For those rugby league fans lucky enough to be attending Magic Round this weekend, there seems to be an extra spring in their step.
Despite parts of Queensland expecting 400 millimetres of rain over the next couple of days, it’s expected to ease by Friday ahead of a sold-out Saturday triple-header with much anticipation ahead for the weekend.
To date, Magic Round has proved to be a success, so it comes as a surprise to me that there are some people in rugby league who want it changed or who simply can’t leave it alone.
Last week The Australian reported that “Magic Round is coming to the Harbour City, it’s just a matter of how soon”.
In my view, having Magic Round in Sydney is an utterly ridiculous idea. Not only do I think it’s ridiculous, but I don’t think it would work.
Magic Round was initially created to attract more footy fans and give fans the opportunity to watch teams that they would not usually get the chance to watch.
So why would you move the concept to a state that has over 100 rugby league games played in it per year.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
No matter which team you support, if you live in Sydney, it’s likely that you will get to watch your team live on several occasions.
That’s simply not the case if you live in Brisbane.
Moving the event to Sydney also shows a misunderstanding of what makes the event in Brisbane so unique.
In Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium provides an exceptional viewing experience. Much like CommBank Stadium, the steepness of the seating means that no matter where you sit, you have a good view.
Attending a match at a full Suncorp Stadium is on everyone’s rugby league bucket list.
Additionally, the stadium is central. It is easy to get to and the walk down Caxton Street not only creates atmosphere, but means that there are many places for people to eat and celebrate before and after the games.
Therein you have a perfect match between a quality stadium and the infrastructure around it to support the people attending.
Sydney does not have this anywhere.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
CommBank Stadium provides an exceptional viewing experience, but isn’t big enough to host a Magic Round.
Accor Stadium does not provide an exceptional viewing experience and is in the middle of nowhere, with not enough pubs or restaurants to sustain a Magic Round-type event.
Public transport is also really challenging unless you are coming directly from the city.
The new Sydney Football Stadium may be an option, but again I question whether there are enough amenities to sustain the type of crowd you would be hoping to get at a Magic Round.
Additionally, from a fairness perspective, Sydney gets plenty of opportunity for premier events. The grand final is hosted in Sydney every year, as is at least one State of Origin game.
I am not against the idea of moving Magic Round.
But if it was created to attract more fans and give more people the opportunity to watch rugby league, perhaps it could be played somewhere that fits that purpose.
Use it as an opportunity to grow the game or reach new audiences. One option may be Adelaide.
(Photo by Mark Brake – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
While the Adelaide Oval is not the best place to watch rugby league, the area behind the oval means there is an opportunity to create atmosphere and give people a place to gather before and after the games.
This has been successfully done by Cricket Australia when the Adelaide Test is held.
Potentially it could also be held in New Zealand.
There are conversations currently happening about a second New Zealand team and with the Warriors being impacted by COVID so significantly over the last two years, it might be a fitting reward for all the footy fans based in New Zealand.
I do not see Melbourne as an option as it is unlikely that you could find a weekend without any AFL being played at the MCG.
For a sport that claims to be national, there seems to be a myopic focus on footy fans from Sydney who not only get more than their fair share of rugby league games, but then rarely bother to show up when they get that opportunity.
I would almost go as far as saying that Magic Round belongs anywhere but the Harbour City.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
How about for 50 or 60 minutes? The point is to watch a game, not stand in line. I can do without a beer or feed (cheaper that way) but a toilet break especially after the travel to get there? I've done that: figured a better way is just to stay at home and watch it on TV. Much better! :stoked:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
If you can not go 40 minutes without a beer, a feed, or a trip to the bog, you need to stop worrying about queues and see a doctor
At work
Roar Rookie
Haha I suppose you're right. A stadium half full gives a decent enough atmosphere, while also not making the lines for food, drinks and toilets manageable.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Firstly, watching a game at a full stadium sucks. Queue for a drink, queue for a bite, queue to go to the toilet, queue to get in, queue to get out, queue to get a train/bus ... Notice the trend? Secondly, like all Aussie commentators, you overestimate both the following and appeal of RL in NZ. Feel free to visit NZ in winter sometime! Thirdly, agreed. It doesn't belong in Sydney. If Brissy can't get the NRL GF than Syd-a-ney shouldn't feel the Magic.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Larry I can’t say for sure but I’d be surprised if Olympics construction had much effect. Suncorp doesn’t rely on car access so road works is probably immaterial. If Suncorp itself will be a venue, there’s no substantial works required for that.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep it’s walking distance from the CBD, even closer walk from 2 train stations and has a bus terminal under the stadium, so it’s fairly easy to access from all parts of Bris. It’s also fairly well designed logistically so it’s reasonably quick to get in and out of the stadium. Ive sat in the back rows at about the tryline and had a very satisfactory view. The stumbling-distance eating and drinking in Petrie Barracks, Caxton St and Given Tce ices the cake.
Nat
Roar Guru
It's magic for Manly as they get the gate takings.
Sammy
Guest
The article could also say “Magic Round only in Brisbane”. I wonder whether it is important for the Qld teams to NOT play each other during Magic Round ?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: But hey, the handcuffs keep things fresh!
Nat
Roar Guru
Agree with the premise of the article but I haven’t been to Commbank to make the comparison. Caxton st does add a lot to the event and having the CBD within walking distance makes the whole area explode. Not only before and after but during as 2 games, then 3, then 3 games is a lot so it’s good to have the option. But you hit the nail on the head insofar as there is a lot of non-broncos league fans who love the chance to support their club but also witness games like storm v panthers is an epic addition. Not sure i would take it to a non-league city. A known event like origin is fine but 3 days is too much. NZ isn’t ready for it yet but if/when the Warriors have some success it should be an option.
Nat
Roar Guru
Technically it’s 52,000. The extra 500 is the shoehorn was from an origin a few years back and I have no idea where they seats them considering how quickly security move you on if you loiter around that entry level area. No match tickets, it’s either 1 day or 3. Suncorp is never cheap but i think 1 day starts about $50 but right up to $400 for premium 1 day seats.
Nat
Roar Guru
I’ve sat at the very top behind the posts for an origin. “Obstructed view” because you cannot see the screen at the other end. Bad but still good when they win.
Nat
Roar Guru
I tried that once, it turned out horribly. We got married…
Redcap
Roar Guru
It is - Caxton St adjacent and it's an easy walk up Roma St into the CBD, or a very brief train ride (train station also adjacent). A very convenient ground. I don't like the lower seats behind the goal. Other than that, I've never had a bad seat.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I've never been to Suncorp so have no idea what it's like in and around the ground, but it seems to be a very popular stadium in the heart of Brisbane.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I tried finding total numbers for magic round across the weekend but no luck. Of those 8 people I'd say 7 left disappointed
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Not fair Larry! :P The weather forecast seems to change every day now, so I stand by my comments!! :D I hope it does clear up...
Hi there
Guest
Yes you are wrong, Adam. You are quoting woefully incorrect and low figures. You must be thinking of the union Magic Round which drew roughly 8 people.
Larry1950
Guest
Ken & Dwayne, the point of magic round in brissie is about the event & opportunity to be a tourist as well. Sydneysiders are notorious for not travelling across town for league games so a centralised venue mightn’t work, they still have to get there & home. Reckon they banked on people being desperate to go somewhere after Covid lockdowns, and airport queues bear that out. Pity about the rain, plenty of good spots around town for visitors in their down time.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
According to Wikipedia the ground capacity is 52500 so if they shoe horn a few extra maybe 53k . As far as ticketing is concerned I'm not sure if you buy a ticket for the day or for a particular match so it could be that some people may not vacate a seat if it were for a single match . I'm assuming it's a day ticket so it's approximately 20k average per match but some clubs will take days total and add it to their home crowd average . Because it's home match for some clubs they include . Does the NRL or clubs get the gate takings .