The Storm might be sitting pretty at the top of the ladder after the third round of the NRL season, but the scores of the Storm fans aren’t quite as impressive as their footy-playing counterparts.

Well, their credit scores, to be exact.

We’ve done some research¹, and the average credit scores of Storm fans is 703, leaving them in seventh place on the CreditSimple.com.au League Ladder.

Our analysis investigated average credit scores of Aussies living in fan base areas and found that Manly Sea Eagles followers top the credit scoreboard, averaging at an impressive 742. Sea Eagles are closely followed by fans of the Sharks, averaging a score of 739, and Canberra Raiders with an average of 728.

Sitting at the bottom of the League Ladder are fans of the North Queensland Cowboys with an average score of 668, followed by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (674) and the Parramatta Eels (675).

CreditSimple.com.au spokesperson Emily Stevenson said many fans are doing well and could be getting better deals by taking advantage of their good credit scores.

“Almost half of our NRL fans are averaging credit scores that are considered ‘great’, and these people can be improving their odds on a better deal with banks, telcos and energy providers by using their credit scores in negotiations.

“None of our fan bases score below the average bracket (500-699) which is really positive. However, no matter your position on the credit score table, there’s always room for improvement. Those looking to increase their stats should visit CreditSimple.com.au for tips on taking their score to the next level,” Ms Stevenson said.

Top tips for fans

Here’s our tips to help you keep an eye on your credit score as well as your favourite team.

Shop around for the this season’s jersey
“You want to look the part and show your fan credentials, but try to avoid paying full price when buying this season’s jersey. Shop around and scour the Internet for special offers that might not exist in store – savings could be significant in the long-term.”

Sneak a few sangas in
“You’re a big fan and your season ticket was well worth the dollars, but the cost of a big day at the game can really creep up once you get peckish. Consider taking a packed lunch and skipping on the pies at the stall to help save a few pennies – your wallet will thank you for it!”

Book travel in advance
“You want to make away games, but interstate flights can be pricey. Keep an eye on your team’s listings, book travel as early as possible and avoid travelling at peak times to help keep costs down. If you use your credit card, be real. Make sure it’s a payment you can afford and pay off in full on the due date.“

Pre-game training
“You wouldn’t expect the Storm’s Billy Slater to hit the field for the first game without having done some serious pre-season training and conditioning. Improving your finances and credit score takes skills that need to be learned and practiced. Get more accustomed to your spending and savings habits to help understand your situation, read our blog for tips, and visit MoneySmart.gov.au to help put some good habits in place.“

Get a coach
“When the Sharks won the Grand Final last year, they couldn’t have done it without their expert coaching and a team of specialists behind them. Visit a financial planner or advisor who can assess your situation, put a plan in place and really get you on track to kick goals in 2017.”

¹Research conducted in February 2017. The insights gained in this media release are sourced from CreditSimple.com.au research on location based data relating to NRL fan base catchment areas and location based aggregated credit score data. Credit Simple does not hold or use individual credit scores obtained by individuals other than to provide CreditSimple.com.au services as set out in the terms and conditions.