So, the best attendances for Magic weekend have been in the last two seasons at the Etihad stadium, close to the centre of rugby league's heartland. Where should we hold the next one? Should we hold it there again, where we know it is popular and doesn't ravage the pockets of our supporters, or should we go somewhere where the locals have displayed minimal interest in our game and fill the pockets of those outside of our heartland?

(I know Manchester has shown as little interest in RL, but at least it doesn't need to be an overnight stay, as per Cardiff, Edinburgh and, now, Newcastle). On the Yorkshire side of the game, it may still not be an over nighter, but from the Lancashire side it is still a bit of a trek.

Think Newcastle is a great choice, anyone who's ever had the misfortune to go to Coventry knows how close we came to a terrible decision.

The stadium is within wobbling distance of the centre, countless really good bars and some decent places too eat.

All in all the RFL could have made a much worse choice.

I do agree that Newcastle is a much better choice than Coventry. It's just a shame that it will exclude some who have enjoyed it in recent years.

I think St James's will be an ideal venue, and to be fair, if the RFL do somehow manage to come up with a realistic advertising campain, the Geordies are keen on witnessing a bit of "Biff", so potentially, the locals attention could be grabbed with this one, although, pricing concessions may be required!!!

As for the trek...I didn't do Edinburgh as it's full of "freedom fighters" and I'm 100% a "better together" Jock lol, I did Cardiff as a day trip so the Toon is also doable in a day if necessary

Its big news up here in the north east,

Im on hols up here.

Its just had 5 mins on local news tonite, plus Gateshead had about 3 mins last nite for there match on sunday nite against hemel stags, so the locals are doing there bit on the advertisement side of things, lets hope the RFL can do the same, i doubt it.