Ring the bells! Monday night football has a future

 

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By Michael DiFabrizio, 11 May 2010 Michael DiFabrizio is a Roar Expert

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 AFL, AFL Monday night football, Carlton Blues, Monday night football, NFL, St Kilda Saints

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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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