Just saw this on the Wire board. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=623737 Here was my reply. As someone who was at both the Barcelona and Anfield games I'd like the RFL/Superleague to give us a defined plan over the next few years for the Magic weekend. Example Anfield 2020, Newcastle 2021 - 22. Barcelona 2023, Dublin 2024, Amsterdam 2025. just let us know in good time. Whilst we were in Calella for the game in Barcelona we had this discussion over a few (a lot) of beers. One of the more interesting suggestions was to merge the Super League and NRL Magic weekends. eg take Wigan v Wire, Leeds v Wakefield and Salford v Cas to Brisbane one year. Over here we could have Melbourne v St George, Penrith v Roosters and Parramatta v Tigers. In two or four years they could they reverse the venues. Just give fans time to plan, and don't moan that "we can't afford it" If you can't go to Aus then support the concept over here.

Just saw this on the Wire board. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=623737 Here was my reply. As someone who was at both the Barcelona and Anfield games I'd like the RFL/Superleague to give us a defined plan over the next few years for the Magic weekend. Example Anfield 2020, Newcastle 2021 - 22. Barcelona 2023, Dublin 2024, Amsterdam 2025. just let us know in good time. Whilst we were in Calella for the game in Barcelona we had this discussion over a few (a lot) of beers. One of the more interesting suggestions was to merge the Super League and NRL Magic weekends. eg take Wigan v Wire, Leeds v Wakefield and Salford v Cas to Brisbane one year. Over here we could have Melbourne v St George, Penrith v Roosters and Parramatta v Tigers. In two or four years they could they reverse the venues. Just give fans time to plan, and don't moan that "we can't afford it" If you can't go to Aus then support the concept over here.

What would the Australians get out of seeing sub-standard rugby league?

I would rather just watch the CC Quater Finals at the weekend and get rid of this stupid "third" league game.

But you can't plan that, when you don't know who's playing until a couple of weeks before the games.

Before they sort out venues they need to agree on what they hope to achieve from the weekend.

Is it a p155 up in a big stadium or is it supposed to grow RL in that area?

If it’s the latter then what there doing at present is akin to throwing a packet of seeds out of your back window once a year hoping for a nice garden.

They need to plan it that’s for sure but stick to one venue for a period of time and grow the sport in that area, have the summer bash there too or near to that area. Eg Magic Weekend at Newcastle, Summer Bash a few weeks later at Darlingtons ground whilst pushing RL in the North East over 5 plus years with a view to getting Newcastle producing players of their own. Maybe an even longer plan like 5 years before sew the seeds by getting into the schools and starting teams, then have Magic Weekend there for 5 years and continue for 5 years after with the emphasis on developing players for academy’s and lower league clubs eg Newcastle Thunder.

So over a 15 year period you could get a kid who is 5 years old and introduces to RL, aged 10 goes to their first Magic Weekend, 15 signs for Newcastle Thunder and 20 makes their debut.

Which is a lot better than just having a fancy dress p155 up once a year with no legacy. Toronto is ripe for this given enough time and planning it would work.

Wasn't there a huge aggregate attendance for their magic games?

Good crowd, yes, but they get good crowds in Brisbane anyway. Not so good if you're from Sydney and lost a home game.