Good question Gman.
In recent years I've become disillusioned with AFL and the path it's taking. Soft rule interpretations and the style of keepings off that coaches employ has turned me off AFL to an extent. Plus, I barrack for Richmond. Not exactly got a lot to cheer about have I?
So last year I went to a couple of Storm games purely because they were on straight after the AFL games I attended. I really enjoyed them. I like the hustle and bustle of league and when you can see a game open up before your eyes and predict what's going to happen even on the 2nd tackle...it's great. And the tackling is ferocious which is something that is fast disappearing from AFL.
I don't profess to know a lot about the game, but I reckon I've now self-taught myself probably 90% of the rules and what there is to know.
I probably get a little more involved in a crowd particpation level at the AFL. I've followed my team for 30 years now. it's entrenched and in the blood.
At the Storm games I stand up, have a couple of beers and prefer to watch the game unfold rather than get overly vocal.
Having said that, I'll celebrate a try along with the best of them.
The thing that really lured me to rugby league was the effort that the Storm put into making a day or night at the footy, enjoyable for everyone. My 6½ year old daughter would rather go to a Storm match than a Richmond match. They have a few jumping castles at the back, free face painting, she laughs at the Storm Man and she really enjoys watching the cheerleaders and the dancing girls (dad does too

).
I like league so much now, that I bought a membership, have been to both home games this season and plan on going every week and have even booked a couple of short holidays to coincide with Storm's away games against the Broncos and the Cowboys later in the season.
The other thing that I find attractive about league and Storm in particular is that you can go to a game and 95% of the people are barracking for the same team as yours. You rarely have to put up with some arse clown baiting opposition players and supporters. There's a real feeling of solidarity at Olympic Park. Like it's us versus those 'bastards' from Sydney who want us out. Melbourne Victory games offer a similar feeling.
It's gotten to the stage now where I'd rather watch a good game of league even on tele than a bad game of AFL. That was unfathomable 18 month ago.
That's it. This post is way too long.