Much to the surprise of a many, there were actually four NRL finals played this past weekend.
Unless you were paying super close attention, you wouldn't know ... such was the ridiculous carry on about the numbers of people sitting in the stands.
For some reason, the NRL media had a bee in it's collective bonnet and was far more concerned about the people sitting in seats off the field rather than the game being played on it.
Ok sure, the crowds in the three Sydney Finals were pretty dire, but I'm at a loss as to why certain people made it their entire personality for a weekend.
Truthfully, most of the criticism did come from those who are admitted to the game for free, taking up residence in corporate facilities.
There is also the odd fan from teams currently in Bali also throwing shade.
"We'd fill the stands" said Tigers fans who haven't played Finals in over a decade.
"We'd travel to the moon" said a fan of the Eels who haven't been relevant since Cool Runnings was in theatres.
The NRL tried everything within it's powers to sell out Allianz and Commbank Stadiums.
Half priced hot chips, and ah ...
Oh public transport was also included. If you drove in though, you're on your own.
Channel 9 commentators dedicated five minute sales pitches to Sharks fans during the Souths and Knights game.
"Get out and support your team Sharks fans" they said, carefully avoiding the fact that the Sharks were the only team to not host their game at their preferred home ground.
Journalists and other fans were less kind.
"Bad fans" was the typical response to the 17,000-ish crowd on Saturday night.
Shout out to the 1,000 or so Cowboys fans who made the trip. That's a massive expense to support your underdog team in a game that is lose and you're out.
The fact that South Sydney, the supposed "Pride of the league" couldn't sell out their home final on Friday night seems to be glossed over.
Commbank Stadium sits at a capacity of 30,000.
Unless a huge amount of people went dressed as spare seats, that didn't come close to selling out either.
This despite hosting the minor premiers and the Sydney Roosters, a foundation club and another fan base who love touting their massive numbers.
Of course the Warriors were able to sell out their stadium. Entire country, small stadium. Great gear though. Legit the hottest ticket in town.
Back across the ditch here though, all three games posted fairly terrible crowds if I'm being honest.
I was at the Sharks game. I was at Leichhardt Oval all day anyway for the NSW Cup Finals. Super convenient.
Will I be at the game this Saturday night? That entirely depends on the outcome of Powerball this week. Wish me luck.
You see I, like many others, may very well be priced out of this weekend.
This isn't a "poor me" story but a collective of all the tweets, messages and texts that I have received in response to posts about the pricing of tickets.
Ticketed members, the most rusted on of all fan bases, rushed to buy tickets in the fan bays this weekend.
$99 for the Sharks away bay. Down near the corner. Fair seating I suppose.
Once tickets opened up to the public, the $30 seats became available.
I have to say, $30 for a ticket to any game is pretty good. If you're ok with sitting up the back, behind the posts.
I sat there on Saturday night. There is no bad seat at Allianz. It's the best stadium to watch league in the country.
That said, $30 for a ticket and however many in total for the family. Double it if you want the kids to be able to see.
Add $30 for parking. Try taking three kids on the train, then light rail. Good luck!
Throw in some $6 waters and $5 half-priced chips and it starts adding up very easily.
Game finishes around 9:45pm. Throw in 15 mins getting out, another 15 getting out of the car park and another 45 minutes home.
Suddenly it's an expensive night and Sunday morning is shot.
Fine for me and my teenage kids who love to sleep in anyway. Not so easy for families with younger kids. Or families with swimming lessons or birthday parties the next morning.
Or, and here me out here, you can order pizzas and watch from the couch for far cheaper and the kids can be in bed before midnight.
Bad fans!
I'm not blaming pricing for the bad crowds, but I am absolutely suggesting it played a big part.
Again, I'm ok paying $30 and sitting in the sticks. I am there for the atmosphere and the Allianz screen is so big you can almost see it from Cronulla anyway.
That said, a lot of other people aren't. Halfway tickets are $129. Tickets in the corners (up high) are $109. $79 to sit behind the posts and not be halfway to Mars.
Rugby league is a working class fan base. I don't know too many people with $500 spare to drop on a game.
I certainly wouldn't accuse mates who opt to stay in with their young kids of being "bad fans".
That seems to be the main weapon of the journalists enjoying the private suites as they await their next quiche.
The NRL seem to be happier with 17,000 at high prices than 30,000 at a lesser price.
I'll tell you right now that I'm taking the kids to Kogarah to watch the NSW Cup Prelim. $10 each makes it a super easy day out.
Obviously the NRL can't justify $10 tickets but the two for ones deals offered on Saturday morning brought tickets to $15 each. Another example of us ticketed members being shook down early at full price only for the casuals to coast in late with cheap tix.
I'm not sure half price chips is the answer.
One thing I am absolutely sure about though is calling people "bad fans" is not the way to go.
