for me, it is down to the fact that the quality of SL has dramatically fallen away over the last 10years which is now compounded by the fact that we cannot compete with the RFU and NRL and as a result all our stars have left the game and we cannot attract stars to replace them. I hate to say it, but even latics get bigger 'home' crowds now and the apathy in the ground during our games is palpable. I was slammed on this forum for criticising the new structure and lack of investment in marquee signings to excite the crowd and put bums on seats but the proof is on show for all to see now.
#newera is just a marketing ploy to detract from the falling standard of the comp - RL is now just a feeder comp for the RFU & NRL, plain and simple.

Do Latics really get bigger home crowds than us?

If so, that says to me it's nothing to do with the standards of the game or seeing star players because there certainly aren't any in the Latics team. The club are clearly not doing enough if that is the case.

We are playing poorly and presently don't look like there is any improvement on the horizon hence the poor crowds. It ain't rocket science.
One consolation is that it may get IL to go out and seek new potential outside of the club structure

That's not the trend at all though.

2012 - lost 4 home games and averaged 16k
2013 - lost 4 home games and averaged 14.6k
2014 - lost 2 home games and averaged 14k

But we had won or were winning trophies during those years. Presently we look bottom 4 and play like a bottom 4 team hence the attendances. Will still get 20k plus versus Saints

Overall the quality of SL this year is dire - you look around DW and there are very few young fans anymore, those that are there are not really interested in the game. The reason for this is down to excitement and I'm afraid that is in very short supply these days despite the fact that every minute matters

Sorry to say I agree.
I'm sure the marketing guys are aware of this re youngsters and will act accordingly

One of the biggest factors affecting SL for me is the way that the referees are allowing the PLB to slow right down. This is killing the excitement of the game. It is creating a boring game. You could have the superstars in the world playing but it would still be dull with such a slow PLB.

Absolutely. And coming at a time when refereeing guidelines in the NRL look to have made a big improvement this season (but let's see if it lasts!), Superleague is starting to look clumsy and laboured.

Latics are averaging 12,600, we'll beat that this season.

I think the lack of a superstar player(s) can't be underestimated. Who in this team puts bums on seats? There isn't anyone. We've gone from playing the most exciting rugby in the league (2012) to probably the least watchable.

And the constant turnover of players is so frustrating.

Spot on IMO.

If your best players keep leaving so will some fans. We've consistently seen our better players leave year on year and that's deflating. It's good that the comp is now more competitive and that may eventually lead to more income and therefore is being able to hold our best players but until it does it'll be seen as a second rate comp.

Ask me to name the 20 most exciting players to watch in World rugby league and I'd name possibly none from superleague.