The AFL in 2010 is a footy supporters nightmare, unless you support Collingwood that is. The Pies are on top, and worse than that for the rest of the competition, they appear to be the real deal with depth that surely cannot be sustainable in an environment of salary caps and two new clubs entering.
We’ll have to wait and see. One wonders where Josh Fraser will be next year…
The AFL has put forward some rule change suggestions for comment which has sparked the usual outrage of “leave the game alone.” Which is odd, as some have criticised changes that in part might be rolled back a tad via the interchange proposals. It seems “leave the game alone” is in itself a floating position.
This gets us to season 2010 attendances. Love it or hate (the game as played in 2010), the home and away attendances are at record pace, so far averaging 37,140 – the previous record is 36,996. With two rounds to go, the AFL needs to draw a tad under 569,000 patrons through the turnstiles to set a new record.
And so, despite North having six home games against interstate teams (box office poison), and Port having their worst season yet at the gate, the AFL is on record pace.
Collingwood no doubt has played a role, with a record home attendance average of over 65,000. Granted, Collingwood hosted this year’s Anzac Day clash, however, their previous best average was 59,213 back in 2008.
And so, the nightmare rolls on. Collingwood are shaping up for a fair dinkum tilt at September. Eddie McGuire is buoyant. And for the AFL, with new deals in place at the MCG, they’ve been doing record business with 53,772 (over 50,000 average for the first time) for the home and away season at the ‘G.
At Docklands, however, the average is down about 4,000. Perhaps just a few too many North Melbourne vs interstate sides have been scheduled!
jimbo
Roar Guru
No record year for the AFL - that still remains 2008. Close, but no cigar for Demetriou.
Kermit is a frog
Guest
Didn't save the coach.
Redb
Roar Guru
try West Coast and Adelaide fans. Essendon still managed to finish 3rd on overall AFL attendances this year despite finishing 14th.
beaver fever
Guest
Essendon fans !!.
Mister Football
Guest
bf I read that we fell about 16,000 short of the 2008 H&A aggregate attendance record.
beaver fever
Guest
I think the AFL fell short of breaking the H&A record attendance but i believe that Collingwood broke its record, its 22 games drew 1,306,188. at a average of 59,372 fans per game. Of course it is important to note that usually Collingwoods draw is favourable to maximising its attendance, but in anyones language its fantastic. It is also more than possible that next year, with the current team it has that this record will be broken again,and membership will rise from around 58k. (home ground being the MCG.) We in the west have no such luxury with both clubs (Eagles/Dockers) memberships sold out and no room for growth.
ac
Guest
The Swans are the only game in town (afl wise) at he moment. What is the interesting is that TV Ratings are poor for AFL in Sydney. Why - those who are 'true believers' go to the game - live. AFL is a far superior game to watch live. NRl due to its nature is still excellent to watch on TV. I really do think we should all see the good in all codes. My only suabble is the with the AFL itself not the game. The AFL is determined to hurt other codes. thats not on.
beaver fever
Guest
To Andyroo, the show has no problems getting people offside though !!.
Redb
Roar Guru
nice little puff piece in todays Herald Sun about the Storm, $1 tickets for last game.
Art Sapphire
Guest
That was my point, redb :)
pH
Guest
Bit touchy there. My comment was simply that as a nation of only 22million with half the population in the Rugby oriented states, with competition for part of season from soccer, with NRL and Super-14 teams in Melbourne and Perth - that AFL ground attendances match it with the biggest football leagues of any code in the world. The NFL is way ahead based on huge stadia and short season and minimal competition from other codes during their season. The EPL does have to contend with Rugby. But the Bundesliga has it all to itself in a nation of 80million (haven't checked Germany's population but think that's about right). Australian Football is a great code to watch from the stands - it loses a lot on TV. There is something very entertaining about a game with so little restrictions in terms of off-side or no-hands rules - and fast ball movement and variations in play. It is bourne out in the large crowds - despite as its cultural cringing detractors claim it is "only" an Australian game. Even that is not so true anymore with apparently 55k playing the game now in other countries.
Redb
Roar Guru
The average will drop next year. So what? Fantastic crowd for the Swan game.
apaway
Guest
I've never watched Offsiders, but how bad a show can it be when Roy Masters - Mr Class Wars himself - is the only attraction?
Joel
Guest
I'm struggling to understand how you can be so busy with soccer and find all this time to obsess over the AFL. You must be using all the dead time in soccer where nothing happens, you know, the bit between the opening and closing whistle.
beaver fever
Guest
Fussball ist unser leben "Now I’ve got 2 hours of Football analysis – ONE HD’s “World Football News” followed by SBS TV’s “TWG”. Then it’s up early to watch Man C v Liverpool." Where do you find all the time !! because you will spend another couple of hours sniping on various Australian football sites, maybe you do it while you watch soccer ?.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
No probs. I can't hide the fact that I was an AFL fan. Whilst I've always played football, I watched Aussie Rules (mainly VFL/AFL , but also spent a few seasons during the 90s at my ex-school VAFA club). I certainly like Aussie Rules more than any other sport, but no longer watch the game since, quite frankly, there's no time for sports other than Football. Now I've got 2 hours of Football analysis - ONE HD's "World Football News" followed by SBS TV's "TWG". Then it's up early to watch Man C v Liverpool.
Joel
Guest
If you say so, I don't accept what you're saying but I couldn't be bothered arguing the point beyond observing that this is Australia and they could reasonably expect to be broadcasting or writing for an AFL oriented audience. Anyway, it's not as if there's a shortage of soccer commentators offering vacuous insight into the AFL. Regardless of all that, it still doesn't change the highly amusing fact of *your* preoccupation with the AFL to the point of pretending to be an ex supporter.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
In actual fact, all the AFL analysts to whom I referred were writing for the general public - not in specific AFL forums. Many of their comments were intentionally directed at Football fans only and could not have been of any interest to AFL fans.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Joel My apologies - you are correct in your comments. I do recall, 79 & 80 were the first years Hawthorn missed the finals since I started following them and we also missed in 1981. I'd forgotten that we started the season reasonably well. I guess, my memory cells were being put to better use in 1981. PS: Unless you are another Hawthorn supporter, I can guarantee in the past 40 years I've been to more AFL Grand Finals featuring my team than you have so I'm pretty qualified to speak about AFL from mid 70s to early 2000s.
Joel
Guest
Uh, not quite. AFL commentators giving their opinion on soccer to AFL fans in an AFL orientated broadcast is not the same as soccer fans sniping at AFL fans in AFL forums, even though it's good for a laugh. I'm sure the SBS had plenty of soccer literate commentators offering opinion on the world cup to soccer fans.