Chris Judd of Carlton clears the ball during the AFL Round 07 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Last night’s surprise Carlton victory over St Kilda represented the second successful trial of Monday night football in as many years. With over 40,000 again turning up to Etihad Stadium, and a healthy level of interest at home, the concept doesn’t seem as foreign as it once did.
Whilst caution will need to be exercised before any rapid expansion in the number of Monday night games, it seems right now the timeslot definitely has a future in the game.
After all, we all know that the two new clubs will bring with them an extra game each weekend, and we all know the AFL have been exploring different timeslot options for that game.
The idea of a twilight Saturday game, ensuring back-to-back games from afternoon to late at night, has a lot of merit and shouldn’t be dismissed.
But with fans now starting to warm to the idea of footy early in the working week, the AFL can’t pass up the opportunity to capitalise on the potential of Monday nights, which has been clearly shown by the success both the NFL and NRL have had.
There is a query over whether it can work over an extended period of time. Crowds haven’t exactly flocked in the years the AFL have had more than one trial in a year. The CBA requirement of a six-day break and the issue of extending the football week too much present their own issues.
But the solution to these problems, at least initially so that the waters can be tested a bit more, is to copy another idea from the NFL.
That league has adopted the concept of Thursday night football, but only during the opening round and rounds 10-16, when interest is at its peak and ready to be milked for all its worth. Monday night football here could be used in a similar manner.
Not only would it capitalise on interest late in the season, it would ease the six-day break worry and the issue of overexposure because it will not form part of the fixture week in, week out.
Another potential plus is that it could mean Monday night games are broadcast on free-to-air and, when played, the extra Saturday games are on pay TV, ensuring the 50-50 split between the two mediums can continue into the next broadcast deal.
The AFL have a huge opportunity here but they must tread carefully. If they can do that and not rush into anything, the timeslot could eventually become a big part of the game.
As for the actual match last night, St Kilda’s overly-defensive post-Riewoldt game plan was shown up by a team able to cause some damage on the scoreboard. Carlton had a number of avenues to goal – most noticeably the exciting trio of Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran – and the Saints didn’t have an answer.
Can we read anything into the result?
From a Saints perspective, probably not. They’re bound to drop a few games without Riewoldt. A relatively easy draw over the next four weeks should offer some much needed stability.
From a Blues perspective, however, wins over both of last year’s grand finalists within three weeks can only be a positive.
They don’t face any of the teams from the absolute top tier until Fremantle in round 13, so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to build some momentum from here.
They might just become somewhat of a dark horse as September nears, and will certainly improve in coming years.
The Blues, like Monday night football, definitely have a future.
Follow Michael on twitter @mdifabrizio
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Forgetmenot said | May 11th 2010 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Definitely not have Monday night Football every week, but perhaps every third week. It needs to remain a novelty otherwise crowds will plummet for Mondays.
George said | May 11th 2010 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Families need to be considered in this, and Mondays aren’t ideal for them, but i agree that having it not every week and maybe just towards the end of the season would be a good place to start. School holidays would be another time you can do it, and the Mothers Day weekend, when it actual sort of benefits families to have Monday night games.
Ken said | May 11th 2010 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Was a controversial setup for the NRL a few ago when it was adopted but has been a fairly successful venture. Last night was a bad example (the Roosters and Cowboys are both poor drawing teams in Sydney but even so that crowd was awful) but crowds have generally remained acceptable and it rates well on Fox (with a pre and post game show as well).
While it was a little strange at first, as a fan I’ve got quite used to settling into the week on a Monday night with a game of footy. Can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t go as well for the AFL.
Baz35 said | May 11th 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
I agree with this. I reckon half a dozen a year is doable and play the two teams on the following Sunday.
Key is though to play big games that are otherwise pushing up against capacity to minimise the crowd impact. The last two years they have played saints/ pies saints / blues on mothers day weekends which has been smart. Perhaps the odd eagles / crows home matches is the other way to go
Damien said | May 11th 2010 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Will only work on free-to-air if the game is shown LIVE. Despite a good crowd, the ratings tanked last night (as they have been recently with 7′s coverage). If it was to be a permanent fixture, I think it’d be better as a Foxtel televised game.
Michael DiFabrizio said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
Agree with this. Delayed footy is becoming an increasing turn-off. Especially in SA and WA, which is an issue completely overlooked by the media in the east.
James said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
I’ve given up on Channel 7 AFL coverage here. It’s all delayed. I’ll stick with Match Centre and the wireless. Hopefully mine and others lost ratings are having a negative dent and the AFL is taking notice.
James said | May 11th 2010 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Monday night footy still feels very unnatural. I kept forgetting it was even on!
JamesP said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Ratings were not as good as last year though….
A one sided contest didn’t help either…
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/monday-night-clash-between-carlton-and-st-kilda-a-roaring-success/story-e6frf9io-1225864773082
Michael DiFabrizio said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Interesting – last year’s game was pretty one-sided too. All the talk of how boring St Kilda are to watch during the week had to have an effect, though. Plus, last year’s game was a pretty huge game in the context of determining whether the Saints were the real deal. So all that needs to be kept in mind.
Another point of interest is that media outlets — more than one — are reporting Seven were on a “10-minute delay”. Their broadcast (as opposed to them showing the game itself) started 10 minutes after the first bounce, but I’m fairly sure I sat through 20 minutes of them talking about the game before they actually showed it.
JamesP said | May 11th 2010 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
I have no doubt the game would have attracted a bigger audience if live…not least for the fact that the telecast would have finished sooner. if the AFL want to go with Monday night footy – is should be scheduled live (as it definitely would be if it was on Foxtel)
Allan said | May 12th 2010 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
I agree – Foxtel seem to do it better than channel 10 or 7. Maybe the sound
effects of the crowd are better. Channel 9 with the Rugby League does it
good too considering they have small crowds.Their televising of the
game brings the crowd atmosphere to the viewer. Foxtel ground level angles
camera work and good crowd sound is sensational and makes watching AFL on
Channel 10 or 7 like watching silent movies.
JB said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
The TV ratings last night certainly don’t indicate Monday night football is a good idea, it absolutely bombed finishing third in the timeslot. I think a Saturday twilight is best option, but i don’t know why the AFL can’t schedule two Friday night matches. That would certainly maximise attendances by allowing a Melbourne Friday night game, but also one in Adelaide/Perth/Brisbane/Sydney. It would mean the network could broadcast the Friday night game to the relevant city, so AFL ratings would pick up also. And it would also mean clubs get a fairer share of the Friday night market, rather than just Collingwood.
Damien said | May 11th 2010 @ 3:12pm | Report comment
Agreed. Two Friday night games are the answer. And if you are in Melbourne for example and do not want to watch the game televised on FTA, you should be able to watch the other match being played interstate live on Fox Sports.
James said | May 11th 2010 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Problem for the AFL is this: NRL has an audience on Monday night and people know that their league has games every Monday night, so it may be too late for the AFL.
We AFL are just not used to it so it will take a while to catch on and I don’t think the AFL has the patience to commit that time to it.
JamesP said | May 11th 2010 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
Hence why they should schedule perhaps just 5 a season…..Mothers day and the 2 sets of 2 week school Holidays
See how that goes, then build it from there….
Son of a Gun said | May 11th 2010 @ 6:00pm | Report comment
A good time to follow RL’s lead , 2 games on friday.
Especially with 18 teams.