Comments on: Why league needs the suburban grounds

By: Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily

Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:16:32 +0000

[...] believes that NRL clubs might go broke if they keep playing at suburban clubs, but they’ll also go broke if they ignore their supporters, who seem to prefer the suburban [...]

By: Bismark O'Measles

Bismark O'Measles — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:48:55 +0000

But if they start 55k down, they only have to bring in an extra 2,200 (at $25 a ticket) to make that up. I’m sure they do that on the few Leichhardt days each season (21,000 is the norm nowadays as you know Shaun)

I agree with Jason – Blue Tongue is the same – a nice well-appointed, easy access ground without the impersonal ‘Stadiumism’ of ANZ etc. If only they had a hill and a home team!

Investment is the key and local councils have the conch. Leichhardt have been promising to upgrade Mary Street to a multi-purpose stadium and Tigers nest for years – the price was touted to be $5mil which doesn’t seem to be that bad given the potential uses – the soccer Tigers are looking for a replacement for Lambert Park at the very least… I’m sure there’s some Union clubs in the area…

5 Mil would also include a gym (more income) and club house with permanent bar (POKIES !!!!). Heck, Tigers club in Vic Rd are on hard times, why not try & consolidate the two?

Onb a related topic, Ashfield Council just spent over $200,000 doing up Praton Park – Wests spirital home – replacing rotten woodwork and repainting the stadium / bleachers etc.. Nice to see it’s all been vandalised by grafitti artists already within 6 months of opening. That’s what happens to under-used stadiums.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:17:21 +0000

I’d like to see a breakdown of costs for a game at ANZ v revenue and then the same for a ground like Leichhardt.

Watching the excellent NRL on Fox earlier this evening (10 x 9′s so called Footy Show) I got an answer.

Steve Noyce, the Tigers CEO was on and commented that they start a game at Leichhardt $55K in the red (staff, catering etc). At ANZ they start even with costs already paid.

Another point he made was that by limiting the games at Leichhardt, they maximize the advantage of the ground as a “special” game. It was a great interview and the Tigers approach to memberships sounds interesting as well.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:36:50 +0000

I doubt if the AFL would block league totally from using ANZ. But they would very likely stop any continuing largesse to the NRL from using the stadium.

I’d like to see a breakdown of costs for a game at ANZ v revenue and then the same for a ground like Leichhardt.

By: john Ryan

john Ryan — Wed, 28 May 2008 04:50:51 +0000

If the AFL buy the ground and put the club into West Sydney they will go broke,how often are they going to use it.
What happens the rest of the time? I hope they do the sooner those arrogant pricks are cut down to size the better

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:45:46 +0000

Yep, upgrading suburban grounds is the key. With ANZ it was a case of if we build it they will come not working well.

You’re right that the handouts are not a good business plan.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:56 +0000

On the grounds, maybe it’s not an either/or. I’ve been to games at Dairy Farmers over a few years which is a new stadium with modern facilities, but which is small enough so that the fans aren’t lost in it. Assisting with the upgrade of suburban grounds would send a signal that the NRL is finally beginning to understand that club traditions are important.

I take MA’s point about the 100K a game at ANZ, but wouldn’t 17,000 fans week-in, week-out make up for that? And whether or not the AFL cut that deal off at the knees, it can’t be sustainable to be panhandling to a stadium for money.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:42:05 +0000

Unless the AFL buy ANZ as mooted in today’s Crikey. I bet the grants would dry up quick smart.

By: Mungo Amanda

Mungo Amanda — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:30:55 +0000

If the clubs get $100,000 per game at ANZ regardless of crowd I don’t see any likelihood they will be moving away any time soon.