St George are one of the larger supported teams in NSW and
can draw a crowd when playing well (referenced by the crowds which jammed into
venues across the 2010 season) so it would make sense to move to these larger
venues.
The sentiment wasn't shared by most Dragons fans across
social media and forums – most bemoaned the move, as there is a deep connection
between fans to both Kogarah and Wollongong. Suburban venues are slowly being
phased out in the NRL so fans are holding on grimly to the games at these
stadia.
Rugby league and the NRL is quickly under the new leadership
of Dave Smith turning itself into a more business oriented model with a slight
nudge from the state government of NSW. They have indicated they will only
“invest in major venues, moving forward,”
This new initiative which going by the quotes from Peter
Doust and Dave Smith – the Dragons move is a small step towards moving games
into bigger stadiums to as Doust indicated allowing “all our members and fans
to be able to see the biggest games of the year,”
Looking at the quotes, I like many other Dragons fans aren't
happy with the decision to take games away from our suburban venues. The
Dragons have tried out this tactic, albeit forced in 2008 when they based
themselves out at ANZ Stadium. The season was regarded as a failure with a lack
of atmosphere at games combined with the Dragons scraping into the top eight
before being eliminated by Manly.
Despite this previous debacle, there is an understanding about
why Peter Doust and the NRL have agreed to move games against the likes of
Canterbury, Easts and South Sydney to either Allianz, ANZ or Sydney Cricket
Ground. Rugby league needs to start maximising the revenue it can generate to
compete with the footballing codes in Australia.
This understanding doesn't mean we have to be sub servant in
submitting to the NRL's demands to
moving games to larger venues. I know quite a few Dragons fans who after
this announcement won't be renewing their memberships whenever they are out –
underlining that fans won't blindly fall into line with the whims of their
clubs.
Not everyone (including myself) is willing to lug themselves
out to the marquee stadiums in Sydney. It is a tough prospect to topple a sun
drenched Sunday afternoon, sitting on the hill with mates cheering on your
chosen side and not often replicated in the larger stadiums.
Rugby league is changing – we're moving into an age where
business has started to trump sentiment in our game. I understand it is what
may need to happen but for now, I would prefer to be sitting on the hill at
Kogarah than being in the corner of ANZ Stadium. Keep our suburban grounds
alive.
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
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