As I sat in the outer at Adelaide Oval last Saturday, I witnessed a remarkable Port Adelaide victory over St Kilda.
The Patrick Ryder and Robbie Gray brilliance in the dying seconds provided an exhilarating finish to a game that really was a dreadful spectacle for the most part.
While those at the ground celebrated and I had complete strangers hugging me with enthusiasm as the final siren went, it was apparent some of the initial crowd of 30,335 had missed the finale.
Not only did the television coverage show streams of Port fans leaving late in the last quarter, it was quite the topic on social media after the match, with those who left before the final siren ridiculed for their decision to leave.
No one really knows exactly how many made an early exit. Some claim it was a minority of the crowd, while some observations on Twitter would have you believe there were only three people left to witness Gray kick the match winner.
Regardless of where the truth lies, it re-ignited the debate about supporters leaving early and whether this is acceptable practice or simply the actions of fair-weather fans.
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Really, it is a matter of individual choice and if someone pays for a ticket then they have the right to dictate at what point they leave. People have different levels of interest in the game and emotional attachment to the team they support.
Some at the game on Saturday obviously decided they were not enjoying what was transpiring and their time was best spent elsewhere.
Some patrons may have had a legitimate reason for leaving early and while it may not necessarily be the best look to see people heading to the exits before the game is finished, it will continue to happen unless some type of stadium lockdown is implemented.
While some opposition supporters like to take a high-and-mighty approach – the club they support would never have fans do such a thing and they would never abandon their team during a game – it is simply not reality.
Supporter groups are made up of a diverse range of people, which includes a section who will happily bail when they are not content with on-field performance.
Many who left early last Saturday will obviously regret the decision because they have missed out on an extraordinary finish. It may change their mindset and from now on they will be firm believers that it really isn’t over until the final siren.
Many others, however, would probably make the same decision again, especially when you have sat in the rain for over two hours watching your team perform poorly.
While I was certainly glad I remained to witness such a memorable ending, I don’t subscribe to the theory that every supporter who turns up to a game has a duty of care to remain.
Many would have left early, thinking after such a poor game to that point they had not got value for money. I probably would have agreed had I not stayed for the last minute.
Fair Weather
Guest
Port fans were confirmed as fair weather fans last Saturday. Confirmed.
Nineteen
Guest
Maybe Port fans already knew they were going to win and wanted to beat the traffic ?
peter
Guest
I never have an issue when people leave early. You have a lot of people who work full time, not necessary big income earners, the footy might be one of the few opportunities in a week they get a chance to have some time to themselves. Why would they sit watching something they are not enjoying or getting enjoyment from? In many cases some of these people are members of the club and already paid their money to the club to show support so what is leaving a couple minutes early.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I stayed, it was awesome, even me and the old man hugged.
Powerboy
Guest
Great planning from the Geelong F.C.! You said it yourself Cat, 40k max and most fans seem to come from Melbourne. So why play finals there?
Wayne
Roar Guru
I still remember being in the crowd for the SANFL Grand Final in 2006 when our team (Central District) were getting toweled up badly. Our cheersquad was still louder then the winning teams fans. The look of annoyance of the winning teams faces when they were minutes from a premiership and we were still louder was great.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Of course Spotless is easy to depart, there's nobody at the ground.... .... would be a joke that someone would inevitably say. ;)
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I'm with you Joshy.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
SCG is the pits. There is a near deathtrap narrow funnel from Driver Ave to ANZAC Pde. Virtually unlit as well. Spotless, as well as being an excellent ground for spectators, is easy to enter and easier to depart.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I've been a few minutes late to work because I've been listening to footy in the car and thus refused to get out of it in the car park. Footy can be all-consuming, hey?
Paul W
Guest
People who leave early are the same as the players who check out of a match when it gets too hard. Character. There's always something to see, who can show some fight, which kid shows something. I'd never do it. One of my greatest joys was watching Collingwood "supporters" pouring out of the MCG before the end of the 2006 Elimination final. Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Really? I just did a Google Map search and I didn't realise how close Manuka is to Parliament House! Maybe that's why it sucks... I dunno, though.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Adelaide Oval's, surprisingly, pretty good for getting away from. The foot traffic over the footbridge can be claustrophobic, but Adelaide Metro's is excellent with the amount of buses + trains they have - usually for free, with your footy ticket. And the police shut down the roads near the stadium so you don't have the worry about traffic. Honestly, there's nothing better than a Friday or Saturday night after the footy in Adelaide. There's a good vibe - if the home team wins, of course. Can quickly get deserted if Port or Crows lose!
Josh
Expert
It's a matter of individual choice, certainly, but personally I would have to be having a medical emergency (or someone I know is) to walk out on my team, and if it was a grand final I'd still probably risk it.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Looking forward to the new stadium — for the extra leg room, etc., mostly, but not having to transfer trains in the city is a big bonus! (for me, of course; sux for those coming up the Freo line).
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Never ventured into the carpark as it was always wet and muddy. I can remember being stuck at a crossroads and moving inch by inch because of having to give way to the right and there was little traffic coming the opposite way. Being young, stupid and well lubricated I got out of the car and did a bit of traffic management myself until my mate got through. Hated that ground with a passion.
Macca
Guest
Col- I spent many an hour in the Waverly car park - no thought at all went into traffic management when they built that place.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Although at least it has some options. If you park closer to the Kings Park side of Subiaco, with a 5 min walk you can avoid the worst of the traffic.
13th Man
Guest
Subiaco oval is horrible for traffic
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Sounds ordinary. Subiaco isn't too bad in comparison, there is a bit of a bottle neck at the train station, but they tend run a few trains and clear it in a reasonable amount of time. The only reason we've left the footy early is to get first access to the pub. The new stadium is a bit of a worry. It's on a peninsula and nestled right next to Packers' casino complex, so the post game options might be more restrictive.