Gather round people, Gill will tell you a story.
A four-day long story of sporting power and pride.
Opposite men from opposite sides are uniting in praise for what AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan reckons is a glorious triumph, the inaugural Gather Round.
McLachlan hoped the AFL’s experiment, when all 18 clubs played in Adelaide and surrounds over four days, would be a winner.
But even the eternal AFL optimist was surprised by the success – so much so, the AFL commission has awarded South Australia hosting rights for the round for the next three years.
“It has been an unbelievable success,” McLachlan told reporters on Sunday.
“It has been an amazing weekend where people have pulled this together in four and a half months.
“I know now, with a three year commitment with the state government, we can actually plan … with certainty.
“And AFL supporters can put this in their calendar as a place where all 18 clubs come together and celebrate our game and enjoy this state.”
McLachlan said the round would be taken outside of SA “at some point”.
But he was buzzing at Adelaide’s reception, just as the city itself was abuzz during the round, based on the NRL’s Magic Round in Queensland.
Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Adelaide experienced record accommodation rates and roaring hospitality and tourism trade over a four-day festival of footy which, on initial estimates, plunged $85 million into state coffers.
The return is a boon for the South Australian government, which declined to detail its monetary incentive to the AFL for hosting rights though the figure was reportedly in the vicinity of $14m.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas is a footy-besotted character – he played in underage ranks for SANFL club West Adelaide, as recently as last year turned out in seventh-division amateurs, and wears his Port Adelaide colours on his sleeves, scarf and wherever else possible.
The premier was the key player in SA’s team bid to earn hosting rights. McLachlan said Malinauskas applied a “hard tag” on AFL commission members during persistent lobbying at last year’s grand final.
Malinauskas’ efforts were pivotal. Sydney, in footy parlance, was five goals up and kicking with the wind in the last quarter of voting – but the AFL commission opted for Adelaide.
The results were sell-out crowds at all nine games, total attendance topping 220,000, with 60,000 tickets sold to people from outside of SA.
Thousands flocked to Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens, just a Shannon Hurn drop-punt over the water from Adelaide Oval, where large screens televised all games and players from all clubs mingled with fans.
Adelaide’s suburban footy ovals were hives of activity as the AFL clubs trained and held coaching clinics.
Inner suburban Norwood Oval was packed for its two games; ditto for Mt Barker’s oval in the pictureseque Adelaide Hills when the township hosted.
For Malinauskas, there’s deep method to his footy madness.
“It’s more than just a footy round, it’s an investment attraction opportunity,” he said.
“We believe we have got an event here in South Australia now that we can grow and take it to a whole new level. This three-year commitment gives us that lead time.”
From little things, big things grow.
Dibbs
Roar Rookie
There's a lot of nonsence going around here. The decision to keep it in Adelaide has nothing to do with it being a success. They made the decision two games in to the round, before we knew it was a success. How do we measure success anyway? It seemed like there were a lot of empty seats to me, but the success of it seems to be measured by the fact that Adelaide brought in a lot of money, and there was a good 'vibe ' about the place. Both of those things I'm sure would be true in any other major city. The nonsense I'm talking about is that some of things being said are entirely not true, and some just don't make any sense. Firstly I don't get the logic of it being a success, and therefore, it should stay in Adelaide indefinitely (and as I said, the decision clearly had nothing to do with success anyway). The second point people make is that Adelaide is central, which also doesn't make sense. If by central they mean in the middle of the country, then sure, Adelaide is right in the middle of the entire eastern seaboard on one side, and the central desert; Alice Springs is the next best option by that logic. If by central they mean proximity to Melbourne, then Sydney makes as much sense. If they mean central as in central to Australia's population, then Sydney makes more sense. If we're talking about being a football state, or crowd figures, then Perth makes as much sense. Perth would match those crowd figures after 4 games (55,000 x 4 = 220,000), so probably makes more economic sense. People seem to be saying Perth is too far from Melbourne, which is weird, as if people only just looked at a map for the first time, and as if sitting on a plane for an extra 2 hours would be just too much for people (the footy teams do that every week). Everyone should stop kidding themselves and acknowledge that this is just about the AFL getting money from the South Australian government, and that the AFL has a problem with W.A.: all these other justifications are either irrelevent or don't make any sense.
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
I agree to an extent. AFL taking it to Adelaide is probably not so bad in that there is interest there already but probably a lot more potential. That to me would be the ideal scenario. Holding it in Brisbane is a bit like preaching to the converted for the NRL. Perhaps they should consider taking to somewhere like Melbourne or Canberra or even the Newcastle on the same basis.
Roger of Sydney
Roar Rookie
Adelaide did a great job, so three years works. Sydney would have been the wrong choice. Perth are footy heads but a bloody long way, expensive and accommodation not huge either. Brisbane may be ok but not sure about the attendance given its strong NRL. Victoria, nah
Demonoid
Roar Rookie
Tickets on the weekend were double headers. Many people left after first game, and others arrived only for second. SA Premier was on Melbourne radio this morning advising that this was the biggest learning from this year - how to maximise attendances at double headers for next year.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Yes, that’s correct. As you rightly point out, the Poms have a distinct advantage over us in that all their cities are relatively close to each other. Which is why I don’t have a problem with Australian codes adapting the purpose of the exercise. Having a city host all games in a round works well in a heartland location. Got to be pragmatic about these things…
sydswan
Roar Rookie
For all those complaining about Port and Crows having 2 additional home games - why not play the Derby/Showdown between them during that round? Would guarantee a big crowd and no one can whinge about home ground advantage.
Redb
Roar Guru
I think Brisbane/Gold Coast would definitely work. Plenty of expat fans, popular holiday location. Brisbane like Adelaide is striving for some limelight. Adelaide is good, cant see Perth working due to distance.
Redb
Roar Guru
Poor Alan lol
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
This idea did not originate with the NRL. The concept was first devised by the English Superleague who have been using it for over a decade to great success. Their original idea was to use it as a marketing tool by taking the game of Rugby League to cities around Britain that are not normally associated with the sport. Swamping a town like Swansea or Newcastle with rugby league fans from a variety of different clubs was seen as a great advertisement for the game as well as a chance to get some locals along at a bigger venue. The NRL adopted the idea but has so far never moved it outside of Brisbane (Vlandys either doesn’t get it or more likely isn’t interested in showcasing the sport outside of traditional areas). I will admit that the big advantage the Brits have is that travel isn’t so much of an issue for their fans.
Patient #9
Roar Rookie
Keep it in Adelaide, see no logical reason to ever move it unless another state government gives the AFL more dosh cause that's the main reason it's in Adelaide the sa Govt paid up.
Cwizzle
Roar Rookie
Was a great weekend. The one thing I don’t understand though….if it was a sell out, why the empty seats everywhere at the Oval?
Alan
Roar Rookie
once again a fair comment. But to be on the money - going to the game is one thing but getting people to watch overall is extremely important. Both indices coming together (attendances and TV audiences) as a cumulative are what advertisers look at. But as i said if this discussion is about just getting people to turn up physically then you are correct. Will be interesting to see how the state of Origin goes in Adelaide in four weeks. I would think the actual attendance but also the audience in the Adelaide market would interest advertisers from a TV /Fox perspective.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Fair enough
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
They might be able to, but it’s a mindset thing. ‘Adelaide is just a couple of hours away, whereas Perth is on the other side of the country’ - that kind of thinking. Regardless of what you or I think, Gather Round is locked in for Adelaide for the next three years - I wish them all the best! What happens after that - who knows…
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I forgot about Springfield Oval.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And that comment is also true.
Alan
Roar Rookie
fair comment
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
They won't control air fares. I would aver that 90% of the visitors who went to Adelaide would have the wherewithal to get to Perth. ------- Crowd Analysis of each city would show Adelaide, followed by Perth, are the most fanatical sports cities.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Part of the reason the AFL dominates their states in a way that the NRL can’t match in their states is that Australian Football was there at the start of their cities (Melbourne, Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide, Ballarat & Bendigo) embryonic foundations. Brisbane and Sydney were well established when Rugby League came on. AF actually displaced RU in Perth.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
This was about people going to a game. As in why hold it in this city or that. TV ratings are immaterial in this discourse. —– What you say has some veracity re Sydney TV Audiences.