I don't dispute what you say. But the numbers don't lie - I don't think there were anymore than 2000 Aussies at the Manly game last year. Did you go today? How many Aussies would you say?

It wasn't available, there were still last year's "batman" replicas in the shop.

On the subject of our predominantly English squad and growing number of local lads, I was amazed looking through the Melbourne pen-pictures in the programme to see there isn't a single local man in their squad - they're all from NSW, Queensland or NZ (plus one from West Yorkshire!) - not a single Victorian.

Although outclassed I was impressed with our squad's attitude, teamwork and application, which were back to where they should be after the late summer malaise of last year.

I live in the Channel Islands so can't make every game. I'll be there for the Salford game probably. Just seen the tries on Sky Sports - the conditions looked terrible. It is also tough to follow a club getting 12,500 the day before.

Lots to think about. Hopefully, some of the young kids on debut would have enjoyed the experience.

"Salt-of-the-Earth QRL Supporter #1"

There was hardly an Aussie accent to be heard - a few Kiwis presumably to watch the Kiwi singer. Sydney doesn't like Melbourne, Melbourne dosn't like RL therefore we were well down, well down on the convict front.

I was surrounded by them!

Although TBF some sounded like they might be "regulars".

You find it funny to poke fun at someone that can't afford to travel to games anymore? I thought more of you tbh.

5 Aussies, 3 locals who ended up spending our money in China town today because we couldnt get seats to a game that had under 4k on the gate.

And you can seriously tell me this club is going places?

another non return...

Thats right, Rugby league is more foreign to melbourne that it is in london.

However, you will see things changing on this front with the development of their junior programmes and NYC team containing locals.

What does this mean?



Thank you.

from rlMelbourne Storn tear through Harlequins 34-10 in London trialrl

Is the purpose of this game to try and attract London's Aussie ex-pats? If so, that's just totally bizarre considering this has already been tried in the London Broncos days and failed, and presumably the Aussies already know about the club and aren't interested in watching weekly. Even if they were attracted and came regularly, it wouldn't really gain anything for your club, it would just be an artificial inflation of support for a brief period. I still don't understand why this game is played and allowed to interrupt the Super League season, or why you want to play it. To be honest, it just turns your club into a bit of a joke.

Let's be honest here...I know little or nothing about Rugby League and even less about Australian sporting preferences....but 3,600 is a disgrace....
Polish the turd all you like but guess what you are left with

I suspect it was to do with the two paras before

[iHarlequins coach Brian McDermott was satisfied with the way his younger players stepped into the void.

“Without getting too excited I thought they were pretty good,” McDermott said. [/i

“We've got some structures and systems in place as well as we look for what the individual can do and I think that lot kept the integrity about what we did today.”

Maybe he was referring to the systems and structures at the club which are nurturing and developing players to play first grade. SO they can assess individuals in a major game scenario. And "that lot" were perhaps the youngsters he was referring to.

That's how I read it all on first glance.

Didn't enjoy the game. The conditions didn't help. And the fact the Jumbox pie stall was closed was a disgrace.