in your posts are eerily similar. No 26
Nat
Roar Guru
He is and achieved far more in that field than any pesky little t.r.o.l.l. like yourself has and will ever. Were his numbers wrong or simply missing some data? Were the short comings acknowledged and corrected? Have you addressed any other points within the article? What are you trying to achieve by repeating the same thing, knowing that your one and only point was superfluous 3 days ago? You hide behind your multi IDs to throw stones. You are an insecure little embarrassment to true, rational sports fans.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
But But Crosscoder tells us its 30 million pounds the UK government gives to the RL "World" Cup? Cathar the councils may like to host but clubs own their stadiums in big sports. Whats more important for them? 5k for a RL "World" Cup game or sold out for their club?
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
Keep yelling yourself Cathar. Rugby League has had its day. It cant grow and people simply wont pay to watch the sport at a stadium. Simple really
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Not only is Timmy an 'expert' apparently he is a 'statistician' as well!, you wouldn't read about it - oh but we did. This article is about my preferred sport, cant you read?. Thats number 25 i believe.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
Cathar you surely arent comparing the Premier League to a 2 state kick about competition? Just take a look at the difference between crowds and TV viewers between the 2 competitions and the Premier League and AFL can play games up against each other at the same time. Just wake up to yourself
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
Rugby League is a body contact sport. Tag and Touch etc. are non-body contact sports, thus their players are certainly NOT playing Rugby League!
The Joy Of X
Roar Rookie
You are incorrect in your comment that "The contact codes have all had drop-offs in male numbers...". This only applies to League and Union. Australian Football 2017 official registered participation number show Australian Football male numbers are growing in nearly all areas of Australia, to record levels. The exceptions are male participants in Tasmania, and some rural/regional areas in Vic., WA, & SA.
Nat
Roar Guru
No champ, you made your point in the first comment, took it a little further in the 2nd and repeated it constantly after that. Even after the figures were adjusted and the author acknowledged it you continued 'you got it wrong, you got it wrong, you're an expert and you got it wrong!' You're a pest. A multi ID t.r.o.l.l. At least you've offered one comment to your preferred sport today, under this pseudonym at least. Good to see. I wonder if you're smart enough to figure out how I know as the counting thing seems to have stumped you? The answer is a click away.