A-League crowds reviewed and the winner is still MVFC

Roar Guru

By Michael C, 28 Jan 2010 Michael C is a Roar Guru

Tagged:: A-League, football, HAL, Melbourne Victory

Related coverage

Finally, round 19 has been completed. The round that began way back on December 16, included two games pre-Xmas and three in the last fortnight, with all matches midweek.

Now, with this round completed, we have a chance to look at the first 21 rounds of V5, compared with the four previous completed 21 round seasons.

For total attendance over 21 rounds – V3 (wins) with 1.22 million; V2 at 1.08 million; V3 at 1.02 million; V5 at 1.01 million; V1 at 921,019.

Obviously, V5 has included an extra match per round. Thus, for 21 extra matches, V5 match by match average is pretty sick by comparison even to V1.

For average match attendance over 21 rounds – V3 (wins) 14.6K; V2 12.9K; V3 12.1K, V1 10.9K; V5 9.6K.

The obvious point to argue for V5 to be given a fair go is that the run into the finals is only beginning.

The following are the final three round growth factor relative to the per match crowd average as at Round 18: V1 : +3%; V2 : +15%; V3 : + 24%; V4 : + 20%.

In fact, though, the rounds 18-21 of V5 have exhibited a 12% ‘growth’, which has continued to a lesser degree over the last three weeks (round 22-24) at a 1.7% growth rate.

There’s a little secret to these results over the last 6 rounds.

MVFC
MVFC have played four home matches amongst those six rounds. Thus far, MVFC has played 13 home matches. The MVFC ‘home’ rounds show a 15% higher than average attendance.

The 11 rounds without MVFC at home show a 18% lower than average attendance. This is a massive variance of 33%, so important is an MVFC home match.

In fact, Round 7 is the only round this season to top a 10,000 match average without MVFC playing at home. MVFC attendances account so far for 23.1% of overall attendances.

As it is, MVFC has just one home match to come, but, round 25 sees the almost traditional late season Brisbane vs SFC match, whilst SFC host MVFC in a round 27 ‘blockbuster’.

Even allowing for a best case of 25% increase over the last 3 rounds (the V3 benchmark), the average attendance for V5 will still lie sub 10,000 (at 9,934).

The overall attendance would be around 1,341,124. The worst case is V1, with a 3.1% increase, which would deliver 9,706 avg and around 1,310,392 aggregate.

What can the HAL deliver with only one MVFC home match to go?

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.

The Crowd Says (190) | Page 1 of Comments

oikee said | January 28th 2010 @ 6:58am | Report comment

Footy season begins soon. Awake the masses.

Reply
- Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:09am | Report comment
  
  yes it’s been too long.
  
  Reply
- Axelv said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:12am | Report comment
  
  have you not read this article???
  
  It clearly states that there is 3 rounds to go plus finals in the footy season
  
  Reply
Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:14am | Report comment

Ah oikee – is that a hint of sarcasm in there??

You’d be getting fired up for your ‘understated’ pre-season hit out (the indigenous all-stars game).

btw – I thought I was pretty fair in the article. Nothing x-code. Just the facts, making MVFC look good – and a best and worst case prediction for seasons end.

Reply
M1tch said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:23am | Report comment

so many acronyms lol

Reply
- AndyRoo said | January 28th 2010 @ 10:49am | Report comment
  
  that did make it a bit harder to read, especailly since the format doesn’t allow tables.
  
  Also this bit has a typo
  
  For average match attendance over 21 rounds – V3 (wins) 14.6K; V2 12.9K; V3 12.1K, V1 10.9K; V5 9.6K
  
  I assume 12.9k is supposed to be V 4.
  
  I don’t expect many for the Brisbane vs SFC math as Brisbane have been a total basket case and have given up their season, will be well down on normal. MV vs SFC will be interesting though as that match could decide the priemership.
  
  Reply
  - AndyRoo said | January 28th 2010 @ 10:50am | Report comment
    
    12.1k sorry
    
    No edit button either AF!
    
    Reply
    - Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
      
      I’ll just apologise in advance for all my typos.
      
      Reply
    - Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
      
      right – done,
      
      You saw my ‘V3′ and raised it a 12.9K……..and I think we’re even!!!
      
      btw – see further below for some stuff on Bris Roar.
      
      Reply
Art Sapphire said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:24am | Report comment

Newsflash!
In less five minutes I worked out the Melbourne made up 26% of attendances last season..
This seasonthey make up 23%. Give me a Nobel Prize for Mathematics

Michael – this is a pretty pointless piece. All it proves is that you are bored and the long AFL off-season is getting to you.

Can’t you at least wait until the end of the season before you subject us with this statistical mumbo-jumbo??

Reply
- Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:09am | Report comment
  
  Ah, Art -
  
  in V4, the MVFC 26% piece of the pie was relative to this:
  
  1 of 8 teams. Thus, a theoretical even sharing of the pie at 12.5% each.
  
  Therefore, MVFC was ‘worth’ 2.08 pieces of pie.
  
  Thus far – for V5, where the theoretical even sharing of the pie gives 10% slabs to each team,
  
  MVFC running at 23% is actually ‘worth’ 2.3 pieces of pie.
  
  So, the relative ‘worth’ of MVFC has increased by 0.22 pieces of pie!!!
  
  Now – aren’t you glad we started this!!!!
  
  Reply
  - Axelv said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:33am | Report comment
    
    If you torture the stats hard enough, you can get them to confess anything.
    
    The problem with measuring crowd figures as ‘pie shares’, is that the 2 new clubs that have come in, have way below average crowd figures compared to other clubs,.
    
    and because of this, this will make all the other clubs’ crowd figures look like they are contributing a larger percentage into the A-league when really they have actually stayed similar or gone slightly down.
    
    E.g assume that each club should contribute 10% of the attendance for the A-League, As the total A-League crowd is 100% and there are 10 clubs.
    However North Queensland and Gold Coast are only contributing 5% each, and because they have way below par attendances, the 10% void left by them is picked up by all the other club in the A-League, including MVFC.
    
    And also take into account that Brisbane roar have lost around 4000 supporters per game because of Gold Coast.
    
    Didn’t your Algebra teacher ever tell you that you can’t add up Apples and Oranges and combine them as if they were the same?
    
    Reply
    - Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
      
      I agree stats are stats.
      
      MV crowd averages will go up in 2010/11 once the new stadium opens I’m sure. I reckon they will pack the stadium almsot every time, early days.
      
      Reply
    - Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
      
      See post below about away averages and with or without Etihad in the equation,
      
      also, re the ‘value’ of the 2 new sides as visiting teams.
      
      But true – the apples with oranges certainly applies.
      
      However, the sad indictment is that after 21 rounds with 21 extra games to that stage – the overall size of the pie had reduced from :
      V3 : 1,226,886
      V4 : 1,022,494
      V5 : 1,012,882
      
      and for all the pumping up of MVFC, the sad reality is that their Etihad attendance avg has free fallen too:
      V2 : 32K
      V3 : 26K
      V4 : 24.5K
      V5 : 20.6K
      
      so, it’s pretty concerning that with MVFC being a top team and reigning premier (in fact, two premierships in this time frame), that they have shed over 37% of the V2 attendance average…..and yet, are still growing in significance to the domestic attendance ‘pie’.
      
      Signified in part by:
      V3 : 64 of 84 games above 10K att. That’s ~ 76%
      V4 : 46 of 84 games above 10K att. That’s ~55%.
      V5 : 41 of 120 games above 10K att. That’s ~34%.
      
      MVFC is still pulling 10K + figures for every home match.
      
      You mention the Brisbane Roar - club by club in V4 for 10K plus home crowds:
      V3: SFC 11/11, MVFC 10/10, Ade Utd 10/10, Jets 10/11, Roar 10/11, WnPx 7/10, CCM 6/10, Perth 0/11.
      V4: MVFC 11/11, Roar 9/10, SFC 7/10, CCM 6/11, Ade Utd 6/11, Jets 5/10, PG 1/10, WnPx 1/11.
      to this year,
      V5 : MVFC 13/13, SFC 11/12, Ade Utd 9/13, Perth 2/11, CCM 2/12, Roar 2/13, WPx 1/11, GCU 1/12, Fury 0/11, Jets 0/12.
      
      So, another POINT of it all – in that time, Roar has gone from 90% home games 10K+ to 15%. One does wonder just what will happen in Melbourne.
      
      For all of QLD : in previous years, Roar attracted an aggregate of 162-184K, before falling last year to 130K – and this year to 112K so far for 13 games (compared to 10/11 previously). The QLD ‘benefit’ is that GCU and Fury have attracted 138K paying customers…..b/w them…..from 23 matches.
      
      Somewhere in there,….economy of scale I’m sure is actually failing. More players playing more games must be getting dearer by far compared to V3 when Roar avg’d near enough to 17K and drew 186K patrons.
      
      Reply
      - AndyRoo said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
        
        Bne Roar doubled their prices this year…. i don’t think MV are planning that, nor the Brisbane lions for that matter.
        
        Reply
      - Axelv said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
        
        Again, careful how you use your figures
        
        Season 2, the docklands averaged 32k, however keep in mind that only the select blockbuster games were held there.
        
        While in season 3, 4 and 5, ALL games have been held at the docklands.
        
        There is without a doubt though, that there has been a significant drop in crowd figures for 2009/2010 for Melbourne. Why? it doesn’t quite make sense, as you said they are reigning premiers and champions, and have been at the top or close to it for the whole season.
        
        Compare this to the horrible season 3, where we never looked like making the top 4, until we had a late second half of the season charge where it was a situation of too little too late.
        
        - 26K for season 3 in a team full of failure that featured no Fred and had Leandro Love as a replacement
        - 20.6k for season 5 in a team that has been at or close to the top the whole season.
        
        Success can’t be a reason for a drop in Melbourne’s crowd figures, I think it could be that some of the diehard fans are fed up with Dockland’s management(aka fun police), or that the casual supporters have been busy this year, GFC? or is it because Australia World Cup momentum from 2006 is running out of steam? or is it because 80% of Australians cannot watch A-league games as it’s on pay TV?
        
        it could be a combination of all those factors, it’s very strange
        
        And if you compare the total of this years figures to last years figures for the A-League, this year is 99.06% as much attendance, while there are 2 new clubs, one is really a split club, diverting from Brisbane Roar into Gold Coast
        and Townsville is pulling impressive figures(6800) for a town of it’s size.
        
        I can’t wait for this year though, a tight finish at the top of the table, with Melbourne playing Gold Coast and Sydney, it will be a 3 horse race for championship, can Melbourne win 6 out of a possible 10 titles?
        
        There is also the world cup . new stadium , that is close up to the football, a pitch that grows grass, fantastic atmosphere, full houses,
        GO MELBOURNE!
        
        Reply
        
        Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
        
        for V2, 8 of 11 games were at Docklands, so, it’s still probably a reasonable comparison. Granted, that the 2 SFC matches drew almost 90,000 b/w them, whilst MVFC hosted AdeUtd (1), CCM (4) and NZK (17) at OP.
        
        re the drop – further below, Towser talks of comparing to other leagues around the world/Europe,
        
        and, in reality, a few of us AFL types suggested early days that even the examples of J-League and MLS showed early peaks and then a falling away (end of the ‘novelty value’ or ‘honeymoon’ period) and years and years of hard slog (even with WC hosting and huge – by comparison – populations etc).
        
        So, in reality, the overall drop off is to be expected. What is the test is how the ‘rebound’ goes, if at all.
        
        MVFC and the new stadium will probably be off set by Hearts and Rugby getting first dibs on the stadium novelty value?? The World Cup – remains to be seen just how much money will be left over for the FFA given that presently – you wouldn’t dream of building a 40K plus soccer stadium anywhere in the country – even such that in Melbourne people (FFA included) are now running away from trying to get the Bubbledome up to 40-50K. Whereas 2.5 years ago…….
        
        Axelv said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
        
        AFL types weren’t the only ones to refer to the MLS and J-League crowd history :p
        
        The thing with the World cup, is not so much the money the FFA gets from FIFA (although that’s a bonus), but it’s the excitement generated from the World Cup, and people wanting more that could be a boost to the A-League crowds.
        
        Even if Australia get knocked out in the group stage (my head says yes, my heart says no), Millions of Australians will be watching the Socceroo’s at times like Midnight or 4am, and if we could at least put up a fight, it would be highly entertaining and satisfying to watch. Also not to mention the other 61 games that are held at the World Cup that many people will take a keen interest into.
        
        Just the excitement and interest from the World Cup will feed into the A-League.
        
        Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
        
        the World Cup though is about as relevant to the HAL as the Olympic 100metre sprint is to the Australian Athletics Federation Grand Prix events, or the Stawell Gift,….
        
        perhaps less so,
        
        given practically all the Socceroos are based overseas,
        
        the thing about all this is that these HAL figures incorporate the period of the Socceroos making it to Germany, of getting past the pool games, of cruelly losing to the eventual winner, of becoming part of Asia, of competing in the AFC, or making another WC and of HAL clubs competing in the ACL……..and all this and the HAL is becoming dangerously close to a basketcase.
        
        ….which is why so many of us can’t help but think ‘NBL’ (basketball).
        
        The Socceroos don’t have much to do with elite domestic soccer interest – because, many of those people sitting up to watch would also sit up to watch the FA Cup, Superbowl, Princess Di’s wedding, the first Space Shuttle launch, Australia 2 winning the America’s Cup…….etc etc.
        
        Reality this time around anyway is that there’s far less of the broad excitement as compared to Aloisi’s penalty shot. Suddenly being in Asia, perhaps makes qualification too easy. It doesn’t seem as ‘pumped’ this time around. Perhaps it’s replaced with ‘grim determination’ to do better.
      - Dogs Of War said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
        
        I think you have to factor in the stadium as well, Etihad is not suited for Soccer or either Rugby. It can do for a blockbuster a few times a season, but really rectangular grounds are required if you want people to turn up week in week out.
        
        Reply
        
        Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
        
        The Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) and Suncrop are both rectangular. I dont think that holds all that true.
        
        Dogs Of War said | January 28th 2010 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
        
        Different though. Suncorp is fantastic stadium, but I don’t thin the crowds are into soccer as much, while Sydney should be tapping into the great support the sport has out west and south of the city and playing the odd match at Parramatta stadium, Campbelltown and Shark Park. This would get some new supporters interested in coming to the matches in the city (which can be quite a hike).
        
        2 matches at each venue during the year? Probably more than enough to generate some interest. Even if they just go for the Northern and Southern markets (Brookvale Oval and Shark Park), I am sure they would foster a much larger supporter base.
        
        Not to mention that the northern states are still learning about the membership culture so ingrained into you southerners!
Australian Football said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:35am | Report comment

I truly am amazed how you lads have been so easily won over to Football—-must have been all of my outstanding debating that did it. There’s nothing like just telling the truth and dispelling all of those 150 year old myths (btw just on 150 yrs now happy birthday)

PS no eamil box anyone know why..?

~~~~~~~
AF

Reply
hazza said | January 28th 2010 @ 10:49am | Report comment

Pointless article. Why bother? Must be slow news day.

Reply
- Chris said | January 29th 2010 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
  
  Do you define pointless as “the most well researched article on this topic – ever”?
  
  Reply
ItsCalledFootball said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:06am | Report comment

Another feeble excuse to bag the A-League with your anal crowd figures.

AFL crowds, ratings and revenue also fell this season, despite the AFL commissioners spending hundreds of millions of your money on marketing, advertising and “expanding AFL into NSW and Qld.”
I think the AFL are more worried about declinining interest than the FFA – the AFL have much more to lose.

SFC has the highest TV ratings and is the biggest drawcard at away games always boosting crowd numbers wherever they play.

Reply
- Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:44am | Report comment
  
  ah, SFC – the biggest drawcard is true. An average of 11,813 ahead of GCU at 10,655 (how’s the irony there) and Ade Utd at 10,278.
  
  MVFC is 2nd last at 8220. More irony there. (btw – the doctored draw sees MVFC having twice hosted SFC, and the favour yet to be returned – waiting until Rnd27).
  
  However, on closer inspection – SFC get to that position on the basis of having been hosted TWICE by MVFC (combined crowd of 58,012). That rather boosts their average.
  
  Ade Utd has been hosted by MVFC twice for a combined 41,543.
  
  These comparisons basically become pointless with MVFC involved!!!
  
  Because, of the top 16 attended matches (using 15,000 as the benchmark) – MVFC has 13 of them. Only SFC, Roar and AdeUtd are in that grouping.
  
  So, if you remove MVFC hosted matches -
  
  MVFC goes from 9th to 6th.
  
  SFC goes from 1st to 5th, and the avg crowd from 11,813 to 8374. That alone shows the value in this sort of stat of playing two ‘away’ games at Etihad.
  
  Importantly – with Etihad included – there were 4 teams with 10K + away averages. With Etihad out, the bes of all is 9756. By GCU.
  
  Noting that MVFC attendances out – the overall average drops from 9677 to 8350. And that, for GCU, independant of a boost at Etihad runs at 9756 as the number 1 away team – and that’s 600 clear of 2nd place (NQ Fury)
  
  NOW – if you want a point of all this – - does this finally show the value of a Robbie Fowler type marketable import? NQ Fury, Yet to be hosted at Etihad – are sitting 7th overall. Take Etihad out of it, and the more ‘natural’ figure shows NQ Fury as the 2nd best ‘away’ team. Doing 9156. Doing better business by 800 more than SFC.
  
  And, the reality is – that people have suggested the drop in crowds is due to the new teams – well, in part, as whilst their home crowds are ordinary to woeful (NQ and GCU respectively) – they HAVE certainly been the best ‘away’ teams. (excluding Etihad matches).
  
  The worst ‘away’ teams – Perth at 10, Phoenix (9), Roar (8) and Ade Utd (7) and MVFC (6).
  
  And given MVFC being the most successful club and the reigning premiers and sitting atop or near the top of the table most the year – - one really has to wonder about why they draw so poorly interstate? (however, of course, they are yet to be hosted this year by SFC, and only 9904 turned up in Brisbane).
  
  Reply
- Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:59am | Report comment
  
  AFL crowds were a tiny bit off the record highs. AFL footy had it’s 2nd best year ever in total crowds in Victoria in 2009. Not a bad year.
  
  Reply
  - AndyRoo said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
    
    A 2% drop RedB, at that rate in 50 years AFL will have average crowds of 0!
    
    That might actually come true if they change the name of the competition between now and 2060
    
    Reply
    - Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
      
      ah, now that depends if we’re talking 2% drops each year relative to the 2008 season total.
      
      If it’s a 2% drop each year relative to the previous, then, you’d still be sitting in 50 years time at 36.4% of the 2008 starting point -
      
      which, would still equate to 2.55 million attendees (based on roughly 7 million). Which would seemingly still be light years ahead of the HAL.
      
      reality is – the 3 years of 2008/2009/2010 are the best 3 years ever. Minor fluctuation from year to year of a couple of percentage points is par for the course. It’s the major shifts that are newsworthy.
      
      Such as how newsworthy and important it was when the HAL increased average attendances 18% from V1 to V2, and up another 13% from V2 to V3, equally then it’s newsworthy when V3 to V4 saw a drop of just under 17% and thus far, V4 to V5 is a drop of 20%.
      
      At that rate – there’ll be nothing left within 10 years!!!!! 5 years!!!!
      
      Reply
    - Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
      
      Some games are capped for numbers at the MCG. It techincially sells out 7-8 times a year but if the members dont turn up it can be as low as 85K. ANZAC Day sells out 4 weeks in advance, but often the crowd is only 88-90K in a 100K
      stadium. Hard to see the attendance numbers getting substantially higher in Vic so it will flex 5% up and down depending on the teams involved.
      
      Total aggregates will increase with the two new teams, but crowd average will drop.
      
      Reply
      - Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
        
        North Melb need to play GWS and GC17 at Ballarat I reckon to be able to make any money!!
        
        Reply
  - ItsCalledFootball said | January 28th 2010 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
    
    Actually AFL crowds fell to a three year low in 2009 and Collingwood to a four year low.
    
    It is a concern to the AFL board who spent the most amount of money ever on advertising, marketing, promotions, AusKick giveaways, free tickets to games and expanding AFL into NSW and Qld.
    
    Even with a $780 million media deal you can’t keep spending hundreds of millions of dollars if the game isn’t expanding and $400 million still to be spent on setting up GC and GWS in the next couple of years.
    
    Lucky Victorian AFL clubs got $55 million from government last season for “ground re-developments” to help keep them profitable.
    
    Reply
    - Times said | January 29th 2010 @ 8:19am | Report comment
      
      A poor swans season and a bumper NRL season probably damaged the AFL stats a little.
      
      Reply
    - Anthony said | January 30th 2010 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
      
      Collingwood have just passed 40,000 members for 2010. Miles ahead of HAL & NRL!
      
      Reply
- Anthony said | January 30th 2010 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
  
  AFL crowds in 2009 were the 3rd highest on record. A drop from the highest ever in 2008 is nothing to worry about. But 2009 membership was highest ever. Soccer & NRL are a long way behind.
  
  Reply
  - Norm said | January 30th 2010 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
    
    How big are AFL crowds outside of Australia?
    
    Reply
    - Michael C said | January 30th 2010 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
      
      Norm –
      
      in a discussion about domestic Australian leagues, why would you ask that question??
      
      Reply
Towser said | January 28th 2010 @ 11:48am | Report comment

You could do the same for many leagues around world. J-League top club Urawa RD average 45000 bottom club 10000. Epl ManU 75000 Wigan 18000. Even more so in the SPL regarding average attendance per club.

2008-2009 season

Celtic 57671
Rangers 49534
Hearts 14398
Aberdeen 12929
Hibernian 12684
Dundee Utd 8654
Kilmarnock 5727
Falkirk 5640
Motherwell 5522
St Mirren 5411
Inverness CT 4457
Hamilton 3708

Also if you take the top 15 leagues In Europe by crowd attendance the A-League starts to kick in around no 10 Portugal.
Nobody can tell me that the quality of football displayed in the A-League matches that of Benefica or Porto.
So far this present season.

http://soccerlens.com/the-top-15-leagues-in-europe/39185/

When you consider that football in Europe is entrenched & The A-League is introducing teams from areas with no pre history of supporting Association football, it holds up well.

Reply
- Australian Football said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
  
  Towser,
  interesting link—-thanks
  
  Reply
- ItsCalledFootball said | January 28th 2010 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
  
  Towser,
  Bundesliga was number 2 behind EPL before the WC in 2006.
  
  The new stadia, upgraded stadia and the WC itself have given German football a tremendous boost.
  
  One of the reasons I suspect the anti-football people are so desperately against Australia hosting a WC here.
  
  Reply
- bever fever said | January 28th 2010 @ 6:32pm | Report comment
  
  Interesting how that link is called http://soccerlens.com/the-top-15-leagues-in-europe/39185/
  
  I thought only non-believers called it soccer, is it possible the zealots on the roar who look down upon people who use the name soccer are a tad precious.
  
  Reply
  - jimbo said | January 28th 2010 @ 10:02pm | Report comment
    
    Good to see you are paying attention bf,
    
    soccerlens.com is located in Berkeley, United States.
    
    But you non-believers are free to call the greatest game of all whatever you like.
    
    Reply
Art Sapphire said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:37pm | Report comment

Michael C, how many A-League games have you attended or watched on TV this season??
Got an opinion on how Melbourne Victory are playing??
How do you think they will go against GCU tomorrow??

Or you just interested in the magical crowd number that they post around the 70- 80 minute mark.
Make sure you tune in for that

Reply
- Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
  
  I think Muscat will need a wheelchair after playing two games in 4 days.
  
  Reply
- Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
  
  10 minutes if that.
  
  How are MVFC playing. Apparently well enough, a 6-2 win followed by a 2-0 and a 4-0 win,
  
  MVFC 12-2 scoreline for last 3 matches – I’d think they’re playing okay……based on outcomes. How about you? Could they be technically better? a little prettier?…..a lot of that stuff should be saved for the Harlem Globe Trotters.
  
  GCU tomorrow, I couldn’t really care. Will GCU get more than 6,000? I’ve seen many on the old SMH Flog forecasting crowds with almost more vigour than the actual results!!!
  
  btw – I can’t tune in at the 70-80 min mark – I don’t have Foxtel. Makes it hard. I’ll have to wait for you to post an update asap??
  
  Reply
  - Art Sapphire said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
    
    Oh Michael, they were defintely prettier on Tuesday with Marvin Angulo making his full home debut.
    
    Check this out for a through ball by Marvin – its half way through the video
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysh87zhYtdY&feature=related
    
    Also check out the other 2 excellent counter- attacking goals Victory scored in the 2nd half.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfTN6qu6vV8
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGgpQBCYEYA&feature=related
    
    There you go – your A-League viewing for the season is now 15 minutes.
    
    Michael, your piece is just a thinly veiled code war effort. The thread was always going to lead to how big and wonderful AFL crowds.
    
    Reply
    - Art Sapphire said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
      
      Why is my comment still awaiting moderation – its almost been an hour. All I did was post the goals from the last Victory match, as Michael wanted know how they were playing, and make the suggestion that Michael’s piece was just a thinly veiled code war piece. What’s their to moderate??
      
      As proof the thread has degenerated into just that.
      
      Reply
      - Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
        
        certain words will cause moderation.
        
        Reply
      - Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
        
        ah – it may have degenerated in your view, but, at least it started out with in the main indisputable facts (i.e. stats derived from HAL website published match stats) and no x-code references.
        
        That at least means that people have to invent their anger – I didn’t burst the anger balloon,
        
        and really – in the main it’s been pretty tame Thursday arvo banter without too much anti type talk. A couple of folk couldn’t resist however.
        
        Reply
      - oikee said | January 29th 2010 @ 6:35am | Report comment
        
        Welcome to the world of moderation, just dont mention the war.
        
        Reply
- Punter said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
  
  Art,
  
  No-one really cares how well MV are playing.
  
  Go Sydney FC.
  
  Reply
  - Axelv said | January 28th 2010 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
    
    Everyone really cares how MV are playing!
    
    Melbourne are in superb form and playing attacking, thrilling one touch football, with alot of midfield through balls to score their goals. It’s brilliant to watch!
    
    And the game vs Gold Coast who are 3 points behind Melbourne, If Melbourne wins that game, and the win against North Queensland at home, the Premiership should be secure(unless Sydney win both of theirs)! Argh, there are still 6 possibilities for how the top 3 order finishes!
    
    Reply
- Australian Football said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
  
  Art,
  allow me to speak on behalf of MC—-yes MelbVic are going down against the GCU FC tomorrow night. He knows that only too well—-he would advice you, “best you cut your losses now and save on your travel expenses.” From his association with the Kangaroos team they won’t be good enough against my boys … GCU FC … we are close to an historic Premier’s Plate in our inaugural season—-its well within our grasp and it will be done and dusted by Saturday Morning.. Best you read about it in the Melb Herald Sun over a short black Turkish coffee—-yassoo
  
  ~~~~~~~
  AF
  
  Reply
  - Art Sapphire said | January 29th 2010 @ 8:28am | Report comment
    
    AF – a few of my mates are currently on a plane flying to the Gold Coast for tonight’s game. Regardless if we win or lose they are sure to have a great time having a weekend away from their wives
    Even with Archie 50-50 for tonight’s game, I can still see us walking away with the points.
    Promises to be one of the games of the season. Victory will have at least 400 supporters turn up.
    Lets see if you can get at least 7k of your own supporters to the ground tonight.
    
    Reply
    - Dogz R Barkn said | January 29th 2010 @ 8:32am | Report comment
      
      If more than 5,000 turn up, that’s a bumper crowd on the Gold Coast.
      
      Reply
    - Australian Football said | January 29th 2010 @ 8:48am | Report comment
      
      Art,
      my son and I will be defenites tonight—-very unsettled weather up here on the Gold Coast—lightening and hail stones… Coolangatta airport has been closed for safety reasons.. Please advise your MV travelling troupe to stay away for this one..
      
      ~~~~~~~~
      AF
      
      Reply
hazza said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:44pm | Report comment

Afl doesnt have a draw . Games are fixed so the biggest drawing teams play each other twice. Otherwise i if it was a true draw crowd averages would plummet. Maybe MC could provide us with figures of the deflationary effect on crowds when Sydney and Brisbane entered the VFL. I believe both teams were averaging about 8-9000 in there first five years. I remember crowds of 4000 at the Gabba at one stage. Go Pies!!!

Reply
- Redb said | January 28th 2010 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
  
  That’s true, its a fixure not a draw. But remember with 16 teams in 22 weeks you cant play all twice, so why not give the fans what they want. ie: beating Carlton, Hawthorn twice and Collingwood almost twice.
  
  Reply
- Michael C said | January 28th 2010 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
  
  As Redb said – fixture not a draw. However, the NRL are in a similar position. No major issue there. You do what you do. The FFA has an unbalanced ‘draw’. It’d be nice if the HAL could offer a point after Round 18 where each team had played each other side H&A and we had a clear picture of where they all sit,
  
  I’d much prefer an AFL fixture with first 15 rounds seeing everyone play everyone once, and then the last 7 rounds can be done as the AFL so desires,
  
  but – just because the FFA doesn’t seem too interested in some ‘constructive’ fixturing, I don’t see why the AFL should be knocked for ….as Redb mentioned… for providing the fans with what they want and maximising revenues (which are then shared around reasonably well as part compensation).
  
  Reality with the AFL draw is that every Vic based club requests home games hosting Collingwood. The AFL get’s these amongst many other requests from 16 clubs and tries to provide something that provides a bit for everyone. Long gone are the days of drawing anything randomly from a hat!!!! says he mischievously……
  
  Reply
- Al said | January 29th 2010 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
  
  I remember a crowd of 40,000 for a Brisbane Strikers NSL grand final in 1997. Brisbanites have to be the biggest bandwagon jumpers in all sports.
  
  Reply