The game has moved on from me and a lot of people from my generation

[sheridanstand78]

I write this piece after attending my 21st grand final day.

The day is always exciting for league fans and really anticipated. To watch this game as a neutral made it easier as it is so nerve wrecking when the mighty Sea Eagles are playing.

One thing that has concerned me for quite some time is the game day experience. I started watching games live in the mid 70s in for what was a golden era where Brooky could hold up to 25K crowds and you saw 3 games of footy sometimes on a muddy pitch and the games were held at fan friendly times. Your day started at 9am and you were home by 6PM, I lived in Avalon so it was always a memorable time to go to Brooky as a kid when we had a team that was dominant like the Riff and Drizzle are now. The noise came from the crown, the ground announcer who called the scores and the team song if the team won the game.

That was a long time ago and now going to a game day is like attending a rock concert, so much noise from the time you arrive, music played during every break in play and after the team scores and it carries on during the breaks between games and is so loud that you cannot have a chat with the person next to you. You also deal with people who sit in private boxes, pay lots of money to do that, get boozed up and become obnoxious and extremely loud. I had a season ticket in the Lyons Menzies stand for 15 years and as a result of all the racket, I will NOT be renewing my season ticket as I walk away from day at the footy with a headache most times. Its no longer an enjoyable experience for me.

I realize that the club is doing so well selling out Brooky most home games these days and I am delighted for them. I feel though that they are interested in an audience that wants the music and loud entertainment, rather than someone like me who wants to watch the footy. I pay money for that, not to attend a rock concert! Last nights grand final was the final straw for me. Ground announcers inciting the crowd, its overbearing and aggressive!!

The bunker is another source of major concern for me. We all saw last night the obvious mistake in disallowing the Storm try. I have not one bit of love for the Storm but that's need to be allowed to officiate on the game and the bunker should only be used when its an obvious mistake!

I will renew my membership, I will never abandon what is my first love and something I loved for 50 years. I am getting older and the game is different now. I support other codes as well, the AFL game day experience is so much better, the club songs are played beforehand and the winning team gets that again. The noise generated is from the crowd and I love that.

I once resided in England and saw countless EPL games and the crowd was the atmosphere. I love how they kept their tradition.

I think its most unfair on the fans that the clubs are trying to sell memberships for 2025 before we see a draw released by the NRL, I reside on the central coast right now and Thursday and Friday night games are not ideal. I hope they get that out soon.

I am still in love with Manly, not so much in love with the game and the NRL. I will always support them, however in a different way moving forward!

 

[frank stokes]

The bunker is another source of major concern for me. We all saw last night the obvious mistake in disallowing the Storm try. I have not one bit of love for the Storm but that's need to be allowed to officiate on the game and the bunker should only be used when its an obvious mistake!

Agree with much of what you have written @sheridanstand78 and I would also like to see the back of the bunker and let the refs decide... but, that was not an "obvious mistake" and the ref called it "no try" on field...

On this occasion the bunker got it right by not over-ruling... plus the drizzle can hardly complain about the bunker as it failed to over-rule the (non)strip on Papenhauzen and the Storm scored from the next set - off the back of a penalty they should never have been given...

But yes, generally the game is going the wrong way and football is giving way to "entertainment"...

 

[mave]

If you want to watch rugby league, head down to the local A grade.

NRL is quickly morphing into a different sport/ entertainment product, if it hasn't already.

 

[Ralphie]

Yep, as I stated in another thread, my love affair with Rugby League started mid 1960’s and ended on GF day 2013. I just can’t get excited about it anymore. I refer to it as “NRL Product “ these days. Didn’t watch the GF because I refuse to watch the purple scum……ever.

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

The Penrith ruck manipulators got over the top of the referee and the Storm ruck manipulators, which given how good the Storm ruck manipulators were, is sure saying something.

Yes yes Penrith are the best team ever apparently. So great they couldn't score their opening try until they got to play the defence worn down by 3 six agains and a penalty. That's right 24 tackles it took them. No other grand final team in the limited tackle era has been given that leg up.

When Storm were attacking the Penrith line in the last 20 minutes, Penrtih didn't care about Klien, six agains, hold downs, offs side. Referee was never going to bin them or call repeat six again and penalties.

And when bringing the ball back from kicks, the Penroth back three can 'play the ball' as quick and as 'near enough' to the rules of their own choosing. All night Edwards played the ball while still on one knee.

No one cares. This isn't rugby league anymore.

 

[mickqld]

It's called " sports entertainment " much like WWE. Too many manufactured results. Too many below average teams and a salary cap not working. The biggest joke of all is to watch regular season games decided and manipulated by rubbish ref/bunker clownery and then watch origin and most finals games (except our final v the cheats) where anything goes to minimise penalty stoppages.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I write this piece after attending my 21st grand final day.

The day is always exciting for league fans and really anticipated. To watch this game as a neutral made it easier as it is so nerve wrecking when the mighty Sea Eagles are playing.

One thing that has concerned me for quite some time is the game day experience. I started watching games live in the mid 70s in for what was a golden era where Brooky could hold up to 25K crowds and you saw 3 games of footy sometimes on a muddy pitch and the games were held at fan friendly times. Your day started at 9am and you were home by 6PM, I lived in Avalon so it was always a memorable time to go to Brooky as a kid when we had a team that was dominant like the Riff and Drizzle are now. The noise came from the crown, the ground announcer who called the scores and the team song if the team won the game.

That was a long time ago and now going to a game day is like attending a rock concert, so much noise from the time you arrive, music played during every break in play and after the team scores and it carries on during the breaks between games and is so loud that you cannot have a chat with the person next to you. You also deal with people who sit in private boxes, pay lots of money to do that, get boozed up and become obnoxious and extremely loud. I had a season ticket in the Lyons Menzies stand for 15 years and as a result of all the racket, I will NOT be renewing my season ticket as I walk away from day at the footy with a headache most times. Its no longer an enjoyable experience for me.

I realize that the club is doing so well selling out Brooky most home games these days and I am delighted for them. I feel though that they are interested in an audience that wants the music and loud entertainment, rather than someone like me who wants to watch the footy. I pay money for that, not to attend a rock concert! Last nights grand final was the final straw for me. Ground announcers inciting the crowd, its overbearing and aggressive!!

The bunker is another source of major concern for me. We all saw last night the obvious mistake in disallowing the Storm try. I have not one bit of love for the Storm but that's need to be allowed to officiate on the game and the bunker should only be used when its an obvious mistake!

I will renew my membership, I will never abandon what is my first love and something I loved for 50 years. I am getting older and the game is different now. I support other codes as well, the AFL game day experience is so much better, the club songs are played beforehand and the winning team gets that again. The noise generated is from the crowd and I love that.

I once resided in England and saw countless EPL games and the crowd was the atmosphere. I love how they kept their tradition.

I think its most unfair on the fans that the clubs are trying to sell memberships for 2025 before we see a draw released by the NRL, I reside on the central coast right now and Thursday and Friday night games are not ideal. I hope they get that out soon.

I am still in love with Manly, not so much in love with the game and the NRL. I will always support them, however in a different way moving forward!

It's a game day experience for the ADHD generation.

 

[LeonardCohen]

It's called " sports entertainment " much like WWE. Too many manufactured results. Too many below average teams and a salary cap not working. The biggest joke of all is to watch regular season games decided and manipulated by rubbish ref/bunker clownery and then watch origin and most finals games (except our final v the cheats) where anything goes to minimise penalty stoppages.

I don't think there are manufactured results. If ever there was a need for the NRL to rig games, it's now, when the same club has won 4 premierships in a row.

 

[double hoops]

It's not just this NRL thingie that is different.

I went to a club to watch the GF with a mate.

Must be 8 TV's at this place. NSW Cup gets one small little TV showing footy. There is girls afl on a similarly small sized TV. All sorts of rubbish sports.

But on a big massive TV and the only TV with sound at this entire club is UFC.

So being Grand final day and all, I ask if we can get the league on the main screen. If GF day and all.......

Sorry I am told. There will be people in the bar to watch the UFC no can do.....

So I am looking around, and sure enough, most of the room are actually watching the cage apes get covered in blood. And the greatest majority were chicks.

Who even watch's NRL these days hey. Might just be an old farts game these days hey.

 

[Heckenberg]

Turn on the Koori knockout. Watching the women’s teams play and I reckon half the tackles would be bins in nrl. Shows how sanitised the nrl has gotten. So refreshing to watch some unstructured league.

 

[Frogz]

Turn on the Koori knockout. Watching the women’s teams play and I reckon half the tackles would be bins in nrl. Shows how sanitised the nrl has gotten. So refreshing to watch some unstructured league.

100% mate. Watching the same. They hit hard these "ladies"

 

[themanwithnoname]

I don't think there are manufactured results. If ever there was a need for the NRL to rig games, it's now, when the same club has won 4 premierships in a row.

I agree results are not manufactured, but a highly successful Western Sydney team is part of the NRL strategy to resist the AFL and the GWS. Similarly, a successful Victorian team is also strategically desirable. I suspect the NRL don't pay too much attention to the panfers incredible line speed or the storms ruck manipulation and wrestling because of these teams strategic importance.

 

[BOZO]

I did not watch the grand final because Manly was not in it
But I did watched all games all season including all finals games up until Manly were disappointedly eliminated

To me and many others in our age group that I know the Game has moved on another level ,,,
Another level of excellence
The speed of the game is as breathtaking and as exhilarating as an 80 minute non stop thrilling roller coaster ride

The changes that I do not enjoy is not seeing Manly Dominate in finals any more
Although this breaks my heart . My heart will always be Loyal to Manly

Penrith's 4 Premiership wins in arow in a Salary cap Handy cap era
Has got to be the Greatest achievement in the History of the game

Records are meant to be broken
and our Greatest game of all Keeps on keeping on going to another level and Breaking them

 

[double hoops]

Sounds like the NRL are now rethinking the bears return, not currently financially viable, and their proposed financials just don't add up to enough $ for the NRL.

If the Bears do get the leg over, you watch the NRL go Manly bashing then. They will need that team to be a success.

 

[BOZO]

Sounds like the NRL are now rethinking the bears return, not currently financially viable, and their proposed financials just don't add up to enough $ for the NRL.

If the Bears do get the leg over, you watch the NRL go Manly bashing then. They will need that team to be a success.

Fck the Bears ..
The Game has moved on from those Bastards

 

[Uk eagle]

I kind of agree that the game isn't what it used to be. I started watching in the mid 1970's and I miss aspects of the game from then. The thing is though, if you were to take someone who started watching the game in 1895, they would have had the same concerns about the 70's/80's version of rugby league. Our game has always evolved. The first rule changes came about to make it a more entertaining game than rugby union. Can we be surprised if we're still tinkering with the rules 130 years later for the same end?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I agree 110% with @sheridanstand78

HOWEVER

He & I are probably aged about the same and so what was in vogue in the 70’s 80’s & 90’s doesn’t cut the mustard in the noughties.

This whole “ entertainment thing “ is pervading all sports , look at the crowds who love the Big bash v the non crowds that love the test matches.

Basketball have created , I think it’s called 3 x 3 ( or something like that only saw it on the Olympics and thought WTF is that) so even fast paced Basketball isn’t enough for the current generation,

They want the “ Kid Laroi “ half time entertainment, they want everything fast paced , they want wingers scoring from dives at the edges , they want Sweet Caroline & whatever played between sets , they want the “ wave “ their attention spans don’t last long so you need to keep it up tempo & energetic to keep them interested.

6 again , 6 again , penalty , quick play the ball , 6 again “ Try time “

They LOVE it !!

We are the dinosaurs , Ive been called that many times on here and I guess we are.

Like the poster , I’ll still love Manly but I’m just not as invested in it as I was even 5 years ago , and no where near where I was 10 years ago.

It’s why I try and see the positives rather than living in a negative world, I love it when we win , I hate it when we lose , I don’t really have any favourites any more , they come , they go , they get paid , I don’t really give a **** if they stay or go.

The 3 brothers are the most invested in the brand , I’d love to see them win a premiership together but I very much doubt that’ll happen as we are years away from matching these top two.

I’ll be very surprised if it’s not a rematch in 2025, the Drizzle will be hungrier , the Riff will replace those departing with the next big thing from the cast of thousands in their system.

And honestly it would not surprise me if they did a 5 peat,

Does this make the game enjoyable??

If you are from far western Sydney of course it does, as to the rest , well I can assure you the NRL couldn’t give a flying **** this is ALL about entertainment and nothing else.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I agree results are not manufactured, but a highly successful Western Sydney team is part of the NRL strategy to resist the AFL and the GWS. Similarly, a successful Victorian team is also strategically desirable. I suspect the NRL don't pay too much attention to the panfers incredible line speed or the storms ruck manipulation and wrestling because of these teams strategic importance.

But the West was won; three times before last night. I doubt they believe they need to consistently hand out premierships to Penrith to offset GWS. Having four-time premiers risks disenfranchising so many supporter bases and revenue markets. If they were turning a blink eye to things on purpose, you can bet the Tigers would have found a way to avoid a third straight wooden spoon.

I'm not suggesting a successful Penrith side is harmful to the NRL, but if they're pulling strings behind the scenes due to 'strategic importance', you can bet the current EPL-esque competition with Melbourne, Penrith and Roosters challenging at the top every year would be pushed aside to compel an 'even competition' that would grow the game exponentially more than having strong teams out west and in Victoria.

Further, can you really see Peter V and Abdo sitting down with the referees and asking them to slow down the ruck for certain teams? Sounds implausible to me.

 

[sheridanstand78]

I agree 110% with @sheridanstand78

HOWEVER

He & I are probably aged about the same and so what was in vogue in the 70’s 80’s & 90’s doesn’t cut the mustard in the noughties.

This whole “ entertainment thing “ is pervading all sports , look at the crowds who love the Big bash v the non crowds that love the test matches.

Basketball have created , I think it’s called 3 x 3 ( or something like that only saw it on the Olympics and thought WTF is that) so even fast paced Basketball isn’t enough for the current generation,

They want the “ Kid Laroi “ half time entertainment, they want everything fast paced , they want wingers scoring from dives at the edges , they want Sweet Caroline & whatever played between sets , they want the “ wave “ their attention spans don’t last long so you need to keep it up tempo & energetic to keep them interested.

6 again , 6 again , penalty , quick play the ball , 6 again “ Try time “

They LOVE it !!

We are the dinosaurs , Ive been called that many times on here and I guess we are.

Like the poster , I’ll still love Manly but I’m just not as invested in it as I was even 5 years ago , and no where near where I was 10 years ago.

It’s why I try and see the positives rather than living in a negative world, I love it when we win , I hate it when we lose , I don’t really have any favourites any more , they come , they go , they get paid , I don’t really give a **** if they stay or go.

The 3 brothers are the most invested in the brand , I’d love to see them win a premiership together but I very much doubt that’ll happen as we are years away from matching these top two.

I’ll be very surprised if it’s not a rematch in 2025, the Drizzle will be hungrier , the Riff will replace those departing with the next big thing from the cast of thousands in their system.

And honestly it would not surprise me if they did a 5 peat,

Does this make the game enjoyable??

If you are from far western Sydney of course it does, as to the rest , well I can assure you the NRL couldn’t give a flying **** this is ALL about entertainment and nothing else.

Im in a minority in relation to how I feel about the game.

Like you im fortunate that I've seen the premiership wins, the low times of the northern Eagles where we lost our club.

I accept that the game and game day experience is only going to get louder and more in your face.

I love test match cricket rather than the hit and giggle version, I can watch the Carlton Blues or my football teams and admire the crowd creating the atmosphere rather than the aggressive ground announcers who whip up the crowds to be ecstatic!!

I'll get a membership, probably 3 games at Brooky and the odd away game and still enjoy the joy of the team winning, the agony of defeat and always have the social experience with people I've known for 50 years!!

Like you, the love for the club is permanent, the support moving forward will be lesser.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Hard to argue with any of your points. Maybe we silvertails have become a bunch of Dinosaurs.