I understand that the SOO and NRL Grandfinal viewing figures regularly put them in the top 10 of the most watched programs that year and certainly top of the live sports event viewing figures.

I'd say that's a better barometer of how popular the game is over there rather than the bare viewing figures alone.

On a slightly different note, having watched both games so far this season, any annalysis as to why England/GB are unable to beat the Aussie test side need go no further.

I am in a minority, but I thought the games were poor and badly ref'd, with far too many high shots unpunished

Do you understand how statistical sampling works? Remarkably small samples can produce very reliable figures - increasing the sample size has minimal impact on expected reliability.

I was in Melbourne last month and I can tell you that the crowds and atmosphere there are fantastic. In fact the game which I went to 76,000 turned up and that was just a regular round fixture. Melbourne is also a big city which has to support 9 clubs in the competition but that doesn't stop it from generating huge attendances. You know? Where fans actually turn up and place bums on seats?

It's called Aussie Rules and unlike Rugby League it doesn't need to obsessively waffle away ad nauseam about TV ratings as if somehow that makes up for the embarrassment of rows upon rows of empty seats and zero atmosphere at NRL games in Sydney and elsewhere.

There's a few minor factors that contribute, but you are indeed correct.

What amazes me that with these massive tv ratings rl has over afl who has the biggest tv deal?

Keith you should look for an Aussie Rules forum if that is how you feel mate, you will get plenty of bites I am sure.

I am not really fussed on what AFL does to be honest or the culture Melbournites have watching
their game, maybe it suggests they have little else to do on a weekend compared to other places.
They average 60k and that is a huge number, its -6 % down this year so far and it was -6% down last year.

Good TV ratings for Rugby League is a positive for our code any way you look at it, TV ratings translate to revenue. Those same ratings will be what sees more English players moving to the NRL and staying in the code rather than moving to Union (or AFL)

Most Clubs do not have rows and rows of empty seats unless you think a Club team should fill the Olympic Stadium or the Football Stadium, that's hardly realistic.

That TV deal is about to change though Sheldon, its been locked in on a long term deal since 2005 with channel nine.
It should be around double that amount this time, 1 billion or there abouts.

I know mate, if the nrl gets 1 billion that's 200 million behind afl.

More has to be done about membership and attendances, all i see on tv is adverts for afl and I have never received any info in the mail about membership for any of the 3 surrounding nrl clubs.

Anyway I'll leave it all here, i've done it to death on these boards before.

The Crowds have never been massive for Rugby League in Sydney, they are as high now as they have been for a long time.

Times are tough everywhere.
If you can hold on with what you have in most Sports today you are doing ok, there are so many other things competing for your time and money.
A family of 4 at the Broncos in a reasonable spot at the ground is $120, throw in $50 for a drink each and a Pie or Burger, its not a cheap family day out, you could go to one of the big Theme Parks on the Coast for the same amount. (or buy a weeks groceries in some cases)

And this is why clubs should promote their membership packages better.

A family of 4, in the good seats, for 14 games at souths is $855 they'll even let you pay monthly at $71.25.

Now if you want to sit in the cheap seats, and imo theres no bad seats in the suncorp or anz, you can pay for 2 adults and UP TO 4 kids $500 for the 14 games, $41.67 A MONTH.

Members also get a discount on food and drink.

That is a great deal, Souths have been active in promoting memberships more than most.

Brisbane don't really do any great deals as being a one team large City they don't have to, they can fill the place with young males having a night out with their mates.

The "family tickets" are for 1 Adult and 1 child to sell them at a higher rate.

I think it maybe a Sydney thing due the smaller crowds.

Roosters were doing a $100 season pass for this season but I didn't see it advertised, anywhere.