TOPIC:

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-says-...i5ezdm-1226924545361

its interesting reading the public comments.
the AFL really have a problem. The people are angry with the product.
the problem is the average crowd at the MCG this year is over 50,000.
most other codes would kill for that average.
this is where the AFL arrogance comes to the surface.

Big problems by reading the public comments....

jardine wrote: its interesting reading the public comments.
the AFL really have a problem. The people are angry with the product.
the problem is the average crowd at the MCG this year is over 50,000.
most other codes would kill for that average.
this is where the AFL arrogance comes to the surface.

Last week Tigers vs Demons & week before Demons vs Bullies would have made it drop. Crowds are down as hardly any games on MCG on saturday afternoons which is the ideal time for family footy. Only games so far on the saturday afternoon on the MCG were: Carl - Melb, Coll - Nth, Haw - StK & Rich - Melb. Not BLOCKBUSTERS. AFL dont give a shit.

Its a "problem" that started years and years ago, and now the chickes have come home to roost. Dimwit only thought about the money, and to that degree has been sucessful. BUT in the end its not so much about the money as it is the game. Produce a good game and the money will follow. Trouble IMHO is tuening around a product ( yeah i dont really like that word) which is on the nose and re-inventing it. Once a "new" product hits the market (soccer) and gets some momentum, then ya gotta stop that momentum first and re-establish your product. Thats not easy. My thoughts are that AFL, and local footy are almost 2 different types of sport. Most other high profile sports are the same though every league, and people can associate higher leagues ect, just that the higher leagues the skill level etc is better. Watch a WAFL match then watch an AFL match and one hardly resembles the other. Imagine the attendances IF SA WA crowds are taken out of "the average" crowd figures. It would be a disaster, as every week 40,000 (or there abouts) people go to te AFL in these states

I totally agree. The are two rather different playing styles between WAFL and the AFL. Its not skill level, as we have seen AFL players struggle in the WAFL system.

It's a bit like Rugby, there is Rugby League, then there is Rugby Union. Look the same, but both very different.

I don't know how many keep up with League or Rugby, but a perfect example is Benji Marshall. Top League player for West Tigers in the NRL and played a heap of tests for NZ over a number of years, then went to Union where he struggled through 6 or so games, only to return to league the other week with St George in the NRL.

This isn't the only example, and I see the same happening with footy. The AFL is not traditional Australian Rules, similar but different.

Many people will watch League over Union or vice versa.

People are over the AFL style in my opinion. It's boring, but has the following due to marketing.

UNKA2 wrote: Its a "problem" that started years and years ago, and now the chickes have come home to roost. Dimwit only thought about the money, and to that degree has been sucessful. BUT in the end its not so much about the money as it is the game. Produce a good game and the money will follow. Trouble IMHO is tuening around a product ( yeah i dont really like that word) which is on the nose and re-inventing it. Once a "new" product hits the market (soccer) and gets some momentum, then ya gotta stop that momentum first and re-establish your product. Thats not easy. My thoughts are that AFL, and local footy are almost 2 different types of sport. Most other high profile sports are the same though every league, and people can associate higher leagues ect, just that the higher leagues the skill level etc is better. Watch a WAFL match then watch an AFL match and one hardly resembles the other. Imagine the attendances IF SA WA crowds are taken out of "the average" crowd figures. It would be a disaster, as every week 40,000 (or there abouts) people go to te AFL in these states

I think crowds in Adelaide seem to like the change in venue there and are healthy indeed. The showdown drew 50 k, Adel v Syd 47 k, Adel v GWS 45k. Port crowds have been strong. Perth on the other hand has had just one match draw more 40,000. Hardly a surprise if crowds are down. 2 new teams with no support base is weakening the standard of football in general. The AFL meddling and contempt for its fans is probably the most significant reason though.

UNKA2 wrote: Its a "problem" that started years and years ago, and now the chickes have come home to roost. Dimwit only thought about the money, and to that degree has been sucessful. BUT in the end its not so much about the money as it is the game. Produce a good game and the money will follow. Trouble IMHO is tuening around a product ( yeah i dont really like that word) which is on the nose and re-inventing it. Once a "new" product hits the market (soccer) and gets some momentum, then ya gotta stop that momentum first and re-establish your product. Thats not easy. My thoughts are that AFL, and local footy are almost 2 different types of sport. Most other high profile sports are the same though every league, and people can associate higher leagues ect, just that the higher leagues the skill level etc is better. Watch a WAFL match then watch an AFL match and one hardly resembles the other. Imagine the attendances IF SA WA crowds are taken out of "the average" crowd figures. It would be a disaster, as every week 40,000 (or there abouts) people go to te AFL in these states

Exactly right.

It's the fact that north, footscray, st kilda should be playing in a proud vfl at local grounds.

Leaving states like qld and nsw without the strong thought that the afl is really only the extended vfl. 10 from 16 teams in the afl from victoria is stupid stupid stupid.

Not recognising other states rich football heritage is stupid stupid stupid and oh disrespectful as well. All afl medals called after vics, wafl and snafl games not counted but vfl games counted etc etc. Makes me sick.

Having state leagues profile and pay for players in these comps at a pittance is unbelievably stupid.

And I do know that this extended vfl has got 18 teams now.

18 teams but no clubs. only corporate identities.

Remember going up to the club rooms after the game and listening to the awards and talking to the players (league reserve and clots)the coach other fans (not just the ones you went to the game with). That was a club that you supported and enjoyed not just the team of now.

I once heard Basil Bignose say that soccer will be huge in Australia soon. I laughed at him, after all, he is definitely a dh. However, it may take 20-50 years, but as the AFL is losing ground, it may happen.