After such a chaotic time in the A-League, the frenzy of football has somewhat subsided and a sense of normality returns to the schedule.
With many clubs playing three matches in eight or nine days, along with significant absenteeism, teams have been stretched physically and emotionally and the tensions were clearly evident in the weekend just past.
Adelaide manager Marco Kurz could perhaps be seen as the microcosm of not only the pressure of coaching as a whole but also the intense travel and short back-ups that feature through the Christmas and New Year period.
His confrontational gesture to the fourth official was passion in its most raw form and potentially intended to reach Sydney mentor Graham Arnold, via a well-planned ricochet. It was good stuff to watch.
I took a keen interest throughout the festive season and used the period as the basis of a contrast between how well the A-League was faring in comparison to the Big Bash League, which seemed a little light on in terms of attendance.
In short, A-League crowds increased in Australia between December 23 and January 5. Based on the overall season average, crowds rose 12 per cent over that period.
Comparatively, BBL crowds were down 0.05 per cent over the corresponding time.
Interestingly, ‘Bash’ crowds are currently down an overall 13.6 per cent on last year’s figures and the A-League sits around 11 per cent in deficit, yet the football story appears to be the easier target for the media.
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All in all, attendance is something fewer Australians are keen to participate in. Cost, transport and time all appear factors, thus, the festive period of football looms as a potential windfall for the A-League.
Quite frankly, sitting in the sun on Sunday afternoon at Coopers Stadium, watching the enthralling draw between two very good sides, was the best way I could have spent an afternoon.
Despite sitting in the ‘away’ supporters section, the Adelaide folk were terrific, friendly and deep down, really pleased to have an opposition presence to get the juices flowing. The Missus was even laughing. Have I converted another sporting novice to a devoted A-League supporter?
Was that a smart move on my behalf?
Nevertheless, as people return to work, the A-League assumes a more standard schedule and mums and dads start to make trips to stationery stores to stock up on supplies. The educative year is about to begin and signifies the end of the festival of football that the A-League provides for us over the silly season.
Combining the two concepts piqued my interest and thus, here is your club’s festive report card.
Adelaide United
Adelaide has worked exceptionally hard over the course of the term and should be proud of his diligence and determination. There is room to develop more flair in his work and scope to complete tasks with more polish and professionalism.
Grade: B
Brisbane Roar
Brisbane has been a disappointing student this term and needs to make more of his opportunities. With only one successful task over the five-week festive period, things look grim in terms of completing the year with permission to advance to the next grade.
Grade: D
AAP Image/David Crosling
Central Coast Mariners
CCM has worked hard over the term yet needs to see himself as something more than just a battler. He possesses much skill and talent yet is somewhat restricted by expectations and belief. I hope mum and dad continue to be patient with him.
Grade: B-
Melbourne City
Young City has been a little all over the shop in recent weeks and I hope he isn’t being distracted by external factors such as women and booze, as this would explain some of his apathy. He has used his Scottish heritage well over the term and it has been the major factor in keeping his grade at a respectable level.
Grade: B-
Melbourne Victory
Victory has been the big improver this semester and nailed three of his last five assignments. I hope this is maintained through the remainder of the year and we see this talented student on stage at presentation night.
Grade: B+
Newcastle Jets
Despite young Newcastle being aggressive around the other kids and often having a little chip on his shoulder, it is great to see him doing well. He has livened up the entire playground and might be in the running for a leadership position next year.
Grade: A-
AAP Image/Darren Pateman
Perth Glory
Sometimes I don’t even think Perth is trying at all. His homework is sloppy, full of errors and he only ever seems keen to learn when things are going his way. Four failed assessments in a row.
Grade: D
Sydney FC
Another wonderful term of work for the dux of the class. I hope he resists the temptation to show-off in the coming months and I know his father, Graham, will be doing everything in his power to keep him grounded in what will be a busy time.
Grade: A
Wellington Phoenix
Despite being the perennial battler, Wellington has achieved moderate success this term with one great assessment performance and two other enthusiastic efforts. Keep trying.
Grade: C
Western Sydney Wanderers
It is lovely to have this student back in the class after many weeks of wandering the playground attempting to find himself. The class has a much better feel with him in the room, as he draws much attention from others. It is sad that he and Sydney don’t get on, however it is something of a healthy academic rivalry.
Grade: B-
apaway
Roar Guru
This is fun. Wellington Phoenix: not coping well with distance education and sense of isolation from others in the class. Gets treated like a black sheep a lot of the time and reacts accordingly. Does well with more sleep. C
apaway
Roar Guru
Perry Agree with you about the BBL. They are very successful at what they do, and would probably be foolish if they tried to spin it out into anything approaching a more "traditional" longer competition. The majority of their audience are young kids on scholl holidays so compressing 95% of the competition into the six weeks when the kids are on holidays makes perfect sense.
apaway
Roar Guru
Sydney FC won't take a home Grand Final anywhere other than the SFS. They would especially not like to play the Wanderers at the Olympic Stadium because it would be handing WSW home ground advantage. However, FFA has the final say in where the Grand Final is played, as evidenced by the 2008 GF between Central Coast and Newcastle, which was played at the Sydney Football Stadium. If Newcastle were to play WSW in the Grand Final and Newcastle were eligible to "host", I would think the game would be played in Newcastle, or perhaps the SFS. McDonald-Jones stadium may not have the capacity to handle the expected crowd a Jets-Wanderers GF might attract.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
We've had 2 Footballroos games in Sydney in the last 6 months? There are a number of reasons for the falling A-League attendances, including a lack of genuine marquees and shortage of money to promote the game, so I wouldn't necessarily blame the Footballroos. What Stuart is suggesting and I fully support him is fair and unbiased sports reporting and not vested interests running the country and trying to put down Australian football at every opportunity.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Sorry still doesn't explain your point or conversely suggest less games will mean bigger avge crowds. BBL gets very good crowds and ratings yes, but its falling about 15% on last year and still dropping, despite increased marketing. That is a real concern.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Sorry Stuart - typo "Sturat"
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Stuart Thomas "If Perry Bridge can add considerations outside the raw data, so can I." Yes, yes and yes. Anyone can produce a superficial statistic. It's the analysis of data, the contextualisation of data - that is important. The irony re Wellington is that as I referred to - once a good chunk of the A-League % rise in attendances was Wellington replacing Auckland. Now they are the ball and chain. What is interesting with the BBL is that it actually got as big as it has - it's been live on FTA tele against the gate since day 1. It's a pretty amazing modern story. I doubt that the Melb MCG derby will very often get 70-80k, but it has twice. It didn't this year - was it the weather? The later scheduling? You'll also see fluctuation from year to year - and what is more important is the long term trending - to identify what the baseline should be so as to recognise the 'good years' and to be careful about managing expectation that those aren't about to set in as the norm going forward!!!
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Cousin Claudio There's been plenty said about the Melbourne Stars - in Melbourne - aging list, not enough change, etc. Perhaps you don't hear that from where you are?? And they are the big story and the 26K last night for another disappointing loss just shows how much they have burst their own bubble this season!!! (suffer in ya jocks Eddie McGuire!!) What impact does 2 extra games have? Well - perhaps we are finding out. The BBL is a school holidays 'special'. It's largely meaningless to most adults and the kids enjoy it. We buy a 2 game membership - that's all we intend going to - watch a fair bit on tele - and that's the new soundtrack to summer evenings. So - for us, extra games fixtured simply gives extra choice as to when we attend those 2 games. I also know other (Renegades) fans who go to every game including the one down in Geelong. Do you see where I'm going here? If everyone was category B (every game) then the average wouldn't drop. Anyway - so far the Renegades are up (for Etihad matches). 31,633 home average...not bad.
Sydneysider
Guest
That's good news for football in Melbourne, but for other states and cities what SEN radio station does is irrelevant.
punter
Guest
Or maybe he hasn't read all the doom & gloom articles about the demise of the A-League or the comments form our AFL friends on here.
c
Guest
melbourne afl radio station Sen under the new ownership guidance of Mr Craig Hutchinson have taken on board again A-League game live broadcasts and have even introduced further soccer disscusion at least in the morning program which is a good thing for soccer perhaps Mr Hutchinson is more astute then many in the media
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I think the folk at Cricket Australia will be sleeping quite well in the knowledge of record attendances across the summer period at present. The same can’t be said for the folk at the FFA. You, like Stuart, can spin it however you like though. Just realise, you’re spinning the same type of BS, just in reverse, that you despise so much of from the media. BTW - those extra Socceroos’ games should have heightened the interest in the A-League, not dampen it, according to your theory.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Mr Rick, how many articles have there been lately about the falling A-League crowds and the death of the A-League compared to the number of articles about the falling BBL crowds? Any mention of the death of the BBL? The Ashes series would only heighten the interest in cricket, not dampen it. Given the amount of money they spend on promoting cricket and the BBL the hefty fall in attendances and ratings is an absolute disgrace. No getting away from that.
Kanga O’Donovan
Guest
Well said Claudio
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
How Aloisi still has a job after what he's done to Melb City and now the Roar is beyond me. He is not up to U11s standard, let alone head coach of an A-League team. Go Johhny, go go go!
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
How does playing 2 extra rounds "reduce the average attendance". Given the amount of hype, advertising and saturation promotion of BBL sugar coated with all the bikini clad gimmicks, the fall in attendances for the BBL is a disgrace. If the A-League spent one tenth of that amount of money on the advertising, markeing and promotion etc, they would expect their attendances to at least double. As Sturat wisely points out, why doesn't someone say something about the decline in BBL attendnaces while at the same time writing continuos obituaries about the death of the A-League. Vested interests maybe?
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Kanga, Under the current A-League franchise agreement, FFA owns the rights and manages the A-League Finals Series so they will play the game at the venue that will potentially get the biggest crowd. Clubs have no say in it. When Jets made the GF and won the GTS they were made to play at Allianz Stadium and didn't get a home GF. If its a SFC v Jets or SFC v Wanderers GF it will most likely be played at ANZ.
TK
Guest
Percentages not a great measure of crowds. I went to a Wednesday night BBL game in brisbane last week and they got 33000. No way roar would pull that even for a semi final which have been around 25k in the past (probably not a concern this year) Now I thought BBL was a bit manufactured and I won't go again but its still pulling heaps of ppl that ALeague should envy.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
@Kanga Hoffman I still think Allianz trumps Olympic Stadium for atmosphere - so I'd stick with Allianz.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
And that is why I love them both. A great summer of sport and things are looking positive for the A-League in comparison to other sports despite quite a number of articles calling for rejuvenation and revitalisation. Sure crowds are always an issue, for everyone. BBL, great ratings, a little drop off in crowds. Ashes terrific attendance, Tennis looks like being a bumper year. And in spite of some who seem to take any article defending the A-League as a declaration of war, I have been to every single one of the events mentioned above.....well, tennis this weekend in Melbourne, lets hope I make it. My statistical interest has shown me a 13.6% drop for BBL, an 11% drop for A-League, Rugby League has lost 12% over the last eight years and we all know the issues Rugby is facing as well. My simple point is that the issue of attendance is a broad financial and societal one that is beyond the blame or fault of individual codes. If Perry Bridge can add considerations outside the raw data, so can I. If you take out the Wellington Phoenix and present the Australian statistics, the A-League is down 6-7%. I reckon we are doing pretty well. Harsh on Sydney Paul, just remember we won't have a coach soon. Poor us!