Western Force 2025

[Adam84]

can't remember if it was discussed last year...

but they're concerning figures in both 2024 and 2025

Especially with the noise of a Perth NRL team getting louder

 

[Tazzmania]

Not sure why the concern over the crowd numbers.

The crowd was not disimilar to the average crowds for last year.

Taking into account the 35.6C weather and the fact that 80% of the seating is unshielded and totally exposed to the baking sun, and that the game was played during the peak temperature and when the sun hits the ground most, the figure is not surprising.

From my understanding the bulk of gate takings (memberships and other) are generated from the corporates so a couple of thousand either way I would think is not overly serious at this point in time.

For me the amount of young children at the game was the most encouraging sign about the future of the game in WA. I cannot remember seeing that may youngsters for some time.

Of note is that the Sydney population is +/- 2.45 the size of Perth, so in context the numbers are not that far different considering Sydney had the JAS factor and is the rugby heartland.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

There is no doubt that the crowds are a concern. I wasn't able to attend on the weekend, but do go along every at opportunity. The timing of the weekend's game probably wasn't great. That East stand facing the sun in the afternoon isn't great. Where I sit in the West stand is much better for day games.

A few good home performances will hopefully bring the punters back.

 

[Adam84]

Of note is that the Sydney population is +/- 2.45 the size of Perth, so in context the numbers are not that far different considering Sydney had the JAS factor and is the rugby heartland.

I get the Sydney population comparison, but this population comparison doesn’t translate proportionately to operating costs. If players and operating costs in Perth were 1/3 of that in Sydney, then yeah it would be relevant but the fact it isn’t creates concern over the feasibility and viability of teams, matchday income from crowds is needed to offset a massive chunk of operating costs.

Just hope Twiggy never walks away… or a few good games bring back the crowds.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not sure why the concern over the crowd numbers.

The crowd was not disimilar to the average crowds for last year.

Taking into account the 35.6C weather and the fact that 80% of the seating is unshielded and totally exposed to the baking sun, and that the game was played during the peak temperature and when the sun hits the ground most, the figure is not surprising.

From my understanding the bulk of gate takings (memberships and other) are generated from the corporates so a couple of thousand either way I would think is not overly serious at this point in time.

For me the amount of young children at the game was the most encouraging sign about the future of the game in WA. I cannot remember seeing that may youngsters for some time.

Of note is that the Sydney population is +/- 2.45 the size of Perth, so in context the numbers are not that far different considering Sydney had the JAS factor and is the rugby heartland.

This isn't good then is it? Poor then, poor now

That's a fair point but the Tahs did have 3 times the crowd coming off the spoon, wet weather and a train strike... All how it's phrased.

City population doesn't really matter, it's about money into the Club to cover the bills. Yeah, Twiggys loose change is there at the moment and hopefully for good but what happens if it's not one day?

Anyways, how bout that run from Benny D

 

[PhilClinton]

Wasn't the whole day supposed to be big deal? Force 20th anniversary season and they flew Sharpie in for it to run out the game ball etc.

Not enough of a reason to turn out a big crowd?

 

[Adam84]

I think maybe in 2024 I was distracted by the shenanigans and rumours from Melbourne about mismanagement that I hadn’t really noticed the Force crowds.

It’s not a criticism of the club that crowds are low, I just think the team deserves better crowds and want them the do well in WA for the sake of the Force and game as a whole

 

[SteveWA]

That number doesn't look right, it seemed like a few thousand more at least on the day and the noise was an indication of that. But given the weather most were under the stands out of the sun (I know I was) or on the shaded side behind the cameras so it would have looked empty on TV. Thing is, holding a 4:30pm game in summer in Perth is never going to draw a big crowd, but doing it at the same time as the first AFL game of the year and against a team without a large support community in Perth isn't going to help. All that being said any rugby is better than no rugby and the Moana Pacifica supporters whilst small in number were a fantastic bunch. And the "fans on the field" after the game was greatly appreciated by all.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Crowd: 5,328 @ HBF Park

Hard to imagine the Force undercounting their own crowd?

Last-gasp Donaldson try clinches thrilling first-up Force victory over Moana

westernforce.rugby

 

[Yoda]

City of 2m people. As a Tahs fan I'm reluctant to torch anothers crowd figures but that is really poor.

Ending like that surely gets a bit of a bump next fixture.

Ghost. Waratahs. Brand new state of the art stadium. The new $5 million dollar man… first game of the season. In a city, unlike Perth, that have always known rugby… 13000? That is piss weak. I watched it on tv and after watching Jake Gordon and Edmed kick the ball away the whole game won’t be rushing back. At least the few who were at the Perth ground saw a great game of rugby! It is an AFL town let’s face it.

 

[Yoda]

Not sure why the concern over the crowd numbers.

The crowd was not disimilar to the average crowds for last year.

Taking into account the 35.6C weather and the fact that 80% of the seating is unshielded and totally exposed to the baking sun, and that the game was played during the peak temperature and when the sun hits the ground most, the figure is not surprising.

From my understanding the bulk of gate takings (memberships and other) are generated from the corporates so a couple of thousand either way I would think is not overly serious at this point in time.

For me the amount of young children at the game was the most encouraging sign about the future of the game in WA. I cannot remember seeing that may youngsters for some time.

Of note is that the Sydney population is +/- 2.45 the size of Perth, so in context the numbers are not that far different considering Sydney had the JAS factor and is the rugby heartland.

Well said!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Ghost. Waratahs. Brand new state of the art stadium. The new $5 million dollar man… first game of the season. In a city, unlike Perth, that have always known rugby… 13000? That is piss weak. I watched it on tv and after watching Jake Gordon and Edmed kick the ball away the whole game won’t be rushing back. At least the few who were at the Perth ground saw a great game of rugby! It is an AFL town let’s face it.

All how it's phrased...

Tahs did get an extra 3000 people through the gates (16k) then they did v the Highlanders in their first home game last year which got (13k)

Most wouldn't mind that bump.

Long gone are the days that these figures use to be what showed up for trial games though.

 

[Yoda]

All how it's phrased...

Tahs did get an extra 3000 people through the gates (16k) then they did v the Highlanders in their first home game last year which got (13k)

Most wouldn't mind that bump.

Long gone are the days that these figures use to be what showed up for trial games though.

The Tahs style of footy last year and last Friday night is cr.p. Let’s see this all Wallaby back line get the ball instead of kicking it away. Gleeson makes some yards but I rarely see him pass? The crowds will fill the joint if they play an exciting brand of rugby.

 

[rugbyAU]

Not sure why the concern over the crowd numbers.

The crowd was not disimilar to the average crowds for last year.

Taking into account the 35.6C weather and the fact that 80% of the seating is unshielded and totally exposed to the baking sun, and that the game was played during the peak temperature and when the sun hits the ground most, the figure is not surprising.

From my understanding the bulk of gate takings (memberships and other) are generated from the corporates so a couple of thousand either way I would think is not overly serious at this point in time.

For me the amount of young children at the game was the most encouraging sign about the future of the game in WA. I cannot remember seeing that may youngsters for some time.

Of note is that the Sydney population is +/- 2.45 the size of Perth, so in context the numbers are not that far different considering Sydney had the JAS factor and is the rugby heartland.

Disagree, 5K for a season opener is woeful

The argument that it's similar from last year's very low number doesn't make much sense there hasn't been any improvement

 

[Tazzmania]

Irrespective of the numbers, for those of us that were there what an evening it was.

A see sawing match with lots of tries, some really heavy hits and lots of toil and grit from both teams.

We got to see the great Ardi Savea plying his trade "live", the out and out pace and a skill set to match from a young Kyren Taumoefolau, and many more key performances from a Moana side that will test more than just a few teams in this competion.

We got to see some of the Force new brigade, some of the old, and a team showing grit and detemination to stay in the fight.

WA born and bred players on the scoresheet. Tizzano x 2 and Pearce x 1 try.

and then ...... seeing Donno carrying an ankle injury add to his 100% kicking record, by recognising a gap and putting on the after burners to lift the predominatly Force crowd into raptures as he surged away from the defenders towards the line to bring home an after the siren win.

What a finish and what better way than allowing us fans onto the field to mix and celebrate the win with the players.

You just cannot buy this type of experience. As I said to my son, that final five minutes and the on field celebration with the players paid for the seasons membership on its own.

Hopefully in the future those numbers get better.

The number of kids on the field queuing up to get autographs and selfies with the players, leaves me to believe that there is a decent future for Union in WA, and from small things big things will grow.

 

[Yoda]

Irrespective of the numbers, for those of us that were there what an evening it was.

A see sawing match with lots of tries, some really heavy hits and lots of toil and grit from both teams.

We got to see the great Ardi Savea plying his trade "live", the out and out pace and a skill set to match from a young Kyren Taumoefolau, and many more key performances from a Moana side that will test more than just a few teams in this competion.

We got to see some of the Force new brigade, some of the old, and a team showing grit and detemination to stay in the fight.

WA born and bred players on the scoresheet. Tizzano x 2 and Pearce x 1 try.

and then ...... seeing Donno carrying an ankle injury add to his 100% kicking record, by recognising a gap and putting on the after burners to lift the predominatly Force crowd into raptures as he surged away from the defenders towards the line to bring home an after the siren win.

What a finish and what better way than allowing us fans onto the field to mix and celebrate the win with the players.

You just cannot buy this type of experience. As I said to my son, that final five minutes and the on field celebration with the players paid for the seasons membership on its own.

Hopefully in the future those numbers get better.

The number of kids on the field queuing up to get autographs and selfies with the players, leaves me to believe that there is a decent future for Union in WA, and from small things big things will grow.

Now that is a great post! Hopefully some youngsters at the game have decided to play rugby now… that’s all it takes.. “ From small things, big things grow”!!

 

[todd4]

The Force (like any team) needs to start winning on a regular basis for fan numbers to grow. Everyone loves a winner. When a team loses more games than they win, year in year out, only the rusted on supporters will attend games.
Off topic maybe but this is why I believe that all Super Rugby players should be able to play for any team in the comp and still be eligible for both Wallabies and All Blacks. The fans don't care where their players come from as long as they help their team to win. The comp needs to have 11 very competitive teams to achieve maximum interest from fans.

 

[Yoda]

The Force (like any team) needs to start winning on a regular basis for fan numbers to grow. Everyone loves a winner. When a team loses more games than they win, year in year out, only the rusted on supporters will attend games.
Off topic maybe but this is why I believe that all Super Rugby players should be able to play for any team in the comp and still be eligible for both Wallabies and All Blacks. The fans don't care where their players come from as long as they help their team to win. The comp needs to have 11 very competitive teams to achieve maximum interest from fans.

Great post as well!

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Any word on Donaldson?

He finished the game well but also said he was given painkillers at half time so I can't imagine he woke up feeling great on it.

 

[Yoda]

Any word on Donaldson?

He finished the game well but also said he was given painkillers at half time so I can't imagine he woke up feeling great on it.

Yes.. I’m sure he won’t want to miss playing the Brums and against Noah. Although not at 100% possibly is hard.