Season of woe: Manly’s issues on and off the field continue in 2018
YOU have to worry about the long-term future of the Manly Sea Eagles when they are attracting only 6000 fans to Brookvale Oval on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Newtown Jets pull 7000 for a NSW Intrust match. LIVE BLOG 1PM
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YOU have to worry about the long-term future of the Manly Sea Eagles when they are attracting only 6000 fans to Brookvale Oval (Lottoland) on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Their crowds are down 19.2 per cent compared to last year, with an average of just 9009 this season.
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It’s even worse when you look back to five years ago when the average attendance was 13,842 — now down 35 per cent.
How can they even expect to compete with a Sydney club like the Parramatta Eels next year?
A brand new stadium and a leagues club churning out $20 million profits.
Let alone the out-of-town clubs like Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, who will both turn over around $50 million this year. Manly will be lucky to do half that.
They have no poker machine or licensed club support and a terrible old home ground that is an embarrassment to the game.
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But it’s just part of the problem at the club.
Poor performances on the field, players in exile and the salary cap punishment mean the Sea Eagles are suffering all over the park... and off it.