I start to browse this thread, and before I'm finished, I get ads for super-absorbent undies.

WTF? I haven't read it all, but this must be a very low-brow discussion.

2 hours ago, america de cali said:

R

Rothmans haven’t been around for a long long time. You wouldn’t have to leave your seat to smoke one or a whole pack last time they were sold.

Thanks for that, AdC. I bought two packs just this afternoon...must have been very old stock at the supermarket?

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

It seems that one critical thing about half-time is being overlooked: 20 minutes is just enough time to get off your bum in the stands, walk down the stairs to the gate, get a pass-out card from the 'gate-keeper', stroll into the parkland beyond the gate and smoke four or five full-strength Rothmans (so as to last through the 2nd-half of the game without too much trauma) and then, get back to your seat via the bar armed with four beers and two meat pies. Less than 20 minutes is cutting it too fine! 

Considering I don't smoke or drink at the footy I think 10mins less time listening to the morons on the loud speaker is great.

1 minute ago, Fork 'em said:

Considering I don't smoke or drink at the footy I think 10mins less time listening to the morons on the loud speaker is great.

Valid point, hence the queue conversations about the game in the bar, in the pie stalls, out in the spacious smokers' paradise. Entertainment (or better described as constant, mindless noise and drivel) seems to be the unelected freebie of your entrance fees to the footy - because The Pill prefers to personally be so associated. 

15 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Thanks for that, AdC. I bought two packs just this afternoon...must have been very old stock at the supermarket?

Thanks for the correction, haven’t seen them around in years.

I'm hoping the AFL doesn't jump straight towards halving the half time break. Maybe knock off 5min to start with if they really want to give it a go but I hope they don't completely dismiss the average fan with this issue, obviously the players welfare should be highest priority but the half time break as it stands is hard enough to squeeze in bathroom breaks and the opportunity to get some food.

What I can tell you is that I reckon the broadcasters could have a say in here that could affect the AFL's decision. The current half time break allows for 2 ad breaks, and of course advertising is key to the rights, reducing HT to 10-12 minutes will only give them one ad break, and while they could put it at the end of the match I guarantee the viewership would be significantly less post game compared to HT.

6 hours ago, Pates said:

What I can tell you is that I reckon the broadcasters could have a say in here that could affect the AFL's decision. The current half time break allows for 2 ad breaks, and of course advertising is key to the rights, reducing HT to 10-12 minutes will only give them one ad break, and while they could put it at the end of the match I guarantee the viewership would be significantly less post game compared to HT.

They'll put fewer ads in at half time. The pre-game will mysteriously extend by 10 minutes, and there they will jam in as many ads as humanly possible. Because mugs suckers viewers don't turn off pre game but they do at half time.

Anyone tell me why the halftime break is/was set at 20mins? 

Personally I think it’s a great idea. 

This will be one of the best changes to footy ever made 

3 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

They'll put fewer ads in at half time. The pre-game will mysteriously extend by 10 minutes, and there they will jam in as many ads as humanly possible. Because mugs suckers viewers don't turn off pre game but they do at half time.

I disagree, I think most people are savvy enough to know when the game is actually meant to start and would turn on during the ad break 5min before the bounce. But fans are interested in getting analysis of the game and discussion on how their team could potentially win it. With a 10min break there wouldn’t be much time for that stuff. 

Each to their own, I suppose, but personally I love a good, long half-time break. Have a stroll with the kids,  a kick in the park, nip across to Laurent's bakery if we are getting thrashed. 

 

Ten minutes? Nah

Have they spoken to the catering contractors?

Seem to me they would sell substantial less in a ten break vs a twenty minute break. Are the AFL going to reduce the fees they play to compensate? Let's not kid ourselves this 100% about the TV companies and as usual the fans / players are running a bad second.

 

Never realised that the quarter and three quarter time breaks are only 6 minutes. Had always assumed they were ten.

https://www.aflonline.com.au/afl-news/how-long-is-an-afl-game/

9 minutes ago, old dee said:

Have they spoken to the catering contractors?

Seem to me they would sell substantial less in a ten break vs a twenty minute break. Are the AFL going to reduce the fees they play to compensate? Let's not kid ourselves this 100% about the TV companies and as usual the fans / players are running a bad second.

 

you need an extra five minutes at a MFC game to find the food stall etc because they close most of them.

You're right though it's certainly not stadium driven. Then again it's up to the stadium to provide an atmosphere that gets people there 30 minutes early so they can sell their bad food.

Wait I have a solution.... let's ramp up security so everyone gets there early to avoid the long lines.

Last year in Russia at the World Cup it needed about an hour before kick off to get through security comfortably. Standing in a long snaking airport like line with Colombian football fans blowing vuvuzelas in your ear can be off putting.

Edited November 29, 20195 yr by Diamond_Jim

3 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

you need an extra five minutes at a MFC game to find the food stall etc because they close most of them.

You're right though it's certainly not stadium driven. Then again it's up to the stadium to provide an atmosphere that gets people there 30 minutes early so they can sell their bad food.

Wait I have a solution.... let's ramp up security so everyone gets there early to avoid the long lines.

Last year in Russia at the World Cup it needed about an hour before kick off to get through security comfortably. Standing in a long snaking airport like line with Colombian football fans blowing vuvuzelas in your ear can be off putting.

Here's a novel idea to get fans in early.

Play a under 18 game as a curtain raiser. 

7 minutes ago, old dee said:

Here's a novel idea to get fans in early.

Play a under 18 game as a curtain raiser. 

think of the turf OD.. and of course they'd need to finish 30  minutes before the start of the senior game to allow for .... (not sure what)

3 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

think of the turf OD.. and of course they'd need to finish 30  minutes before the start of the senior game to allow for .... (not sure what)

Auskick. They won't have enough time with a 10 minute half-time break for the Auskickers to have their fun. 

6 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Auskick. They won't have enough time with a 10 minute half-time break for the Auskickers to have their fun. 

yeah that is when they are supposed to play that but their argument for VFL games was that they had to finish 20 plus minutes before to allow for warm up umpire inspections  etc etc

So if you allow for Auskick as well the curtain raiser would probably need to start before sunrise

Edited November 29, 20195 yr by Diamond_Jim

If food venues have less time to sell their products, you can be dam sure that prices will go up steeply. 
Ch7 want to recoup their $$$’s this is the only reason for changing the Break time

5 minute Little League matches will be fun for the kids! ?

3 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

If food venues have less time to sell their products, you can be dam sure that prices will go up steeply. 
Ch7 want to recoup their $$$’s this is the only reason for changing the Break time

Exactly, as usual it is the AFL dressing up something that will suit fans that is actually to suit the broadcasters. It is as always about the money.

5 hours ago, old dee said:

Here's a novel idea to get fans in early.

Play a under 18 game as a curtain raiser. 

The old 'Reserves' game used to get at least half of the big-time game spectators comfortably fed, watered, seated and enthused, so a curtain raiser would be phantastique.

Also, someone once said that the catering ' rush and crush ' is deliberate - making food/drink purchases 'urgent' and 'competitive' to create a scenario where the public unwittingly compete for the consumables regardless of focusing on the actual cost spirals and rip-offs. 

11 hours ago, Cards13 said:

Anyone tell me why the halftime break is/was set at 20mins? 

Personally I think it’s a great idea. 

Didn’t think so but “IT HAS TO STAY AS IT IS!!!” 

In my playing days I preferred shorter breaks. I am for this as more for the players perspective. 20 minutes is too long. 10 minutes is spot on for recovery.