Melbourne Storm star Billy Slater is NRL’s most popular player with female fans

BUZZ ROTHFIELD: He hasn’t played for 12 months but Billy Slater is still rugby league’s most popular player with the code’s most important demographic.

Billy Slater .Melbourne Storm training on the Sunshine oast.Pic Annette Dew

He hasn’t played football for 12 months but champion fullback Billy Slater is still rugby league’s most popular player with the code’s most important demographic.

So what’s so interesting about this?

Well, the demographic we’re talking about is women and the growing number of female fans who are falling in love with rugby league.

It’s been a target audience for a long time since the crackdown on shoulder charges, the ban on punches, high shots and the fewer broken noses, stitches and bloody and battered faces.

Now it’s Slater’s spectacular skill, his blistering pace and nice-guy image that is wooing the women.

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Even after his time on the sidelines, Slater is still a big draw. Photo: Annette Dew

New NRL research has revealed Billy the Kid is No.1 with the ladies on the top 10 list.

And it’s something the NRL will keep in mind for future marketing and advertising campaigns considering the extraordinary growth of female fans in recent years.

The research shows rugby league is no longer just a blokey working-class game.

Last season 47.2 million women watched rugby league on television against 42.1 million the previous year. That’s 5.1 million more female viewers over the year, representing a 12 per cent increase.

The overall TV audience is now 37 per cent female with 42 per cent for State of Origin.

The NRL has identified women as the game’s biggest growth opportunity for television, getting bums on seats at grounds and merchandise sales.

And it’s why they have done surveys to identify the most popular players.

JT’s charisma makes him important on and off the field. Photo: Phil Hillyard

The top 10 are Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Moylan, Sam Burgess, James Tedesco, Aaron Woods, Shaun Johnson, Greg Inglis, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Brett Morris. The ones never or rarely involved in off-field drama.

They love Thurston and the trend he started of handing the goalkicking tee back to the ball boys. Burgess and his rugged good looks. Woods and his crazy hair.

The NRL’s marketing and commercial boss Andrew Abdo says it’s an area his team is heavily focused on.

“We have always had a huge group of men who love rugby league who are rusted on fans and cannot get enough of it,” Abdo said.

“Now we have more women and girls switching to our game and loving every minute of it. That’s why it’s important to have the research and know who and what they like.”

Yvonne Sampson highlights the talent and ability of women in the game. Photo: Justin Brierty

The introduction in recent years of great female rugby league broadcasters including the likes of Yvonne Sampson, Erin Molan and Lara Pitt is making a difference.

Also officials like Titans chair Rebecca Frizell and Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle, who are among the best and most highly regarded in the game.

“Just look at the influx of female commentators on television,” Abdo says, “They bring a great perspective to the game. The more our fans see women in these key roles the more women will watch rugby league.”

The NRL is now in the process of planning for a professional women’s competition. It’s an area where they have been left behind by the AFL, cricket and soccer, who already have televised and highly competitive national competitions.

At least now they are doing something about it.

TOP 10 FEMALE FAVOURITES

Billy Slater

Johnathan Thurston

Matt Moylan

Sam Burgess

James Tedesco

Aaron Woods

Shaun Johnson

Greg Inglis

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Brett Morris