The AFL really doesn't get it ... does it?

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

No betting odds on the screen

If there was one thing I could change it'd be this.

The creeping on off betting adds everywhere ruins the atmosphere for me, including when I watch on TV and listen on the radio. I've had a gutfull.

I hate it. If people want to bet, they have apps (as the adds keep reminding me).

edit: spelling

Edited November 21, 2014 by Choke

[rjay 23,970]

My main issue with Etihad is the results there. I don't see what all the fuss is about over it as a venue. It's perfectly fine, unless you have a particular issue with the roof. As for long cues...lol...at MFC games? Come on.

So I must have been talking BS then 'P-man' and I got p...off over an illusion but how come it took me over half an hour to get a ticket?

[daisycutter 28,641]

So I must have been talking BS then 'P-man' and I got p...off over an illusion but how come it took me over half an hour to get a ticket?

i had the same problem rjay

turned up 1/2 hour before game

went into a queue near the station for 10 mins

loudspeaker said shorter queues around the city side

moved around there....queue was just as long but i'm now back at the end

1/2 hour later i'm about 3 people away from the front when they announce that this queue's computer is down

start another queue (no priority offered) and wait another 1/2 hour for ticket

missed all of first quarter, get inside frustrated and fuming only to find out there is a "massive" crowd of about 20k

[DeeVoted 582]

I really don't like the sound of all this. 100 or whatever so call experts representing the every day supporter? Who are they really kidding.

More likely markerting gurus trying to milk our great game for every dollar they can make out of it.All the AFL can see are the $$ signs.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-18/umpires-in-new-york

If they want a fair dinkum opinion why not have every club send out a survey to ALL their members then each club posts the results on their comments The AFL gathers all the results from all the clubs its all there for everyone to see.

You cant cannot manufacture atmosphere, they can try but if ts all fake, they are treating the every day supporters as idiots.

They structure the fixture to suit themselves. Its not a fair fixture, its based on making money. screw the lesser clubs.

Take this as an example as I doubt I will never witness anything that would ever come close this this again. It wasnt man made.

The turn of events that happened on this day nobody could have structured, its happened naturally.

1987 Western Oval Footscray V Melbourne. Round 22. 31,000 crammed in.

The 'buzz' around the ground was one out of the box. Both teams have to win to play finals. But Geelong have to lose at home to Hawthorn. Melbourne wants to win for Flower. The events of that day are well documented. No pre game USA hype was needed, some lunatic was on the ground loudspeaker off and on for the 1st half, until someone gagged him. The interest that weekend was unparalled.

It was the expectation of not knowing what would happen. Everyone there, will know what it felt like. God only knows how many more missed out getting inside the ground. Today the AFL would probably moved heaven and earth to play the game at a larger venue. Why, to satisfy the supporters that missed out? more likely more patrons paying more money to get in. We were all packed in like sardines, would I have prefered it being played at the "G" ??

After all what happened, the build up, people shoulder to shoulder asking the progress down at the Cattery. Not on your life, it all made up the excitement of the day. The tension mounted, nobody needed fake hype. It became a fenzy during the last qtr. Then the roar when the Hawks hit the front. For second or two, players stopped, the world stood still for a split second, the Dees would be playing finals, they did it for Robbie.

The AFL will take away all this from ever happening again.

The game was born here, it evolved into OUR game. Now its about to be another Amercian sporting event. RIP the bump, and the game we loved.

[Sir Why You Little 34,711]

14,000 at the cricket last night.

30 years ago 70,000 would have rocked in.

These money grabbing CEO's running elite sport better wake up real quick.

Strip it back so the game is the most important ingredient to those who attend the game.

Not betting odds and loud music or $20 hamburgers.

[Trisul 640]

As for long cues...lol...at MFC games? Come on.

Nothing to see here.

[DeeVoted 582]

Bring back the umbrella!!!

Nothing better than having to sit through us being beaten by the filth, and 1/2 through the last qtr, heavy rain starts falling ending any chance of a win.

Up goes the brolly, 10 filth supporters behind can no longer see anything.

[rjay 23,970]

Can they ban Basil from commentating?

I swear the guy doesn't even watch the game.

Anyone see the International game tonight tell me any different...

[Chook 14,602]

14,000 at the cricket last night.

30 years ago 70,000 would have rocked in.

These money grabbing CEO's running elite sport better wake up real quick.

Strip it back so the game is the most important ingredient to those who attend the game.

Not betting odds and loud music or $20 hamburgers.

Thirty years ago you couldn't watch it from home with a 50 inch LCD screen.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,542]

Can they ban Basil from commentating?

I swear the guy doesn't even watch the game.

Anyone see the International game tonight tell me any different...

But if you want to know which player is dating their teammates sister or what someones favourite food is he's the man!

[Sir Why You Little 34,711]

Thirty years ago you couldn't watch it from home with a 50 inch LCD screen.

Being at the actual event should always be better than watching it on any TV set

[rjay 23,970]

But if you want to know which player is dating their teammates sister or what someones favourite food is he's the man!

...or how good NikNat is when he only had 2 possessions in 3 Q's...

Plus 3 taps at the start of each Q against an undersized Irishman, I'm thinking he would have got the one at the start of the 4th Q as well giving him 4 for the game. What a star...

[boydie 653]

14,000 at the cricket last night.

30 years ago 70,000 would have rocked in.

These money grabbing CEO's running elite sport better wake up real quick.

Strip it back so the game is the most important ingredient to those who attend the game.

Not betting odds and loud music or $20 hamburgers.

While cricket crowds are on the decline I'd like to think that the MCG crowd was also affected due to a scheduling conflict. 23k turned out to the A-League at Etihad, some of the crowd would have probably gone to the cricket, but 10 years ago cricket would have the been the popular selection in the event of a conflict.

Thirty years ago you couldn't watch it from home with a 50 inch LCD screen.

True. Going to the cricket you get the atmosphere.

At home you see the game better, you don't get sunburnt, you save $30 on the entry ticket, and a carton of beer is about the same price as 6 mid-strengths at the G.

Edited November 23, 2014 by boydie

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Titus O'Reily hits the nail on the head regarding cricket, but the same could be applied to the AFL.

[Earl Hood 5,807]

...or how good NikNat is when he only had 2 possessions in 3 Q's...

Plus 3 taps at the start of each Q against an undersized Irishman, I'm thinking he would have got the one at the start of the 4th Q as well giving him 4 for the game. What a star...

Agree Rjay and I also wasn't sure about Hodge for the Jimmy medal. He did a lot of uncontested mopping up down the back and knocked up possessions but I thought Stevie J and even The Fletch put in some crucial plays that made the difference.

But perhaps I am sick of the Hodge love train that goes on year after year! But that said he is bloody too good to be real.

[Tatu 416]

Other sports have adopted these tactics, in an attempt to catch up to the excitement AFL brings... Rather than try to join the herd, the AFL should focus on our differences... Our game doesn't need a glamorous displays and hyped up rock shows to draw crowds? We have crowds... Our game should aim to in hans our community ties, via opening and closing ceremonies... Our game is sacred and should be given the respect it deserves...

All AFL teams should march to the "G" and knell to the raising of the cup...

The Cup should be treated as absolutely sacred and no members of any team should ever be allowed to touch it, without winning it...

Im not talking about dangling it from strings and flying it around the "G"... I'm talking Olympic flame style respect...

After making it's way around the country it should be raised in to a glass cabinet at the MCG, to be admired for the entire year...

[DeeVoted 582]

14,000 at the cricket last night.

30 years ago 70,000 would have rocked in.

These money grabbing CEO's running elite sport better wake up real quick.

Strip it back so the game is the most important ingredient to those who attend the game.

Not betting odds and loud music or $20 hamburgers.

Start treating supporters with contempt and not listening to their complaints, one day they will wake up. It will be all too late.

The AFL is heading down the same path.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2014-15/content/story/802517.html

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Can they ban Basil from commentating?

I swear the guy doesn't even watch the game.

Anyone see the International game tonight tell me any different...

Apparently Dustin Fletcher is old and might reach 400 games.

I know because I was told every 3 minutes for the entire game.

[poita 3,667]

14,000 at the cricket last night.

30 years ago 70,000 would have rocked in.

These money grabbing CEO's running elite sport better wake up real quick.

Strip it back so the game is the most important ingredient to those who attend the game.

Not betting odds and loud music or $20 hamburgers.

The number 1 issue facing cricket is the scheduling of the games. You already have T20s and ODIs finishing at 10:30pm. Soon we will have test matches finishing at the same time. If kids can't go to matches to see their heroes they will lose interest and take up a different sport. I'm not a massive cricket fan, but it was a big deal when I was growing up (late 80s - early 90s) for people to go and watch international cricket. The attendance figures this year, and for a number of years, suggest that this is no longer the case. Sure television has had an impact, but people who want to go games will still go in the right circumstances, as is the case with the AFL.

The AFL has enough day time content to keep kids happy at the moment. But every year we see more games finishing after dark and there has to be a tipping point, particularly when you have games finishing late on school / work nights. I wouldn't dream of taking my son to a game that finished after 6pm (ie get home after 7pm) until he is at least 10, and who knows whether he would still care by that point.