Last weekend, I was able to attend the Carlton-St Kilda game at Marvel Stadium with my family as a guest of an AFL member.
Whether it is a mis-remembering of the old days or an increased sensitivity at having my 12-and 13-year old girls with me (or maybe just because my Blues once again let me down meaning I am now 1-6 when taking my daughter to a Carlton game), I left wondering whether I would return, after a number of incidents led me to the following conclusions.
To begin with, there seem to be a lot of fans at games who value the ability to drink over actually watching the footy.
As we took our seats three rows from the fence, not far from the Blues’ bench, I was struck by two things: the fact that most people were drinking full strength Carlton Draught cans, Strongbow Ciders or plastic cups of wine in their seats, where I thought mid strength was now the only option; and how many of these premium seats were still empty as the game started.
Over the course of the game, a theme as consistent as the tide developed. The first 10 minutes of each quarter were interrupted by people returning to their seats coming from the bar, and the last five minutes interrupted by those same people rushing back to refill.
This meant most of those around us missed at least a third of the game they had paid to attend and quite possibly couldn’t remember the rest.
A significant portion of these attendees also seem to to be less fans and more fanatics. I encountered multiple examples of obnoxious behaviour, instead of support for the team.
This behaviour ranged from the annoying – like Saints supporters who abused one of their own for complaining about their constant swearing around his three-year old son – to the comical – the Carlton supporter who abused youngster Jesse Motlop for not being front and square at a contest… when he was on the bench not 10 metres in front of him.
It reached a dangerous point when a Blues fan moved right next to the bench to hurl abuse at the Carlton players, and then turn on a nearby 60-year old couple who reported him to security. Said security only observed him for a few minutes before leaving.
This might be an overreaction to a small sample size, but the fact my sister, sitting on the other side of the ground, had similar experiences, leads me to believe it is widespread.
Fans look on during the 2022 preliminary final between Geelong and Brisbane. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Fuelling all this is my belief that, despite all the footy shows on TV and analysis done these days, a lot of fans have a fundamental misunderstanding of the game, and overconfidence in their knowledge of it, which is a dangerous mix.
This was shown in the constant abuse of the umpires for incidents happening 150 metres away, as well as the general moaning from Carlton supporters any time the Blues tried to shift the Saints’ defence by going backwards and switching play. It was exemplified by the Blues fan who spent most of the second half imploring them to ‘kick it long down the middle’, where the Saints had set up very well defensively, only to briefly celebrate when they did (“that’s better”), only to then loudly complain “Who was that to?” when the Saints intercepted and rebounded.
Finally, and most importantly, there seems to be an underlying anger pervading the game these days.
It is hard to put a finger on exactly what is was the led me to this conclusion, but of the people around us, no one actually seemed to be enjoying the entertainment provided by the sport being played.
The Saints fans behind us swore like sailors all afternoon, the level of vitriol directed at the umpires and players seemed disproportionate (umpires still copped abuse for ‘evening it up’ when they actually paid the correct free kick), there was a general disrespect to other attendees, and a palpable energy that things could kick off at any minute.
I can’t help but think that the so-called ‘Kane Cornes cycle’ of saying or Tweeting something controversial, going on radio to reassert it, getting other commentators to argue back and ensuring the whole week is dominated by the controversy rather than the game, combined with the combative keyboard warrior culture that has emerged in recent years, has a significant part to play in this.
With this in mind I am wrestling with a big question – will I go back to see the Blues play the Saints again later this year?
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I hope so – although until the AFL release the rest of the fixture, it is hard to say – but the fact I am even debating the idea should give us all, myself included, pause to consider what kind of experience we want at the game, and what kind of football follower we should all try to be.
Greg
Roar Rookie
I'm glad you raised this issue Macca. The behaviour of some soaked groups at the footy is just disgraceful. Some of them think they are funny. The language and alcohol consumption reduces the enjoyment of the game, and I think these people know they can get away with it. As long as they are able they will.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
Surely a beer left for 25 minutes wouldn't be worth drinking. The bloke's doubly stupid.
John Raf
Roar Rookie
Well said and I do feel for you, it’s sad to think that the current experience of the footy might be turning away people like yourself from bringing their kids along. The drinking culture – I’ve been a premium level Melbourne member for 8 years now. This gives me a reserved seat on level 2 in the southern stand and one of the reasons I do it is to get away from the Joe Publics and be around the hardcore fans however on Monday night against Richmond with 83,000 in attendance and a close game in the balance in the 3rd and 4th quarter, I found myself getting up very often to let people through, while the game was going! I know this isn’t a new thing and that people get up to go to the bar to beat the queue, I’m absolutely not begrudging people’s choice to drink at the game and I occasionally do it myself but it was alarming to be to see so many people doing it. Even teenagers. I feel like such a stick in the mud for thinking that I like to just sit there and watch the game uninterrupted, when I’m there with friends and go in on rounds I hate the fact that I’m shouted early on when I don’t even want a drink and then my return shout is probably going to end up coming around the late 3rd quarter/early I the 4th when one of these numps turns to me and says it. What part of I don’t want to miss the game don’t these people understand? The lack of understanding – You’re speaking my language here with the long ball up the middle fan. I go to the footy and love to yell and get animated, but I’m always realistic in what I yell out. It’s a two team sport and most of the time when you yell out things like “pick it up”, “Just kick the bloody thing”, “why did you fumble it” the players are trying to do the exact thing you wanted them to, they aren’t idiots. I would love it if people just had a bit more understanding about how the game is played but you’re just going to get these things I’m afraid. Seeing players guarding grass while people yell out to man up, a player outside the 50 waiting for the right option while people yell to just bomb it in, playing possessions footy to slow it down and people yelling to just move it. These things are all here to stay. Abuse – No tolerance for it at all. I would never call one of my players a loser, criticise the action and don’t get personal. Make criticism constructive. As for that guy going down to the bench to abuse Motlop that’s not on. We’re all different footy fans but as a whole we need to lift our game.
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Yeah, alcohol exacerbate things, some overly one eyed supporters can tend to talk and yell quite a bit of uninformed disrespectful shyte.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Alcohol only one part of it Kevo, respect for others and the ability to accept alternate opinions without resorting to abuse are others
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Interesting read Macca. Enjoy a beer but would have no problems if they banned grog at the footy.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Can't say I have had any bad experiences at AFL games. The security people or police have been instantly there and removed the problem both twice at the MCG and at the old Subiaco Oval. But this was a decade and beyond back.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good read thanks Macca.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I took my wife to see U2 on their Joshua Tree tour ( her favourite band) and didn’t have 1 song for the night where 1 of the group of 6 next to us wasn’t going in or out
Macca
Roar Rookie
Fan is short for fanatic which many people are but intelligent thought and fanaticism are mutually exclusive
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
This could be an article DTM. Well written
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
It might be my age but I hate being called a "fan" instead of a supporter (paid member). The article makes a point about the ill informed despite the professional pundits. However given the amount of media there are a significant portion who produce content that is parochial / biased or deliberately contraversial or due to deadlines just MSU (making stuff up)
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I agree with your thoughts on Kane Cornes, Macca. Yesterday a Doggies supporter queried on radio why Cornes judged Bevo's coaching record harshly yet gave Hinkley a pat on the back, despite Bevo taking the Dogs to two grand finals and one flag in his 8 year tenure, compared to Hinkley's zero grand finals and zero flags in his 9 year tenure. A fair question! Cornes responded bombastically that "the Dogs had a ten-times better list than Port". But that's rubbish. Port and the Dogs both have lists at the moment that are top 5 or 6 in the comp (with Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane and Carlton in my view). His judgement on the Dogs can't be trusted because he is bitter about Bevo's comments towards him (questioning how his wife could sleep next to him :laughing:) and his judgement on Port is as biased and one-eyed as they come.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Must admit, I didn't enjoy attending a Carlton v Dogs game last year because it felt like the whole game Carlton supporters were passionately barracking non-stop for free kicks instead of appreciating the footy. I din't notice much vulgar language though and only had my view interrupted for a few moments by drinkers returning to their seats. I only go these days to catch-up with mates. Otherwise it's definitely more enjoyable watching from the armchair at home. :happy:
PeteB
Roar Rookie
The drinking culture is absolutely disgraceful in this country. Went to a function recently and asked for a light beer. It took the staff ten minutes to find one at the back of the fridge. Went to a cafe in Torquay just after 3pm for a coffee and was told sorry they switch off the machine at 3 and the only drink I could buy was alcoholic. Got up and walked out.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Only go to one or two games a year Macca and experience this cr.p every single time. By five minutes into the first quarter I’m already feeling regret for the effort of 300km round trip. Even on the odd occasion the Blues are in front :silly:. It’s just not an enjoyable experience. Will I go again ? Probably, but then I’ll probably also regret it. At least I can control the experience of watching it on tv from the comfort of home.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's just bs, last year I was on the hill and there was a guy doing the same and just yelling out stuff that had very little to do with the game, I ended up moving closer to a woman with her child as he seemed to pick the weak link and move closer and closer and you could see her getting uncomfortable, I think he was looking for actual trouble waiting for somebody to say something but I was about the same size and once he realised what I was doing he backed off and moved on but for her and her child it was bs and nobody else seemed t o want to make a move although I don't blame em either he looked dodgy as but I can't stand and do nothing when women are involved i was very subtle and no words needed but was lucky all the same.lol. generally though the hill is pretty good you can have good banter with opposition supporters and give a bit eitherway and everybodys and the same page of just a bit of harmless fun and it's not as bad with people getting drinks as theres no seats.lol.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Well said Lack of courtesy is pretty much the hub of it. If you want to go get a beer waituntiltheballis out of bounds or a goal is kicked not when the play is right in front of you or someone is kicking inside 50
Macca
Roar Rookie
Everyone can let an expletive go when frustrated but an apology goes a long way. These bloke every second word was f
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately your always going to get the ones that either don't have an idea about the game or any idea how to behave, I can't throw stones though as when I get worked up language will all of a sudden come out of my mouth I don't mean but generally.speaking im on the hill and there's generally no problems but if children are close im always quick to say sorry and most the time im told don't worry they hear worse than that at home or school etc but will still try to mind my p's and q's depending who's near me. I did get whinged at once for using the word anchor which did bemuse myself and the gf as of all the language going around I actually thought I did well but apparently not, the stare the old lady gave my gf too like it was her fault was quite savage, as her husband just pretended he wasnt there and looked the otherway, i think she was actually supporting the opposition who were losing but still.lol. I love the atmosphere but really don't like the time spent for drinks, toilet breaks and the like plus just people in general really.lol.