No 1 point guys, it's not suncorp stadium, or hungry jacks arena, or bendigo bank dome, or whatever company fronts up the dollars park. It's Lang Park, pure and simple, the media might be forced to play the corporate game, but that doesn't mean the rest of us have to sell out.
RL crowds are pathetic in Sydney and Brisbane, there is no other way to say it. Only SOO sells out in Qld, 25,000 crowds for the Broncos are pathetic for a city of 1.7 million. Sydney teams are terrible as well, no wonder the AFL feels in such a strong position. Only Newcastle and Townsville can hold their heads high, the rest are crap.
I'm originally from Glasgow in Scotland, there are 2 major soccer teams in Glasgow, Celtic (62,000 seats) and Rangers (51,000 seats), and they fill those seats every time they play at home, depending on Europe and Cup competition about 25-30 times a year.
Glasgow has a population of 630,000. Even allowing for the fans who travel from around the UK and Ireland for the games, it still means that quite often, about 10, or 25% if both teams are playing, of the population are at the games. And the 2 teams hate, despise, loath each other, not just Wests doesn't like Manly hate, but sectarian hatrid of hundreds of years, often leading to murder, so believe me there is no cross support.
That's why when I hear commentators talking about 18,000 at a game in Sydney and saying what a good crowd I shake my head.
With only 3 starting Qld'ers and 1 on the bench (mercy pick) I don't expect many people in Brisbane to be excited about Friday's Australia game. I won't be going.