Let’s pretend for a moment that Damien Barrett is actually being serious when he says that he thinks the AFL should schedule a Showdown at the MCG.
I can’t imagine a universe in which someone who has otherwise been a reputable journalist could genuinely believe that’s a good idea.
It seems clear that his only goal is controversy, and his statements are a sad indictment of where football media currently sits.
But, for the sake of argument, let’s pretend he is serious.
Barrett spoke with The Crows Show, a program made by AFC Media and broadcast on Channel 7 in Adelaide on Sundays. He has aired the idea before, including earlier this year as part of his Sliding Doors column for afl.com.au.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
This week, though, he’s doubled down on the ludicrous idea by suggesting that, “The two biggest baseball teams in the world, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, they’re taking two games of a live season to London to play there.”
“It can be done, that’s the biggest rivalry in baseball and they’re taking it to another country.”
Red Sox vs Yankees in London is certainly not Adelaide vs Port Adelaide in Melbourne.
Firstly, it’s a whole other country. Boston and New York don’t play any other games within the USA anywhere else but at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium.
Secondly, they aren’t from the same city.
Thirdly, and most importantly, the Red Sox and Yankees play each other a total of 20 times in the regular 2019 MLB season. Thus, a couple of games in London does little to harm the home fans’ chances of seeing a game.
This points to the essence of why Barrett’s suggestion is so hard to listen to as a South Australian football fan.
For decades, South Australians, Western Australians and Tasmanians have had to listen to Victorians claim ownership over Australian rules football.
If the league wishes the AFL to be seen as a truly national competition, sentiments such as these have to be called out for what they are: hyperbolic idiocy.
Even though his comments may well have been intended purely as a way to stir controversy, they’re offensive to all South Australian football fans for several reasons.
They show, whether in jest or not, a complete disrespect for what South Australia contributes to the game. We get two Showdowns per season. Two chances each year to live the epic rivalry that is Adelaide vs Port Adelaide.
There are invariably 50,000-plus at each game, and thousands more who can’t get a ticket. So to even suggest that one of those two games should be played in Melbourne – where less than a third of the crowd would actually be fans of the two teams playing – just so that Victorians can enjoy some more quality football is maddening.
Having ten of the 18 teams in the competition isn’t enough for you?
Barrett suggested that the traditional Victorian rivalries have somehow lost their lustre. Well guess what, that’s not South Australia’s fault. It’s a symptom of being one of the few – if not the only – national sporting competitions in the world to have over half of the teams based in one city.
If Barrett truly believes that Victorian rivalries are dwindling, then the AFL needs to put its resources into addressing that, or move teams out of Melbourne to places like Tasmania and Darwin. Not moving one of two Showdowns a year out of Adelaide.
Disrespectful comments like this only harm the league’s image. They do nothing to improve it.
RT
Roar Rookie
Never tear up the tarps.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
That clinches it Ash, he's finished for me. (did you take notice of his footwear - I'm thinking Crocs !)
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
The point is that the Tassie and NT viewership is already in place and do not offer a growth opportunity. The Gold Coast at least offers some opportunity to expand (with its attendant increase in TV Revenues).
RT
Roar Rookie
Well at least you admit you have a chip on your shoulder. Now you should consider whether it clouds your judgement. Sure you don't need to do anything but I was just trying to give advice on how to present a decent argument instead of one clouded by emotion. It's easy to shoot down Barrett on this but you have been distracted. To talk about some ridiculous Victorian entitlement conspiracy is just way off the mark. Barrett even said it's a way to promote the game nationally and not something to do with Victorians deserving to watch it live . Maybe he has looked at the success of State of Origin being played outside of New South Wales or Queensland but I can only agree it's a bad idea, even though it could work.
Champs
Roar Rookie
Thanks Chris. And for the record, I unwaveringly agree that Geelong should play all home finals at Kardinia. I'd also LOVE to see the AFL move one game per year back to places like Princes Park or Victoria Park (wherever local grounds are still operable). Especially considering there is a massive redevelopment of Princes Park slated - in what we in SA can only assume is the AFL showing its clear intention to go for a 50 year deal for the AFLW GF to match the men's GF deal at the 'G.
Champs
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your feedback Richie but just for the record - my South Australian chip will never leave my shoulder. Also, I don't 'need' to do anything. I feel the way I feel. You can disagree with me, but the minute you start dictating to me the way I should be acting, you're simply perpetuating the problem - a sanctimonious Victorian sense of entitlement.
Champs
Roar Rookie
Maybe not. But why is that a criteria? GC have been on the bottom of the ladder for 9 years. Is that long enough to call the 'new viewership' experiment a failure? I think so. Go back to markets that actually want to watch football.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
I'm voting for you Sav !
GJ
Guest
Farken lol .. I'd be interested to know how you'd describe the tantrums Kennett and McGuire regularly make over minor issues in public. And how about Scott and Dangerfield having a foot stamping session over where the finals will be played. I thought their use of GF's should be played interstate was a nice little tactical diversion from their real goal. Perhaps its really just flog Victorians projecting
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
I don't think that NT nor Tasmania offer a "new" viewership opportunity!
Boo
Guest
Pretty sure Aker like Voss were originally from Victoria but were recruited as Zone selections from Queensland clubs.
RT
Roar Rookie
His comments are well intended but probably a stupid idea. What you need to do is get that South Australian chip off your shoulder and address his plan in a constructive, unemotive way.
Ashamed of South Yarra
Guest
Year before last year I saw Barrett walking around at the South Melbourne market with one of those pensioner fabric wheeled shopping trolleys. Now if that wasn't enough, on top of that he was wearing those drop crotch harem pants. Now I ask any sane reasonable football lover, is that the get up of a respected journalist? I can no longer take that clown seriously. And no, I was not seeing things. I was doing my shopping in jeans, carrying a plastic bag like a real man does. And I tie my poodle up out the front of the market, not walk inside with her out of respect.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Also Aker.
Pelican
Roar Rookie
Barrett is a choleric miasma bubbling up from the sewer. Much like Croc Media.
DTM
Guest
Bit of a silly suggestion from Barrett - I can only assume it was said deliberately to upset SA fans (we all know how much Victorians dislike Sth Aussies). Maybe Barrett should have a word with the ICC to see if they will shift the World Cup Final to the MCG - after all, Victorians would like to watch it live and there would be 100k there rather than the 25k or so at Lords (and the weather will be comparable). Must have been a slow news weeks for Barrett to come up with this.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
Well said, Josh. Yet again this obsession with the MCG as the best place to stage footy. BS! Caroline Wilson was at it this week with some confusing, illogical arguments about why the Cats shouldn't get a final at home but instead should play at the MCG. Her arguments seemed to centre around the fans who would miss out. Wha? With that logic, no interstate teams should host finals either since they don't have the same ground capacities, and therefore all finals should be at the MCG. And she also seemed to argue it wasn't fair to interstate teams playing the Cats coz they'd miss out on a chance to get some MCG experience. Again, therefore shouldn't all finals be at the MCG And during the week or so we've again had the argument about playing the grand final elsewhere. But of course, the big argument again is fans. It's a red herring presented to make those making the argument look like a hero to the fans. On crowd numbers, some of the biggest sporting events in the world are played in front of much smaller crowds at much smaller venues. Again, using the fan logic, all finals should be at the MCG. And, hey, let's move Wimbledon to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York because it holds 50% more fans coz we want as many fans as possible at the showcase events. Keep the Showdown in Adelaide. Give the Cats home finals if they want them. And - in 40 years time when the agreement ends - play the grand final on a rotating basis between the capitals.
Simoc
Guest
Since when has Barrett been sensible. Why has anyone ever listened to him? Because he goes for headlines with contrived or b/s headlines every time. He started out that way and has never been worth reading, for an afl footy follower.
HR
Guest
Unlike the majority of the Melbourne teams, the Adelaide teams have all the support they need from fans in their home city ;)
HR
Guest
If it's a flippant suggestion (a thought bubble if you're being generous, a brain fart if you aren't), it's one that Barrett has seen as worth raising twice at different times. You sure he's not serious about it?