Personally I don,t like the Magic weekend in a way its the RFL clutching at straws and seeing what comes of it.

What I cant understand is the projective planning of it all:

They have it at the Millenium Stadium and the moment a welsh team is introduced into superleague they move the magic weekend away, surly there would possibly be significant welsh local interest when they find the Celtic Crusaders competing in the event.

They then move it to Murrayfield in Edinburgh, prior to the event they promote the game where there is a scottish rugby league presence which is in, wait for it in Glasgow.. I know quite a few naval dock workers in Scotland and only 1 in 8 of them knew there was a magic weekend taking part.

Can,t wait for 2012 as it will probably be in Dublin.

I can understand that supporters who don,t get the chance to see there team in a final, will see the magic weekend as there final in substitute. But I really get annoyed when the RFL come up with these half baked ideas and its Joe Public who have to come up with the funds.

but we all know the reason for that and it's sod-all to do with having a Welsh team in SL. It would have been moved had there not been a Welsh team in SL - it has nothing to do with it. MM isn't about expanding the game in virgin territory, nor is it about attempting to start a franchise in Edinburgh.

In terms of marketing MM in Glasgow where there is RL presence already - why not? We'd be moaning at the RFL if they didn't! It seems to make sense to me - you fish where the fish are. It seems obvious you're going to be pushing on an open door advertising to people who already know about the game and have an interest in it. It seems to me you'd be more likely to get them in the door, rather than try and educate and convert a complete novice, then try and get him in the fonr door. Your comment about only 1 in 8 is a different thing altogether thuugh, isn't it? How much money would the RFL need to spend on advertising and marketing to achieve this 8 out of 8 penetration? I dont know myself but I am pretty confident in saying that the RFL couldnt afford it. To get more bang for your buck, you spend your money on that which will gve you the best payback.

btw - why will it probaby be in Dublin? what have you heard?

I think the avenues of advertising and marketing is the "achilles heel" of the RFL.

Sport is now Global with international company sponsors we are not going to get anywhere by advertising through Sky and the rugby league weeklies.

The RFL need to find money somewhere and fire up a professional advertising model to go on the terrestrials.

Even in the national players we are looking 5 pages in from the back.

Rugby League is a fantastic game compared to other sports but its promotion is probably at its lowest level. I,ve forgot what the magic weekend was about already.