NRL Grand Final NIGHT or DAY?

Question

This debate has been in the news of late i like night footy during the season and finals a lot of people say they should stick with tradition but with teams still playing at suburban grounds the NRL needs to make changes to catch up with the AFL which is years ahead

What do others think

Answer 1

To address the question, as a pure preference, day games are much better. If they want to persist with night games, the GRand Final must be moved to the Saturday. This year without a Sydney team was a good example why. A public holiday on the Monday is great for everyone in New South Wales, but for Queensland, and now Victoria, some kids can't even stay up late enough to watch the whole game because they have school the next day. Unfortunately, Channel 9 gets too much of a say, and they want a Sunday night game for bigger ratings. I think they get bigger ratings because rather than 30 mates gathered around the telly on a Sunday arve while having a barbeque, the have 30 televisions in thirty homes airing the game.

As far as League vs. AFL, I don't think catching up with AFL is an issue. Melbournians will go watch grass grow if they're told it's a sport. Nothing personal, but they love their sport and they will go to a ground to watch it, rain, hail or shine.

With league fans on the other hand, many would prefer to listen to it on the radio while fishing or watch it down the pub with a few mates or in the comfort of their own home. Having every league game live on Fox (or close as possible with a couple delayed due to time clashes) makes it very easy to not have to go to a ground to watch it. Traditionally league is a blue-collar game and I suppose the prices for a seat are a bit much for some people, especially families ($30+ for a half decent seat at most grounds up to $70 for agood one).

People will watch when they feel it counts. State of Origin (despite arguments of SOO being "dead" with the apparent NSW dominance, all 3 SOO games are ratings successes, regularly being in the top rating shows at the year end. AFL State of Origin on the other hand... well lets not even go near that train wreck.

Answer 2

day

Answer 3

I really think it is beyond the NRL to catch up with the AFL one way or another. League is a dying game and so it doesn't matter if it is a night or day final, it is going to lose viewers, year after year, until it is only shown on pay as a spectacle. Union and Soccer are going to continue to eat into it's markets until it is gone.

Sydney FC regularly get crowds of 30,000 whereas half the league teams can't manage that number.

It is sad for the people who are die-hard league fans, but at the end of the day, when the AFL was pushing ahead in the 90's with nationalisation, League was having a crippling civil war which it will not be able to recover from.

Answer 4

well the rugby league is dicated by channel nine.  which is ran by eddie mcguire. who is in charge of the collingwood afl team so rugby league on tv is screwed . i perfer day grand final

Answer 5

I agree with Potman. I much prefer the day time Grand finals. The friends and the BBQ etc. The kids are in a good mood to watch and can join in the celebrations. Every one can enjoy it but still get home and relax and get a decent nights sleep before work and school.. If it was Saturday night then OK, no drama's the next day. Personally I don't think the game has the excitement or impact when played of a night, especially a Sunday. I wish they had never changed it in the first place. It worked for all those years and it makes it terribly hard to attend live on a Sunday night with all the commuting. But honestly Daffy it's all about money and ratings. The fans as usual are never polled or consulted. We are just expected to fit in with all the changes. I love my League, but it isn't the family game or atmosphere that it was built around many years ago. Sad really.

Answer 6

all humens thick ells will win