I was interested to read Rohan Connolly's most recent effort in The Age. With reference to the possibility of 8 games going free to air next year he asserts, "serve champagne on tap and in time, it will start to taste like water". He also makes reference to the fine line between fanaticism and obsession. Connolly is basically questioning whether our game is attractive and engaging enough to sustain this level of coverage. I often defend the standard of modern day football when debating with older friends and family who enjoy reminiscing nostalgically about the "good old days". If I wasn't intent on proving to those nearest and dearest to me that football isn't all consuming, I can confidently say I could watch every minute of every game each week - particularly during a week where Melbourne has notched up a convincing win. But then again, I've always assumed I linger closer to the obsessive than the fanatical when it comes to all things football. I'm interested in what others think. Is 8 games a week too much? Does the quality of footy really matter if Melbourne are winning? Do you watch footy for its aesthetics or purely because of your dedication to the Demon cause? How many non-Melbourne games do you watch per week?

Full article can be found below:

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfoo...6895525107.html

Some of the games I went to this year, particularly at the start of the season were absolutely terrible. The first game we played against North Melbourne springs to mind. Despite the win in that game I could hardly muster a cheer at the end.

I just wish they would stop introducing a new rule each year and let the game settle down a bit. This years new push in the back rule is going to annoy the living bejebus out of everyone IMO, it seems like you won't even be able to stand at thye back of a contest if the ball is sailing over your opponents head.

Having said all this I think it's great that all 8 games will be on FTA TV, if you don't want to watch a game nobody is going to force you to.

I agree with Connolly. I can really see over a weekend turning on the TV and just getting bored of football. Sometimes I like to watch something else, but on a Saturday night, we're likely to get two stations with football on and Channel 9, ABC and SBS (in Victoria) being the only ones with something else on.

NO such thing as too much!

Twilight games

no PAY TV FOOTY

i haved dreamed of these days

i use to watch most games, but it all depends on commentators as well

agree about all the new rule changes killling my love for watching other games but i still love to watch 2 great clubs play each other even if one isnt melbourne

I think I'll be less likely to watch a game just because it's on TV. With limited rations of footy, I think the networks would find that people would watch a game even if it wasn't a great contest. With 8 games per week on FTA TV, I think people will switch off on the poor games - they can get their footy fix with a better game instead.

I reckon I'll probably PVR all of the games and perhaps watch the good ones during the week when there is nothing on - which is generally every single night unless you like cop shows and hospital shows, which I don't.

I reckon I'll probably PVR all of the games and perhaps watch the good ones during the week when there is nothing on - which is generally every single night unless you like cop shows and hospital shows, which I don't.

A couple of the games every week will clash so 6 games per weekend will do me.

i use to watch most games, but it all depends on commentators as well

agree about all the new rule changes killling my love for watching other games but i still love to watch 2 great clubs play each other even if one isnt melbourne

I wouldn't watch every game but sometimes its nice to watch a neutral game and just enjoy it for what it is without having to stress about winning. Enjoy the spectacle without fearing an injury and just enjoying a game. This is not to say I dont enjoy Demon games, I do, very much but I do tend to stress until I am assured we have it in the bag which is usually after the final siren!

I look forward to the season on free to air - will be giving up PayTv very soon and saving myself an extra $50 pm which i can put away to save for a trip down south or maybe even more than one!

It won't change my viewing habits except that I will be able to watch ALL MFC games.

I will still enjoy watching neutral Friday and Saturday night games plus the occasional Sunday afternoon game as I have the past few years.

I don't care who wins most neutral games as long as it is a good contest with good skills.

The exception to this is Collingwood (of course) - just love to see them lose!