AFL overtaking NRL in QLD

[Cmarsh]

Talk in QLD, via ABC X Premier suggesting Victoria Park stadium likely. That’s a big win for AFL long term. And I think called by one of the Hawks posters here a month or so back.

Yes and that ex-Premier shites all over the idea of Vic Park.

Palaszczuk says Brisbane Olympic stadium 'already decided'

Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Olympic review committee has "already decided" to build a new stadium at Victoria Park.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Bjo187]

Yes and that ex-Premier shites all over the idea of Vic Park.

Palaszczuk says Brisbane Olympic stadium 'already decided'

Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Olympic review committee has "already decided" to build a new stadium at Victoria Park.

www.abc.net.au

She should not be listened to at all, she was gonna demolish the gabba and make the lions pay for a temporary facility ffs. She needs to stick her bib out of it, she already ruined the organising of the games with miles who's idea was even worse (she was good for footy in 2020 though, until she turned her back on us).

 

[GC2015]

Talk in QLD, via ABC X Premier suggesting Victoria Park stadium likely. That’s a big win for AFL long term. And I think called by one of the Hawks posters here a month or so back.

Huge win for the AFL, if it's true. Assuming Suncorp isn't expanded, it will mean the AFL will virtually have exclusive access to the biggest stadium in Queensland for 6-7 months of the year. Pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos (and Dolphins) should naturally lead to perceptions changing over time.

 

[Cmarsh]

Huge win for the AFL, if it's true. Assuming Suncorp isn't expanded, it will mean the AFL will virtually have exclusive access to the biggest stadium in Queensland for 6-7 months of the year. Pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos (and Dolphins) should naturally lead to perceptions changing over time.

Pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos? Massive call.

 

[GC2015]

Pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos? Massive call.

Broncos are capped to 52k per game at Suncorp. My understanding is the Vic Park stadium will be either 60k or 70k. Therefore, the Lions will be capable of pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos due to capacity limitations.

 

[Cmarsh]

Broncos are capped to 52k per game at Suncorp. My understanding is the Vic Park stadium will be either 60k or 70k. Therefore, the Lions will be capable of pulling bigger crowds than the Broncos due to capacity limitations.

Yeah but that assumes that the Lions are capable of drawing 60k. Even with a big final that would be a stretch.

 

[Bjo187]

Yeah but that assumes that the Lions are capable of drawing 60k. Even with a big final that would be a stretch.

I think they'd easily get 60k for a final.

 

[Cmarsh]

I think they'd easily get 60k for a final.

You could turn out to be right. The Swans were getting those kind of numbers for finals in the few years after Stadium Australia was built when that venue was a popular place to go due to some new stadium gloss.

 

[Fire]

No? They have their own stadium

In Olympic Park.

 

[GC2015]

Yeah but that assumes that the Lions are capable of drawing 60k. Even with a big final that would be a stretch.

63k members last year and they're expecting to hit 70k members this year. I think you might be underestimating how many fans the Lions currently have and that's only going to continue growing if they keep winning more games than they lose, which they should for at least a few more years. 80k members is very achievable for them over the next 3-5 years and that should coincide with the new stadium opening.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

By the time it is built who knows how the Lions will be travelling but if they are strong then the hype/novelty of a new stadium and it been seen as abit of an event for a period of time they could pull those mid 50k crowds I would imagine.
Fingers crossed they aren’t down the bottom of the ladder by then and rents are sky high on the stadium leading to expensive ticket prices.

 

[RedV3x]

Yeah but that assumes that the Lions are capable of drawing 60k. Even with a big final that would be a stretch.

If the Lions are travelling well then the fans should appreciate a brand new stadium with good access.

 

[Rob]

Speaking of, there were a few clowns on here saying the giants should be relocated to Canberra or folded coz of their 19k finals crowd at Sydney Olympic park against Brisbane a few months back.

Yet the Sydney thunder started a year earlier, cricket is ingrained in the culture there, it was during school holidays, in a location surrounded by a heavy Indian diaspora, for a final and they only got 13k there last night.

It puts it into perspective that for AFL crowds they aren't doing well, but in comparison to other clubs in their location they are close to or if not bettering the crowds of more ingrained sports.

The fact Olympic park is getting a direct train line, tram and 25k residence on the door step in the next decade or two will also make a big difference, coz the area is not great at the moment.

It's more reflective of the attendance culture in Sydney. It's something the Swans have done brilliantly to counter, but virtually every other sporting team in the city struggles against. You might get a couple of years where you're the place to be seen but long term its so hard to build a lasting fan base.


Reminder that this was just over 10 years ago now:

Western Sydney Wanderers have grand plans to join sporting icons Collingwood and Brisbane Broncos

'Wanderers will be as big as Pies'

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Philhawk]

It's more reflective of the attendance culture in Sydney. It's something the Swans have done brilliantly to counter, but virtually every other sporting team in the city struggles against. You might get a couple of years where you're the place to be seen but long term its so hard to build a lasting fan base.


Reminder that this was just over 10 years ago now:

Western Sydney Wanderers have grand plans to join sporting icons Collingwood and Brisbane Broncos

'Wanderers will be as big as Pies'

www.foxsports.com.au

And I can’t emphasize this enough, the culture of attending in NSW is sadly very dependent on the quality of the stadiums.

Post upgrade, both the Roosters and Swans have done v good jobs packing out their schmick new stadiums. I expect Penrith will do the same.

 

[Philhawk]

In Olympic Park.

Sorry, I thought you meant Accor.

But yes, they also play at Olympic but they suffer from same disease of that complex.

The sooner the Giants move from there to a better stadium, the better.

 

[Cmarsh]

And I can’t emphasize this enough, the culture of attending in NSW is sadly very dependent on the quality of the stadiums.

Post upgrade, both the Roosters and Swans have done v good jobs packing out their schmick new stadiums. I expect Penrith will do the same.

You could probably say that about Melbourne as well, demonstrated by Victorian AFLW attendences.

 

[Walshawk]

Speaking of, there were a few clowns on here saying the giants should be relocated to Canberra or folded coz of their 19k finals crowd at Sydney Olympic park against Brisbane a few months back.

Yet the Sydney thunder started a year earlier, cricket is ingrained in the culture there, it was during school holidays, in a location surrounded by a heavy Indian diaspora, for a final and they only got 13k there last night.

It puts it into perspective that for AFL crowds they aren't doing well, but in comparison to other clubs in their location they are close to or if not bettering the crowds of more ingrained sports.

The fact Olympic park is getting a direct train line, tram and 25k residence on the door step in the next decade or two will also make a big difference, coz the area is not great at the moment.

BBL finals crowds are nearly always smaller than regular season crowds. The AFL is opposite.

Showgrounds is very basic but if the don’t start getting improved crowds even once the train/tram arrives in 2032, they should pack it in.

 

[Jirik13]

By the time it is built who knows how the Lions will be travelling but if they are strong then the hype/novelty of a new stadium and it been seen as abit of an event for a period of time they could pull those mid 50k crowds I would imagine.
Fingers crossed they aren’t down the bottom of the ladder by then and rents are sky high on the stadium leading to expensive ticket prices.

Lions list is loaded for sustainable success. Just look at young players and how they performed in Grand Final against Swans. They also attract players from outside (I suspect KPF is coming next off season). F/S and academy delivering.

Brisbane people support winners. Good times ahead for Lions.

Most home games sold out (30K+). New stadium, winning, 50K+ for sure.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

Lions list is loaded for sustainable success. Just look at young players and how they performed in Grand Final against Swans. They also attract players from outside (I suspect KPF is coming next off season). F/S and academy delivering.

Brisbane people support winners. Good times ahead for Lions.

Most home games sold out (30K+). New stadium, winning, 50K+ for sure.

There have been better looking young lists not deliver. It’s near impossible to guess who will be strong in 5 years

 

[Bjo187]

BBL finals crowds are nearly always smaller than regular season crowds. The AFL is opposite.

Showgrounds is very basic but if the don’t start getting improved crowds even once the train/tram arrives in 2032, they should pack it in.

I hope to see no further death riding of them till at least 2032 then.

 

[Walshawk]

I hope to see no further death riding of them till at least 2032 then.

You will be disappointed.

 

[Fire]

Where else could the Giants play?

Even in a fantasy scenario, would there be a good location to build a stadium where the west can access it fairly easily?

 

[Canberra Pear]

Showgrounds is very basic but if the don’t start getting improved crowds even once the train/tram arrives in 2032, they should pack it in.

What's the number you'd be happy with?

Because four of the Giants' eight H&A Engie games had record crowds against respective opponents in 2024.

They're clearly trending in the direction.

 

[GC2015]

There have been better looking young lists not deliver. It’s near impossible to guess who will be strong in 5 years

Think you might be underestimating the kind of young talent Brisbane currently has at its disposal due to the father-son rule. We're literally just entering the Ashcroft bros era right now. Both generational talents, both capable of winning the Brownlow in the future and one is already a Norm Smith medallist as well as a premiership player. The Sandringham Footy Club confirmed in October that Marcus, his wife and their daughter are moving back to Queensland so the Ashcrofts will be very settled up here for the long-term and I'm sure it will show on the footy field over the next decade.

You can throw their third young father-son pick Jaspa Fletcher into that mix as well because he's already shown he's a very good footballer by taking part in Brisbane's premiership winning midfield last year. Neale is 31 right now so he'll start to drop off over the next few years but that should be supplemented with the rise of the Ashcroft boys. I'd be very surprised if Brisbane aren't playing finals/legitimately contending for flags for at least another three years. The father-son rule has basically allowed them to avoid the natural drop off that would eventually come with a team that's already had their premiership window open for multiple years.

The AFL has also seen how good it's been for the growth of the game to have a highly competitive Brisbane side so I suspect they'll prioritise them in certain ways going forward in order to continue growing the game up here. Might ruffle a few feathers by suggesting this, but I think the last few years have shown a highly competitive Brisbane side grows the game more than a highly competitive Sydney side. I'm fairly sure the comparison of participation rates between NSW & QLD over the last five or so years proves that. The AFL appear to be getting more bang for buck in Queensland at the moment.

 

[RedV3x]

What's the number you'd be happy with?
Because four of the Giants' eight H&A Engie games had record crowds against respective opponents in 2024.
They're clearly trending in the direction.

As well and what people invariably forget is that Giant's crowds are Giants crowds apart from derbies.
AFL attendances in Melbourne and NRL attendances in Sydney are generally inflated by fans of same-city clubs.
Looking at attendances from that angle some attendances in Melbourne are poor and Giants attendances in Sydney are very good.