Official Ricky Leutele

[Capital_Shark]

Meh don't see how it would be that good for RL to be honest.

How wouldn't it be good? What could possibly be bad about there being another professional RL team? It says the game has managed to build enough traction in another country to be able to support a fully professional team in a legit competition.

Means ****all for NRL but **** NRL. For the sport of Rugby League its terrific.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Thanks John Ribot.

:glasses-cool:

 

[Capital_Shark]

Still don't see any real benefit in the broader scheme of things. Much like the Storm, adds absolutely nothing to the game and never will.

25,000 members and a home crowd average in excess of the League average is absolutely nothing?

 

[HaroldBishop]

25,000 members and a home crowd average in excess of the League average is absolutely nothing?

See how that looks when they start missing the 8, if the NRL allows it.

They've had an incredible run of success.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Apart from that, there is a culture of being a member of the team you support in Melbourne so I dare say you can't directly compare to other NRL clubs.

Also, one team in a city of 5m should attract decent crowds with their success even if it is the poor cousin to AFL down there.

 

[Mr Ryan]

Im pretty sure you wanted the Warriors kicked out too, Harold?

 

[HaroldBishop]

Im pretty sure you wanted the Warriors kicked out too, Harold?

Yeah happy to admit I was wrong on that one. At least they bring something to the game.

 

[Capital_Shark]

See how that looks when they start missing the 8, if the NRL allows it.

They've had an incredible run of success.

Agreed. But to say they've added nothing is just bull****.

 

[Gards]

Wolfpack didn't make it. Leutele is now playing in a league I imagine is worse than NSW Cup.

Might crack 5 try's in a season now

See how that looks when they start missing the 8, if the NRL allows it.

They've had an incredible run of success.

Success garners interest though, could say similar about the Swannies in Sydney. Doubt they have as many rusted on members or fans without having won premierships and being a regular in finals series.
Pretty much every club (bar newcastle) has crowds drop if they are losing games, not making the 8 ect, nothing special bout Storm in that regard but they don't really have dud seasons either

I despise the ****s but they are 100% a franchise of strategic importance to the NRL and it's been important they have been successful. Victorian's don't handle losing could you imagine if it was a Titans tier team that was built up down there, would be lucky to have had 1,000 people crowd avg

 

[HaroldBishop]

Agreed. But to say they've added nothing is just bull****.

I stand by it.

 

[Capital_Shark]

I stand by it.

Mate where it counts they add more than us. Avg crowds of 17-18k in a RL outpost and 25k members; you cannot be serious saying they currently (predictions of future demise don't count, we'll have to judge that when/if it happens) add nothing.

There will be statues of QLD RL players in Melbourne soon. Thats huge. As for the Wolfpack AFL would kill for anyone outside Australia giving a **** about their game.

 

[stormshark]

The AAMI park crowd attendances have a high % of neutral RL supporters, not necessarily Storm supporters. Without the Prolonged on field success the "Neutrals" would still be there, however the balance and "Official" memberships would be halved. Core crowds inc Opp supporters would likely average about 8K, members maybe the same, or less. I have discussed this ad nauseam with a range of non "official" Storm supporters who attend.

 

[Gards]

could look at that in a positive light that so many casual or neutral fans have enough interest to show up to a RL game in melbourne while AFL is on. plenty of storm supporters at the GF by reports as well

as for Storm not adding anything I disagree - they added some nice silverware to our trophy cabinet and for that the NRL and Cameron Smith should be commended.

 

[HaroldBishop]

could look at that in a positive light that so many casual or neutral fans have enough interest to show up to a RL game in melbourne while AFL is on. plenty of storm supporters at the GF by reports as well

as for Storm not adding anything I disagree - they added some nice silverware to our trophy cabinet and for that the NRL and Cameron Smith should be commended.

I bet plenty of the neutral supporters are ex pats from league territory.

 

[BurgoShark]

I bet plenty of the neutral supporters are ex pats from league territory.

Back in the early days the crowds had a lot of Victorian New Zealanders who didn't care for AFL and didn't have a Super Rugby team to go watch.

 

[Sparkles]

So it was us holding him back...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A4hZ6hNdwXXpiNn27iqk5Zlg-yOeV3BA/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[HaroldBishop]

What's the salary cap there?

 

[vicsharkfan]

Good for him..
Sexxxyist tackle in history...
Live large my friend.

 

[egg]

Wow, That's ridiculous $$$ how much would they pay for Matty M ?

 

[Cage]

Had to go watch the last five mins of the 2016 GF again. On the day I don't think I breathed for the last three mins, but when Leuts grabbed Koribete I knew he wasn't letting him go any time soon, and we had won.

And I teared up, again.

Thanks for the memories Leuts.