Low Attendance

[The heart beats true 18,123]

I don’t think we are traveling that badly in terms of supporters. It was a terrible time slot against a team with literally zero local support. Membership and sponsorship is where the money is, and I think we are on track to have a record breaking year with both.

No need to wring our hands over everything. We’re going well.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

My Old man had a stroke during the week but didn't stop him ringing me from the Royal Melbourne at halftime last night to discuss the game.

Hey 4KW, I hope your dad is on the mend and will be well enough to attend matches with you sooner rather than later. 💕 I’m sure last night’s win would’ve gone some ways to making his hospital stay a little more comfortable. ❤️💙

[Nascent 9,213]

I asked my mum why she wasn't going to the footy. She said she'd rather do a puzzle.

[Guest]

52 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

I was there last night by my lonesome.

Unfortunately, my Dad has COVID-19 but he is recuperating.

That used to be my excuse, that I don’t know anyone who goes for the Dees. So unless I had oppo fan friends with whom to attend I would simply not go. Or I’d drag my hipster son, kicking and screaming, for company. 😁 

But now I actually prefer going on my own. And it’s amazing how many people do go on their own. 

Aforementioned hipster son is so grateful to the MFC for the joy it brings to me that he bought himself a membership this year! And he’s gonna buy his new girlfriend a membership  (she’s also not into footy at all), he’s just making sure the undying love lasts longer than the usual three weeks that he notches up. 😁

Edit: I hope your dad is back to fighting fit in no time. ❤️💙

[Guest]

I met a hot-chick Demons fan at a party the other night who was very-well informed about our team. We had such an amazing conversation on the dance-floor, covering Weid and Tomald, the coming back-line squeeze, our enduring love for Clarry, Choco's influence etc. That's never happened to me before, as I'm not from Melbourne, but it's been a life-long dream. She asked me if I would like come around and watch the footy with her yesterday. I said nah, it's GWS - can we take a rain-check? 

[Rab D Nesbitt 8,367]

I was going to go until I checked the PTV website and saw the city bound Sunbury line trains yesterday were all terminating at Southern Cross which would mean catching the 48 tram (8 stops!) all the way up Collins St to the G. 

Plan B was to drive in along Footscray Road but the lights at the intersection with Docklands Drive just take an eternity to change. Then there's a tricky hook turn to negotiate on the corner of Collins & Exhibition not to mention a three block walk to the ground after I've parked. 

Did I mention it was also Easter? 

In the end I just gave up and watched it on Kayo. 

 

[Fork 'em 6,983]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

I met a hot-chick Demons fan at a party the other night who was very-well informed about our team. We had such an amazing conversation on the dance-floor, covering Weid and Tomald, the coming back-line squeeze, our enduring love for Clarry, Choco's influence etc. That's never happened to me before, as I'm not from Melbourne, but it's been a life-long dream. She asked me if I would like come around and watch the footy with her yesterday. I said nah, it's GWS - can we take a rain-check? 

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

 She asked me if I would like come around and watch the footy with her yesterday. I said nah, it's GWS - can we take a rain-check? 

Oh, you fool! Talk about missed opportunity. She didn't mean "watch the footy." She meant watch Storm v Cronulla! Go Storm!!

[old dee 23,791]

43 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I was going to go until I checked the PTV website and saw the city bound Sunbury line trains yesterday were all terminating at Southern Cross which would mean catching the 48 tram (8 stops!) all the way up Collins St to the G. 

Plan B was to drive in along Footscray Road but the lights at the intersection with Docklands Drive just take an eternity to change. Then there's a tricky hook turn to negotiate on the corner of Collins & Exhibition not to mention a three block walk to the ground after I've parked. 

Did I mention it was also Easter? 

In the end I just gave up and watched it on Kayo. 

 

Rab I drove in from the north west and I was surprised at how low the traffic was last night. However on the way home they dont allow cars out for 30 mins after the end. It was a long wait in the car park. I wont drive again unless it is a night game , catching the train on saturday night has proved less than wonderful in the past.

[Doug Reemer 1,197]

6 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Saturday night game and ticketing

My guess for the Richmond game is mid 50's.

Wonder if Pies v Bombers will sell out

Ticketing is the lamest excuse..

[Kit Walker 225]

I don't agree we are getting lower crowds.

As far as I can tell, the dogs game had the highest ever H&A attendance between the two clubs, Essendon games tend to get between high-30k and low 50k so 44k is well within the range.

As for GWS, 2016 and 2018 were higher but yesterday's attendance beats every other game (just) including 2019. Given it's a night game during Easter, I don't think that's a bad result.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

33,433 at today's Carlton v Port Adelaide game, for comparison.

[deejammin' 2,370]

8 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

33,433 at today's Carlton v Port Adelaide game, for comparison.

Pretty similar really, maybe 2-3k more Carlton supporters than us but the difference was Port actually had a cheer squad and supporters there, you could actually hear them as opposed to the pathetic GWS turnout last night. Based on that number if the games were reversed Carlton vs GWS  would’ve had 23k and Melb vs Port 31k. I would’ve loved more demons there last night, it’s a really great vibe at our games atm, but the 20k is 100% at the AFL’s feet, their two expansions aren’t working, they have no fans! That’s not on us.

[deejammin' 2,370]

It’s worth noting that the COVID impact on crowds largely isn’t that people aren’t going out or going to events. It’s that they are prioritising more than ever before. What we’re seeing in the entertainment industry is where people might’ve used to go to three or four small events a week people now are cutting that down to only the one or two things they most want to see, or are willing to risk illness to see. The corresponding impact on AFL games isn’t that diehard supporters or members are not the ones attending, it’s the neutral AFL members who support other clubs that formerly would’ve come to a night game pre-COVID, but no longer want to risk it for a team that’s not theirs. I’d think that is the drop off between the higher numbers vs GWS in previous years. 

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

AFL would be very worried about GWS. They may have passed over the top of the hill as flag contenders, and still have no supporters. How's that going to work for them when they're battling for 11th and 12th? Suns look like they have more spirit and "go" and could be building something. Unfortunately "attending games of football" and "Gold Coast of SE Qld" are things that don't go together.

[roy11 3,853]

Wouldn't read too much about a long weekend fixture against an interstate team.

COVID plays it part too, whether it be the ticketing system, people attending things that were delayed due to covid or fear of covid itself etc.

I've been to the 3 home games and flew up to the Goldy, have seen 4 wins - in some other seasons that's as many games as we won all season aha

[DubDee 25,868]

6 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

My opinion is that it's a bigger issue than just last night. Footy crowds generally seem to be down this year. I don't see the usual emotion around football as a must-see, must-talk about event. I wonder if this is something to do with more people working from home and thereby losing the social contact which generates enthusiasm? 

In addition, I have no doubt that many people have taken the opportunity to travel out of Melbourne for this Easter break. I know a few die-hard Demons who usually attend home games who are interstate this weekend.   

Finally, there are too many night games on free-to-air TV. In particular, I think Thursday night football is diminishing the appetite for the game so by the time Saturday night comes around, people have had their fill already for this particular week's consumption. I've said it before, Channel 7 is a corporate mess and does not appreciate the economic value of scarcity. The AFL should be much more resistant to Channel 7's demands and if it costs money in the short term, the product will be better in the long-term. The AFL is the guardian of the product and needs to ensure its sustainability, something Channel 7 does not care about.    

I enjoy you posts mate,  but the piece in bold above I am not sure about.  I don't care who care on thurs or Fri, it does not change my interest in watching my team play live

[spirit of norm smith 16,459]

1 hour ago, titan_uranus said:

33,433 at today's Carlton v Port Adelaide game, for comparison.

Port actually have a supporter base and contribute to the crowd. From what I saw in the tv, decent representation from port in the crowd so probably 25000 blues and 8000 port fans.  That’s not an amazing blues supporter effort either.  

[DubDee 25,868]

It has been disappointing for sure.  so many decades of pain, I am making it priority to attend games. I don't understand why others of the 55K members or fans aren't coming to games to enjoy FINALLY being a great team. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime so I am not going to miss a bit.

Ticketing and covid are not great excuses imo.  Public transport has always been terrible.  Last night was beautiful weather, no work the next day for most.

bottom teams like the Pies/Essendon getting bigger crowds is embarrassing

[Wrecker46 2,982]

7 hours ago, IRW said:

Firstly Melbourne wasn't the most locked down city in the world for a starter.  It depends on definitions ..try Singapore or take a look at the on and off chaos of the UK.  I have a regular English customer back to our fine shores last week amazed that " no one wears masks here...you go to sport with 30,000 strangers and take no precautions! How did you do so well the last two years? "Well, intelligent policy ,best efforts to respond to an ongoing issue that no one fully understands yet I guess.

I also went to Tonka in the city with a meal during  the six months virtually restrictions free we had after the first level 4 orders with an Aussie friend out from New York to see her aging parents( you know when no one could come and go...bullsh!)  Her first words when the waiter came up were..."how can you be open ? Why is no one wearing masks ? You can't do this in New York!"

Answer..we had a policy in place and currently there are no covid cases in Victoria.

If you want to run with cliches stick to Essendrug or Richmond car thieves.

I was surprised by the attendance numbers  as well. 

The 3rd quarter alo e would have been worth seeing live 

 

You do know Singapore is a country and Melbourne is a city?

We were the most  locked downcity in the the world.

[wonnabeeri 275]

I'd add night game fatigue to the mix. Getting away from 2 kids of an evening is difficult. We've had 5 weeks of it now. Have to pick which ones i attend. A game VS GWS isn't the highest priority.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,219]

9 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I doubt there were even 1,000 Giant fans there last night.  So about 20,000 dees fans is a pretty good effort given the issues discussed herein.  With another Vic  team it would have been about 40,000.

It is hard to measure our crowds when we mainly play i/state or small Vic clubs at Home at the G especially if those teams are not performing well. 

But we play Home games vs Pies and Carlton at the G later this year.  By then I suspect a lot of the covid issues will dissipate.  People will be more used to ticketing, barcodes etc. Lets wait and see what those crowds are like. 

Sadly, unless our membership becomes as big as the other MCG tenants (pies, hawks, tigers) we will carry the brunt of hosting i/state and small Vic teams that push the AFL for MCG experience.

20k is not a good effort, sorry. We should be aiming for 40k minimum. Tigers and Pies have drawn 60k against the Giants during their up years I'm fairly certain. You can blame it on Easter but the attendance at the Dogs and Bombers games was terrible as well. Wouldn't have been too many more Melbourne supporters at those games than the 20k who turned up last night.

[Deebymistake 779]

I went to the game last night.  Perfect weather, glorious full moon, minimal traffic, free parking, glass of wine, no husband, no kids & my mighty demons were joy to watch.  Winning all round.  My team won’t be this glorious to watch forever.  Despite family & work commitments, I intend to get to as many live games at the G as I can.  I want to savour the moment & watch the miracle that is my beloved Dees being “that team”.  

[4_Kent_Watts 888]

7 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Hey 4KW, I hope your dad is on the mend and will be well enough to attend matches with you sooner rather than later. 💕 I’m sure last night’s win would’ve gone some ways to making his hospital stay a little more comfortable. ❤️💙

Thanks WCW he's doing pretty well and was quite pleased with the second half effort. We're hoping to get the same result we got last year to make it 6 zip. D's 1.24 Tigers 4.10. Crazy odds. 

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,293]

12 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

20k is not a good effort, sorry. We should be aiming for 40k minimum. Tigers and Pies have drawn 60k against the Giants during their up years I'm fairly certain. You can blame it on Easter but the attendance at the Dogs and Bombers games was terrible as well. Wouldn't have been too many more Melbourne supporters at those games than the 20k who turned up last night.

There were about 2000 dogs supporters there in Rd 1