The state of the Game

[gOLLy 401]

I firstly would like to say that i believe im not the only one feeling like this.

After being a member of the MFC for 10 years, Living, breathing watching football religiosly week in week out, I dont like what the game has turned into, and doubt very much if ill have anything to do with AFL from here on in. Ive just had enough.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Has nothing to do with MFC losing, I can say that, but I am losing interest in the game too. Last week vs Port was a classic example of the game morphing into something other than the game we love. Bith the missed in the back and the paid in the back were horrendous, then the deliberate out of bounds. All ridiculous. I wasn't all that [censored] that we lost. More happy that we put in an effort again and had winners up and down the ground. But as for the actual game, the annoying thing here is that we would usually get 1-3 games that were that "effected" each year. Now it's 1 in 2.

Oh, and I'm sick of these stats about the game making 10% more money now than before or whatever. If it was taken care of properly it'd be making 100% more money.

[deanox 9,989]

if the afl was a business itd be broke and the shareholders wouldve sacked the board. thats how bad it is being run.

i think i am enjoying it a bit less than i used to. there are not as many games that i watch and think wow what a game...i do still get passionate about the dees. i wonder if i'll lose interest if we win a flag??

[Nasher 33,617]

if the afl was a business itd be broke and the shareholders wouldve sacked the board. thats how bad it is being run.

The AFL is a business, and a very successful one at that. If it had shareholders they'd be laughing all the way to the bank because the AFL makes a massive profit every year.

[Gorgoroth 13,016]

i watched last nights saints v swans and at time i found myself on the laptop doing other things due tot he way it was being played with the massive floods, i loved the one on one contest and the quick movement when it happened but for me the swans beat them selves by not being able to adapt a free style to catch up

watching the roos was great, a team who moves it quick and direct and there are genuine contests, one can only hope that this is what becomes the norm again

i use to watch a lot of football but now i watch the dee's and sometimes little else, this week ive watched 2 other games due to i was home with no money (damn car transmissions :angry: )

[mauriesy 7,353]

i watched last nights saints v swans and at time i found myself on the laptop doing other things due tot he way it was being played

Last night was symbolic of the way the game has turned ... just basketball on a bigger court.

Everyone runs back into "dee-fense", the other team kicks around the perimeter until someone makes a lead ("cuts through the paint") and there's an opportunity to mark. What's called man-on-man is usually really just a "full court press", resulting in kicking around the perimeter as far back as the defensive side of the centre square. When there's a turnover, they all then "transition" to the other end for the same perimeter play. "Tempo football" is just another name for passing it around the perimeter, only with no shot clock.

I'm waiting for the first commentator to call the inside of the 50m arc the "paint", and a free kick a "foul".

[Nasher 33,617]

Last night was symbolic of the way the game has turned ... just basketball on a bigger court.

Everyone runs back into "dee-fense", the other team kicks around the perimeter until someone makes a lead ("cuts through the paint") and there's an opportunity to mark. What's called man-on-man is usually really just a "full court press", resulting in kicking around the perimeter as far back as the defensive side of the centre square. When there's a turnover, they all then "transition" to the other end for the same perimeter play. "Tempo football" is just another name for passing it around the perimeter, only with no shot clock.

I'm waiting for the fist commentator to call the inside of the 50m arc the "paint", and a free kick a "foul".

Send Dennis a letter Maurie. He'll be talking about it on TV before you know it.

[45HG 1,559]

it's such a sad thing. i thought maybe i'm losing interest cos i finished school etc. even two years ago i'd watch the full 8 games by the time the next round started. but i just find it so hard to watch now. especially that god forsaken corporate dome. it's shocking, i can't go there. i literally feel sick, piece of rubbish. i don't quite know what it is about the game, maybe it's the drought to blame, changing the shape of footy.

but yeah, i was saying if the umpiring doesn't change, ie better trained or better rules, by the end of the year, i dunno if i'll care after long. who knows. i mean of coures the passion is always there. like schitzophrenia, as soon as the ball bounces, i can be in a mellow mood and just snap. gotta love the boys, but gotta say if it isn't a melbourne match tipping is almost all that keeps me interested

perhaps danners feels the same as us, and is struggling to research the opposition. the afl is digusting. they've been slowly changing the game for the past 5-10 years, bringing in softer rule interpretations and igger sponsorship. claiming this rubbish tv rights deals means more footy for more people, when in fact there are no extra live matches on tv, but only one less free to air. i reckon they've had it in their minds for a while what the ywant the game to be, and have been changing it to shape that wish, without any consultation with the people that make them their money, the fans.

disgrace, cmon dees for the flag

[Adzman 2,154]

Follow the nba!

[45HG 1,559]

haha i try but my knicks are just no good...yet!

[paliosiana 0]

I can honestly say footy is no longer my favourite sport. I have lost complete interest in it for reasons as:

a) Melbourne arnt doing well...this isnt a major reason as i do follow the hawks and brisbane 2, but dont get me wrong i love my dees

b) The rules of the game have made this sport [censored] week, and has lead to shocking umpire decisions. Its like watching netball or cricket. The push in the back rule should have only been trailed in the NAB cup yet they bring it in to the game and not the rule i think footy needs - the play on rule when u kick it backwards in the defensive 50.

c) The umpires - inconsistent...not all their fault due to shocking rules.

d) Channel 7 coverage...absolute garbage and while im at it the Ox is shocking on tv, i like him on radio but no good. Dennis seems to be worse now just due to who surrounds him in that box.

I have started watching lots of leigue...and whilst ill still follow melb i wont watch any other games unlike i used to watch 4 games a weekend

[gOLLy 401]

Follow the nba!

I think I already am.

I hate sepo ball

iI think it was the saint swans game that turned me last night. Its like no body on body, no 1 on 1s. Dont touch your opponant or ill blow the wistle.

It will be interesting to see membership number across the board next year.

Carn Deez

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

I feel the same way as most of you. However I think you have failed to mention the most concerning thing about modern football. Once again it looks likley no less that 5 non-victorian clubs will contest this years finals, maybe even 6. IMO people who believe this is cyclical and the Vic teams will get their chance at the top are kiddng themselves. This scenario is here to stay and as the years and decades pass don't be suprised if we end up with a competition similar to the EPL where only 4-6 teams have a realistic chance of winning a premiership every year.

We are nearly there now as 4 teams haven't won a flag for over 40 years. Melbourne, Bulldogs, Cats & Saints, this unforutunately is unlikley to change. In fact expect the list to inlcude the Kangaroos, (if they can survive) Richmond and Hawthorn in another 20 years.

The game is pharked

[mikeod 21]

I agree with all here. And I've been thinking about this for a while now too. The AFL is in trouble - the TV ratings will be down heavily because people just don't watch the games anymore.

We're all losing interest.

[EVIL DEE 1]

I'm with ya, I just got back from the states and they have there priority's set right in sport; its all for the spectators. If rules are changed its to give the spectator more excitement, not so mums will let their kids play. In NBA they've change rules in the paint for more dunks, in Ice hooky you can punch on for a 5min time out etc etc, cause the fans love it!

In the 80s the speed and skills weren't quite up to what they are now, but how much more exciting was it watching hard physical free flowing football up and down the ground? Can anyone remember what it was like knowing the rules? Its now far beyond a joke, what other sport on the planet changes rule interpretations week in week out over several years?

Theres is only so much crappy inconsistencies a loyal AFL supporter can put up with, somethings got to give.

[Dee*ceiving 1,690]

In fairness though yesterdays game was exciting and free flowing. Credit to both coaches. Unfortunately it is the exception rather than the norm.

[demon magik 0]

im kind of losing interest as well.... its no contest football now its all uncontested and floods....

just annoys me ....

at least in theVFL its a bit of a cintest and not floods...

i think a fair few people have lost interest but the afl isnt quite in panic mode .... people still watch the AFL ....

[Demon15 0]

i watched last nights saints v swans and at time i found myself on the laptop doing other things

i use to watch a lot of football but now i watch the dee's and sometimes little else,

You weren't alone.

That pathetic period in the second 1/4 I think when the Saints flooded in Swans style had me reaching for the remote control and a DVD.

Its less painful to just check the scores of that crap the next day in the paper.

[whitito 187]

Follow the nba!

And watch a bunch of 7 foot millionaires take bad shots?!!

Cmon Nets!!

[EVIL DEE 1]

Follow the nba!

I went to 2 games while I was over there,

Clippers V Hornets last game of the season, and Lakers V Suns game 3 both at the staples centre.

The Lakers playoff game was the most exciting sporting event I've ever been to by far, excitement plus.