In football it is strong, hard to contain, it will send you into a state of frenzy and the outburst of emotion that follows oozes pure passion.
For one moment forget attendance rates, viewing numbers, membership tallies and TV deals.
All of these although important aspects in ensuring the ball continues rolling, are not at the heart of it all.
The supporters are the life and blood, sweat and tears that have contributed their part in making football in Australia what it is today.
For those that have preference of comfortably sitting at home, grabbing the remote, changing the channel to Fox Sports, perhaps when you find a second, when the Christmas shopping is done, bills are paid, and you find $20 in your back pocket, consider this..
Consider making your way to AAMI Park, Allianz, Bluetongue, Hindmarsh, Hunter, NIB, Suncorp or The Cake Tin. Join the passion that ever so beautifully comes out of the hearts of A-League supporters.
Written recently in the Daily Telegraph was an article titled ‘Derbies not what they used to be’.
‘Derbies not what they used to be’? What was also apparent in this article was the lack of emotion or ‘passion,’ the only thing that came close luckily, was a comment made by Tony Popovic:
“Our fans embraced it so quickly. The noise and the atmosphere among those sets of fans. Both sets of fans really felt a special part of the club.”
After seven to eight months of A-League history, Popovic could already see it, Western Sydney could already see it and so could everyone else.
Whether you are a part of the Red and Black Block, The Cove, The Den, The Blue and White Brigade and so on, or a supporter sitting somewhere else in the stands, it is the numbers in attendance which create the support and passion that drives our teams to greater heights.
Passion in our sport is continually blossoming and being encouraged albeit with some fair restrictions such as banning of flairs and prevention of riots – not that we have had to bear witness to such extremities of violence that is caused in other footballing nations.
It is when the spectacle of a Melbourne and Sydney derby roll into town that the hairs on the back of your neck stands up and you listen.
The Classic rivalries between Adelaide United and the Victory. F3 derbies and grand final rematches.
Grudge matches in which a mere melee entices the flag bearers of other footballing codes to denigrate our wonderful sport for what can be described merely as child’s play.
Football in Australia is the sleeping giant, with a gut full of passion so enormous even the unearthed supporters are waiting for their derby or match which gives them the feeling we feel.
Every now and then it is the small things in life that are of most importance, and whether the world will end on the 21st December 2012 or a few billion years from now, no matter what has happened before or what lay ahead in the future, Australian football is here to stay, and never will the passion die.
jbinnie
Guest
Kellet. This article of yours has really got some "passionate" reaction & I guess that is normal when one considers that it is "dyed in the wool" fans of the game who are contributing to these columns. Strange thing is that after reading all the preceding fare I turned my view inward to myself & asked if I was "passionate" about a game I have followed & studied for over 50 years. I found myself questioning that word 'passionate" for I no longer have an allegience with any one team but can still enjoy ,with great fervour, a closely fought battle by 2 teams playing good football. My problem is when I do attend a game I would say ,although enjoying the play ,I find myself withdrawing away from the "passion" that surrounds me,& becoming more and more "objective" in what is being served up to the fans. Let me give you my viewpoint on 2 games I have watched recently & you may get to where I am in my thinking. Sydney FC v WSW - Big crowd,wonderful atmophere, but the game itself was so one sided as to be almost embarassing to a club that today,,after 8 seasons,should at least be No 2 club in the country.Am I being too "objective"? Victory v Roar - Big crowd , not a derby, so the crowd is mainly supportive of one team. Different sort of "passion" on show, Me? I watched the game & was once again entertained by an end to end contest where both team had periods of ascendency, were trying to play good football ,but again I found my "objectivity" taking over looking to see where both teams could improve on what they were providing, for,due to circumstances,both coaches are purported to have the same philosophy in the game. So I ask you & others who care to answer,when should passion be tempered by objectivity, for in our sport it takes 2 teams to make a good game on the field & one would hope they are trying their darndest to entertain,so do they not both deserve the fans to be passionate about both teams rather than cheer one & ridicule the other,or is that a part of today's society?. Keep up the good work jb
ojg1997
Roar Rookie
Soccer will always most probably be the most passionate sport but Football (AFL) will always be the most popular
David Heidelberg
Guest
Demetriou is an idiot but even he must realise what the C in MCG means.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Bronco games but your name is Mad Eel? I feel that pain, not a good time to be an eels fan.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Pete4, Just checked this out. I didn't know about this and don't know why. But it has everything needed to keep football fans, in the know and up to date. Hopefully it takes off. Question is how will they go about promoting it and its purpose?
Redb
Roar Guru
Had the same problem, my reply to Punter lobbed in the wrong place. 'semantics' was in reference to the constant use of AFL's 'worlds best' used in comparison to the A League and Western Sydney where AFL is a minor sport with a low profile, thus Chris Judd despite being one of the best AFL players would not be a drawcard compared to well known soccer star.
ojg1997
Roar Rookie
I have always liked the soccer but this is my first ever season seriosuly following it. I have already been to three Adelaide United games and will be going to some more. I'm really enjoying the A League this season, it has been great so far
Brewski
Guest
Realfootball said The bottom line, pure and simple, is that AFL is not a national code. Its an implant in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast. Chronic self delusion if you maintain otherwise. This is not a pro football argument in any way. Simple a statement of clearly observable fact @ RF, i have no idea why you posted this, i was not making that argument, and in fact i never mentioned anything about our native what i was doing was refuting Georges assertion that not one player was drafted from NSW/QLD in the national draft ... in fact 16 players were. And in fact 4 were drafted straight out of the AFLS (Sydney) comp, which is some sort of a record for that comp,
Brewski
Guest
A few of them had played in the AFL before, Peter Yagmoor from Cairns for EX played a few games for Collingwood, but the bulk of them played Australian football at club level in Sydney or Brisbane.
Brewski
Guest
Fussball ist unser leben said | December 17th 2012 @ 8:55pm | Report comment @ Brewski Yes, R11 had an average FoxSports ratings of 56k/match. But, I presume you understand the concept of how averages are calculated? That 56k provides 1/11th of the weighting towards the current season’s average. So, I repeat .. .after 11 rounds & 55 matches, the average FoxSports ratings are 85k, which is 40% above 60k, which has been quoted as the average ratings last season. @ Fusball, you presumed correct, good boy, i am aware of how averages are calculated. It appears that average viewers per game are in a downward trend, that was Redb's point, and looking at the last few weeks, he is correct.
Realfootball
Guest
Don't know what happened here - that was meant to be a reply to Redb, above.
Realfootball
Guest
I can't see how Punter can be accused of "playing semantics". For a start, you can't "play" semantics, if we are going to be strictly accurate and, secondly, I suspect you aren't altogether clear on the meaning of the word. I say this because you have now used it twice in the incorrect context.
Realfootball
Guest
Agree. Way too many sub 10k averages. A lot of work to do.
Realfootball
Guest
The bottom line, pure and simple, is that AFL is not a national code. Its an implant in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast. Chronic self delusion if you maintain otherwise. This is not a pro football argument in any way. Simple a statement of clearly observable fact.
stu
Guest
If your argument held firm, the English, German, Italian and Spanish leagues would be the only glbal success in soccer as you highlight with AFL and NRL. Only problem is this old argument is simply not true. There are a number of healthy leagues around the world that do very well with strong attendance and corportate support, therefore can you explain your argument further?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ Brewski Yes, R11 had an average FoxSports ratings of 56k/match. But, I presume you understand the concept of how averages are calculated? That 56k provides 1/11th of the weighting towards the current season's average. So, I repeat .. .after 11 rounds & 55 matches, the average FoxSports ratings are 85k, which is 40% above 60k, which has been quoted as the average ratings last season. As I told your ARF mate - do you own research before you attempt to troll Football discussions.
Mad eel
Guest
Good article I haven't yet had the privilege of attending an a league game but regularly attend bronco games and when the game gets close I have noticed that the supporters can lift their side to another level if this is prevalent at a league games I can understand your argument
gawa
Guest
Yes, but had these players drafted ever played AFL before. I recall a Gold Coast teenager from a few years back who had been drafted despite little to no experience.
Brewski
Guest
Fussball ist unser leben said “facts, link” Do you own research This year’s average is 85k per match. Last year was around 60k @ Fussball, this weekend the ratings were averaging 56k per match, redb may be correct.
striker
Guest
James all valid points when you see CCM and Adelaide crowds and they can't attract at least 10k even when there playing fantastic football we still have a long way to go to be a major player.