Over the past few weeks, there has been lots of talk about the low crowds the NRL has been drawing, even for finals matches. These numbers have been compared with those of the AFL, which have been extremely high.
With the preliminary finals this week, will the NRL have something to be happy about? Or will the AFL continue to dominate Australia with superior crowd numbers. Read below to find out…
NRL: Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
This game has done surprisingly well considering the AFL game on at the MCG. Only four categories had not sold out, even though the areas on the map are unclear.
Prediction: 20,000 – 25,000
AFL: Richmond vs Collingwood
Ticketek, as of Friday has stopped selling tickets to this game – because it’s sold out. This game will have a great atmosphere. MCG’s website predicts 97,000 fans to show up.
Prediction: 96-97,000
Jordan De Goey of the Magpies (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
NRL: Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
This game is an expected sell-out in the last-ever game at Allianz Stadium before its redevelopment begins later this year. Again, only four categories have not been sold (see image below).
The fans still have plenty of time to sell this one out.
Prediction: 40,000 – 45,000
Big Tom Burgess (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
AFL: West Coast vs Melbourne
On Ticketmaster’s website, there is no information on the crowd numbers at this game. West Coast are the only WA team, so expect a big turn out for this game. It is not yet sold out.
Prediction: 53,000 – 60,000
Looking above, will the ongoing ‘Crowd Conundrum’ continue in Sydney? Or will it be put to bed?
Roarers, comment below if the actual crowd will live up to my predictions! I hope you enjoy this weekend of sport.
clipper
Roar Rookie
26k for the most successful club of any code over the last few decades is not a pass, really.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Is it true they were giving out free tickets to Roosters game at the club on Friday night? Suddenly went from struggling to sell out to ground record - this would unique in world sport.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Perth game sold out. Fremantle have played in a GF - so its gives you an idea of the background of the writer. RL tragics on this site (perhaps only a minority have talked up RL interantionally because they hire lower grade Sydneysiders with grandparents from other countries to repesent those countries with barely a true local in the team - one guy has played for 3 countries (Samoa, USA and NZ based upon American Samoa and Samoa being the same place which they arent) and when is the RL going to play a true international in the Worlds biggest RL city?
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
So the big international sports Whiskers? Where have either of these sports bigged themselves up? Its the Poor old Rugby League fanatics with the continual hard luck stories and comments on here
Whiskers
Guest
Pathetic, really. This site only exists for rugby or soccer obsessive to big themselves up. Code war article: 200+ comments. Every other article: not many comments
Aligee
Roar Rookie
"West Coast are the only WA team". What!, you sure about that ?
SR1
Roar Pro
That would remove the home ground advantage for the Roosters.
SR1
Roar Pro
Sorry I couldn't publish this article a little earlier...
SR1
Roar Pro
Yes, very decent.
RandyM
Guest
The Storm game got 26k last night. The stadium only holds 30k. Good effort with the 2 biggest AFL clubs playing next door. The Sydney game will get over 40k, stadium only holds 45k. May have got over 65k at ANZ...