Hosting the semi on a long weekend was always going to be a struggle in term of attendance in Canberra - people leave Canberra EVERY long weekend. Add to that the fact that it's opening weekend in the Snowy Mountains and the NSW Junior State Champs were being held in Dubbo, Coffs Harbour and Sydney - that's quite a few rugby people out of town supporting, coaching or managing Junior Brumby teams.
Personally, I'd like to see more afternoon games but other than the cold, I quite like going to Brumby games. I don't get to as many as I'd like due to my work but I have been to more lately mainly due to all my kids now playing, getting free tickets and wanting to go and hang out with their mates. Works out well, I get to watch rugby with a cold beer while my kids walk around the stadium with their mates LOL