Our sporting codes certainly felt like strange new products when played without fans. As they begin to resume, it is almost guaranteed that sport will continue to have an odd look.
The NRL is likely to kick off first whether they receive the approval for a May 28 resumption or soon after. The AFL is yet to announce a date though all roads lead towards a mid to late June resumption.
For any sporting fan, having the same expectations for this season as you would for a typical season would be a disappointment because of the unique nature sport is in. It would be wise to change our hopes before the sporting codes resume.
This has led me to create a list of the pros and cons of watching live sport without crowds in the hope of assisting fans in altering their expectations for sport during COVID-19.
Pros
Hearing the raw sounds of the game.
One of the first notable aspects of crowd-less games was being able to hear the players, umpires/referees and coaches more than usual. Hearing the umpires/referees constantly was quite irritating but the sounds of players and coaches were certainly engaging when heard.
The broadcasting companies can certainly improve the balance between the volume of umpires and the sounds of the game. If they can emphasis the sounds of the game more and lower the sound of whistles being constantly blown, it would be much better off for TV audiences.
The commentary of the game stands out
Without the background noise of the crowd, the commentators certainly become more audible. This makes the expert opinions and analysis from commentators pronounced which is beneficial in hearing insights into the game that you may have not thought of.
Some may disagree with the opinions but it creates interest for viewers which is a positive.
The intensity of the game lifts
In regards to crowd-less games, some people believe the intensity lowers though I think the opposite. Yes, with crowd noise the pressure can rise for players to perform.
Without crowd noise however, the sounds from teammates and opposition players are only emphasised so I think the pressure and intensity lift more as a result.
To conclude with the ‘pros’, we should appreciate the fact that we have these unique benefits in the sporting world of COVID-19. They won’t exist forever so while they last, we should rally around the unique positives.
An empty stadium (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Cons
Atmosphere
One-sided games can lose their lustre quickly and become boring without the emotions of a crowd.
With commentators being the ones left with the challenge of commentating one-sided games, it can be a tough job.
Without fans, the emotions of the game come down to the thoughts and feelings of commentators.
More often than not, the ones calling the game will have less fire in the belly than a supporter who is sitting on the boundary ranting and raving for their team so the emotions of the game can easily fade away without crowds. This can result in one-sided games becoming quite boring quickly.
Broadcasters and the AFL have to find a way to stimulate emotion into matches. In reality, these one-sided games should never be boring as the results have huge ramifications for the losing side and much upside for the winning team and ultimately, they bring out a heap of emotion.
Maybe we get greater insights into coaching addresses during breaks in games to get a look into the ramifications that poor performances have? Surely.
This would bring a heap of interest into these one-sided games. Talk about COVID-19 being an opportunity to change the game for the future. Here is a big chance! Greater access to the inner sanctum of clubs.
Players are less emotive and don’t feel the highs and lows of the game as much
While I did have the intensity rising for players as a positive, for some it’s much the opposite. Some players will likely become solely focused on the game and won’t feel as much emotion as they would with a crowd.
For example, in Aussie rules when an amazing goal is kicked on the boundary at training, it is a lot less exciting than it happening in a game with a crowd cheering. When AFL’s back without crowds, the goals, tackles, marks will be somewhat like training.
Likewise, for NRL, the try-saving tackles, the 50-metre tries won’t be as exciting without crowds. Overall we may see less emotion out of the players which is unfortunate but fair in the context of the situation they will be in without crowds.
Flashes of silence
In the crowd-less matches before seasons were put on hold, there were several moments where there would be flashes of silence.
The best examples of these silent moments were in between kicks or throws where umpires/referees, players, commentators and everyone waits to see what happens.
It is our human instinct to be silently watchful in these moments as you anticipate what will happen next. It is an unavoidable and just the new reality wherein with COVID-19 and no crowds.
Usually, we would get the background noise of a crowd though that is now replaced with silence. You might see this as a ridiculous negative but you’ll take notice of it when you watch live sport again without crowds.
To conclude, while these ‘cons’ negatively impact sport as we once knew them, they will end up giving us a greater appreciation for what we had in the past. Stick tight and stay loyal to the sports you love and we will be better for it.
After all who would have thought we would be in this predicament?
sofacheer
Roar Rookie
I felt after the first round of footy that it was just too weird. It is also hard as a fan to stay excited without the crowd atmosphere.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
From a player's perspective "away games" minus crowds would be less daunting. Many teams in world sport especially the successful ones have a much better home record than away. Some Rugby League referees subconsciously react to the boos & calls of "Get them onside ref. They've been doing it all game". It will be interesting to see the home & away stats for the "crowdless period" while it lasts.
Nat
Roar Guru
My local ground has gate at the carpark, a few houses down one side and not even a small fence any where else. IMO, Nrl has launched because of what they can do with professional players (professional in the context as it's their primary income source, no day jobs). Having amatuer players come to train/play from work is uncontrolable. then having two groups come togther to play is redic high risk. IMO, just let all bar NRL level go through to the keeper for 2020 at least.
Big Daddy
Guest
The big test will come when NSWRL and QRL start the state wide comps come July 18. Most suburban and country grounds don't have the security and are more easy accessible to public entry than the bigger grounds. To me that will be a bigger headache.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think a few of these run into each other. As you say, the commentator is far less emotional than the fans, which is a good thing, but it is that atmoshpere the fans are creating that often lifts the intensity of the game, or for the home side at least. We've seen on many occasions where the crowd has influenced a ref for a favourable decision. By reports from the players themselves after rnd 2, they really became aware of the empty seast when there were breaks in play.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Probably some of the best ever moments in cricket have been on the last day when the crowds didn't turn up because they didn't think anything much was going to happen. The close Manly x Chooks game in round 2 was still fine without the crowd , the intensity was high because both teams had lost round 1. Crowds could easily be back within the first month of the new comp anyway.