Anger over ticket prices is sure to mount after the release of the team lists.
The Penrith Panthers have named a second-string side for Friday night’s pre-season game against Manly, with Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic and Wests Tigers marquee signing Jarome Luai among a host of big-names also missing from the Leichhardt Oval double-header. Luai’s men take on the Parramatta Eels in the second match at the Tigers’ spiritual home but the spate of absentees has raised more questions about the cost of tickets, and the $100,000 prize for the club that wins the Pre Season Challenge.
Cleary’s four-time premiership-winning Panthers take on Cronulla in their Las Vegas season opener on Sunday week so their absence from Friday night’s hit-out was expected. But the situation does raise eyebrows considering the amount of money on offer for the team that comes out on top in pre-season. The winner of the NRL’s minor premiership only receives $200,000 for finishing an entire season on the top of the table, so the $100,000 for the team that comes out on top after two pre-season games does not stack up.
Throw in the fact big-name players will always be missing from pre-season as long as the NRL All Stars game remains where it is, coupled with the difficulties around teams travelling to Las Vegas for the start of the season, and there are obvious issues. League bosses are clearly trying to maximise how much broadcast revenue they make by scheduling the games one after another like a regular season round in the NRL. And the prize money on offer is a way of enticing the best players to take part but it’s clearly not working.
Fans fume over ticket prices for pre-season games
Which brings us to the next issue that Wests Tigers fans started blowing up about last year when the pre-season games were announced – the cost of tickets. Angry Tigers fans took to social media in disgust last year after it was revealed adult tickets would range from around $42 to $92 and the cheapest tickets for kids/juniors (aged between 5-15 yrs) starting at around $29 (slightly cheaper if you’re a member of the club). The cheapest tickets for a family of four (two adults and two juniors) to attend the games at Leichhardt Oval start at $114 and go all the way up to $257 for pre-purchase.
Granted, the costs are for two games back-to-back but it’s still way too expensive for pre-season footy in the minds of loads of supporters, particularly in the midst of a cost of living crisis for many. And with so many players missing for Friday night’s double-header, fans can justifiably feel a little angry and short-changed.
Host of big-name players rested for pre-season games
At the time tickets went on sale last year, Tigers officials trumpeted the pre-season clash against the Eels as an opportunity for supporters to see Benji Marshall’s exciting new signings in action for the first time. But their biggest drawcard and marquee signing Luai isn’t even playing, with fellow co-captain Api Koroisau also being rested. Tigers fans will get to see recruits Jack Bird, Royce Hunt and Terrell May play, although experienced prop David Klemmer has been left out of the squad, raising doubts around his future at the club.
Anthony Seibold’s Sea Eagles have also put a host of their best players on ice ahead of the new season, with their superstar fullback Trbojevic and his brother Jake, plus Luke Brooks, Haumole Olakau’atu and skipper Daly Cherry-Evans all rested for the clash against Penrith’s reserve grade side. Reuben Garrick, Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate add some NRL experience to Manly’s backline, with new recruits Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Michael Chee Kam and Chris Patolo also set to feature.
Meanwhile, new Eels coach Jason Ryles has named a strong side to face the Tigers in Friday night’s second match, with star signing Zac Lomax to make his first appearance for the club, starting at centre. J’maine Hopgood, Ryan Matterson, Luca Moretti, Matt Doorey and Sean Russell will get their first hit-out in pre-season, while Ronald Volkman keeps hold of the No.7 jersey after impressing against Newcastle last week, with Ryles opting to rest his two biggest stars – Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown – ahead of their NRL round one clash with the Melbourne Storm.
