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Yesterday, the Adelaide Crows announced to the football world that they will be wearing a replica South Australian state guernsey in the Round 2…
I'm not all that sure what I'm supposed to make of the AFL's current predicament. And I'm not talking about the Essendon supplement scandal,…
I've said it time and time again over the past few years: Melbourne is in trouble. It's sad that I've been saying it for…
This week, the AFL website ran a piece about State of Origin and how players really like the idea of representative footy. I think…
Everybody knew from the outset that the AFL’s push into the Western Sydney region was going to be a tough one. “Nobody likes that…
The Adelaide Crows were once seen as the pin up club of the AFL. They have a large supporter base, good attendances, fantastic administration,…
So the dust has settled on another fantastic season of AFL football and the post-season reviews are starting to take place. The Sydney Swans…
Hawthorn is the favourite for the flag. Shocking revelation, I know. And as much as I hate to admit it, the Adelaide Crows have…
I sit here baffled, failing to comprehend what has happened in the past couple of days. Port Adelaide's loss to Greater Western Sydney was…
Boy, oh boy. What a month it's been for Travis Cloke. And I don't mean that in a positive way. We as the general…
In what has been dubbed “Tiger Turmoil” by the AFL's website, we’ve seen a fringe player sacked and a young star suspended for taking…
The majority of my Friday nights go like this: I get home from uni, do a bit of study, pick up some snacks from…
Sport can be a cruel thing. We all love sport here at The Roar. It's fair to say that it's a major part of…
Yes, I know this is yet another fluff piece on the GWS Giants. And yes, I know I'm a critic of people looking to…
In this current world of capitalism and chasing the almighty dollar, you'll find companies and organisations that will do just about anything to make…
Whenever one mentions the name “Eddie McGuire”, it’s usually followed by an eloquent phrase outlining a level of disdain towards him. Also known as…
As round ten comes to a close and the mid-year byes are upon us, it gives everyone a chance to sit back and reflect…
When I write about sport, I usually don't enjoy writing in such a negative manner. But sometimes, a negative opinion is necessary. I'll only…
At the start of this season, I remember being impressed about how much Port Adelaide had improved over the course of six months. Things…
In what has been a massive week for the AFL, some may not be aware of the racism saga surrounding the Adelaide Crows and…
I believe clubs have to find other avenues to making a profit. Sponsorship, attendances, merchandise, and membership are big keys to retaining that standpoint.
How do clubs such as North do that, when they find it hard to break even and don’t enjoy substantial support? Well then you have to look at marketing strategies. Find ways to connect to people and have an identity. Changing the name from North Melbourne to simply “Kangaroos” was stupid. They not only lost their identity, they also created a new one that didn’t connect with anyone. Changing the name back was a smart move.
Look at clubs like Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Hawthorn. They are big clubs with big name sponsors. Their apparel sponsors are companies like Adidas, Nike and Puma. While I don’t really care about those things, a lot of people do. Young kids go to a sports shop and want a pair of Nike boots in all sorts of crazy colours. You won’t find a skater or a surfer buying clothes from discount stores. The majority of them will buy brand name clothes.
So to reach out to the younger generation, brand recognition is more important than some of you might think.
And believe me, if clubs are that desparate for cash, they ought to look into things like that.
AFL must stop clubs selling home games
I don’t have an issue with clubs playing away from home. However, they should only do it in the pre-season.
Games in Darwin only draw 7-8000 people per match and likewise in Cairns.
I like how NAB Cup and other pre-season games are played all over the country. It gives people from those areas a chance to see top flight football and have a night out. I just don’t think it’s viable for Richmond to play up in Cairns for example. Cairns may be one of the biggest AFL cities in Queensland, but what makes you or anyone else think that a club based a few hundred metres away from the Melbourne Cricket Ground would gain a huge following in a place some 3,000km’s away?
Richmond are a massive club. They drew 44,000 people to a Fremantle game in pouring rain and have over 50,000 members. There’s no need for them to sell a game. It’s worth playing that home game in Melbourne, because Richmond supporters are the most loyal, passionate fans of any team on the planet. Hell, two finals appearances in 20 years and no premiership wins in over 30 and look at the support they receive. It’s simply extraordinary.
Hawthorn is a different story. They have an agreement and clearly the people of Tasmania support them. I still think that playing over a third of your home games away from home is a bit excessive though.
But clubs like Richmond, North and Melbourne should have a bit of a re-think. In my opinion there’s no need for it.
AFL must stop clubs selling home games
I agree. Princess Park is ideal for the lower drawing games. I know this doesn’t bear a great deal of relevance, but watching a game at a packed 25,000 seat stadium is more aesthetically pleasing than watching a game at a quarter full MCG.
And it’s going to be fantastic when the AFL own Docklands, as clubs will be able to make a greater return from the gate and clubs like North Melbourne will be far better off.
AFL must stop clubs selling home games
Yeah, I agree with you.
You won’t find any Crows or Power players living in derelict areas like Elizabeth in Adelaide.
The majority live in the Eastern Suburbs or in the coastal suburbs.
I’ve seen Scott Thompson and Brent Reilly from the Crows at my local supermarket whilst picking a couple things up for dinner. This particular supermarket is in the Eastern Suburbs, roughly 20-25km from West Lakes. So the proximity of the players residence to the training ground bears no relevance. I know Adelaide’s a different market, and I understand the writer thinks they should live in Western Sydney. But they’re living in Western Sydney, just not an area where there’s likely to be a cocaine raid.
This article is correct in some ways in that the Giants need to connect with their supporter base. But the writer has made a pointless statement as the Giants are already really active in the community.
He needs to get his facts right before writing such a fluff piece. I agree with The Cattery however. It does create good debate.
Giants failing to connect with western Sydney
I agree with you on the fact that the CEO and President have significantly different roles.
However, it’s still inappropriate to undermine another club’s plans when you’re in a position of power with an AFL club, whether you’re an administrator or a figurehead.
McGuire has threatened other clubs and made provocative and somewhat inappropriate statements about other clubs.
I’ll give you a scenario about a conflict of interest. Eddie had Jeff Kennett on his show Eddie McGuire Tonight. When Kennett made light of the fact Hawthorn beat the Pies earlier in the year, he dismissed Kennett, rolled his eyes and nonchalantly asked his next question. If he is to maintain these two roles, he must separate them by not showing bias to the Magpies when he’s in the media. That scenario exemplifies exactly what a conflict of interest is.
I have no issue with McGuire simultaneously working within both fields. He just needs to dial it down a bit.
Eddie McGuire needs to change his attitude
I think the best thing about James Brayshaw other than his performances on Triple M Footy is the fact that he doesn’t stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong. He doesn’t even tip on other clubs when hosting The Footy Show.
It was publicised that Fremantle and GWS were in the running to sign Travis Cloke. Eddie went on a verbal attack, waging war with those clubs, which I think is unprofessional. Any other President would have accepted that Travis is a good player and that it’s no surprise that another club would want to secure his services.
Eddie needs to take a few steps back. Any non-biased observer would come to the same conclusion.
And by the way, Eddie McGuire was the CEO of a little organisation called the Nine Network. You may have heard of them?
I’d say he’d be quite a decent administrator, wouldn’t you?
Eddie McGuire needs to change his attitude
The High Shot,
I’m also aware that same side has an average player age of 21, the majority of their players are in their first season of top flight football and that same side wandered down to Geelong to play the reigning premiers which is considered one of the toughest tasks in AFL Football and were level at half time.
They also beat the Gold Coast by 27 points, a side who has a year’s head start in the national competition and who has one of the greatest players in the history of the game running around on the paddock.
For all intents and purposes, they are a side who have been playing admirably.
The exciting and unpredictable 2012 AFL season
I think Hunt has come a long way. He seems to be settling in at AFL level and this is only his 25th game or so in the AFL. He’s playing pretty well for a guy in his second season at the top and with only two or three years experience with a Sherrin at any level. He gathered 21 possesions in the Q-Clash and 16 a couple days back. To the doubters, I dare you to find even the highest of draft picks over the last couple of years to top Hunt’s statistics. Maybe only Dave Swallow and a handful of others. And let’s not forget, most of those guys have had a footy in their hands since they were four or five years old. Think about it.
Hunt continues to shine in AFL at Sun
I’m sorry?
Who here said anything about the AFL?
No one made fun of the NRL.
You’re just trying to start a code war. Thing is, you know the stats between the AFL and NRL. Hell, everyone does. So why say these sorts of things? What’s the point?
Get over it and move on.
Thanks.
Sydney, where's the support for the NRL?
Well, the executives know it won’t rate in the other states. I mean, do you honestly think that those executives haven’t tried every avenue possible to make sure they get the programs in line to respective region’s television audiences? There’s too much money at stake not to tick all the boxes.
Now, here in South Australia, both forms of Rugby are virtually non existent. Until a few years ago I actually thought Rugby was just one game, until a family friend who’s a Queenslander educated me on the differences between League and Union. That’s how footy focussed this great state is.
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, there were a few advertisements on Channel Nine: “The Decider, State of Origin Three, the biggest match of the year, Don’t miss it!”, you get the story. So I was interested. I mean, I didn’t even know State of Origin was on, but I thought, “Hey, it’s a Wednesday evening. There’s no football. The Crows won’t be playing, I might see what all of the fuss is about”.
So I watched it. It was a spectacle. The Queenslanders especially love their League, so it was interesting to see that another sport actually exists in the football dominated land of the Croweaters. But that’s all it is here. A spectacle, a moment of intrigue which fizzles down after a few minutes, wondering why they take so bloody long to score and thinking how one-dimensional the game is. No offence intended, but that’s the way we see it over here. Pure and simple.
The television figures prove as much: 65,000 viewers in South Australia, with no Pre-Match show, for arguably Rugby League’s premier event.
You may say that the topic here is Union and not League, but for most South Australians, there is no difference. Both games are almost identical: A bunch of testosterone pumped guys throwing a ball backwards and perhaps there may be a score every thirty minutes or so. At the end of the day, the sport isn’t worth marketing and broadcasting in a state with a proud history and a complete love of Australian Football.
Rugby left out of Nine's Narrow World of Sports
Hey, The Wookie.
Yes, I have no doubt that your findings are correct. However, I am going by current 2011 average attendances.
My source at the SANFL gave me the Norwood v Glenelg match attendance, and told me that the average attendance for all matches up to the end of Round 6 was 5674.
Thanks for the comment.
South Australian footy not as bleak as it seems
Yeah, I agree with you in some ways.
I believe the key to winning the premiership is contingent on a number of factors: Culture, coaching, performance, ability, financial situation and in some cases even luck.
There are many variables that can determine what happens in an AFL season. Hawthorn would almostly certainly beat GWS this season however things could change that notion such as injuries, differing game plans, etc. In a game involving say, Collingwood and Geelong, any result is possible.
There is luck in the draft. Poor old Richard Tambling gets a bit of a hard time for being taken before Buddy Franklin, but sometimes those things work for one team and not so for another.
Nothing is set in stone, but overall a combination of a winning culture, talent, good coaching staff, enough cash to throw around and good teamwork should ensure a club success.
How to win an AFL Premiership