Bulldog's Bite: This game never seems to grow

Written By Dean Ritchie

NRL crowds are disappointing again. The average crowd for each game sits at about 15,300 - this is a game that never seems to grow.

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In 2012, the NRL's strategic plan predicted crowds would have by now reached 20,000 a match.

Wrong. Not even close.

Last week's Monday night crowd coupled with the Thursday night crowd failed to reach a combined total of 15,000.

People just aren't going to the game.


* Nine and Fox produce such brilliant television coverage.
* Fans have no continuity in their games schedules. Each week the times, grounds and days alter. Saints actually have five home grounds.
* Kick-off for too many games is too late.
* Refereeing and bunker blunders erode fan confidence.
* There isn't enough afternoon games.
* Ticket prices are excessive. Some grounds charge $40 to sit on a hill.
* Food and drink prices are ridiculous.
* Clubs prevent players from speaking with the media, thus diminishing pre-game hype.

Most rugby league fans wouldn't mind if crowds were on the rise slightly each year. But they're not.

Attendances are up slightly on last year's end-of-season figure but, overall, crowds are stagnant.

Getting bums on seats isn't easy.

But in years gone by, fans knew when their team would be playing. It became a ritual. Nowadays, fans are confused as to when exactly their side is playing. Eight games, eight different kick-off times.

The regularity of watching teams on the same day has vanished.

The NRL must cop a few tips when they reclaim the scheduling from broadcasters. Drop ticket prices, play day games and fix up the weekly bunker blunders.


Newcastle has won just one game this year - their worst ever season.

But things aren't too bad off the field.

I'm told the club will only lose about $600,000 for the season. That's nothing to be proud of but I reckon it could have been a lot worse given the club is sitting last on the NRL competition table.


Which senior player is being blamed for one club's horrible season?

He is a rep player and seemingly well respected. Not so though if you talk to team-mates.


SPOTTED: Former Manly winger John Hopoate deep in conversation with ex-Newcastle fullback Robbie O'Davis at Brookvale last Sunday. The pair came together in the famous 1997 grand final.

* DEAN RITCHIE is a senior reporter for The Daily Telegraph.
Twitter: @bulldogritchie