AFL overtaking NRL in QLD

[mighty_lions]

The Brisbane Lions had 65000 members in 2024 compared to Brisbane Broncos 40000.

So the argument is that Brisbane city has more passionate AFL fans than passionate NRL fans.

Am I wrong?

When I say passionate, I mean they genuinely go for their team. Not just because they’ve grown up in a traditional NRL state and identify with a team, or watch the game but barely care if their team wins or loses.

that's not accurate broncos posted around 61-62k to from memory late august

 

[Coolangatta]

I can understand your hesitation from a Lions' perspective after what happened last time another Queensland team entered the league. From an AFL perspective, a second team in Brisbane essentially means double the chance of Brisbane being represented in the finals each year. So even if the Lions do fall away (which they eventually will), there's always the possibility that a second Brisbane team makes the finals and the Brisbane market remains engaged in the product during September. Don't forget, Brisbane is the only major city that doesn't have two teams in the AFL so it's completely dependent on the Lions remaining highly competitive. That's not a good long term strategy because we know the Lions are going to eventually fall away.

There's also the dream scenario that has the Lions, Suns AND Brisbane2 all playing finals at the same time. That would really super charge growth up here!

Canberra Saints, North Brisbane Kangaroos, Tassie Devils team 19, Perth Miners for team 20.

Then maybe in 30 years, Auckland Pirates and Newcastle Hunters to make it 22 teams and in 50 years finish off with Darwin Dingoes and Cairns Crocodiles.

Won’t happen but that’d be a much more national league with Victoria still having 8/24 so 1/3 of the teams.

 

[raskolnikov]

Am I wrong?

Yes. For some reason, probably because watching RL on tv loses nothing compared to watching it live, RL has never attracted huge crowds. However don't be deceived, RL is a much more popular sport. Outside the 65,000 members no one in Queensland would give AFL more of a passing interest. A couple of years ago I was at a pub when the Geelong- Collingwood final was on. A NRL final was on at the same time. Every tv had the NRL final on. I had to request if one of the tvs could be turned over to the AFL final. At work on a Monday morning everyone is talking about the NRL results, not the AFL results.

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

that's not accurate broncos posted around 61-62k to from memory late august

Ah I see. The NRL site must be horribly wrong. I don’t see it anywhere saying it’s over 60000 though? The Lions membership numbers will be up near 70000 next year, and I’d expect the Broncos numbers to dwindle.

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

Outside the 65,000 members no one in Queensland would give AFL more of a passing interest.

No true by a long stretch.

A couple of years ago I was at a pub when the Geelong- Collingwood final was on. A NRL final was on at the same time. Every tv had the NRL final on.

Yeah 2022, but that was a Broncos game.

At work on a Monday morning everyone is talking about the NRL results, not the AFL results.

That is your work place. My last 2 work place talk about the AFL.