It seems like change, or the presence of change, is constant in rugby league at the moment.
The year began with the hastily announced rule changes and since then, several other ideas have been floated in the media, almost testing fans’ reactions.
Last week conferences were proposed, while this week there has even been conversation about a promotion and relegation system.
For those in favour of a conference system, there have been several suggested benefits (mainly for fans and clubs based in Sydney).
One benefit is the rejuvenation of ‘tribalism’ in rugby league and the return of mammoth crowds to watch the footy.
I hate to burst your bubble, but it’s going to take a lot more than a change in the structure of the competition to get more people through the gates.
But why do we care so much?
Rugby league translates well on television. Given its linear nature, there’s little you miss on TV. The camera angles available lead to an exceptional viewing experience, which is actually better than being at the game.
I love going to live games, particularly at Bankwest Stadium, which is one of the best venues in the country – no matter where you sit, you have a great view.
Bankwest Stadium (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
This is not the case at all grounds. I watched a game at the Sydney Cricket Ground two weeks ago and could not see what was happening at the other end of the field. Why would fans pay (in my case $60 a ticket) to go to a game and not see half of it?
I have previously gone to a game live and then gone home to watch the replay just to get a sense of what happened.
The crowds in rugby league are often compared to the crowds in the AFL, but this isn’t a like-for-like comparison.
Aussie rules as a game is much better live – there is so much happening off the ball that it’s much easier to get a full sense of what is going on. I didn’t understand Aussie rules properly until I went to a game.
Rugby league does not have this problem, which is one of the reasons why the broadcast figures for the NRL continue to be so strong.
And who can blame dedicated fans for wanting to stay home on ‘Super Saturday’ and watch all three games from the comfort of their couch?
The challenge of getting crowds in Sydney is faced across a multitude of sports, just ask the A-League. Until there’s a public transport system that allows people to effectively travel around, the problem will persist: Stadium Australia is near impossible to get to unless special event buses are on, and suburban grounds are even harder.
I also question the association between tribalism and attendance on game day. I’m not for a moment suggesting that NRL Twitter represents all NRL fans, but from where I sit people seem more passionate about their clubs than ever and are constantly reading about, talking about and debating the issues of the game – whether in person or online.
That commitment and passion may be in a different form to what it once looked like, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
In fact, I think it’s there more than ever now.
I’m not saying that a conference system is a bad idea or not worth looking into, but it’s going to take a lot more than conferences to confront these issues.
Perhaps growing the game in new markets will help. Perth, anyone?
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Big Mig - U need to get to Adelaide or Perth or any country town where Aussie Rules is played!
Micko
Roar Rookie
Never heard that name before! :stoked:
Azzabru
Guest
So rusty is going to live forever is he?
azzabru
Guest
So why do I find all AFL games so long and samey as well? #missesfromrightinfront
azzabru
Guest
Well I find AFL very “ samey “ as well, games seem to last forever, shots are missed from in front, good tackles go unrewarded, skill errors, deliberate out of bounds? We could all pick apart what we find “ unappealing”....
Azzabru
Guest
Great article, well put! I am sick of constantly have to defend R.League crowds to Mexicans, who are so biased in their opinions anyway to get across to them the lack of crowd isn’t due to lack of interest, it’s a TV game unlike their game, and as you say you a better perspective live at their game, while if you are too far away from the action in a league game after spending $60, it’s hard to keep up. Also yes, there’s the transportation headaches, which you don’t get in Melbourne, but try to explain this to the cross country volleyball types , they call them excuses, they just don’t get it. But we know we are right, the viewing dynamics of the two are like chalk and cheese...
Bernie Vinson
Guest
The NRL trialled copying the AFL idea of playing the winning clubs song but for instance at Brookie the local fans were so upset losing they booed the Dogs ? song and there were few travelling fans so it just fell flat
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
I've been to Storm on and off since they started..........the thing that still catches me out at an NRL game......every time......is suddenly the game starts. Last game I was at on Good Friday the rolloed up banner was still being walked along the sidelines and hadn't left the field (out of bounds yes....but still inside the arena/fence). I was astounded when - with the music still playing - - suddenly the ball is kicked. There's absolutely zero "theatre" about the beginning of an NRL match. AFL of course has a neutral 50/50 contested start......hard to beat the theatre of that first ball up. But NRL......please make the start of the game somehow 'iconic' rather than just 'happening'.
chris
Guest
fair enough. To me it's generational. If your parents exposed you to whatever sport/team at an early age then there is a good chance you will follow that team until your last breath.
GregM
Roar Rookie
nah, Baggio raised the issue of how good tribalism is in football (soccer) just thought I’d point out how great it is – so many positives that other sports can learn and copy from it
chris
Guest
75 bucks! What? No way that dump of a ground is worth $75. Unless they are serving you beer and food all afternoon.
chris
Guest
Raw nerve exposed there Greg?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with that. Was raised on Rugby and rugby league. Always wondered why AFL players didn’t just handball it from one end of the field to the other, given their relatively weak tackling technique. Got a job working as a waiter in the chairman’s circle at the Gabba and got a whole new understanding of the game.
adam smith
Guest
There is a spectrum of support. The best vibe is at the game - whatever the sport. If your at home watching on tv because you wanna see a better camera angle then thats a passive sports fan. The energy of the crowd and the connectedness is electric
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
No disrespect, The Barry, but when the league and/or individual clubs need to advertise the fact that a big or medium -sized game is looming, then there must be an underlying problem.
silvertailboy
Roar Rookie
Memories of days gone by brother.
silvertailboy
Roar Rookie
And you can have a J. Arthur Rank at half time, or a Donald Duck if you're lucky.
silvertailboy
Roar Rookie
Agree. I'm a gold member and I'll go regardless but did a double take when tickets for games at brooky are 60-75 bucks, albeit best seats in the ground, but even the hill is 35. Not really commensurate with what you get for your money.
silvertailboy
Roar Rookie
Oooh. Ouch.
silvertailboy
Roar Rookie
This applies more to AFL. With NRL TV catches pretty much all players in the one shot (10 metres either side of the ruck). With AFL they are all over the ground.