NRL semi final expecting to attract 70,000

Tell you what though, as unexciting as last night's game was, I've been trying to watch the Saracens vs Leicester game and Wigan vs Catalans was still a million times more entertaining than this shower of sheeeite.

How do people watch Union? Awful, awful sport.

Literally found myself nodding off so I'm off to mow the lawn.

I thought I'd give it a go, but my god... Kick off caught, the immediately kicked out on the full, within about three seconds. First five minutes leicester kicked two penalties for reasons unknown, the crowd cheering unironically. By half time, the ball must have been run in hand for a total of about five minutes. Dull as ditch water.

Yet 40,000 people turned up to watch it!!

It was poop. Mind you, I watched NZ-SA earlier and it was as different again, and dare I say it, better than some of the poor SL games this year. I feel like I want to rinse my mouth out for saying that, but that's how poor SL has been this year. They ( SA, NZ ) play Union a bit like League to be honest. I could actually see myself paying for a ticket...only I believe you have to work for a bank or major sponsor to get one

there is a lack of intensity in SL this year due to it not mattering what position teams finish. Prior to top 8 and Leeds victory from 5th, teams where hellbent on finishing top 2. I personally think the GF is now big enough to let the team finishing top be champions. The playoffs prior to the GF attract no more bigger attendances that the old Premiership playoffs did. And people will still turn out to watch the big teams play each other in the Premiership as people want big games and win a trophy. Leeds/Saints/Catalans this season, for example, would be trying to aviod going the season trophyless.

A lot of free tickets are dished out by Sarries for these games.

Oh and the NRL getting 70,000 for a semi final? Thats not so bad considering its their national sport. Footyball gets 60,000+ for its FA Cup Semi no? Dear life!!!

The obvious answer , well to me anyway , is to turn it into a straight knock out competition . Do away with the second bite of the cherry , if a team looses they are out no one gets to pick who they get to play just put the top 8 in a hat draw them out and play all games at neutral grounds .
But then again this would never happen as it would be to straight forward so no chance of anything like it ever happening Red Hall just have to make it more complicated than it needs to be to justify there inflated salary's .

IF we keep the top 8 then why not scrap the top four week one fixtures, top 2 straight to semis, next 2 to quarters, the rest play week one, all knock-out games and top sides always play at home.

so why don't we try the whole free tickets thing?
oh yeah, the Broncos did and attracted... 4,000 fans! wow!
it's all marketing, just the union boys are much better at it than us.

This might sound totally bonkers but with a 14 team league with no relegation, how about a 12 team play off, no second chances.

Week 1: 1,2,3,4 week off, 5v12, 6v11, 7v10, 8v9

Week 2: 1 v lowest qualifier, 2 v second lowest qualifier, etc

Week 3: Top placed qualifier v lowest qualifier, etc

Week 4: Grand Final

Keeps the normal season interesting throughout, makes the play offs meaningful (lose and you are out).

Prize money rewards progress in play offs and off sets the fact that play offs included in season tickets (home and away).

Absolutely bonkers. You could finish on about 8 points from 27 games, then win 3 in a row and you're in the grand final.

Yes but you'd have to win away from home at 5th,3rd and then probably 1st. Surely if a team did that they'd probably deserve it....

Why not just have a 10 month long off season, then an 8 week's playoff competition with all 14 teams in the hat?

At least if gives that team a chance but how much of a chance in reality ????