In a lot of respects, because the 7s is a draw card nationally for an annual event, the casual supporter that may have come to the Phoenix may well have been committed to the 7s. At least the 7s date is well forecast (prior to A League draw) and you have to get organised for that such is the dearth of flights, accom etc very early on.
Granted they are different sporting audiences but I am talking about the casual sporting observer (like Melbourne folk) that will go to any thing. I am not holding out hopes for a large crowd relative to last years. Perhaps 12k?
I also think having a common meeting point will help galvanise the fans that want to treat it as an all day affair (including the out of towners from Perth that I read were coming over). At the moment, there is not a consensus on where to meet before or after. Is it Kiwitea or Foxes, (someone mentioned the Kingslander who had a shit attitude last year I believe) and after is it Sky City or Foxes. (Sky City will probably be a bit tougher on those that have drunk a fair bit but Foxes will be filled with 7s fans)