Low Attendance

[old dee 22,854]

3 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

You're probably right. However, for what it's worth, while the prices of food and drinks might deter some people, I suspect that issue isn't in the top 5 reasons why people aren't attending. I'd have all of scheduling (eg, Thursday nights, times of games, floating fixture, etc), availability on TV (especially now people have become used to paying for content on other services, such as Netflix), transport issues (cost, time, availability), ticketing issues, and health concerns associated with Covid all ahead of it.     

Agree 100% LDC, they also got used to paying for AFL during 2020/21 to be able to see their team. 

[Gorgoroth 12,325]

Wouldn’t hurt if they kicked more goals during games either. 
I miss the old one on ones during games, I know they are long gone but hell I use to watch Roos vs Eagles just for Carey vs Jackovich 

[layzie 28,767]

2 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

Wouldn’t hurt if they kicked more goals during games either. 
I miss the old one on ones during games, I know they are long gone but hell I use to watch Roos vs Eagles just for Carey vs Jackovich 

Too right Gorg,

I remember even going to a Roos v Eagles game on a Fri night just to see those two go at it. Yes it was before all the live TV access we have now but it was something to do and it was fun night out. 
 

[old dee 22,854]

15 minutes ago, layzie said:

Too right Gorg,

I remember even going to a Roos v Eagles game on a Fri night just to see those two go at it. Yes it was before all the live TV access we have now but it was something to do and it was fun night out. 
 

And there is one of the reasons for less at games now  layzie

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,213]

On a side note, tickets for Geelong V Melbourne were just released an hour ago.

I just got a General admin for a bargain steal of $50..... 

 

[Trisul 636]

It's got electrolytes.

• making the games shorter if the crowds did not bounce back in the next 12 months.

[poita 3,615]

17 minutes ago, Trisul said:

It's got electrolytes.

• making the games shorter if the crowds did not bounce back in the next 12 months.

So then I would spend an hour plus each way getting to the game, for less playing time?

Can't imagine that is too attractive to many people, unless entry costs are being proportionately reduced.

[roy11 2,930]

32 minutes ago, Trisul said:

It's got electrolytes.

• making the games shorter if the crowds did not bounce back in the next 12 months.

I took a few non-afl pals to a game, think for non-fans it may be too long.

All depends who the AFL are trying to please

[58er 5,608]

4 minutes ago, roy11 said:

I took a few non-afl pals to a game, think for non-fans it may be too long.

All depends who the AFL are trying to please

Yeah  let's cater for the non-fans great idea Roy.

Please  don't  bother take real fans instead.

Sounds like you would invite all your enemies to your Birthday Party !! 

we cringe when the AFL make strange decisions but you seem up to want to take it to another level. ( Below ) 
 

 

[58er 5,608]

6 hours ago, old dee said:

And there is one of the reasons for less at games now  layzie

So May vs Daniher 

      Oliver vs Neale 

      Smith vs Langdon 

      Fritsch vs Starcevich

      Hibbo vs Cameron 

No one on Ones really ? 

Amazing  how good things were in the Old Days !! Old Dee.

Strange I Don't remember us  winning a Flag in the 80's or 90's. 

Msybe it's  our memories that have become distorted after 30years. 

Half the people going now were not alive then to remember anything so it's half irrelevant the 90's and 80's. 

[layzie 28,767]

At the end of the day it's their choice, if they think boosting the matchday experience and entertainment is the way to go then boost away.

I have my doubts though and unless they've got one of those big t-shirt guns that can shoot more fans into seats in the audience, then it's going to be a futile exercise. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,435]

12 minutes ago, 58er said:

So May vs Daniher 

      Oliver vs Neale 

      Smith vs Langdon 

      Fritsch vs Starcevich

      Hibbo vs Cameron 

No one on Ones really ? 

Amazing  how good things were in the Old Days !! Old Dee.

Strange I Don't remember us  winning a Flag in the 80's or 90's. 

Msybe it's  our memories that have become distorted after 30years. 

Half the people going now were not alive then to remember anything so it's half irrelevant the 90's and 80's. 

I think the issue is that the heavy use of interchange keeps changing who is playing on whom. In the "olden days" when interchanges were far fewer (or even before interchange) most defenders would play on the same forwards for every minute of each game.

Edited June 21, 2022 by La Dee-vina Comedia
typo

[58er 5,608]

2 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I think the issue is that the heavy use of interchange keeps changing who is playing on whom. In the "olden days" when interchanges were far fewer (or even before interchange) a most defenders would play on the same forwards for every minute of the game.

That's a blight on the game previously really having only 20 players. Surely 23 gives greater options to win and produce better footy considering the greater pace the game is played at now and possibly more injuries.

Old Dees views are as he admits he prefers VFL game atmosphere to AFL atmosphere.!! 
He has apparently never been comfortable with the footy of the 21st  century and all his negativity is as a result of this view. Any improvement or increase in the game is not a positive.

If course a person is allowed their opinion but on every comment or post on this site it becomes so repetitive and negative. 

His most crazy example is he wants MFC to never have membership over 50,000. It's too many people  and too crowded !  So he doesn't go. 

Talk about a Club killer!  Let's not become a reason for lack of development for MFC. We need all the fans we can get while we are up and running. 

[roy11 2,930]

47 minutes ago, 58er said:

Yeah  let's cater for the non-fans great idea Roy.

Please  don't  bother take real fans instead.

Sounds like you would invite all your enemies to your Birthday Party !! 

we cringe when the AFL make strange decisions but you seem up to want to take it to another level. ( Below ) 
 

 

Never said it was my idea @58er,

I like the length of the game and don't want them shortened but I understand that the AFL will be looking at ways to grow the game/increase attendance and will consider the viewpoints of many different types of fans (including potential fans).

When I flew up to Queensland for the Gold Coast game this year I invited some friends of mine who live in Queensland but hadn't been to a game before. They felt it was a long event and from other conversations I've had with people it's a common thought for non-fans/those with fleeting interest. 

Anyway, everyone is welcome at my next Birthday party, will DM you the information next year, usually tie it in with a Dees game as well.

[Lucifers Hero 37,078]

How will shorter games get more crowds?.  Night games finish late because they start late.  Start them at 6.30 or 7pm instead of 7.20 and 7.50.  And, I can't see how game length affects crowds at day games at all.

Anyway, does a game 10-15 minutes shorter make any difference if transport issues aren't fixed? 

If they want to shorten games some suggestions:

• eliminate the 1 minute pause after each goal for advertisers to run their fta ads - if 20 goals scored per game that is 15 minutes saved right there!! 
• umpires toss the ball up rather than call for ruckman. 
• fix the ARC system so they don't review points/OOB etc.

In all the articles I've read on low crowds, game length has not been in the top 10 of reasons.  In fact I don't even recall it being mentioned. 

Call me cynical but this 'shorter game' idea could be a smoke screen to get the AFLPA to agree to more than one 5 day break per season.  They have being pushing for shorter games for years, particularly after 2020 covid shortened season. 

Lets wait and see if shorter games = more 5 day breaks.

Edited June 21, 2022 by Lucifers Hero

[Trisul 636]

1 hour ago, 58er said:

So May vs Daniher 

      Oliver vs Neale 

      Smith vs Langdon 

      Fritsch vs Starcevich

      Hibbo vs Cameron 

No one on Ones really ? 

Amazing  how good things were in the Old Days !! Old Dee.

Strange I Don't remember us  winning a Flag in the 80's or 90's. 

Msybe it's  our memories that have become distorted after 30years. 

Half the people going now were not alive then to remember anything so it's half irrelevant the 90's and 80's. 

Fewer one on ones.  Even then, castrated by zoning.  Perhaps one of the reasons games feel too long for potentials - scrums and turn-overs dominate for decent teams.

[titan_uranus 22,366]

It's becoming increasingly clear from Twitter, forums, radio talkback and the comments on news articles (yes, I know, not exactly scientific research) that there are a number of key reasons why attendances are down:

1. It's expensive
2. It is a significant time commitment and that's before you add in a long commute for many
3. Night games are not as easy to attend for many as day games are, and there are more night games now than ever before
4. Public transport can be difficult and slow
5. People have COVID/the flu/the cold and aren't going anywhere because they're sick
6. People don't want to get COVID/the flu/the cold and won't go anywhere as a result
7. During 2020-2021 people bought Kayo to watch football, haven't gotten rid of it post-lockdown, and now that they have it they can watch every game live and without ads, whereas prior to 2020 they didn't have Foxtel and so could only stay home if their team was on FTA
8. COVID disrupted our routines and for some, they have questioned why they went to the football each and every week religiously and/or simply cannot get back into that routine
9. For some, the game isn't as enjoyable as it has been in the past
10. Digital ticketing is annoying and not user-friendly in many instances

It's a multi-faceted issue and the AFL won't fix it with just one or two changes: so, bringing back paper tickets might help a little, but probably not a lot.

FWIW I think the cultural change brought about by the lockdowns, coupled with the ability for people to watch games via Kayo for a lot less money than it used to cost in the old Foxtel method prior to 2020, is the most significant reason crowds are down. 

I also think the AFL's view on what it takes to attract fans to stadiums is the polar opposite of what actually attracts fans to stadiums: no one is going to listen to loud music blare between goals, or for "fan activations" on the ground during breaks. 

[monoccular 16,076]

3 hours ago, Trisul said:

It's got electrolytes.

• making the games shorter if the crowds did not bounce back in the next 12 months.

 

1 hour ago, Lucifers Hero said:

How will shorter games get more crowds?.  Night games finish late because they start late.  Start them at 6.30 or 7pm instead of 7.20 and 7.50.  And, I can't see how game length affects crowds at day games at all.

Anyway, does a game 10-15 minutes shorter make any difference if transport issues aren't fixed? 

If they want to shorten games some suggestions:

• eliminate the 1 minute pause after each goal for advertisers to run their fta ads - if 20 goals scored per game that is 15 minutes saved right there!! 
• umpires toss the ball up rather than call for ruckman. 
• fix the ARC system so they don't review points/OOB etc.

In all the articles I've read on low crowds, game length has not been in the top 10 of reasons.  In fact I don't even recall it being mentioned. 

Call me cynical but this 'shorter game' idea could be a smoke screen to get the AFLPA to agree to more than one 5 day break per season.  They have being pushing for shorter games for years, particularly after 2020 covid shortened season. 

Lets wait and see if shorter games = more 5 day breaks.

If anyone is tossing up whether to go to a game or not, if one is offered less for more, ie  shorter game but still the same travel time to and from, giving a greater percentage of the outing being in getting there and back - surely that would be a deterrent not an incentive. 

More AFL HQ madness. 

[old dee 22,854]

This afternoon I received a survey from the AFL via the MFC asking my opinion on attendance at games.

Did  anyone else get this survey. It gave plenty of scope to give your views. Let’s hope it results in some positive results. 

[Demonstone 19,198]

I trust you gave 'em both barrels, old dee.

[old dee 22,854]

5 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I trust you gave 'em both barrels, old dee.

Yep especially the noise and flashing lights that and  fixturing of night games especially Thursdays.

[Nascent 7,286]

This probably doesn't stop people from going, but a lot of the atmosphere that makes this game a special experience watching live has been taken away. This piece from 9 years ago articulates my feelings better than I can.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cut-out-the-hype-and-maintain-the-atmosphere-20120930-26trd.html

Edited June 21, 2022 by Nascent

[Dr. Gonzo 22,415]

12 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

My basic school economics suggests to me that the link between food and beverage prices and crowds is a two-way issue. It's not just that expensive food and drinks may be deterring people from attending. It may also be that smaller crowds are increasing the prices. If more people attend, the fixed costs component of the food and beverage suppliers reduces thereby enabling prices to be lower. If that is correct, the AFL need to do more to get crowds back which should help reduce the pressure on prices.

 

To be honest the prices aren't what concern me. Food and beverage prices are always exorbitant at these events. Rod Laver is much worse. What I can't stand is the poor quality of the food. Unless you want cold and/or greasy rubbish there aren't too many options.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,435]

I hope when the AFL Commission appoints the new CEO the incentive payment structure in the CEO's contract makes attendance numbers more important than TV ratings, revenue, and broadcast rights combined. That's the sort of incentive which might produce action. 

[WalkingCivilWar 31,918]

17 hours ago, Nascent said:

This probably doesn't stop people from going, but a lot of the atmosphere that makes this game a special experience watching live has been taken away. This piece from 9 years ago articulates my feelings better than I can.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/cut-out-the-hype-and-maintain-the-atmosphere-20120930-26trd.html

This was being discussed at least nine years ago. So it’s not like nobody saw it coming. Yet here we are. 😕