Sydney Crowds gettin desperate?

[Ms.Nobody]

This was quoted after todays Sharks/Dragons Game.

A healthy crowd of 15,318 attended the derby, but just how many were paying customers is unclear after an official was spotted handing out a box full of tickets at nearby Rhodes shopping centre in the late afternoon.

I know that it was in Homebush and Im also aware that kids who play rugby league DO NOT have their free admission cards yet.

What are the reasons for poor attendence? Clubs performance? TV Coverage?

 

[Frizzed]

Neither teams home stadium is a massive factor, Dragons recent performances and media coverage play a big part too.

My guess is a company would have sponsored those tickets, so it isn't like they aren't getting less money from giving them out.

Good move by St George/ANZ if you ask me, they would've had a far less crowd otherwise.

Edit: Although I do agree, Sydney crowds are down on numbers this year, the way the Bulldogs v Roosters game was hyped it should have got 50k, if a Titans v Broncos was hyped that much they would have filled Suncorp with ease.

I guess another thing to consider is the fact Bulldogs fans can't behave themselves and many Roosters families would have feared their safety, I know heaps of Roosters fans drove into the game because they were worried about catching a train with volatile Bulldogs fans, it's ludicrous.

 

[Brogga]

I think getting there is a big issue aswell, especially with grounds such as ANZ and SFS. Alot of people, although they might be big supporters of their team, cannot be bothered making switches on trains and buses to get into the city. On the same token they dont want to drive out there either as of the added cost for parking and it becomes a hassle to get out.

Alot of people would just rather stay home and watch the game for free with the best possible view.

 

[Ms.Nobody]

I think if the Dragons played at Win or Oki they would have attracted 16+, the Dragons fans love their footy and considering what has happened would have turned up for the Local Derby.

They call it a Local Derby & it was played in Homebush? Thats the crazy bit.

As for the Crowds in Sydney, it is where the Stadiums are located, having to go to ANZ via train requires changing at Lidcombe etc and too much of a hassle.

 

[Frizzed]

The reason why they played where they played is because there is renovations going on at Oki or Kograh or whatever their home ground is, beats me why they just didn't play it at Win, but that's Oust for you, always messing things up.

I think 16k is still a decent figure, no one really mentioned Penrith's efforts against Canberra getting a measly 7k through the gates.

They call it a local derby because the two teams are fairly close to each other and also in the hope more people will turn up to the game.

 

[knight-no-7]

Mainly for the money, Id say.

ST GEORGE Illawarra will become the fourth NRL club to use Telstra Stadium as a home ground next year, with Jubilee Stadium to be closed for the season due to renovations.

The move, which is expected to be announced today, would result in the Dragons hosting the six home matches scheduled for Kogarah in 2008 at the former Olympic venue.

The joint venture club would play their other six home games and a pre-season fixture at WIN Stadium in accordance with an agreement between the Dragons and the Wollongong Showground Trust.

While there are likely to be objections from some fans, the one-year deal with Telstra Stadium would help offset the $2 million funding cut from St George Leagues Club due to the impact of the NSW Government's increased poker machine taxes and the new anti-smoking laws.

The Dragons are understood to have been offered an attractive financial package to take games to Telstra Stadium.

It is expected St George Illawarra's home matches against the venue's other tenants, Wests Tigers, South Sydney and the Bulldogs, would all be staged at Telstra Stadium.

With the Bulldogs not hosting a game against the Dragons this season, the round-20 clash between the two clubs on July 28 was a sell-out at WIN Stadium.

The annual Charity Shield fixture with Souths will again be played at Telstra Stadium, while next year's Anzac Day match against Sydney Roosters, which is usually played at Sydney Football Stadium, would also be moved to Homebush.

Initially, it had been planned to commence work on upgrading facilities in the western grandstand at Jubilee Stadium after the Dragons final match there this season against Manly on July 1, but costing for the renovations exceeds the $7m funding grant from the NSW Government.

The Dragons are still trying to obtain the additional money required and with time running out to sell season tickets, memberships and corporate packages for next season, the decision has been made to move to Telstra Stadium so the work can be completed without interruption.

Brad Walter | September 27, 2007