9 & the NRL could leverage the AFL split round

[littleduck]

by televising a Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm @ Lang Park blockbuster on Friday Night into Melbourne at 8.30, instead of the AFL.

Should the AFL persist in this split round idea, the NRL should attempt to take advantage of a rare vacant Friday Night timeslot in Melbourne!!!

Alternatively, the Melbourne Storm could grab hold of the opportunity to host a blockbuster match against, eg Brisbane or St George, at Telstra Dome or the MCG on a rare weekend with no AFL football in Melbourne.

Personally, I favour the Friday Night Football idea with the Storm playing an away game against Brisbane.

Thoughts?

 

[Pantsless]

LD, unable to disagree with any of that. Would be a good idea.

It will depend on the crowd for the Swans v Pies next weekend to determine whether they do something similar next year.

 

[littleduck]

Originally posted by Pantsless
It will depend on the crowd for the Swans v Pies next weekend to determine whether they do something similar next year.

Even the ARU has gone to offering $5 tickets (so I heard) to get a decent crowd tonight for the Wallabies v Scotland Test Match.

No reason why the Swans cannot start offering $5 tickets within the next week or so to ensure a ripper crowd. That is, if ticket sales arent already powering along. They may well be...

 

[Hurbie]

Swans Vs Scum should draw something in 50's. It should be enough keep it alive.

Good Idea LD. I'd rather A Match at Colonial against New Zealand. Plenty of potential support for the Warriors down in the Southern Capital.

 

[littleduck]

Originally posted by Hurbie
Good Idea LD. I'd rather A Match at Colonial against New Zealand. Plenty of potential support for the Warriors down in the Southern Capital.

Another good idea...Melbourne Storm v NZ Warriors @ Telstra Dome on an AFL free weekend!

BUT
you either have to go down the FNF route and play AWAY from home, eg vs Brisbane @ Lang Park
or
have a home game blockbuster on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.

I can't see a Storm home on a Friday night AND channel 9 coverage at 8.30 working - ie you cant be too greedy and chase crowds & ratings at the same time.

 

[Briscoe]

geez some of you people have short memories.

The last time the AFL had a free weekend the Storm DID have a game in Melbourne that weekend and it was dismal.

10,782 v Bulldogs

 

[littleduck]

Originally posted by Briscoe
geez some of you people have short memories.

The last time the AFL had a free weekend the Storm DID have a game in Melbourne that weekend and it was dismal.

10,782 v Bulldogs

It's an idea worth persisting with I would think, not to judge its success or failure on the first time it happens.

 

[Hurbie]

If we judged things on initial failure the Brisbane Bears would have been kicked out of the comp and the Sunshine State would have no representation, and the swans would be dead a countless number of times.

It's good to see that the NRL has finally grown a thick skin on these matters rather than fleeing at the first sign of trouble

 

[Andrew Mc]

They won't even show Origin games live (or at a sensible time), so there is buckleys 9 will show league prime time Friday night.

 

[littleduck]

Originally posted by Andrew Mc
They won't even show Origin games live (or at a sensible time), so there is buckleys 9 will show league prime time Friday night.

Surely the NRL can include a clause in the next broadcast deal compelling 9 to televise NRL FNF involving the Storm if ever there is a Friday night free in the AFL calendar. That way, if the AFL dont bother with this type of split round in future, then the clause would be meaningless. If the AFL do, it would be great news for the Storm in Melbourne!

Puts the onus back on the AFL then...

 

[Briscoe]

Originally posted by littleduck

Puts the onus back on the AFL then...

no doubt the AFL will be quaking in their boots.

 

[LionsRoar]

You guys are forgetting that the EJ Whitten match is played this friday night at the telstra dome with 9 covering the match from 8:30pm. Or maybe you just didn't know.

 

[littleduck]

Originally posted by LionsRoar
You guys are forgetting that the EJ Whitten match is played this friday night at the telstra dome with 9 covering the match from 8:30pm. Or maybe you just didn't know.

I didnt know. Ok, consider the FNF idea shot down, but..

that still leaves 4pm Sunday vacant in Melbourne for the NRL telecast of, eg Broncos vs Storm @ Lang Park.

 

[gocats]

Have it on Saturday Night to try get a good crowd at the Dome. Even if you have to give tickets away. Go against the Pie games, market the game for non-pie supporters. Yes Collingwood are big, but we dont all like watching the Pies.

The Ad....

"You could stay home and watch Collingwood...............

or come out and watch your team, Melbournes Team The Storm"

or something.

 

[littleduck]

Would much prefer a Sunday 3pm game @ Telstra Dome.
and NO free tickets, cheap.. but not free.

OR broncos v storm @ lang park, televised 4pm in Melbourne.

depends if you prefer a bigger crowd, or greater tv exposure.