Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I believe the QLD government did.
Reds v Waratahs in Townsville
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
It was pretty similar the last time Reds played at Townsville. It looks like aren't enough rugby fans over there
Maybe is time for a more conservative marketing strategic, playing at Ballymore with diehards fans around as Tahs at Leichhardt Oval
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
There's nothing wrong with the Reds taking games to Townsville, they are a QLD team. It'll take time to build that support up.
As far as Ballymore goes it's still under construction. Even when that current construction is finished the capacity will still be too low to justify taking a Reds v Tahs game there.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
I like them taking games there. Great stadium and people that love their sport. I know the Tahs have been keen to get back to the SFS but I wish they still had a game played in Newcastle or another regional town. 1 game per year should be taken elsewhere.
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
I agree in a long term perspective but now when you are playing at low level, it's fight against the current. Same for Tahs
The new Ballymore (Once finished) can't match the Leichhardt Oval capacity? 20k
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
How can you expect support over the long-term from those outside of Brisbane if they're ignored now? Taking a QLD v NSW game to Townsville is a smart move which has been poorly executed.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
The problem is if the game has to be in QLD (due to alternating h/a obviously) - do not schedule it during Magic Round (which I'm pretty sure might even be confirmed before the NRL draw drops?)
On that note, which drops first, NRL / AFL / Super Rugby draws? We need to be more reactive about scheduling.
There's not a single NRL game in Sydney this weekend. The Swans are away too. Now the Reds shouldn't give up home adv but ffs give the Tahs a home game this weekend against someone else!
On that note, which drops first, NRL / AFL / Super Rugby draws? We need to be more reactive about scheduling.
There's not a single NRL game in Sydney this weekend. The Swans are away too. Now the Reds shouldn't give up home adv but ffs give the Tahs a home game this weekend against someone else!
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Could be wrong but I believe it was Super, NRL, AFL - the order in which the seasons start.
Not sure there's that much room for reactivity unfortunately - I imagine the logistics relating to venue availability, outside broadcast teams, travel plans, etc., (i.e. all the stakeholders involved in scheduling) would make it very difficult to revise a schedule within a couple of weeks of it being announced.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
When the current work is finished Ballymore will have a capacity of about 8k. It won't be until the eastern stand is either refurbished or replaced that capacity rises to 15k.
bit of both I believe
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
Do you think rugby fans in regional QLD wont support the Reds if they don't play regionally?
I think taking the games to the regions is great, but I don't think it will really get any more supporters.
If they are trying to build the game then play in Cairns so you are not trying to get people to switch from the Cowboys to Reds.
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
A 20k capacity would be perfect for average games, like European Rugby. That's the problem with Super Rugby. Too many casual games at HUGE stadiums, not a good advertising for outsiders
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
It's not about getting people to switch allegiances or appeasing rusted on regional supporters, it's an attempt to capture new fans who had never really given rugby a thought.
The Festival of Rugby held the past few years is a great event to get people from all over the place who are looking for a fun night or weekend. Likewise playing in Townsville when not clashing with the Cowboys and Broncs games - people who are looking for something to do will go.
there is a definite argument for a filled, loud stadium with a 20k capacity rather than 20k and say the SFS with the top tiers empty
My complaint with Super Rugby match planning is the lack of a draw that creates the habit of going to games.
In the perfect world every second Saturday there would be a game in Brisbane. etc Like as a kid, it was every second Saturday there was a game at Milner and every second Sunday it was the Eels at Cumberland oval. We dumb humans are creatures of habit, don't make it hard for us
Instead the draw makes every game a special event that has to be planned out
In the perfect world every second Saturday there would be a game in Brisbane. etc Like as a kid, it was every second Saturday there was a game at Milner and every second Sunday it was the Eels at Cumberland oval. We dumb humans are creatures of habit, don't make it hard for us
Instead the draw makes every game a special event that has to be planned out
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Correct Ghost but make sure it ain't reds v tahs.
I would market this game as QLD v NSW and as a byline reds v tahs.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
More likely they will have already spent their dough on tickets to the mungoes.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
An adult ticket to Tahs v Reds is $27. I'm sure many people would be able to scrounge that together if they were keen to go
John S
Peter Fenwicke (45)
It was great a couple of years ago when they were taking games to regional stadia. I loved only having to travel an hour up the road to see them play in Wollongong (even though we did get beat by the Crusades) - but back to the main thread
