2010/11 NBL Fixture released

[hellcat]

The 2010/11 NBL fixture has been released (http://www.nbl.com.au/index.php?id=15&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=16633&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=3d430cf02e), with the season set to tip off on 15 October.

It might just be me, but it seems odd that the defending champions don't get a home game till round three.

[Cussy]

We don't have any of those ridiculous "3 games in 4 days" situations this year, so thats good. Any away game in NZ is followed by either another away game, or a home game on the Sunday.

Looks like Sunday arvo games will be the rage this year for Perth fans.

[meg]

Razorcats @ Sydney on 29/12...you kids should come over for NYE!!

[Cussy]

Only three Wednesday games!! Total!! For everyone!! Halle-farken-lujah!!

[SB.1]

Wildcats with two byes to finish the regular season (WTF?). At least a 2.5 week break before the finals.

Why are there only 7 games in the last two rounds?

[WilloWildWaves]

Nothing new there Hellcat, the last few seasons the Cats have not played at home til round 3/4 I'm pretty sure

[Wild 1]

Good to see that there are so few Wednesday games. Seems kinda weird in a way, but great to see, apart from the NZ games on Thursday, that the fixture has returned to focussing on the usual Friday, Saturday timeslots.

Each team playing 28 games, spread over 25 rounds also is a positive for mine in reducing teams having to play 3 times in a round to fit the season in.

From a Perth pov, interesting our home game breakdown is:

Sunday - 9games
Friday - 4 games
Saturday - 1 game!

And that as mentioned, we dont play in the final 2 rounds of the season. Finals rust perhaps?

[Hoffa]

Well the NBL has done better than last season, but still...

* Wildcats playing 3 away games to start the season. Come on NBL, the Champs deserve a home game on the opening night!
* Kings playing their first game back in the league away, followed by a home game the next night. Not smart.
* No games for the Wildcats in the last 2 rounds. Why?!?!

I haven't really looked much further yet, but at least these fixtures are better than last season's.

[meg]

Why were there so many Wednesday games? To placate FOXSPORTS? I do hope this association with TEN works out. :)

[MacTavish]

The 2010/11 NBL fixture has been released (http://www.nbl.com.au/index.php?id=15&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=16633&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=3d430cf02e), with the season set to tip off on 15 October.

It might just be me, but it seems odd that the defending champions don't get a home game till round three.

Challenge has an Indoor Moto-X event there on the 23rd, so I'd say it would be due to that.

[bball28]

Sunday games at Challenge are terrible. Aircon doesn't work half the time. Five of our first six games away from home. Will be rusty if we make Finals also. Don't think i am looking forward to the season as much anymore :-(

[Warpig]

I'll get excited when i see the TV lay out!

[SB.1]

Ignore - Wrong thread.

[CGG]

Razorcats @ Sydney on 29/12...you kids should come over for NYE!!

Gold Coast v Perth 31/12/2010 - grown up children in convenient locations are such a blessing aren't they?

[Alex_Traitor]

All our home games on Sunday arvo? WTF??????

Sunday games are ****ing lame and we get like 10 of them!

1 Satuday night game only! I looked forward to the Saturday night game the whole bloody week. From 9 Sat nights to 1? Am I the only one to this seems grossly unfair? No other fans have to endure such a crappy amount of Saturday night home games except for NZ but its been that way forever.

Who can be f***** going to Sunday games which end at 6 with work the next day? I know they are my most hated timeslot with Wed games.

The past umpteen seasons we've never had a fixture as bad as this, why punish us now?

Seriously ropable right now. Massive, gigantic F*** YOU to the fixturers!

[alleyoop]

All our home games on Sunday arvo? WTF??????

Sunday games are ****ing lame and we get like 10 of them!

1 Satuday night game only! I looked forward to the Saturday night game the whole bloody week. From 9 Sat nights to 1? Am I the only one to this seems grossly unfair? No other fans have to endure such a crappy amount of Saturday night home games except for NZ but its been that way forever.

Who can be f***** going to Sunday games which end at 6 with work the next day? I know they are my most hated timeslot with Wed games.

The past umpteen seasons we've never had a fixture as bad as this, why punish us now?

Seriously ropable right now. Massive, gigantic F*** YOU to the fixturers!

Yeah, I enjoy the Saturday night timeslot too. Sunday arvo is OK, but this is an overload.

[mysterio]

All our home games on Sunday arvo? WTF??????

Sunday games are ****ing lame and we get like 10 of them!

1 Satuday night game only! I looked forward to the Saturday night game the whole bloody week. From 9 Sat nights to 1? Am I the only one to this seems grossly unfair? No other fans have to endure such a crappy amount of Saturday night home games except for NZ but its been that way forever.

Who can be f***** going to Sunday games which end at 6 with work the next day? I know they are my most hated timeslot with Wed games.

The past umpteen seasons we've never had a fixture as bad as this, why punish us now?

Seriously ropable right now. Massive, gigantic F*** YOU to the fixturers!

Im not a fan of the Sunday games either. The atmosphere isn't as good as a Fri/ Sat night game and everyone knows they have work the next day. Surely with a 9 (Sunday) 1 (Sat night) fixture it could of been split at 5 and 5 or 6 and 4.

[Steve]

All our home games on Sunday arvo? WTF??????

Sunday games are ****ing lame and we get like 10 of them!

1 Satuday night game only! I looked forward to the Saturday night game the whole bloody week. From 9 Sat nights to 1? Am I the only one to this seems grossly unfair? No other fans have to endure such a crappy amount of Saturday night home games except for NZ but its been that way forever.

Who can be f***** going to Sunday games which end at 6 with work the next day? I know they are my most hated timeslot with Wed games.

The past umpteen seasons we've never had a fixture as bad as this, why punish us now?

Seriously ropable right now. Massive, gigantic F*** YOU to the fixturers!


It's not like the NBL just give the fixtures to the teams sight-unseen and say "here you go". All the clubs work with the NBL to try and get the fixtures they want, whilst dealing with the fact that basketball isn't the primary tenant in many of the stadiums that NBL teams use.

“We feel this is the best schedule we’ve had in many years, and the fans will directly benefit from the work we’ve done to get it right,“ said Sengstock. “We’ve liaised closely with all nine clubs to maximise our opportunities to have themed rounds and regular marquee match-ups.

There will no doubt be concessions added in there for the fact that we don't play in the last two weeks for example. And the Wildcats would have wanted a lot of Sunday games for whatever reason... maybe Sunday is when ONE is showing games, or that the NBL/Wildcats administration think that Sunday games are more attractive to fans going forward.

That said, I don't mind not playing at home until round three, but having the last two weeks off is unfortunate. If we fall over in the first round of the playoffs I can already see the news headlines blaming the end of season scheduling (with some justification).

[MacTavish]

There will no doubt be concessions added in there for the fact that we don't play in the last two weeks for example. And the Wildcats would have wanted a lot of Sunday games for whatever reason... maybe Sunday is when ONE is showing games, or that the NBL/Wildcats administration think that Sunday games are more attractive to fans going forward.

That said, I don't mind not playing at home until round three, but having the last two weeks off is unfortunate. If we fall over in the first round of the playoffs I can already see the news headlines blaming the end of season scheduling (with some justification).

Agreed... Sunday 4pm equates to 7pm EDST so that's prime time viewing over East.

Until we see the TV schedule though we don't if that's the plan.

[Silencer83]

I like Saturday games best but Sunday games are my next favourite. For me it is not a major issue going to work the next day because I am a nondrinker and therefore do not have the after affects of that to deal with. I can definitely see the issue for other fans though.

I suspect that the Wildcats agreed to so many Sunday games for a couple of reasons:
1. Broadcast availability as has been speculated above
and
2. The earlier timeslot on Sundays will potentially attract more families with young children to attend games either as members or just for the occasional game.

[Cussy]

"We also have managed to increase the average time between games, which mean our athletes will be fresher. That should have a positive impact on the standard of play that fans see." - Nick Marvin.

I think this is the reasoning behind it. We avoid all of those silly back to back games after travelling across the country with this fixture.

And those complaining about work the next day.....huh? I don't know where any of you live but lets say you get home at 8pm. How does that effect your Monday?

[Stumps]

Bugger, at least 3 clashes with Sydney FC.

[Derek]

I was going to mention the A-League in the Crocs thread- the Crocs didn't have any home games clashing with the NQ Fury last year, but have one fixture clash this year (Nov 5).

DN

[SB.1]

So?

A bigger issue I would have thought is the NBL Finals now overlapping the first 3 or 4 rounds of AFL and NRL.

[Voice(s)]

Agreed... Sunday 4pm equates to 7pm EDST so that's prime time viewing over East.

Until we see the TV schedule though we don't if that's the plan.

I'd assume games will be shown on Friday & Sunday nights as Saturday is the day of Ten/One's AFL games.

[Cussy]

They probably won't be showing much AFL from October to March.

[Silencer83]

I'd assume games will be shown on Friday & Sunday nights as Saturday is the day of Ten/One's AFL games.

So it is actually more likely they will have an open spot on Saturdays. ;)

[Voice(s)]

Yes yes I messed up I forgot about the fact the AFL season won't even be going, the HSH situation where Saturday was a "rest day" just popped into my head.

[paul]

Although, pre-season AFL starts in early Feb from memory, and there will be three months crossover including playoffs, so AFL coverage would defiintely come into consideration. I am happy with Friday and Sunday nights on TV, hopefully along with New Zealand games on a Thursday, even if a replay late at night.

I will miss watching Weds nights on TV, even though the league is better off with weekend games.

[Voice(s)]

True but the AFL preseason games are a bit all over the place and don't really follow the normal broadcasting formula of the regular season. I too will miss watching the Wednesday night games seems almost like a tradition now.

Are the two games One will be showing each week certain to be live?

[SB.1]

This is what we don't know about the One deal. For such a long agreement, you'd hope that the NBL would have put conditions in place. This is after all the same people that shifted the NBL to midnight in preference to Murder She Wrote re-runs in the mid 90s.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Although, pre-season AFL starts in early Feb from memory, and there will be three months crossover including playoffs, so AFL coverage would defiintely come into consideration.
Yeah, the AFL hype machine hits top gear just prior to the start of the NAB Cup (Mid Feb), so unfortunately this leaves the business end of the NBL season now lost in the mix. I don't think it was a good idea to extend the basketball season this deep into the footy season. The Ten Network covers both sports, and it's pretty obvious which one is going to get the greater attention from them.

I am happy with Friday and Sunday nights on TV, hopefully along with New Zealand games on a Thursday, even if a replay late at night
...
I will miss watching Weds nights on TV, even though the league is better off with weekend games.
Yeah, I'll miss the Wednesday games too. I thought it was a tradition worth hanging onto - just not in the quantities of previous seasons.
Glad to see the NZ Thursday games still on the schedule anyway.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Are the two games One will be showing each week certain to be live?
The wording of the original annoucement is quite unambiguous on this:
Live coverage of the NBL will grow over the term of the agreement, starting with a minimum of two live games a week on either ONE or TEN in 20010/11 and increasing to five games per round in the final year of the contract.

[Derek]

So?

A bigger issue I would have thought is the NBL Finals now overlapping the first 3 or 4 rounds of AFL and NRL.

In a town with a smaller population base (Townsville), a schedule clash is a bit more of an issue, even if the Fury only draw 7 or 8 thousand. The Crocs have had a clash with another local team only once previously that I can recall (with the Cowboys).

DN

[paul]

One thing that the new October-May timing does is stop players from earning that extra bit of coin in Europe or the Americas after the NBL season. I think this is unfortunate given the relatively small amount of money currently available here.

I wonder if it will affect the decision of some players about playing here? Hopefully the league will grow as a result of the better format and television coverage so player salaries can get back to where they were.

I do like the fact that BA arent dodging around other sports, and trying to put together a draw that allows clubs to draw crowds and put on a good show. I dont think the later finals will be an issue if Channel 10 give it strong support, and the indications so far are they are very keen to promote basketball

[dezzy94]

Why were there so many Wednesday games? To placate FOXSPORTS? I do hope this association with TEN works out. :)

Oh yes the Wednesday's games were all because of Fox Sports ....

[DDFan]

"We also have managed to increase the average time between games, which mean our athletes will be fresher. That should have a positive impact on the standard of play that fans see." - Nick Marvin.

I think this is the reasoning behind it. We avoid all of those silly back to back games after travelling across the country with this fixture.That aspect of the schedule was something that previous attempts didn't seemingly recognise, & I'm super happy that they've made a solid crack at putting right.
And those complaining about work the next day.....huh? I don't know where any of you live but lets say you get home at 8pm. How does that effect your Monday?I've gotta say, even with my furtive imagination, I can't see how anyone could mess themselves up enough to not be able to be effective at work on Monday morning, following a Sunday arvo game.

FFS, how soft are some of you tools? Have a chat with an intern, or relief shiftworker (only 2 examples), & see how good you've got it.

[Cameron84]

The draw looks pretty good. I like the fact that there are less Wednesday games now.

All those Sunday games are a bit crap though.

[SB.1]

In a town with a smaller population base (Townsville), a schedule clash is a bit more of an issue, even if the Fury only draw 7 or 8 thousand. The Crocs have had a clash with another local team only once previously that I can recall (with the Cowboys).

DN

Fair enough, from a Crocs perspective, I was thinking more from a league perspective.

[Observer]

The SEABL and Waratah seasons at least usually start in early March so there is a big overlap here I would have thought.

As for calsshes with AFL and NRL who cares? The AFL only has a Mickey Mouse Pre season competition on which is usually on Fox anyway and the NRL is not on One.

[Melb Wildcat]

AFL pre-season Cup is still much bigger and more important than the NBL to the networks. AFL is by far the biggest sport in Australia and with the new Gold Coast team entering the AFL next season many people will want to watch them play for the 1st time, which will be in the NAB Cup.

With AFL entering a 2nd NSW based team in 2 years maybe the networks will just show less NRL. Does anyone watch that crap anyway besides state or origin?

[Observer]

AFL pre-season Cup is still much bigger and more important than the NBL to the networks. AFL is by far the biggest sport in Australia and with the new Gold Coast team entering the AFL next season many people will want to watch them play for the 1st time, which will be in the NAB Cup.

With AFL entering a 2nd NSW based team in 2 years maybe the networks will just show less NRL. Does anyone watch that crap anyway besides state or origin?

AFL pre-season Cup is still much bigger and more important than the NBL to the networks. AFL is by far the biggest sport in Australia and with the new Gold Coast team entering the AFL next season many people will want to watch them play for the 1st time, which will be in the NAB Cup.

With AFL entering a 2nd NSW based team in 2 years maybe the networks will just show less NRL. Does anyone watch that crap anyway besides state or origin?

This is a typical comment from a Melbourne person constantly fed BS by the AFL subservant media in Melbourne. The fact is in NSW, ACT and QLD the NRL consistently beats the AFL and the AFL is rarely shown in direct competition with the NRL.

The only time there is live AFL is when the Sawns are playing and only then because it is part ofthe contract with the AFL and on Sunday afternoons at 1pm when there ios nothing else on.

As for the popularity of the AFL on TV have a look at this article on the viewing from last Saturday night Report on TV Viewing (”http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2010/05/multichannels-surge-on-saturday night.html”)

Last Sunday the ratings for the NRL and AFL were
22 Nine’s Sunday Football Nine 573,000 370,000 *** 204,000 *** ***
24 Seven’s AFL: Rnd 10: Carlton Vs West Coast Seven 560,000 15,000 250,000 55,000 85,000 156,000
The first figure is position on day, the second is the "whole of network figure followed by each City.

It does not take a great amount of intelligence to see that NRL is bigger than AFL even though shown in two markets.

The second team in Sydney is a joke and the AFL is willing to keep it going fro 30 years before they expect it to a force.

Sure the AFL gets better crowds in Melbourne but that is because there is nothing better to do.

The NAB cup hardly rates a mention outside Victoria.

[paul]

Observer, I agree with many of your points, unfortunately you have tainted your post with personal opinions.

The AFL is big in Vic, SA and WA because it has tapped well into the grassroots markets and permeated all forms of media, not via advertising but through tipping, social AFL discussions and former players getting jobs in the media.

The AFL pre-season comp is cetainly prominent in SA, WA and even Tasmania, but you are right in that the northern states couldnt care less.

The AFL struggles for any sort of genuine media coverage in Sydney and Brisbane, and NRL is in no danger from aussie rules in the forseeable future. But the NRL's crowds in Melbourne (10-20K) are well below AFL crowds in Brisbane (approx 30,000) and Sydney (20-40K), even though the Storm are owned by the major newspaper in Melbourne and get a good free ride. The NRL also has the issue in NSW of turning good TV ratings into bums on seats.

For mine, cricket is easily the biggest sport because it is followed and played all over the country

[Jacala]

Sure the AFL gets better crowds in Melbourne but that is because there is nothing better to do.



Well there's obviously nothing to do in Canberra either. NRL/AFL happen to have gone head to head only last month.

Raiders v Storm 15th May 2010
Canberra Stadium
Crowd - 12,165

Bulldogs v Swans 15th May 2010
Manuka Stadium
Crowd - 14,308. Sellout w crowds of people turned away.

[Observer]

Well there's obviously nothing to do in Canberra either. NRL/AFL happen to have gone head to head only last month.

Raiders v Storm 15th May 2010
Canberra Stadium
Crowd - 12,165

Bulldogs v Swans 15th May 2010
Manuka Stadium
Crowd - 14,308. Sellout w crowds of people turned away.

The Swans game was on a Saturday afternoon and the NRL game was at 7.30pm on Saturday night and it was cold. Not quite head to head. In addtion a large majority of the 14.000 at the AFL were from Sydney who came to watch the Swans.

Raiders always do better on Sunday afternoons that Saturday night becasue of the weather.

[Prodigal]

The Swans game was on a Saturday afternoon and the NRL game was at 7.30pm on Saturday night and it was cold. Not quite head to head. In addtion a large majority of the 14.000 at the AFL were from Sydney who came to watch the Swans.

Raiders always do better on Sunday afternoons that Saturday night becasue of the weather.

The mighty Sharks were playing at Belconnen as well which undoubtedly drew thousands away from the NRL :p

[Observer]

The AFL struggles for any sort of genuine media coverage in Sydney and Brisbane, and NRL is in no danger from aussie rules in the forseeable future. [/QUOTE]

They get a hell of lot more coverage in Sydney then the NRL gets in Melbourne. Eg, The Sydney Sunday papers have 2 or 3 pages related to AFL. The NRL gets maybe half a column in Melbourne and TV Coverage of NRL is on at 1am in the morning, even when Melbourne are playing.

Brisbane and Sydney AFL teams have been propped up the the other States for years unlike the NRL team in Melbourne???????????

There is a big difference between Sydney and Melbourne teams. Almost all of the Melbourne teams are inner city based and all the games are played at two venues in the city.

In Sydney, there are only two teams in close proximity to the City and they play a proper home and away where the grounds they play on have a small capacity except for the SFS and ANZ. Travel in Sydney is a major problem for fans as has been well and truely gone over on this forum in relation to BB crowds in Sydney.

If Manly play, say Cronulla it is a good two hours travel time. If Collingwood play Carlton it is a lot less travel time so there is a better liklihood of people going to the game. In addtion it is a culture thing in Melbourne to go to the game which has not been in Sydney since they got rid of the Saturday game at the SCG which was nearly always full.

[paul]

The Storm regularly get a full page in the Herald Sun.

[Prodigal]

The Storm regularly get a full page in the Herald Sun.


Geez....with all that extra cash they earn you think they could afford to buy the whole paper :p

[MLS]

Geez....with all that extra cash they earn you think they could afford to buy the whole paper :p

Other way round. The whole paper bought them, which is why they regularly get a full page.

[Cussy]

Of the example above of NRL smashing the AFL in the rating by two whole places, what NRL game was shown?

[Observer]

Of the example above of NRL smashing the AFL in the rating by two whole places, what NRL game was shown?

Souths and Penrith - not a big crowd puller.

Interesting the the so called biggest football code has to poach NRL players and pay them more than any other current AFL player??????????????????????

[paul]

Also interesting that they can.

[Cussy]

Souths and Penrith - not a big crowd puller.

At least they were two NSW based teams. Carlton vs an interstate team is never going to draw big numbers.

Interesting the the so called biggest football code has to poach NRL players and pay them more than any other current AFL player??????????????????????

I was going to disgree with your point here but then I saw you added two dozen questions marks, now I see your point and can see the seriousness of it.

To be honest, I don't care if you don't like AFL or not, but your whole argument is pretty based on your dislike of it, nothing else. You really think that poaching Falou and Hunt is a negative for the AFL, or a positive for the NRL?

[Observer]

To be honest, I don't care if you don't like AFL or not, but your whole argument is pretty based on your dislike of it, nothing else. You really think that poaching Falou and Hunt is a negative for the AFL, or a positive for the NRL?

Firstly I do not dislike the AFL in fact I am in a number of AFL tipping competitions. My point was that a numbe rof people in the Southern States believe everything the AFL says and does. The AFL is NOT the most poular sport in Australia and the AFL is pulling their pud in believing that the GWS team will do well in Sydney. There are more Rugby and Soccer goal posts in Melbourne than there are Aussie Rules posts in Western Sydney!

At least Hunt played AFL as a kid. Falou has never played and even in the NRL never kicks the ball. He can jump, occasionally and can run real fast but he does not have to bounce the ball when running.

If the AFL is "poaching" NRL players it seems to indicate that they believe they are better then AFL players and are willing to pay "megabucks" to get them. That is one up for the rugby codes if you ask me.

[paul]

Seriously, it is AFL clubs trying to get the best athletes they can, and the NRL not being able to match the money and losing elite players. For what it's worth, AFL clubs have been experimenting with basketballers, gaelic footballers, hurlers and gridiron players for some time now.

Cue DDFan joke about hurlers...

[Dunkin' Dan]

the AFL is pulling their pud in believing that the GWS team will do well in Sydney.
The AFL believes that? What's the basis for that "fact"?
I think they are hoping like hell that in the long term they can build some support, but so far everything they have done indicates to me that they know they're in for a very long, tough slog.
If it was just going to happen I doubt they would be putting in place the huge concessions to the GWS team or throwing so much money at rugby players to generate some crossover appeal.
I won't say it is desperation measures, but it's not far short.

As for AFL not being the biggest sport, what sport is then?
(I would have guessed AFL, as I doubt that the tv rights would be worth so many squillions if there wasn't some kind of payback in it, but I'm happy to be educated on the matter)

[Melb Wildcat]

AFL is by far the biggest sporting association by a mile. If the AFL get 20,000 to a game its considered a flop, but if the NRL get 20,000 to a game they brag about how many people are there.

Hunt and Falau are just being used by the GC and GWS as promotional tools. They will be very lucky to even get 10 games each. If the GWS team takes off then Id say the NRL could almost be finished in 10 years time. It would just become a semi-pro sport here kind of like what happened to baseball.

The fact is only NSW and QLD care about NRL so its going to struggle to expand. The AFL can go anywhere in Australia and could support a team.

[paul]

Youre dreaming Melb Wildcat. Aussie Rules doesnt have any real footing in Qld or NSW, which make up about half the coutry's population. The AFL is struggling to even maintain two teams in SA, which is footy mad.

For a combination of attendance, tv ratings and participation around the country, no sport even goes close to cricket.

[Dunkin' Dan]

Participation I would believe, since cricket is the default summer sport and is not state-dependent.
Then again, basketball is supposedly very high in participation too, but I would never classify basketball as a "big" sport in this country.

Attendance-wise, it's not even close.

TV Ratings-wise, I wouldn't have a clue how the numbers stack up.
AFL games regularly rate well but I have never paid attention to how the cricket performs in comparison.

Depends how one defines a "big" sport, really. In terms of participation, netball is a huge sport, but in terms of paid attendance, tv ratings and dollars it is a long way down the list.

[paul]

Cricket has big crowds, massive tv ratings (better than AFL) and huge participation all around the country. No other sport can come close to ticking all three boxes.

AFL TV ratings and Aussie rules participation in the northern states are miniscule.

[Silencer83]

Cricket has big crowds, massive tv ratings (better than AFL) and huge participation all around the country. No other sport can come close to ticking all three boxes.

AFL TV ratings and Aussie rules participation in the northern states are miniscule.

INTERNATIONAL Cricket has big crowds and massive TV ratings. Domestic Cricket does not.

[paul]

Well, international cricket is seen as the top tier of the sport, just as the AFL is in Aussie rules. I think it is a fair comparison.

[Cussy]

If the AFL is "poaching" NRL players it seems to indicate that they believe they are better then AFL players and are willing to pay "megabucks" to get them. That is one up for the rugby codes if you ask me.

Absolutely 100% wrong. The reason they have signed two NRL stars is because they realise they are pushing shit uphill to make it work in GWS and GC, so they are going after two guys that those locals can identify with. It has nothing to do with the false perception that they are better athletes/footy players than any AFL player.

[jjj]

Absolutely 100% wrong. The reason they have signed two NRL stars is because they realise they are pushing shit uphill to make it work in GWS and GC, so they are going after two guys that those locals can identify with. It has nothing to do with the false perception that they are better athletes/footy players than any AFL player.

i can't get over the fact that falau will get more $ than gary ablett.... lmao

[Prodigal]

Absolutely 100% wrong. The reason they have signed two NRL stars is because they realise they are pushing shit uphill to make it work in GWS and GC, so they are going after two guys that those locals can identify with. It has nothing to do with the false perception that they are better athletes/footy players than any AFL player.

And they've made a huge miscalculation with Folau, who they've really only grabbed because they missed out on the guy they really wanted, Jarryd Hayne. Folau may be from Minto, but his playing career with 3 hated teams, Melbourne, Brisbane & Qld, isn't going to make him the grabber of hearts and minds in western Sydney that the AFL seem to think.

Good luck to him though. He's going to get a butt load of cash with no expectation of performance. If he proves a dud (as many think, with a sound basis for drawing that conclusion) he'll still be in his mid 20's and plenty of NRL clubs will be happy to throw more money at him to come back

[Cussy]

Whatever the case, they didn't grab him because they think NRL players are more gifted than AFL players.

[Daevo]

It has nothing to do with the false perception that they are better athletes/footy players than any AFL player.

There was a news report today that Hunt finished a training run yesterday significantly slower than average for his position & the comment was he had a lot of work to do.

[Prodigal]

Whatever the case, they didn't grab him because they think NRL players are more gifted than AFL players.


Absolutely agree with that. This thread is getting way off topic but interesting none the less. I'm positive they have no expectation of anything but publicity. Yes Folau is a great athlete, but there's huge differences in the aerobic/anaerobic requirements in each game. Even if he can overcome that, I've never seen one athlete, no matter how great their physical abilities, that can completely slot into a different sport. The nuances/feel for the game you can only learn from playing a sport from an early age just can't be learned in 6months. All of the succesful dual sport people I can think of had grown up playing both before branching one way or the other. (maybe you AFL types can name some Irish characters that didn't grow up playing AFL, but there are a lot of similarities in their game)

[Observer]

Cricket has big crowds, massive tv ratings (better than AFL) and huge participation all around the country. No other sport can come close to ticking all three boxes.

AFL TV ratings and Aussie rules participation in the northern states are miniscule.

Fo the record here is a link to the top 50 TV progarms in 2009 broken up by Nationla Metro and Regional.

The AFL GF is ahead of NRL GF but have a look at all the other NRL games that appear in the listing. Also have a look at the regional listings AFL is nowhere to be seen

http://www.thinktv.com.au/Media/Stats_&_Graphs/Top_Programs/Top_50_Programs_Weeks1_48_2009.pdf

[Madcat]

INTERNATIONAL Cricket has big crowds and massive TV ratings. Domestic Cricket does not.What about INTERNATIONAL AFL....oh wait!

[Prodigal]

What about INTERNATIONAL AFL....oh wait!

The only AFL games I watch are those hybrid thingies they play against Ireland. They're way more UFC than UFC

[Cussy]

Fo the record here is a link to the top 50 TV progarms in 2009 broken up by Nationla Metro and Regional.

The AFL GF is ahead of NRL GF but have a look at all the other NRL games that appear in the listing. Also have a look at the regional listings AFL is nowhere to be seen

http://www.thinktv.com.au/Media/Stats_&_Graphs/Top_Programs/Top_50_Programs_Weeks1_48_2009.pdf

So you'll see that the fairest comparison actually favours the AFL (being the two Grand Finals) but you instantly dismiss that and introduce a comparison between State of Origin, and nothing, because the AFL has nothing like that?

[Silencer83]

What about INTERNATIONAL AFL....oh wait!

Shhh, International Rules rates worse than anything ;)

i can't get over the fact that falau will get more $ than gary ablett.... lmao

False, if you included all of Gary Ablett Jnr's third party deals/endorsements then he would be on a lot more than Folau, whose quoted price tag of 1 million a season also includes endorsements/third party deals.

[mattic]

This is the thread for AFL talk - http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/showthread.php?t=4536

If you cannot see it, pony up your $10 for Boards+

[SB.1]

Cricket has big crowds, massive tv ratings (better than AFL) and huge participation all around the country. No other sport can come close to ticking all three boxes.

AFL TV ratings and Aussie rules participation in the northern states are miniscule.

Until you guys start pulling out external figures to support your assertions, you are all just woofing! (Not just at Paul)

As far as Cricket goes I would have thought that the infrequency with which it is played would put it at a far disadvantage in total ratings and spectators when compared with a sport that runs 26 weeks of the year. As for participation, I would be very surprised if Cricket gets anywhere close to AFL (Auskick?), but happy to be educated (as DD would say) on both points.

[Melb Wildcat]

According to wikipedia AFL is the number one sport in Australian, ahead of cricket (as most people correctly suggested).

'Cricket has a long history in Australia, and is played on local, national and international levels. It is Australia's national summer sport and unlike the various football codes, enjoys consistent support from people in all parts of Australia. It is second most popular sport in Australia after Australian football'.

In terms of average attendences to games the only cricket competition that gets more to their games is the IPL (an Indian based league).

The Swans and Lions still get MORE people to their games than most rugby league teams. In terms of SA not being able to support 2 teams that is because I believe they should never have called the 2nd team after the Port adelaide magpies who are the most hated team in the SANFL.

Most participated sport in australia is soccer, AFL most popular and cricket the 'national sport'.

In terms of TV rights AFL is about to smash the current TV deal of $780 million. The new deal would be 1 billion dollars and a new record.

Enough evidence that AFL is the biggest and by a long way? lol.

[mysterio]

According to wikipedia AFL is the number one sport in Australian, ahead of cricket (as most people correctly suggested).

'Cricket has a long history in Australia, and is played on local, national and international levels. It is Australia's national summer sport and unlike the various football codes, enjoys consistent support from people in all parts of Australia. It is second most popular sport in Australia after Australian football'.

In terms of average attendences to games the only cricket competition that gets more to their games is the IPL (an Indian based league).

The Swans and Lions still get MORE people to their games than most rugby league teams. In terms of SA not being able to support 2 teams that is because I believe they should never have called the 2nd team after the Port adelaide magpies who are the most hated team in the SANFL.

Most participated sport in australia is soccer, AFL most popular and cricket the 'national sport'.

In terms of TV rights AFL is about to smash the current TV deal of $780 million. The new deal would be 1 billion dollars and a new record.

Enough evidence that AFL is the biggest and by a long way? lol.

Fair arguement, let down by one small point ..... the mention of Wikipedia lol

[SB.1]

Participation rates here (see page 32):

http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/304384/ERASS_Report_2008.pdf

[SB.1]

some interesting stuff here also, but not sure of its source or how reliable it is:

http://www.convictcreations.com/football/battlestats.html

[paul]

Thanks for the wikipedia quote!

SB1 wants numbers, here is the one that condemns Aussie rules for mine as the biggest sport (and remember, I am a Victorian who plays Aussie rules!). NSW and QLD, combined population of approximately 12 million. Number of people who play Aussie rules in those two states combined? 75,000.

BTW, Sydney's nine NRL teams average approx attendance 15,000 - that's a total of 135,000. The Swans average crowd is 25-30,000. The Swans average FTA TV audience in Sydney is around the 100,000 mark, while the NRL's three games per week get around the 1 million mark in Sydney.

AFL games in Melbourne get between 300,000-500,000 viewers, whereas NRL games late at night get around 20,000. Live Storm games and State of Origin get between 200,000-300,000, but that is a rare thing.

So, how about that NBL draw for next year? I am pretty happy with it, Friday and Sunday night FTA TV. 100,000 viewers would be nice!

[Voice(s)]

Loving that NBL draw!

Personally I think Aussie Rules (AFL) is the biggest sport in the country and by some distance. Cricket Australia, National Rupert League, tiddlywinks etc would kill for the AFL's TV rights deal which as mentioned will exceed a Billion dollars in 1 or 2 years time.

[paul]

Of course, Cricket Australia's $40-50 mill per year doesnt have to be spread anywhere near as widely as the AFL's $150-160 (16 clubs, weekly airfares, umpires, officials, 8 games per week) and much, much less is swallowed up by production costs and advertising etc.

If you worked it out per game broadcast, cricket attracts much more, and that is probably the best measure of its value to networks.

Having said that, I agree Cricket Australia would love to have more money! And so would BA so they can promote the 2010-2011 draw a bit more!

[Voice(s)]

If you worked it out per game broadcast, cricket attracts much more, and that is probably the best measure of its value to networks.

$780,000,000 says otherwise. I'm not trying to put shit on cricket, I love the sport and it could be described as more nationally inclusive than aussie rules but you can't compare the two on a per game basis as there are only a small amount of international cricket games here per year (most games do take on an event type atmosphere for that very reason and also why Channel 9 gave up on state cricket) while there are 22 weeks of AFL (excluding the finals & pre-season games) consisting of 8 games every week.

I'd have no doubt that in total AFL gets a lot bigger ratings than international cricket over the course of their respective seasons.

[paul]

International cricket averages much bigger ratings than AFL games. You have to measure it on a per game basis, because that is the product the TV networks are buying. The fact that networks pay more for the rights to show each cricket game than Aussie rules shows those games are of a higher commercial value to TV.

That is backed up by the terrible ratings the AFL gets in two of the three biggest markets in Australia.

[Voice(s)]

That argument would have some merit if the rights to cricket games were sold on a per game basis. They're not. Cricket Australia can only dream of getting $780m out of the TV networks.

[Observer]

In terms of TV rights AFL is about to smash the current TV deal of $780 million. The new deal would be 1 billion dollars and a new record.




Who says? Oh that is right the media in MELBOURNE. Kerry Stokes has been seen having deep and meaningfuls with the CEO of the NRL. Could it be he is looking at the NRL?

Ch 7 and Ch 10 would ove to have the ratings that CH9 gets in NSW, ACT and QLD for the NRL usually for delayed games when the AFL is LIVE.

Look, it is pretty obvious that nothing will change the mindset of Melbourne AFL people as I have had direct contact with some and no matter what is said they will not budge.

The fact is that more people go to AFL games whereas more people watch NRL games on TV than go to the games.

On purely attendance basis AFL is the most popular but that is restricted to basically Victoria, SA and WA. The Broncos average some 40,000 per game way more then the Brisbane Lions. Watch and see what happens when the GC come into the AFL, they will be just like the A League team and with no one there.

I would like to ask the AFL fans a question, if the AFL is so popular why when games are played in the ACT or TAs or Darwin only samll numbers go to the games? Last year the lowest attendance to an AFL game was in Canberra when less than 8,000 went to the game.

[paul]

Voices, tv rights are determined on a per game basis. Networks calculate how much they can generate in advertising revenue over the numberof games they will broadcast, and that is a major determining factor in how much they will offer.

[Stumps]

Voices, tv rights are determined on a per game basis. Networks calculate how much they can generate in advertising revenue over the numberof games they will broadcast
... and once you add that "over the number of games they will broadcast", it ceases to solely be a "per game" calculation.

[paul]

and that is why I wrote (right before you cut me off!!) that it is A major determining factor. Certainly not the only factor, but if you only have 30 games to sell you prob arent going to get as much as someone who has over 200.

Anyway, this has been a good discussion but way off topic. So my last thoughts are: In QLD and NSW, which account for roughly 12 mill of the 21 mill population, only 75,000 people play Aussie Rules, the AFL is virtually a non factor on radio and TV, recieves minority press coverage and (from what I am told by Canadians) is rarely talked about in the workplace or social settings.

When a sport is a minority sport (or at best a novelty interest) to over half the population, I dont believe it can claim to be the NATION's biggest sport, regardless of how ridiculously massive it is in some parts.

[Cussy]

I would like to ask the AFL fans a question, if the AFL is so popular why when games are played in the ACT or TAs or Darwin only samll numbers go to the games? Last year the lowest attendance to an AFL game was in Canberra when less than 8,000 went to the game.

Which two teams were playing? Was one of them a team with perennially low membership, like the Kangaroos? What was the weather like that day? Pissing down with rain? Freezing cold? Was a non-Victorian team playing? Why are you taking a sample size of one every time you want to prove something?

[Silencer83]

When a sport is a minority sport (or at best a novelty interest) to over half the population, I dont believe it can claim to be the NATION's biggest sport, regardless of how ridiculously massive it is in some parts.

Which all football codes would fit the description of.

Using that definition cricket would be the only survivor.

All this started from a comment from Melb Wildcat about when One might broadcast games; which was quickly handled by saying that there wasn't much overlap so all days would open.

Overall I really like the fixturing and am looking forward to watching the season ahead without having to worry about midweek games.

[Prodigal]

Which all football codes would fit the description of.

Using that definition cricket would be the only survivor.

All this started from a comment from Melb Wildcat about when One might broadcast games; which was quickly handled by saying that there wasn't much overlap so all days would open.

Overall I really like the fixturing and am looking forward to watching the season ahead without having to worry about midweek games.


I don't think the comment so much as the additional commentary:

"Does anyone watch that crap anyway besides state or origin?"

was the cause of defence being spring to

[Jacala]

. The Broncos average some 40,000 per game way more then the Brisbane Lions.

What are you smoking?

Lions at home this year:

Games: 6
Total Attendence: 194911
Average: 32485

Broncos:

Games: 5
Total Attendence: 171888
Average: 34378

[Melb Wildcat]

Well does anyone actually watch rugby league? Ive regulary seen league games with 2 Sydney based teams and there have been under 15000 people at the games, which considering Sydney's population is shocking.

No one wants to watch a game where one guy tries to stick his head up the end of another guys digestive tract or give prostate checks to other blokes (or Hopiate them as its called these days)

AFL is bigger in WA, SA, NT, TAS and VIC, and the teams from NSW and QLD get bigger crowds than most NRL teams. The Melbourne Storm do NOT even get close to any AFL team (not even Port Adelaide) in attendence.

Canberra and Tasmania get AFL games because they pay the teams huge money to play there. If a team is offered a million dollars to move a home game, many of the struggling teams (see Kangaroos) are going to do it.

Do you think that Kerry Stokes is looking at NRL because he is worried about paying 1 billion dollars for AFL and could get NRL for cheap? C7 would be crapping themselves of the thought of losing their AFL rights.

The record billion dollar AFL deal was in the newspaper recently.

[Jacala]

Which two teams were playing?

Sydney v Melbourne

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/swans-shaky-before-saints-clash/story-e6frepf6-1225754892875


Was one of them a team with perennially low membership, like the Kangaroos?

Melbourne were currently last on the ladder

What was the weather like that day?

Horrible


Pissing down with rain?

Yes


Freezing cold?

Yes

[Jacala]

I would like to ask the AFL fans a question, if the AFL is so popular why when games are played in the ACT or TAs or Darwin only samll numbers go to the games? Last year the lowest attendance to an AFL game was in Canberra when less than 8,000 went to the game.

You don't want to mention the 8383, the 8850 or the 9400 that the NRL got in Canberra last year?

[Prodigal]

No one wants to watch a game where one guy tries to stick his head up the end of another guys digestive tract or give prostate checks to other blokes (or Hopiate them as its called these days)



http://www.talkingfooty.com/tv_ratings_2010.php

Apparently around 2.5 million people per week do

You may not like the game and you're entitled to your opinion, I feel the same way about AFL. Your comments are just silly though. Yes, the AFL get bigger crowds to games and have higher TV rating figures but the NRL has a consistent and substantial TV market. That will be reflected when their new rights deal is done shortly.

[Stumps]

People don't go to live sport in Sydney unless it's "an event" (I've said this many times), which regular season games are not. They prefer to sit at home and watch on TV if they can, which is a reason it was so frustrating that every bloody Kings home game was on Foxtel.

[Observer]

http://www.talkingfooty.com/tv_ratings_2010.php

Apparently around 2.5 million people per week do

You may not like the game and you're entitled to your opinion, I feel the same way about AFL. Your comments are just silly though. Yes, the AFL get bigger crowds to games and have higher TV rating figures but the NRL has a consistent and substantial TV market. That will be reflected when their new rights deal is done shortly.


Thank you for finding these figures they are very interesting although it does seem to ignore that there are only 3 games on FTA for NRL and 4 for AFL which brings the average per game very close.

Juts one last point especially in relation to the next round of rights, people seem to forget that the only reason the the AFL got the $700 mill (the balance was in in advertisting etc) was beacuse just before he departed this world Kerry Packer made an outlandish bid which then had to be matched by 7 and 10 which he knew they would do. This then allowed Nine to go for the NRL at a much lower cost because he knew the others could not afford to go higher.

With Kerry no longer there and Nine wanting Monday night games which the AFL do not seem to want, there is not necessarily the competition to push the price up to the figures in the press.

[curious]

I dont know who is right or wrong.
This is a 'Leagues' table. There is a 'Sport' table on the same page.
Please correct the formatting.
LEAGUES TOTAL AVERAGE MAXIMUM MINIMUM
AFL 49,500,019 36,667 100,012 6,354
NRL 23,494,578 16,592 82,538 4,125
A-League 6,310,255 12,671 55,436 1,632
NBL 4,026,893 3,651 14,805 920
Super14 3,291,833 22,860 42,237 10,482
Ford Ranger Cup 491,037 4,960 26,190 696
One Day International Series 1,791,363 25,230 79,000 3,109
Link here
http://www.austadiums.com/sport/crowds.php

[SB.1]

so AFL has many more spectators (total - why we would we look at averages?), more people watching it on TV, more people playing it (than Rugby). For mine definitely the most popular sport in Australia, but Paul does have a point about whether it is truly a national sport.

Same for NRL, which would then leave a close contest between Cricket and Soccer. Could be a close contest given the infrequency of cricket games played in Aus, and the particpation numbers for Soccer exceed Cricket (from memory). Interesting debate.

Here's another one. What's the number 2 world sport? Basketball?

[Clips]

Here's another one. What's the number 2 world sport? Basketball?I can see cricket being up there, boosted by the huge population of the sub continent.

[Voice(s)]

I think it is basketball after soccer.

[GordonG]

From Wikianswers http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_most_popular_sport_in_the_world :

Most Frequently Cited Ranked Lists

1) Football: 3.3-3.5 billion fans (Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas, etc.)
2) Cricket: 2-3 billion fans (India, UK, Pakistan, Asia, Australia, etc.)
3) Field hockey: 2-2.2 billion fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia)
4) Tennis: Around 1 billion fans (Europe, Americas, Asia)
5) Volleyball: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Americas, Australia)
6) Table tennis: Around 900 million fans (Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas)
7) Baseball: Around 500 million fans (US, Japan, Cuba, Dominican Republic)
8) Golf: Around 400 million fans (US, Canada, Europe)
9) Gridiron (American football): 390-410 million fans (US mainly)
10) Basketball: Not more than 400 million fans (US, Canada mainly)

I left the smiley at golf, because I don't classify it as a sport, just a good walk wasted :)

(Only because my Dad played for about 50 years and I got sick of hearing about it...)

[paul]

Me thinketh they are not getting data from China!!

[GordonG]

Me thinketh they are not getting data from China!!

Probably in the 'Asia' category.

[Silencer83]

Plus half the entire world's population being a fan of soccer? I find that a little hard to fathom.

[Clips]

Plus half the entire world's population being a fan of soccer? I find that a little hard to fathom.
I don't know how much "commitment" to the game is needed to be classified as a fan, but FWIW I'm sure I have heard that number been thrown around a few times before.

[Julian]

This is the thread for AFL talk - http://www.ozhoopsboards.com/showthread.php?t=4536

If you cannot see it, pony up your $10 for Boards+
Come on mods, delete/move this rubbish already.

[Derek]

Yeah, ok, back on topic. (I think it was me who mentioned other sports in the first place.)

DN