West Sydney franchises need to find star power
Columnist By Adrian Musolino, 6 Oct 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- A-League, Dwight Yorke, football, Sydney Swans, West Sydney rovers
Liverpool's Robbie Fowler celebrates scoring the third goal against 1. FC Kosice during the UEFA Cup, first round, second match at Liverpool's Anfield stadium Tuesday Sept. 29, 1998. AP Photo/Adam Butle
They say the Sydney sporting market is one of the most competitive in the world. Rather, it’s one of the most fickle sporting markets, with such incredible fluctuations in crowd figures across all codes.
But, aside from form, the presence of a star name is the only guarantee of increasing, or at least stabilising crowds, no matter the code.
The Sydney Swans have been great proponents of this, bringing in established names such as Warwick Capper, Tony Lockett, Dermott Brereton and Barry Hall to help increase the profile of the Swans in Rugby’s heartland.
Sydney FC’s decision to sign Dwight Yorke as their first marquee player was an inspired decision that reaped enormous benefits to the franchise, on and off the field.
It’s no surprise that Sydney FC’s biggest crowd of this season was against North Queensland Fury, despite the fact the A-League debutants were floundering at the bottom of the ladder.
It was Robbie Fowler that drew the crowd – over 6,000 more than the ‘derby’ against Newcastle the following week; such is the power of a star name in Sydney.
It is partly the reason why Sydney FC’s crowd has somewhat gone missing compared to Yorke’s days.
John Aloisi will forever be recognised in Australian sporting folklore for THAT penalty against Uruguay, but he doesn’t have the pulling power to attract casual supporters, especially those who prefer their European football.
But how will the western Sydney franchises, in both the AFL and A-League, learn from and adopt this lesson when building their clubs?
Both took enormous steps in their infantile stages last week with the ‘Sydney Rovers’ granted the twelfth franchise in the A-League for 2011 and the AFL’s Western Sydney joining the TAC Cup under 18 competition next season.
It will be difficult for the pair to distinguish themselves from Sydney FC and the Sydney Swans, and with all the doubts about the potential for franchises in the west of the city, it’s interesting that the reported name and branding for the A-League franchise – Sydney Rovers – avoids the mention of ‘West’ or ‘Western’.
While the huge population geographical area of western Sydney gives the second Sydney franchises a distinct advantage over Melbourne’s second A-League franchise, for example, the negative perceptions which have been labelled against the potential of the region to sustain these clubs could be impacting how they are branded.
They will be hoping this generic Sydney branding will help them entice disgruntled fans from the original Sydney franchises, but the western franchises need to find something big to differentiate themselves.
At a minimum, they need a star name that will make such a difference in the NSW market.
The problem is western Sydney doesn’t exactly have the glitz, glamour and appeal of a Surfers Paradise, for example.
Without huge financial incentives, what will attract established stars to west Sydney?
Gold Coast, and the AFL for that matter, should be applauded for their vision in snaring Karmichael Hunt from the NRL; an established star name in the state guaranteed to command headlines.
Jarryd Hayne may have signed on for an extra four years at the Parramatta Eels, but will West Sydney, and the AFL, follow the same path as the Gold Coast and look to the NRL?
A Gary Ablett, Chris Judd or the like may signal the franchise’s intentions, but their impact may be limited in a region that doesn’t appreciate their true status within the game.
West Sydney may be a long-term work in progress for the AFL, but it needs to make some sort of an immediate impact.
As for the Sydney Rovers, thankfully they have the time until 2011 to start scouring the Socceroos ranks and European leagues for their marquee.
It’s a simple equation for clubs and codes of our nations most populous city. Open the chequebook and get yourself a star that shines brighter than the Opera House.
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- Explore:
- A-League, Dwight Yorke, football, Sydney Swans, West Sydney rovers
October 7th 2009 @ 12:07am
megatron said | October 7th 2009 @ 12:07am | Report comment
Very interesting stuff Adrian. I think the swans are in for some lean times and their thunder could be stolen if GWS can pull a big name coup. However IMO the Swans have enough of a fanbase now to survive tough times.
October 23rd 2009 @ 4:36pm
prowling panther said | October 23rd 2009 @ 4:36pm | Report comment
poaching rl stars for these new west sydney teams is not a good idea. It instantly alienates much of any potential fan base. I for one would hate any such team with a passion. The new clubs have to take their place behind rugby league because they’d be mad to go up against it.
PS I was watching some Bundesliga on ONE and I must say the way they play the game is pretty damn slick. Anyone now how the Aleague compares to the European leagues in terms of skills and entertainment?
October 23rd 2009 @ 4:52pm
Pippinu said | October 23rd 2009 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
pp
the bundesliga is a top 4 league (in the world), and may have already overtaken the Serie A on many indicators.
The overseas players who come into the A-League appear to agree on one thing: you find a massive range of abilities, from those who would get a game in the Championship (or even the Premiership), to those who would struggle to get a game in League 2 (old 4th division).
October 23rd 2009 @ 4:54pm
AndyRoo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
I wouldn’t hate them as long as the player wasn’t from the Eels but it would stop me supporting them.
People want a serious football team, not the harlem globe trotters.
October 23rd 2009 @ 5:00pm
Pippinu said | October 23rd 2009 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
It’s very long odds that the Hunt situation will be replicated again – a lot of things have to fall into place.
A possible scenario is that an NRL player who has grown up in Southern NSW and played both games since he was a kid, might be capable of making the switch – but he’d have to tick a lot of boxes before it became a reality.
October 23rd 2009 @ 6:06pm
megatron said | October 23rd 2009 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
Why couldn’t they go for a Hayne type Nrl player?
They have to pull something out of the hat like the GC did with Hunt
October 23rd 2009 @ 6:16pm
Pippinu said | October 23rd 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
megatron
A combination of events occurred coincidentally that allowed the recruitment of Hunt – this is why it’s not going ot be something that happens every day.
I’m not saying never or impossible – I’m just saying don’t expect it to occur too often.
January 9th 2010 @ 10:26pm
David V. said | January 9th 2010 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
If this is the case, then we are not promoting a healthy football culture by feeding people’s shallow and often moronic obsession with “names”. Our football culture, whatever there is of it, looks like a laughing stock.