I'd guess that the 2017 RL World Cup performances or even scouts/player agents opinions would've been more instrumental in bringing Bateman to Canberra's attention than their chairman catching him on Sky's coverage.

Sky, BBC, Fox, whoever. The point I was making to RG is that TV fans are very important to the health of the sport (the Bateman reference was rather clumsy on my part). The sudden vast increase in wealth in the NRL is directly attributable to their TV deal not those who turn up every week.
Fans who turn up in all weathers whatever the level of performance they witness are to be applauded imo but not at the expense of those who prefer to watch on TV. The sport needs both.

I'm not sure what point you think I'm missing, Rogues: I didn't mention commenting on the game at all either way. I merely said that i didn't go on Saturday.

Personally I feel a lot more confident commenting on the game after I've seen it (all) on TV. Watching live, plenty can be missed, players misidentified, etc.

If what you are saying, Rogues, is that people should really attend games to qualify for commenting on them, then I am going to say I absolutely disagree (as would most posters here, I imagine). But as I said above, you should have watch the full match really, whether on TV or live or, ideally, both.

The alternative viewpoint is you miss almost all the 'off the ball' things that go on during a match if you only watch on TV. Hence the many armchair fan 'Lockers knockers' who don't see the organisational work he does both in defence and calling plays in attack. In fact I can easily tell you who is an armchair fan and who actually goes to the matches simply by the content of their posts.

Doesn't make a lot of difference to your calculations I know but Cas sold over 400 tickets. We usually bring a lot more.

I did nothing but complain about the weather and on the way out of the ground through Robin park there was a Cas fan with shorts on. Anyone who travelled in that weather deserves credit.

I agree with this. People who don’t attend are often the biggest critics. However, playing Devils advocate for a minute, if IL invested in the squad like Warrington appear to be, perhaps they’d turn out more often? I can understand people watching a televised game at home if they’re not excited by what they encounter on game day.

It's interesting to note that the three most 'entertaining' teams over the last decade well known for playing expansive and exciting rugby throughout each season are the ones who regularly fold when it comes to the big stage.

St Helens
Warrington
Castleford

Saints are the exception with one GF win over ten years (which we would have won with thirteen on the pitch).

Lots of nice pretty league leaders shields to wave around like.

*I do expect one of the above three to win the GF this year however.

Are suggesting that by watching a game on the TV, it disables any sort of opinion because you're not in the ground?

That is certainly a very strange argument.

I'm going to assume an awful lot of us on here can't regularly get to any NRL games... Yet the rumours thread on here points to players nobody (very few) have seen 'in the flesh'.

Bateman and Sutton appear to be going well at Canberra, but personally having never been to Canberra, your argument suggests I shouldn't have made this comment.

In certain scenarios like criticising our crowds or investment from the owner, I think Rogues would have a point in saying a person who watches ‘every game’ in the pub or at home (when they have the means and ability to get down to the stadium) shouldn’t be commenting unless they’re prepared to put their hand in their own pocket and support the club but fans regardless of being an armchair fan or a fan who attends games will always be entitled to views on individuals form, team performance etc.

I commented on the new Sky commentary set up but that’s not because I watch many Wigan games on the box but I watch plenty of others.

What have Wigan done to promote the game vs London?

Wire promotion went up a gear to ensure some catchment success and commercial sales enterprise during the game. It's was probably Wires biggest match day earner this season.

I highlight the post I made above...
Isn't there a matter of urgency here?