AFL 2011 Fixture Talk

[praha 10,592]

I am not criticising the AFL's ability to make a fair fixture, as I know they have an obligation to fans and showing off the best teams at the best time, but I think that fixture is TERRIBLE for marketing purposes.

As I said on Big Footy:

You need a favorable fixture to better market your product. If you have the best show on TV, you're not going to put it on TV at 11pm on a Tuesday night. We're given a [censored] marketable fixture because the AFL doesn't have confidence in our brand. We'll win plenty of games next year. But that fixture doesn't nothing to get our brand out to the casual football fan, and those we're hoping to attract. Sorry for not being optimistic, but that's how I feel about that fixture.

And it's funny, because in years past, everyone made a big fuss about the Sunday games making it difficult for us to promote our brand and make money. But now that all those Sunday games are against easy beats, it's suddenly OK...

Consider we have a new logo, new direction, new brand. That fixture is terrible. Big test for the likes of Schwab and co. this season. Hopefully they can continue their great form off-field.

[Trisul 654]

With the unveiling of the fixture many seem to have changed their tune from 2011 finals being potentially possible to potently probable. Lists (2010) are finalised today? The drafts haven't occurred yet? 3 top 8 teams in 2009 did not make the cut in 2010.

[Choko 493]

I understand where you're coming from, but I reckon the best marketing is momentum based on victories. Essendon had a lot of Friday night Etihad games last year, but in fact it can be a poison chalice if you're uncometitive or your team isn't in the running.

Now that we are genuinely pushing for finals action, I would take a good footy draw over a good marketing draw any day.

I am not criticising the AFL's ability to make a fair fixture, as I know they have an obligation to fans and showing off the best teams at the best time, but I think that fixture is TERRIBLE for marketing purposes.

As I said on Big Footy:

You need a favorable fixture to better market your product. If you have the best show on TV, you're not going to put it on TV at 11pm on a Tuesday night. We're given a [censored] marketable fixture because the AFL doesn't have confidence in our brand. We'll win plenty of games next year. But that fixture doesn't nothing to get our brand out to the casual football fan, and those we're hoping to attract. Sorry for not being optimistic, but that's how I feel about that fixture.

And it's funny, because in years past, everyone made a big fuss about the Sunday games making it difficult for us to promote our brand and make money. But now that all those Sunday games are against easy beats, it's suddenly OK...

Consider we have a new logo, new direction, new brand. That fixture is terrible. Big test for the likes of Schwab and co. this season. Hopefully they can continue their great form off-field.

[Sir Why You Little 35,383]

I am not criticising the AFL's ability to make a fair fixture, as I know they have an obligation to fans and showing off the best teams at the best time, but I think that fixture is TERRIBLE for marketing purposes.

As I said on Big Footy:

You need a favorable fixture to better market your product. If you have the best show on TV, you're not going to put it on TV at 11pm on a Tuesday night. We're given a [censored] marketable fixture because the AFL doesn't have confidence in our brand. We'll win plenty of games next year. But that fixture doesn't nothing to get our brand out to the casual football fan, and those we're hoping to attract. Sorry for not being optimistic, but that's how I feel about that fixture.

And it's funny, because in years past, everyone made a big fuss about the Sunday games making it difficult for us to promote our brand and make money. But now that all those Sunday games are against easy beats, it's suddenly OK...

Consider we have a new logo, new direction, new brand. That fixture is terrible. Big test for the likes of Schwab and co. this season. Hopefully they can continue their great form off-field.

I see it differently, although i know where you are coming from.

The AFL is actually waving the carrot at us the MFC supporter this time around, they want to know how many of us will show up in numbers next year. I think the AFL has confidence in our brand long term, but needs a handle on our supporters.

If we start well & win early games, playing exciting Footy, i think the MFC will pull a lot of supporters to even sunday games. The opposition supporters will be greatly out numbered, but that is out of our control.

[Guest Redleg_24]

I understand where you're coming from, but I reckon the best marketing is momentum based on victories. Essendon had a lot of Friday night Etihad games last year, but in fact it can be a poison chalice if you're uncometitive or your team isn't in the running.

Now that we are genuinely pushing for finals action, I would take a good footy draw over a good marketing draw any day.

You're right. Its as simple as this: If we are winning the crowds will come. If we are as exciting as we can be, neautral supporters will fill the seats of interstate teams supporters. People will want to see the Demons play. So lets just start winning!

[deezzz 0]

You're right. Its as simple as this: If we are winning the crowds will come. If we are as exciting as we can be, neautral supporters will fill the seats of interstate teams supporters. People will want to see the Demons play. So lets just start winning!

you're delusional if you think neutral supporters will fill seats, maybe QB but not regular games.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

quote name='Redleg_24' date='29 October 2010 - 02:23 PM' timestamp='1288322599' post='379183']

You're right. Its as simple as this: If we are winning the crowds will come. If we are as exciting as we can be, neautral supporters will fill the seats of interstate teams supporters. People will want to see the Demons play. So lets just start winning!

you're delusional if you think neutral supporters will fill seats, maybe QB but not regular games.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I'm overall very happy with our fixture, plenty of free to air games and crowd-drawing slots

[Guest Redleg_24]

you're delusional if you think neutral supporters will fill seats, maybe QB but not regular games.

pft! it's fact of life, the higher on the ladder two sides are, the more netral and affiliated fans turn up

pretty obvious

i know i have been to way more geelong/hathorn/collingwood/saints games than i have essendon and richmond over the last 3-4 years, thats for sure

[Eth 4]

There's one thing I don't like about the fixture, and it's not the home game at Etihad.

One game against Collingwood?

You'd think two encounters where the total margin was one point would be enough...

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

pft! it's fact of life, the higher on the ladder two sides are, the more netral and affiliated fans turn up

pretty obvious

i know i have been to way more geelong/hathorn/collingwood/saints games than i have essendon and richmond over the last 3-4 years, thats for sure

Was deezz post in your Top 5 ?

[Red Sox 2]

I really like this fixture. Favourable in many ways, 3 games to start at the 'G and at this stage the easiest of away games in Gold Coast. We get a bye into our next interstate trip against who, again at this stage would be the next most favourable of travel destinations.

The remainder of games after this include 7 home & 3 away games at the 'G. 3 away games and 1 home at Etihad as well as the Darwin home game. We get our annual trip to Kardinia Park and finish with a sole trip to AAMI.

A nice duo of Friday Night games (Carlton & Essendon) into the Queens Birthday fixture in the middle of the season. I don't think we could have asked for or expected any more than was delivered from the AFL.

It is a very good fixture for us, hopefully one we live up to and exceed. If we are improving on this fixture in 2012 we will be doing nicely on field.

[DeezMan 4]

Wow 5 pages already!!!!

Well we thought our draw was good this year... 2011 looks even better!!!

Stand-out features for mine:

- More free-to-air games so more people can see us play.

- Only travel 4 times!!!! And that includes to Darwin vs Port!

- Play the top 4 teams once each.

- Play wooden-spooners twice and Richmond twice.

- Less Sunday games (plus 3 Fri night games and one Thurs nighter!).

- 13 MCG games.

And I do believe that the AFL have realised that, oh dearie me, those Dees can possibly defeat the Pies... hence we have them just the once in 2011. Boo-hoo.

[Crystal Dees 372]

I seriously can't believe you managed to drag more cons out of that draw than pros??? And one of your pros was wrong? AAMI in round 24, guess that makes it 1 pro you can see?? IMO This is a dream draw with the only real negative being Port at AAMI in the last round.. Just need to make sure our place in October is sealed before that game to settle the nerves.. A home game at Etihad sucks but as for start time on Sundays an hour earlier who cares. Really if this is all we have to whinge about, how good is this!! Go through week by week and look at the amount of games the look realistically winnable.. looks great, got a dream draw for the start of building a new era at the MFC.

As a father of 4 young kids I can tell you this draw is not young fan friendly. My kids play the game, and like just about all junior football, they play on a Sunday. Night matches are not good for young kids (home after midnight) so it's likely my 4 kids won't see one home match at the G this year! As a MCC member my MFC membership is in effect a donation. As a one income family I am being asked to buy 5 MFC memberships for no return. There are many facets to a good draw and this is a real negative. I cannot possibly justify buying the number of memberships I have in recent years - sad but true.

[Eth 4]

Also, an in depth analysis of the fixtures had us with the best draw. Not fan friendly, but it bumps our finals hopes up.

[Old Man Rivers 326]

As a father of 4 young kids I can tell you this draw is not young fan friendly. My kids play the game, and like just about all junior football, they play on a Sunday. Night matches are not good for young kids (home after midnight) so it's likely my 4 kids won't see one home match at the G this year! As a MCC member my MFC membership is in effect a donation. As a one income family I am being asked to buy 5 MFC memberships for no return. There are many facets to a good draw and this is a real negative. I cannot possibly justify buying the number of memberships I have in recent years - sad but true.

Yep - have felt your same pain for several years with Kids Junior Footy commitments & The Dee's heavy Sunday Fixturing.

However my young bloke is playing U18 Colts on a Saturday Morning in 2011 now & at last a Sunday Fixture finally works.

Season 2011 - Bring It On

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Wrong. They have port round 1 Home game at Etihad. Have you actually seen the fixture?

Have already commented on my mistake. Have you actually seen this thread?

[gOLLy 401]

Si. - Disappointed I didn't win the raffle though, I reckon it's about time I won it. In some ways, lucky enough to be able to do it.

Love the footy. This fixture just makes me want to fast forward life through the draft (pause for Draft at picks 12, 32, 49) up to Boxing Day Test (enjoy Christmas Pork & Pud btw & few sherbets), pause for the Boxing day Test (more sherbets), then fast forward straight through to the NAB Cup.

Geez..I'm getting emotional. Love you Demetriou.

{someone pinch me}

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I will only ever be happy with the draw when it is an even competition and each team just plays each other once.

Having said that, this years is pretty good except for the home game at Docklands, that makes me feel a little ill.

[Chook 14,710]

For anyone whinging about our draw, or for anyone who wants a more in-depth analysis, take your bigfooty allergy medication and head over to http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=772740

[Roost It 1,434]

Yep, my bad. Missed the round 22 match. At least it's only 1, and at the end of the season.

Great fixture for on-field, terrible for off-field. I can't imagine the club being particularly impressed.

Not at all terrible for the club. 14 free to air, MCG minimum payment per match, friday night games, thursday night game, real chance to play finals. The club will be stoked.

[Demondeb 8]

From a Qld Demons perspective, its pretty damn good. We get an early season game (weather should be typically good in April) v Gold Coast rather than Brisbane and it's on a Sunday afternoon which means more fans can come along to our function afterwards.

Night games are a nightmare and this is a much better fan friendly option.

Now all we have to do is win!!!

[WonnaJurah 5]

one game in brisbane not to bad, im guessing we can use that as the free game since we dont play lions up hereand instead the Gold Coast

[DeezMan 4]

Nice article in the Herald Sun today showcasing the Dees' "dream run" in 2011. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/demons-dream-afl-draw/story-e6frf9jf-1225945403254

In the paper, there's a table showing us as having the best draw of all Vic teams.

- We travel 3.25 times and next best is Carlton and Collingwood with 4.

- There's another table showing all the teams' coverage on TV. We are equal with Essendon and Richmond with 14 free-to-air games!!! Essendon have 8 Fox games and we have 7 (who knows with Round 24 though)!! Times are a changing...

[Summer Blease 0]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/demons-dream-afl-draw/story-e6frf9jf-1225945403254

That is the feel good read of 2010 for me! Can't get any better than that!! Hahahah at the Dons and North!! Good luck Hirdy!!