Gold Coast Suns membership soars as footy converts see the light

[CoastSportsFan]

Not trolling here, just something I saw in the GC Bulletin. What do we think? Are people really converting in droves?

Gold Coast Suns membership soars as footy converts see the light



AFL has captured vital ground in the war with rugby league on the Gold Coast with diehard fans of the 13-man code openly willing to swap their *allegiance.

Mermaid Waters resident Carlee Raabe was once a hard-core Brisbane Broncos fan. That was before she was introduced to the Gold Coast Suns.

"I went to a Suns game when I first moved to the Coast in 2011 and I didn't understand it," Raabe said.

"But someone explained it to me and three games later I was hooked.

"I haven't followed the Broncos since 2011 and I've been a full AFL convert since I was first introduced to the Suns. My weekends now revolve around going to Gold Coast Suns games and *watching other AFL games on television."

It seems Raabe is not alone in her decision to ditch the Steeden for the Sherrin.

Raabe was the 8000th member to sign up with the Suns for the 2014 season as the club remains on track for a *resurgence in membership numbers this season.

The Suns membership figure stood at 8430 yesterday and the club's general manager of marketing and fan development, Kelly Ryan, said the signs were positive for 2014.

"It's definitely our best year so far and we're tracking about 11 per cent ahead of where we were this time last year," Ryan said.

"No doubt the performance of the team at the end of last season is helping ... and people that were sitting on the fence or watching from afar are starting to jump on board.

"We had 12,500 members last season and our aim is for more than that this year."

The Suns goal is to have 20,000 members by the end of 2015. And while they have a long way to go to reach that figure, they can always count on Raabe's support.

She has become apart of the club's "SUNScreamers" cheer squad and is planning a holiday to Townsville next month to watch her beloved Suns play Brisbane in a NAB Challenge match on February 23.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/...-1226803908868

[Ryan]

Not trolling here, just something I saw in the GC Bulletin. What do we think?

We think you're a wanker

[TITAN PETE]

We think you're a wanker

100%

[C-Whiz]

We think you're a wanker

Correction: we don't think he's a wanker, we KNOW he's a wanker.

[DIEHARD]

Hardcore Broncos fan LOL

[DIEHARD]

How the **** does one random saying they used to be a Broncos fan (not member) authenticate that any increase in new members is stemming from Rugby League defectors? It's bull****.

More like first or 2nd generation Victorians.

This isn't news, its a Suns press release.

[CoastSportsFan]

How the **** does one random saying they used to be a Broncos fan (not member) authenticate that any increase in new members is stemming from Rugby League defectors? It's bull****.

Well if you read the second part of the article it actually states the club had experienced an 11% increase in memberships compared to last season. These fans must be coming from somewhere?

[DIEHARD]

Well if you read the second part of the article it actually states the club had experienced an 11% increase in memberships compared to last season. These fans must be coming from somewhere?

And in what universe does this mean they are former Rugby League supporters? Not converts from other AFL clubs or neutrals or move fresh over the border?

I wouldnt want someone like you in journalism or science!

[CoastSportsFan]

And in what universe does this mean they are former Rugby League supporters? Not converts from other AFL clubs or neutrals or move fresh over the border?

I wouldnt want someone like you in journalism or science!

It doesn't but that's why the article has provided a source of a convert. It'd be pretty hard to write an article about twenty or so people converting, wouldn't it? It's a primary source of one former RL fan who has converted. I suppose you could add in a few more primary sources but the argument would be the same.

[C-Whiz]

And in what universe does this mean they are former Rugby League supporters? Not converts from other AFL clubs or neutrals or move fresh over the border?

I wouldnt want someone like you in journalism or science!

This is one of the worst pieces of sports "journalism" I have read in a long time.

Apart from the strawman arguments throughout the article, I particularly like how she was a "hardcore Bronco fan", but after 3 games in 2011 she states

I've been a full AFL convert since I was first introduced to the Suns

The good news is it only took her 3 years to then decide they were worthy of a membership.

And nothing supports research like a control group of 1, even then one who shows the sort of allegiance that the article suggests.

Sounds like the AFL is FULL of HARDCORE supporters , if we use the same ridiculous formula that the authour and OP like to use.

[DIEHARD]

This is one of the worst pieces of sports "journalism" I have read in a long time.

Apart from the strawman arguments throughout the article, I particularly like how she was a "hardcore Bronco fan", but after 3 games in 2011 she states
The good news is it only took her 3 years to then decide they were worthy of a membership.

Good point!

[Legion Dan]

Who gives a F**k about the suns!

[Kaysea]

What's with the name calling??? I often see threads on here that could get some good discussions happening, but it just disintegrates into a slanging match. Shouldn't we be promoting discussions and differing opinions??

[Ryan]

What's with the name calling??? I often see threads on here that could get some good discussions happening, but it just disintegrates into a slanging match. Shouldn't we be promoting discussions and differing opinions??

Because this tosser isn't looking for good discussion, he's a piss ant little Sun's troll who's trying (and failing) very hard to disguise himself as a "sports fan". It's the same old stale crap from him... Nothing new...

Plus, I like name calling. From time to time I also enjoy throwing a few rocks and drawing penises on peoples belongings. Takes me back, makes me feel young again

[C-Whiz]

What's with the name calling??? I often see threads on here that could get some good discussions happening, but it just disintegrates into a slanging match. Shouldn't we be promoting discussions and differing opinions??

Absolutely, but this is a TITANS/RUGBY LEAGUE forum, so discussion of RL is encouraged.

We are just not really interested in listening to this wanker always polluting it with his AFL crap. Especially articles that are as ridiculous and pointless as this one.