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Been a terrible year so far attendances wise, apparently lowest in decades, its been quite noticable as well, really dissapointing given this year has thrown up a far more competative years with clubs like E.F. having a resurgence and perrenial winners Subi have have a break from finals, been a very interesting year with the race for the finals having 6 clubs in it up until the end and spots up for grabs.

As usual some of the decisions at both club and league level have been mind boggling stupid, EF have had a good year but playing at the WACA has been an utter dud attendances and revenue wise and turns out their ground is being used by rivals anyway - just farcical. Add to that the Leederville fiasco of not being used for home games due to its poor standard.

Both Fremantle clubs have taken a big hit by the dockers having a decent year, it doesnt look like the EF supporters are ever coming back in decent numbers sadly. SF now struggle to get dockers supporters to both games or away from their TV sets. at home. 

Swans seem to have really fallen away support wise despite being a chance for finals.

Live streaming has probably played a part as well, and word is Free to Air coverage will soon get the axe and will be 100% live stream.



 

Yes, it's a bit of a mystery Baz given the evenness of the comp. I was at Freo Oval for the Subi game last Saturday and it was noticeable numbers were down in the Souths members area and around the outer.    I was sat in the old grandstand and in years gone by there's always been a reasonably healthy spattering of Subi supporters sat there but last week it was just about me, my daughter and a couple of old timers.

We've also had some pretty shitty weather this year which hasn't helped but a good turnout at the GF played at Optus would have been handy in promoting the WAFL.. Alas it's not to be unfortunately.

Zero promotion by the WAFC and their actual junking of the comp so hardly surprising that crowds are small as usual.

People have other priorities nowadays. Very few diehards like us left that turn out week in week out. They're are lucky to go to one game a season. That's a sad state of affairs unfortunately they will only get worse.

So what your saying is that Subi's past dominance really had no effect on WAFL attendances given this is the most even comp for a decade and allegedly well supported teams like Joondy, SF, EF & SD have all been right in the mix all year.

Does anyone have the breakdown of attendances for each team home and away? WAG perhaps?

I agree , contrary to theories the dominance of Subi appears to have no adverse effect , going by this year's figures , in fact having other clubs up there appears to have be adverse for attendances.

This year will record the lowest average attendance since WW II.

Roman I'm afraid that's the case , this year I've found it really hard to get my usual crew along, not sure what it is tbh but seem to be happy just staying home, maybe it's age but the passion is just not there.

It is a bit hard to tally up the WAFL attendance numbers for 2022 when the numbers for nearly half of the games this year are not even appearing on the WAFL website.
I cant remember that ever being an issue in previous years save for some country games so why has it become so irregular this season?
Although close to if not the lowest total in living memory was recorded for the Subi vs WCER game a few weeks back- 275.
Having said that Subi's dominance this century has in my opinion turned many WAFL supporters from all clubs persuasions away and they will be hard to get back as the live streaming and other life priorities take preference.

I also believe Covid is an issue for many people who still feel safer staying away from any crowded areas. although sitting in the outer at any ground is about as safe a place as you can get, but the clubrooms and stands are another matter for some.
Hopefully those who are still covid cautious will start to come back next season. While watching the live stream is great for those unable to attend games it has nothing on being at the game, even a game with a small crowd.