RL people say it's because Sydney people are different. It's not a very plausible argument. We are all Australians. It's too convenient that people in one city aren't passionate about footy for no other reason that they live in a different city.
It is because these cities follow different codes. One code invokes more interest and passion than the other.
One again, 100% correct.
We are all human beings. We are all pretty much the same, we all have the same capacity to enjoy things. Why would people who live 900kms away be soooooooo different in following sport? That doesn't make any sense.
The ONLY difference is that they have been brought up, culturlly following a particular code of football (RL) while Melb, Adel, Perth have been brought up with another (Aussie Rules)
The code they have been brought up (RL) with generates smaller crowds, and less interest than the equivalent code (AR) in Melb, Adel, Perth because it's not as good.
I said it earlier IF Sydney had always been an Aussie Rules city and they had 10 teams they would be avergaing 35,000 per game as per the Aussie Rules standard.
It's all about the code - Aussie Rules generates more passion and interest.
As for the Leaguie who after admitting this, then started the typical silly argument of
"why isn't it played outside Australia", have a guess....
It's not hard.
All parts of the world are culturally attached to the form of football they grew up with. The sports that were invented in England (whether it be Soccer, Union, Golf, Tennis, whatever) could spread. Why? Because Engand ruled the world and carried a great deal of influence.
What influence did Australia have 150 years ago? In addition to having a relatively small population, we are tucked away a long way away from everyone else. It is virtually impossible for anything "Australian" to take over 150 years ago. How could it? What influence did Australia have? What real influence do we have now on world trends? Not much.
If the game we NOW KNOW as Aussie Rules was invented in England in 1840 instead of Australia and it was called "English Rules" then it would spread (in some capacity). Like everything did back then.