Why do we stage Wallabies matches in Melbourne, or State of Origins if Vic is an AFL State ?

Question

Interesting why we would waste a Home Match by playing it in Melbourne, for two reasons, it really negates any home ground advantage, if its not a sell out than whats the point in going their anyway ? It lacks passion, as Rugby and RL are not Victorian games, its actually more of an equaliser for the opposition than anything else. We need 60,000 mad Wallabies fans in Sydney at our Olympic Stadium to show true passion (as we do), walk down George Street, Sydney in the weeks leading up to a Wallabies home game and its Wallabies Banners over head everywhere.

I understand you guys love Aussie Rules and Rugby and RL are a poor alternative for you, so why should we waste a home game on you ? Seriously in the Wallabies match yesterday, it was as though the Victorians didn't even realise that EVERY ONE sing Waltzing Matilda after Advance Australia Fair, no passion, wasted opportunity for home pride?

Answer 1

Victoria gets about 1 game a year. What's it matter, then thousands of Rugby fans in Vic would be pissed off.

Answer 2

Victoria holds 1 and only 1 Wallabies test every year. Victoria does have some Union fans so one game a year isnt a big deal really? Plus remember that the MCG is the best stadium in the country so it would be unfair to have Rugby players miss out on playing there because of an AFL monopoly. It is also - now I know this is a shock - but its also possible to enjoy more than one of the football codes...There I said it...!!!!

Answer 3

The reason they play the rugby code matches in Melbourne is to give the Victorian closet RL & RU fans a chance to see a good game occasionally!

Answer 4

Simple answer, tourism.

Host a big game in Melbourne and get people from ACT, NSW & QLD down to watch the game.  Stay in hotels, go to restaurants, pubs, catch taxis, spend money.

The same reason the ACT Govt signed a deal with North Melbourne.  I used to work at a bar near Manuka Oval and the amount of Victorians, (Nth Melbourne members) that would come there after the game was quite lucrative.

Ignore the Waltzing Matilda thing.  Ignore it even more if it's John Williamson.

Answer 5

haha yeah the waltzing matilda, almost as if the victorians didnt know the words lol

Answer 6

I think they hold those matches in Melbourne to attract some interstate visitore. Let's be honest, not many people really want to go to Melbourne unless absolutely necessary.

So the matches are scheduled there every now & again in the hope that a number of inter-state rugby fans will cross the border to watch the game live.

Answer 7

Being a Melburnian who likes Rugby and RL, I'd have to agree. It's like staging the AFL Grand Final in Sydney, there wouldn't be as much passion since Sydney is a Rugby State. Good question!

Answer 8

dunno.. good point... less rugby in Melbourne is/would be great! :D