gingerjon

Did you answer the question about how much room there is for change given that (as you confirmed) the IMG contract has no break clause? Maybe something Wood can cover?

They had a women's shirt presentation. I know that because I can see a nice photo gallery linked from the socials. No details on that, just photos. Can't see anything about a friendly.

Indeed, I was more making the point that there are no riches in the Challenge Cup.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-the-stark-financial-reality-of-the-challenge-cup-revealed-as-future-investigated#:~:text=QF losers%3A £8%2C000,Winners%3A £100%2C000 They could be looking at a whole eight grand ...

Streamlined, apparently. They announced, at the end of last year, that all women's news would be on the main channels. I make no further comment.

Nothing really matters or has consequences. Mark Aston, despite being banned in a decisive judgement, is still gainfully employed within rugby league with no apparent will from anyone to hear the appeal that would confirm his innocence or solidify his guilt. It's all of a piece.

The crowds so far are pretty much par for the Challenge Cup.

That's a good question. I'll slightly fudge it by saying that the obsession with reintroducing open P&R would screw up any long term thinking. But I'd like a "Big RL Event" - not necessarily an On The Road game but let's assume that's our best offer - in Newcastle, London and Cardiff as a minimum every year. That leaves three. I'd use one of those as a loss leader in Cumbria to keep the county engaged. So two free radicals. Possibly Birmingham, Bristol and a French/Catalan city on a slightly crooked rotation?

Have the confidence to do six big games rather than dilute your offer by piling them high and selling them cheap. We don't need to act like we're selling sundecks all the time.

I had no real reason but thought the game was done so prioritised Great Britain's glorious victory in the IHF Emerging Nations semi final against the USA.

One here.

Good to know. So, given the game is tied to IMG for a further nine years, what scope does anyone have to change things now?

The Dolicek is a superb ground, there's just something about it. Loads of videos on YouTube of people discovering it.

8 games is too many. There is something to be said for a festival around the quarter finals. I'm not sure it really works but each game would mean something and you, likely, wouldn't be selling to the exact same eight teams each year. That's assuming we need a magic event. I assume it must make money or the clubs wouldn't have rejected the IMG proposal to bin it.

Coincidentally, I am wearing my very natty Bohemians Praha t shirt today. Games are live on Bet365 if you have an account. The standards is ... well, I'd not necessarily back them to beat their League of Ireland namesake.

"There are loads of Brits in Australia, it's why A League attendances are through the roof." Said no one, ever.

Quite revealing that you seem to think fans should agree with the vote of their clubs.

Not a million miles away from ... (Bromley, 2024) ... but I prefer what Wigan have done with it.

The best case scenario right now is that they don't do too much damage. There are no new people on the scene. These are persons whose motivations - however much some like to go for plausible deniability or just asking questions - are clear and, also, who have all had ample opportunity to either state their priorities and actually deliver them. Wait and see doesn't really apply.

There is no contradiction in: - There have long been governance issues in rugby league. - This club-led circle jerk will not improve governance in rugby league.

I am very impressed that Beaumont has come round to the 'scrap Magic' idea, a mere three years after IMG suggested scrapping Magic.

Because it's a terrible idea and we have better ones to work through first.

Last Saturday home game for Bexhill today as the SCFL season winds down and their ground needs to be made available for cricket. It's Midhurst & Easebourne as the guests, I think. EDIT Ignore all that! Usual stuff at this level sees games shifted ... they're home again next weekend now.

Was the chat, "how about supporting a big club that keeps losing"? 0-3 last night.

Does seem a bit of a needless own goal from the AFL.