Here is a revelation for you: I am a member of the Parramatta Eels. And instead of cultivating an us-versus-them mentality, it might be time the A-League reached out to Australia’s multi-sports watching community.
I’ve been an Eels fan all my life. Born in Westmead Hospital, I grew up not far down the road and one of my earliest memories is of my Dad watching the try-less 1986 Grand Final on TV.
Next Friday night I’ll be at Parramatta Stadium to watch the Eels go around against the Panthers. There’s nothing unusual in that, except for the fact I live in Brisbane.
For my troubles, the NRL ensures I can buy tickets exactly one week before the game.
I’ll miss other fixtures this season because the NRL only releases the draw five rounds in advance to accommodate TV schedules.
That’s a TV schedule which has the Brisbane Broncos playing Friday night football every single round of the season to date, mind you.
Every year since I can remember, the only internet presence Parramatta’s merch store has carried is the tagline, “new online store coming soon.” I look forward to reading it again next year.
I could go on and on.
It makes me laugh when I hear A-League fans complain about having an ex-AFL administrator in Ben Buckley in charge of Football Federation Australia, because it could be so much worse.
He could be an ex-NRL administrator.
There is no doubt in my mind the NRL is the worst-run of Australia’s four professional ‘football’ codes.’
Just two rounds into the new season the NRL is already grappling with inconsistent judicial rulings, the mid-season poaching of players from rival clubs, injuries to two of its most recognisable stars, problems with expansion and creeping doubts over its next TV deal.
Back to back defeats mean the Eels, South Sydney and Cronulla can expect attendances not much larger than A-League crowds, the Titans should be renamed the Titanics so fast are they sinking, the Panthers have priced their once-loyal fans out of the market and the Roosters are likely to remain as unpopular at the gate as ever.
Despite many legitimate gripes, A-League fans have plenty to be thankful for.
But an issue which has nagged me since day one is the divide and conquer mentality of some sections of A-League support towards other codes.
It seems a Sydney thing more than a Melbourne one – down south it’s accepted many A-League fans invariably support an AFL club as well.
But when A-League supporters label NRL watchers fans of “thugby league” and list the endless parade of rugby league’s indiscretions ad nauseam, it does nothing to bring us closer to the wider sports community.
And that’s a problem in parochial towns like the one I reside in, where crowds (generally) go gangbusters when local teams are winning.
Take a look at the crowds at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.
The Broncos got over 43,000 for their home game against the Cowboys. The Reds attracted more than 34,000 for their bruising win over the Rebels. And less than 11,000 turned up to see the Roar draw with Adelaide United.
What are the Roar doing to attract those Broncos and Reds supporters simply eager to turn up at sporting events and watch entertaining contests?
Nothing, so far as I can tell – and I don’t think our attitude towards other codes helps.
Where I went to school, most kids watched the English Premier League as often as they did the NRL, but I doubt many have been to an A-League game.
And unfortunately the “We Are Football” slogan and its prevailing attitude preaches to the converted.
We’re reminded “we are football” when we’re already at A-League game, yet none of this marketing is getting out to the people we need to do more to embrace – namely general sports fans.
Rangaraider
Guest
Variety is the spice of life QSAF so the saying goes. But don't let my AFL leanings fool you, I reckon I could hold a football conversation with you quite comfortably. Aussie rules gives me something to watch in winter and makes me appreciate the A-League kick off all the more.
MHTID
Guest
So true
MHTID
Guest
You can discuss football with me anytime, I love the round ball code
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I am always bemused as to how enjoying the AFL is viewed as problematic by some individuals yet enjoying the tennis is somehow perfectly acceptable.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I think that's the sort of thing Tony Sage had in mind when he suggested heading up a Perth RL team and tying it to Glory. Seems like it's going well for Newcastle though I don't think it would work here because of WARL and Sage friction.
jbinnie
Guest
Mike -something you didn't mention but one I think should be mentioned in columns such as this to test people's feelings. FOOTBALL - We have 4 different codes of football played in Australia and, having studied human movement and workplace analysis in my college days, I would defy anyone to break these games down into their component parts and compare them when they are watched from an entertainment point of view. I suppose it could be argued that both the rugby codes are "similar" but again I would defy anyone watching both games for the first time to come to the conclusion that they are the same game. So in essence what you are saying is very correct,there is nothing (except perhaps money) to prevent the average Australian from enjoying all four games.Tonight I watched the Victory on TV,and at games end immediately switched over and watched the Broncos playing. I enjoyed both games but never for one minute did I imagine I was watching 2 games that were competing for my attention because they were remotely similar in execution.As a " student" of sport, and it's teams, the two games were totally different in almost every facet of their play. Cheers jb
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Well, I'm a Perth Glory member (Shed Boy) and a West Coast waiting list member, I watch the Force and keep tabs on a wide assortment of teams for reasons largely parochial, so I suppose I'm a multi-sports fan. As long as I keep turning up and adding my voice to the noise I don't think it's adversely affected Perth Glory at all!
Westie
Guest
Any wonder you hate AFL, your a closet NRL fan. Here is some news for you, more AFL fans regularly attend and watch on tv A-League games than NRL fans by a long shot.
Paul
Guest
The promotion of the league has been pathetic. I remember as a uni student in Melbourne seeing ads covering trams for the start of season 2 back in 2006. Now I reside in Brisbane. Were there any ads on buses? No. Yes there are radio ads, btu these can only penetrate so far. Where are the free tickets for schoolkids? The AFL hands out tickets to Lions games like wildflowers. Ange wrote a column in the Sunday Mail stating that clubs should make their marketing departments as accountable for results as they do of coaches. The same needs to go for FFA.
nearpost
Guest
ft a...only 30% of football community have it...70% of Aussies never seen a game....this is the real issue...think of great games great memories over last 7 yrs that fans haven't seen Hard to build cross code culture against such a back drop
pete4
Guest
Striker - I don't agree with your quote of 90% of NSL followers would rather watch something else rather than the A-League. Don't forget no so long ago as the "Great Johnny Warren" used to say we were mere "Sheilas, Wogs and Poofs" to other codes which is what this article should acknowledge rather than incorrectly say we do not welcome other codes fans
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Cheers Kasey
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Cheers Bondy
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
No disrespect to you Rangaraider, but if I had a choice to discuss football with anyone, I'd rather it be with a person who is into it 100% of the time, instead of someone who is only in it for 50% of the time.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss A good blog.... and he is going to the Friday night game HHHHHMMMMM.... but as you said it represents a lot of us.... my NRL team is Manly and Union team is Eastwood ...
dohmatt
Guest
Parramatta, uber alles! Blue & gold till I die. And at least the Eels are a local symbol with real meaning. Of course there's loads of crossover appeal & sports marketers should exploit this; I love the A-league too but until they bring in the west I will stay at home; and please don't give us something so twee as 'Sydney Rovers'.
Kasey
Guest
TC, I think there are a few disenfranchised ex-AFL fans, but not huge in number, just vocal(kind of like ex-NSL fans really) the good thing for the AFL is that they have new fans stepping into the breach every year - I guess that's what saturation coverage in the southern states does for you. keep telling people its the best and enough will believe you, especially those that didn't get to experience the way things were pre-1990. The good thing these days is there are plenty of options for people to try in the sports world, whoknows, too many more rules changes and we might end up with a stadium of Fussballs?;) What is the collective noun for a bunch of soccer fans? (a riot?;) )
Kasey
Guest
Demetriou could conceivably have protected his 'turf' and the interests of the AFL(which of course is his job!) without being so outwardly dismissive in attitude and just so outwardly disrespectful to football. Remember how accommodating everybody was for the Sydney Olympics? There wasn't even the skerrick of playing nice in the interests of the country in this issue. that is what rubbed a lot of football fans the wrong way. When you consider the alleged close relationship between AD and Buckley, to run a public media-led scare campaign(we might lose a season of footy over this - what BS!) was a very low act
Rangaraider
Guest
"...why would any real Football lover concern themselves with other codes..." Well done QSAF you've completely justified Mikes point with this comment. I support an AFL team during the season, which I guess means I'm not a true football lover despite the fact I follow SFC and football year round.
Stevo
Guest
You might be thinking of the coupla flares being ripped from the Yarraside end this season. Honestly, a "terrible" look but Foz would probably disagree and say that it adds to the Euro atmosphere. On the other hand, the boys and girls at MV have behaved quite nicely this year.