yipyee

Was booked on to hand out awards at a kids presentation day and didnt show up... good riddence, wanted nothing from RL but a paycheck

Wasnt he playing lower level RL when he retired

Why not just say how good the play off games on Saturday were? Why take a swipe at SL. If you follow one league over the other theres unconscious bias. For me it was refreshing to see different players kits grounds etc.. There is too much of playing the same teams at the top level and that is what the RFL / SL are pretending to ignore.

Warrington to win but only by 4-8 in what could be their year. Cant see a repeat of last week

Agree that Cantona was ace but outside of football its this incident that made him famous to non football fans. Its also this moment that led to being harrassed by reports for the famous seagulls interview

Interesring that most people are highlighting 'positives' when its the negatives that are more memorable. Or not even negitives just the stopping people in their tracks thinking am I seeing this, did it really happen. Mandella wearing a boks top is number 70 obviuosly stirred peoples emotions. Eddie the Eagle being poor but trying his best etc.. Fox missed kick fits perfectly into this category. For all the 'good' plays that are named on this thread, these can be expected from good players and teams. Its when a good player kicking a goal that most U10s kick every weekend, and he misses and costs his team a cup win. Thats what sticks in the memory as everyone wether you support that team or not can genuinely feel an emotion around the event. The other huge negative of the modern era is Ben Flower. Very much like Cantonas kung fu kick it drew huge attention as it created an emotion within people, a lot of attention from non RL fans also who thought it was shocking, very much like Cantona. Flower is remembered for this alone although he did become infamous outside RL circles very much like Cantona did. If you were to ask a non RL fan to name a stand out point from RL theres a very strong chance they would mention the Ben Flower incident.

Just on SL insisting on the lions share.. how many times has Oldham been on sky this year.. That is why the SL clubs should get the lions share. Oldham like all clubs in their position should re-group and look to build around the community game, maybe even forge a link up to a SL club so at least the best kids have an affiliation with Oldham.

To be fair the more that watch RL on sky the better for negotiating new TV deals. I will be watching all the play off games on sky as I did the middle 8s. If everyone did this Sky might have paud to show the championship games again.

Lets be honest most ticket sales are ST sales. Soccer have been able to sell their full STs and off the back of an international tournament were England played at home. Rugby now need a big push in the off season and shame on the cowards from down under who will damage next seasons attendances and any potential bounce back from a feel good factor.

Fall short of what though? Where is the bar set as this was the issue last time. Also as we saw with the academys, any decisions maybe challenged in court leading to loss of money and brings the game into disripute.

Ha thats very selective. If the French clubs have higher HOME attendances than said clubs so say 4k averages compared with 8k that would be 13 x 2 home games from french clubs so 26 games with an extra 104k fans at SL games which would more than make up for a few hundred AWAY fans at 26 french away games. So in reality at say £20 per ticket its a very very rough extra 2 million per year in the game. The SL chairmen wont be bothered if they get more SKY money or a share of French TV money which would be more and more likely with more french clubs in the euro league

TBF Catalan, Saints Warrington also do well in the hospitality parts of matchday. The emphasis on attendance rarley reflects that 1 hospitality ticket is the same as 10 normal tickets. Having 500 in hospitality suites and boxes is the equivilent of 5000 extra in the stadium.

I dont think there is much wrong in the community game, that is at youth level. Plenty of talent playing the game and lots in new areas too. The issue is at some pro clubs, lack of pathways in some areas due to the lack of academys and players not going back to amateur clubs. Amateur clubs paying a match fee would help

Not really its not comparable

England

Saints vs warrington = sell out Hull vs Hull KR very unlikely final but may come close to a sell out. Any other than this no. Wigan fans are unhappy of late Catalan have Covid travel issues Hull, dont think their fans would turn out in numbers against current top 4. Hull KR, maybe sell 10k and be similar to the Saints Salford final. Having a proper band playing who appeals to all age groups and is more mainstream would help. Playing at half time like the super bowl with different pre game entertainment should be the format

Its the on and off field structures that makes them elite. Its the talent a club produces/attracts. You are right that money funds elitism but some of the recipients of Sky monies are far from elite.

Saints by 40, Leeds are not able to outbattle the middles

Our league app would be the best option, sell packages for all games, STs and one off games. If this mirrored the price of a ticket at each club then it would benefit all clubs whilst ensuring an even distribution of the spoils

Worst thing the championship did was sell out to sky. Hopefully lesson learned and they can find a new broadcasting partner.

London going PT is a blow but at the other end of the country Newcastle going FT is a shot in the arm. In the heartlands usually one teams pain is anothers gain. I get what you say about loosing fans but in reality it doesnt work like that. If a young kid likes rugby league in Leeds they will watch the rhinos, they wont bemoan the loss of bramley

I would be more worried if it was a whole area thrown away but when there is an elite club a stones through away its not too bad as the pyramid remains intact. London going PT is a worry, other heartland clubs = no issue

Thats a very one eyed view. Both clubs voted in the 2 relegation AND exemption prior to the season. ALL clubs knew before the season started they needed to avoid the bottom 2. They would only have been 'shafted' if the goalposts were moved at the end of the season or midway through which they were not. For me we should still have licensing to improve standards, with most clubs in the championship semi pro or going semi pro they dont really have an argument against and if anything licensing would benefit these clubs.

If they stay pro they would bounce back up like all other pro clubs that stayed pro when relegated

Leigh were nowhere near the best when promoted. A better example would be London who won promotion and had a good assault at the league winning games and not being embarressed. Toronto would have won several home games also. Toulouse or Fev will be a good benchmark next year to see how they go. I expect either to stay up