Mike Tuckerman’s recent article regarding the A–League’s annual demolition by the Big Bash League was an excellent example of a growing trend in modern sport – the adversarial attitude.
That we as fans are often subject to rants from others about why our code or sport in general is something to be ridiculed is a small, if frustrating burden.
What I specifically object to from Tuckerman is his condescending view of the BBL’s comparatively impure nature.
Yes, the BBL is a far more casual game than the A–League, which is essentially the same game as the world’s best in Europe (quality notwithstanding).
However, saying the BBL is like a circus and he can’t distinguish teams, recognise players or recall results doesn’t mean that it’s a lifeless product; rather, it’s a sport that Mike doesn’t care for.
That is perfectly fine. I don’t expect everyone to enjoy watching every sport because I sure as hell don’t.
Frankly, I don’t care too much for golf or UFC, but I have no issue with people being passionate about those sports despite my lack of interest in them. Sport is as much a matter of personal taste as it is a matter of objective spectacle.
Some, like me, see the A–League as a highly entertaining competition, whereas others see a dull and poor relation to what is an overrated European game.
Similarly, some view the BBL as a boring, cheap and nasty version of what is already a snooze-fest of a game played by only a dozen nations. Others, like me, love the frequency of it and the ease with which a viewer can take in the contest.
The two competitions are totally different from each other. I know Mike identified this, but he seemed at pains to wonder what the FFA could possibly do to arrest the slip in crowds and TV ratings which hits the A–League every summer.
The answer, Mike, is nothing.
A boring BBL game, such as Hobart’s easy chase against Adelaide on Monday night, will still feature plenty of sixes and wickets, the key ingredients for the BBL’s entertainment recipe.
A boring A–League game on the other hand, such as Wellington’s 0-0 draw versus Adelaide on Sunday, will have little to keep the viewer stimulated enough to avoid changing channel.
This is the nature of the football beast. You can’t mess with the core product because that is what its whole success is built on.
The FFA could shorten the competition from 27 rounds to 18 and start a travelling five-a-side tournament to directly compete with the BBL on entertainment, but such action would inevitably end in total failure.
The FFA need to know when they are beaten – December and January, specifically.
We don’t need to deride the quality, or lack thereof, of the BBL. The people have spoken, it’s what they want for their easy summer viewing.
I meanwhile, will be happy to switch between Channel Ten and Fox Sports on a regular basis to get my fix of each major code this summer.
In the words of the girl from the Old El Paso ads, “¿Por qué no los dos?” – “Why don’t we have both?”
I will also be bringing a friend of mine to the W–League/A–League double-header at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday for her first ever sporting event, such is my faith in football.
Mike, I’m sure you will be in attendance and would be happy to discuss our differences at the game in person. I love football just as much as you do, let’s not have differing opinions get in the way of that. It’s just not cricket.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Eyes rolled, index finger raised
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
Great article. I wrote a similar one a few years back although nowhere near as eloquent as you. http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/11/03/i-want-to-live-in-an-australia-where-all-codes-are-accepted/
Beny Iniesta
Guest
What is this "free-kick" Hawthorn, "free-kick" Bulldogs thing you talk about? You must be glad that the number of free kicks paid these days in the AFL is a lot lot less than it used to be - or are you arguing for more free kicks so each given free kick has less impact on the game? Personally, I think the fewer free kicks the better - and most fans agree with that sentiment.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
They already tried promotion and relegation in Australia's Soccer league and it worked quite well by killing off so many clubs from the national level it had to stop the Promotion/Relegation for lack of clubs! You really should know this if you're a real fan lesterlife.
Chris
Guest
Wow you have some serious issues!
Sydneysider
Guest
Anon is Malcolm Conn.
Chris
Guest
Well anyway, like I said earlier, I hope the BBL gives to the cricket fans what they've been looking for as cricket has been sliding for a few years now.
Sydneysider
Guest
The Big Bash match starts before the Sydney derby. It all depends on when the RBB and The Cove do their marches to the stadium to see if they cross over with the fans attending the cricket. That will be interesting.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You started the comparison talk Chris, I was just offering my thoughts.
marron
Guest
Haven't been. Live on the other side of the country. Talking absolute rubbish. As if you're familiar with what's tolerated in any of those countries - the countries whose migrants you would send away. There's a reason you're anon isn't there mate.
70s Mo
Guest
And here I was planning to go to both!
anon
Roar Pro
"Yes it’s got cultural influences beyond white Australia. Yes it’s a bit rough around the edges. Have a close look at cricket’s history – look to the larrikins for gods sake – why all of a sudden is the melting pot and a bit of anti-authoritarianism the antithesis of what’s acceptable? or are these values actually a load of codswallop?" Take a look at the photos. Those guys look and behave like gang members. At the cricket you get a guy in a blue singlet making a beer snake. It's not about white Australia and migrants. Dressing and behaving like a gang member isn't tolerated in Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Croatia, etc. In fact their dress and behaviour is looked down upon more in those countries than in Australia. Australia tolerates this kind of dress and behaviour for some warped reason. Yet this is the core fan in Australian soccer that the game's governing body has been kowtowing to in recent seasons. http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2014/01/03/1226794/489287-1efd375e-7440-11e3-a270-7f94192abf56.jpg In any culture these guys are perceived as thugs and hooligans.
70s Mo
Guest
Scorchers?
Chris
Guest
I couldn't care less about your motives or hypothesis tbh. I actually am really happy that cricket has found a niche in BBL. Good luck to it and I hope it continues to do well. As a football fan I get my fix 365 days a year from the sport I have a passion for. I am able to experience the highs and locally and on the Asian and World stages. I dont have to compare football with any other sport to provide its relevance.
marron
Guest
So that's a no. If you had you might realise a few things. The home ends - even the problematic ones - have maybe one or two issues a season. They are contained and subject to more security measures than the special line at us customs for people who look like the people you don't like. The other 90% of ticket holders are made up of all sorts of people and, at least at wsw, a lot of young families all enjoying family fun. I stand in the rbb and I'd say more than half the time im standing next to women or children. The papers have their narrative; they take their shots and recycle the images again and again. They never tell the other side of the story - the charity work, the good causes, the fundraisers - or represent the people who don't fit the narrative. Yes it's got cultural influences beyond white Australia. Yes it's a bit rough around the edges. Have a close look at cricket's history - look to the larrikins for gods sake - why all of a sudden is the melting pot and a bit of anti-authoritarianism the antithesis of what's acceptable? or are these values actually a load of codswallop? Go to the aleague. The reality does not match your narrative. I don't doubt you still won't like the rbb or whatever else, that's fine. I don't like 3 hour long manufactured fast food adverts with built in pyrotechnics and sensory overloads with watered down orchestrated slog feats myself, but I'm possibly in the minority. Point is you've no right to comment until you've been.
anon
Roar Pro
Nothing for me to answer. Take a look at the photos in the links I provided.
marron
Guest
Another refusal to answer the question. Have you been?
marron
Guest
.
anon
Roar Pro
http://www.ultras-tifo.net/images/stories/reports/2013-2014/other/sydney-melbourne/6.jpg Look another family friendly night out at the soccer... Here's another http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2014/01/03/1226794/489287-1efd375e-7440-11e3-a270-7f94192abf56.jpg Look at that PASSION. How about these guys? http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/sportal_com_au/1a/1c/wanderers-fans-at-aami-park_h281llk3srrq1ke359scpkej5.jpg?t=1432702203w=500 They're in it for THE JOURNEY.
Pete
Guest
Liam, I guess your heart's in the right place, but it's naive to question why sports are sworn enemies. They are all competing for finite commodities: $$, TV ratings, hearts and minds and leisure time. Sports encroach into each others territories just as flora and fauna do in the natural world, so you're always gonna have the quarrels and bickering we're accustomed to seeing from their ruling bodies. To ask why can't the Big Bash and Z League be friends is like asking why can't Lions and Hyenas be chummy ... let alone lions and lions from different prides and Hyenas and Hyenas from different packs. And from Cricket's perspective, it has no need to explore better relations with the game that couldn't cut it in winter and had to move to summer. Cricket has destroyed the A league, so it's like lions and sewer rats when comparing the two ... they're not even on the same level and never were in this country.