Playing matches in NZ

[Fehring]

I made the trip in 2013 and hotel rooms were scarce. But Brisbane and Carlton were not going fantastically when we played them there and perhaps the novelty wore off for some Saints fans. I was looking forward to going back one day.

I go interstate to watch the Saints every year but just couldn't make Wullington work with young kids - needed a minimum of three days away from the fam and also it was quite exxy. If I remember correctly, there are a lot more direct flights to Auckland and they were a lot cheaper so Auckland's a much more attractive option (and by 2017 my kids will be more manageable so three days will be fine).

 

[The Punter]

When I went we flew in and out of Auckland. We had some other stuff to do and only one small child, but I do get the point. Auckland will be easier for travelers and will be in a bigger population centre.

It's just not as nice.

 

[Persevering Saint]

When I went we flew in and out of Auckland. We had some other stuff to do and only one small child, but I do get the point. Auckland will be easier for travelers and will be in a bigger population centre.

It's just not as nice.

I dunno, I quite like Auckland.

 

[plugger66]

Easy in hindsight but playing in NZ was never going to work. They only like Rugby as a footy sport. League struggles a little as does soccer and they have been around for years. We need to let it go and forget that place. If we have to play somewhere else for money then make it Australia so at least we don't need a passport. And you may even be able to drive if cash is an issue. Maybe Etihad.

 

[Saintbloke]

I think there must be many more better options than the NZ one- playing games in regional Australia, playing a game in the USA etc etc. Speaking to a few sports mad NZers a while back and it seems the Saints games create very little interest.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

India would be the go.
Teams whinge about even havin to travel interstate, so would have to be on the we kind before the bye for both sides.

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

ive got plenty of Kiwi mates.
one of them takes a slight interest in Nth Melb the rest of them love rugby ( league & union) and hate AFL . Most of the time calling it GAYFL.
I said ages ago the NZ games were great cos of the huge money the AFL were giving our club but IMO its never gonna grow over there.
95% of the Kiwis living here dont like AFL so Its pushing it up hill over there.
They just aren't interested.
But if we need the money and the AFL are still happy to hand it out then playing over there isnt a bad thing I guess.

 

[STK2020]

Cant say im sorry to see NZ experiment fail .
I rather explore playing games against poor crowd pulling clubs in regional Victorian towns ( Bendigo , Ballarat , Latrobe Valley ect..) .

 

[By a Point]

There is a lot to like about visiting NZ. I attended all matches and the trips were just brilliant except for the footy. I love the place and our games are what took us there.

 

[STK2020]

There is a lot to like about visiting NZ. I attended all matches and the trips were just brilliant except for the footy. I love the place and our games are what took us there.

Nz is a beautiful place .
Dont think they really embraced our game.
I wonder if I could convince our club to play a game in France next year .

 

[#1_pigeonracer]

Posting from Bali, if we played Freo or WC here the place would be jam packed. Sand gropers everywhere. Uluwatu Saints, even met some ppl with enough land there.

 

[By a Point]

Nz is a beautiful place .
Dont think they really embraced our game.
I wonder if I could convince our club to play a game in France next year .

or at the Colliseum in Rome?

 

[saintspremiers]

NZ was worthwhile.

We got $1.5M out of it

That's all that's important

Maybe we should play in Hong Kong next year. Plenty of money to bribe us to play and expats over there

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

NZ was worthwhile.

We got $1.5M out of it

That's all that's important

That is an important point.
It cant really be classed as a failure. We were on the bottom and needed cash. The cash from the NZ experiment helped a lot.
Whether it was Cairns, ACT or wherever. We needed to do something while we were down to get extra cash.
Cashflow should lift as does our ladder position.

 

[Sainttony]

Knowing North they will pull the pin on Hobart soon. When they do we should get in there. Popular in tassie

 

[By a Point]

Knowing North they will pull the pin on Hobart soon. When they do we should get in there. Popular in tassie

you are right about North. Sponsorship down here isn't solid for them. I believe the Saints could do what Hawthorn did and make a good venue with good matches and draw some money.

 

[____]

Any news on what will happen with your NZ home games now it isn't in Wellington?

Did the Welly trip in 2014 and would love to be the away team (provided we get the six games in Melbourne) for a game in Christchurch and then do Queenstown a few days before or after. Only been to North not South Island.

 

[jonathons11]

Any news on what will happen with your NZ home games now it isn't in Wellington?

Did the Welly trip in 2014 and would love to be the away team (provided we get the six games in Melbourne) for a game in Christchurch and then do Queenstown a few days before or after. Only been to North not South Island.

From what has been said on here and in the media it looks like if we can't get a deal in another city we don't go back next year.
Apparently not likely anywhere will be ready or willing for next year

 

[Axcellence]

I think playing at docklands instead of NZ , will mean we are likely to win one more game.

 

[Kilroy]

It's on again.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-01/saints-to-court-the-kiwi-market-again-bains

 

[plugger66]

It's on again.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-01/saints-to-court-the-kiwi-market-again-bains

Yep another go at a stupid idea. Unfortunately money means doing sully things.

 

[#gosaintas]

I went for two of the Wellington games and will def go to the next Auckland game. Happy days.

 

[plugger66]

I went for two of the Wellington games and will def go to the next Auckland game. Happy days.

Well that makes it a good move. Pity bugger all else went not that really matters. More the pity is we will get no members out of it and that's the difference between playing in Australia and playing in NZ.

 

[The New Sainter]

Auckland will be good. It's a completely different kettle of fush.

 

[By a Point]

I went to all NZ games and loved it. Would definitely go to Auckland which is a lovely city. Very excited.