Chair ban at AFLW (now overturned)

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,104]

the league in its infinite wisdom has put a ban on people bringing chairs to AFLW matches over some made up scenario which has never happened of someone being able to throw a chair on to the ground.  I spoke to the MFC membership who initially didn't know about it, but then came back and confirmed that this is indeed the case.  

What a ridiculous decision, it seems the AFL is trying to make the AFLW fail by limiting attendance.  I for one, a paid up AFLW member at the club, would be excluded from attending due to chronic tendonitis in my ankle meaning I cannot stand for that period of time without feeling immense pain.  I have sought advice from my physio who has provided me with a letter stating I need to sit.  The club is aware of this, and they told me they will fight against this decision to allow patrons to bring chairs, but they won't be able to do anything before Saturday's game.  

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

Edited September 14, 2023 by Grapeviney

[poita 3,889]

I understand and sympathise with your situation, but the issue may be what some people decide to do with their chairs.

At a ground like Casey Fields with limited quality viewing areas, you only need a few groups to bring half a dozen chairs and spread them around a couple of picnic rugs, and suddenly what would be standing room for a hundred people is taken up by 15 seated.

Maybe that's not a huge issue if Melbourne are playing Gold Coast, but it would be against one of the big Victorian clubs.

I don't know why they would view chairs as being potential weapons - you could say that about bins, eskies, paraphernalia used by the cheer squads, footballs, etc. 

[The heart beats true 18,088]

28 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Surely, in terms of accessibility, the club legally has to provide seating for people who can’t stand? 

[Hawk the Demon 956]

29 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

the league in its infinite wisdom has put a ban on people bringing chairs to AFLW matches over some made up scenario which has never happened of someone being able to throw a chair on to the ground.  I spoke to the MFC membership who initially didn't know about it, but then came back and confirmed that this is indeed the case.  

What a ridiculous decision, it seems the AFL is trying to make the AFLW fail by limiting attendance.  I for one, a paid up AFLW member at the club, would be excluded from attending due to chronic tendonitis in my ankle meaning I cannot stand for that period of time without feeling immense pain.  I have sought advice from my physio who has provided me with a letter stating I need to sit.  The club is aware of this, and they told me they will fight against this decision to allow patrons to bring chairs, but they won't be able to do anything before Saturday's game.  

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

A ridiculous decision by the AFL Katrina - how many do we expect at Casey on Saturday afternoon - 2 or 3,000?

And there is very limited alternative seating.

[BDA 22,691]

43 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

the league in its infinite wisdom has put a ban on people bringing chairs to AFLW matches over some made up scenario which has never happened of someone being able to throw a chair on to the ground.  I spoke to the MFC membership who initially didn't know about it, but then came back and confirmed that this is indeed the case.  

What a ridiculous decision, it seems the AFL is trying to make the AFLW fail by limiting attendance.  I for one, a paid up AFLW member at the club, would be excluded from attending due to chronic tendonitis in my ankle meaning I cannot stand for that period of time without feeling immense pain.  I have sought advice from my physio who has provided me with a letter stating I need to sit.  The club is aware of this, and they told me they will fight against this decision to allow patrons to bring chairs, but they won't be able to do anything before Saturday's game.  

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

Bureaucrats. Don't you just love them.

Perhaps get yourself a wheelchair Katrina? Tendonitis is a disability so no one can legally prevent you from using. Though i imagine accessibility would be a problem at most AFLW grounds.

[dl4e 5,851]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

the league in its infinite wisdom has put a ban on people bringing chairs to AFLW matches over some made up scenario which has never happened of someone being able to throw a chair on to the ground.  I spoke to the MFC membership who initially didn't know about it, but then came back and confirmed that this is indeed the case.  

What a ridiculous decision, it seems the AFL is trying to make the AFLW fail by limiting attendance.  I for one, a paid up AFLW member at the club, would be excluded from attending due to chronic tendonitis in my ankle meaning I cannot stand for that period of time without feeling immense pain.  I have sought advice from my physio who has provided me with a letter stating I need to sit.  The club is aware of this, and they told me they will fight against this decision to allow patrons to bring chairs, but they won't be able to do anything before Saturday's game.  

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

I always bring a chair to the games at casey field. This is an absolute disgrace of a decision. Glad I read this as I would have rocked up to the game saturday with a chair in my hand but the dictators have put an end to this.

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,104]

53 minutes ago, poita said:

I understand and sympathise with your situation, but the issue may be what some people decide to do with their chairs.

At a ground like Casey Fields with limited quality viewing areas, you only need a few groups to bring half a dozen chairs and spread them around a couple of picnic rugs, and suddenly what would be standing room for a hundred people is taken up by 15 seated.

Maybe that's not a huge issue if Melbourne are playing Gold Coast, but it would be against one of the big Victorian clubs.

I don't know why they would view chairs as being potential weapons - you could say that about bins, eskies, paraphernalia used by the cheer squads, footballs, etc. 

I get by reading this you haven't actually been to an AFLW match at Casey, because if you have, you'd see in the last 7 years it hasn't been an issue.  It wasn't even an issue earlier this year at the men's practice match against Richmond.

[Webber 10,448]

1 hour ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

It’s beyond ridiculous, of course. Has to be back-pedalled. In the meantime, I dare say you’ve thought about a ‘shooting stick’ - basically a walking stick with a fold-out handle you can ‘sit on’. Doesn’t qualify as a chair, albeit you could throw it on-field, as I could my prosthetic leg (don’t have one, but that’s how ridiculous this rule is). 

[layzie 33,727]

Pretty ridiculous and with all commercial events needing to cater for the physically challenged I can’t imagine this will last.  I don’t see any issue with this and even if everyone brought one chair per person I doubt it would fill the space too much to take away from the experience. They’re not meant to be cramming them in like sardines these days anyway.

Pretty sure you’re allowed to take chairs to the Melbourne Cup and they still have grandstands. 
 

[DeeSpencer 25,378]

There’s a couple of areas that lend themselves to having chairs at Casey. 
 

Wouldn’t be hard to have a couple if designated chair areas.

[old55 23,317]

I was scheduled to have a hip replacement operation two weeks after I went to the AFL match at Alice Springs Melbourne vs GWS - I had booked the trip when the fixture came out in December before my hip broke and was determined to go. 

I bought a folding chair at Alice Springs K-Mart before the match to sit on with the intention of donating it to the locals post-match.  I wasn't allowed to bring it into the venue.  I was going to be forced to stand all match, in the freezing rain, until I insisted that it was unacceptable  and the officials provided me with a plastic chair to sit on.

We lost.

But overall, despite the trials and tribulations, it was a very memorable and worthwhile experience.

Edited September 14, 2023 by old55

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,104]

51 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

There’s a couple of areas that lend themselves to having chairs at Casey. 
 

Wouldn’t be hard to have a couple if designated chair areas.

The problem is, the AFL didn't communicate this to clubs.  Melbourne weren't aware of this until yesterday, leaving them no time to make arrangements for Saturday.

[Brownie 5,967]

Yeah, it happens all the time with players and umpires getting "deck chaired" by supporters at local footy games (joking)

Seriously, what is the likelihood.

The AFL are soooo special.

[The heart beats true 18,088]

Given the events of the week I’m surprised the AFL isn’t conceding the entire competition is heavily orchestrated, and welcoming chairs…

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,786]

Honestly, I think the best solution to this is to play AFLW games as curtain raisers and/or straight after the men's games on the main AFL grounds.

There's now 18 AFLW games and having them play to the same audiences as the men's would be great.  It's a big commitment for people to attend x2 separate competitions when they play at different days/times & venues.

Ever since they got rid of the reserves, the pre-game entertainment at AFL games has sucked.  Conversely I always loved watching the end of the reserves games and I'm sure I'd likewise enjoy watching the AFLW games, if not more.

Edited September 14, 2023 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

[Little Goffy 14,402]

None too soon.

The scale of crowd violence at AFLW games is out of hand and I for one applaud the removal of the one specific portable lightweight and useful item which has been driving the rolling fracas.

Would've thought frisbees were more of a concern at this time.

 

[Demonstone 22,193]

Three chairs for the AFL.  Hip hip, hooray  ...

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,037]

45 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

None too soon.

The scale of crowd violence at AFLW games is out of hand and I for one applaud the removal of the one specific portable lightweight and useful item which has been driving the rolling fracas.

Would've thought frisbees were more of a concern at this time.

 

So I can bring my petanque set still, too?

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,037]

5 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

the league in its infinite wisdom has put a ban on people bringing chairs to AFLW matches over some made up scenario which has never happened of someone being able to throw a chair on to the ground.  I spoke to the MFC membership who initially didn't know about it, but then came back and confirmed that this is indeed the case.  

What a ridiculous decision, it seems the AFL is trying to make the AFLW fail by limiting attendance.  I for one, a paid up AFLW member at the club, would be excluded from attending due to chronic tendonitis in my ankle meaning I cannot stand for that period of time without feeling immense pain.  I have sought advice from my physio who has provided me with a letter stating I need to sit.  The club is aware of this, and they told me they will fight against this decision to allow patrons to bring chairs, but they won't be able to do anything before Saturday's game.  

What are everyone's thoughts on this?  

Can't find this reported anywhere, Kat. Is any basis provided? Actual instances? Learned report?

[Rossmillan 589]

The AFLW is and should be marketed to promote the “suburban” feel of footy.  What makes it attractive is the more intimate feeling of local grounds, where it’s encouraged to bring a seat, kick a footy, have a picnic rug if room permits.

 

[Dees_In_October 3,350]

If this is to be the case, I hope it's well-communicated via all channels before the game. Nothing worse than having to cart your seats to one of the outer carparks while missing the entire first quarter. Well, except for missing the game entirely because you need your seat to attend). If this is true (and I suggest we all check in case it's overturned last minute), at least 2 of the people I was going with will now reconsider.

EDIT: Just found this on the gameday guide. I know the deck chairs provided won't be suitable for all, but it's an option if you're a member or want to throw $30 at the problem.

Edited September 14, 2023 by Dees_In_October

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,104]

49 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Honestly, I think the best solution to this is to play AFLW games as curtain raisers and/or straight after the men's games on the main AFL grounds.

There's now 18 AFLW games and having them play to the same audiences as the men's would be great.  It's a big commitment for people to attend x2 separate competitions when they play at different days/times & venues.

Ever since they got rid of the reserves, the pre-game entertainment at AFL games has sucked.  Conversely I always loved watching the end of the reserves games and I'm sure I'd likewise enjoy watching the AFLW games, if not more.

I could not disagree more.  The crowds that go to AFLW are a very different crowd to AFL.  Many fans attend AFLW over AFL because it is a totally different crowd.  Last Thursday's behaviour by Collingwood supporters is a clear cut example of the kind of behaviour that AFLW fans seek to avoid.  The players also don't want to play second fiddle to the men, they certainly do not want to be regarded as "the reserves" competition.  There are a lot of AFL supporters who treat AFLW as second rate, and still mock, degrade, etc the competition, fans and players. Why would you want to subject AFLW players and fans to that?

 

[Katrina Dee Fan 3,104]

I just had a call from Wendy at AFL, good news, the ban is being overturned at Casey Fields.  She told me she and Nicole Livingstone just got out of a meeting with MFC, who were true to their word to fight this ban on our behalf, and they're announcing overturning for Casey Fields at this stage only.  I'd like to think I played a role in this!!

[Hawk the Demon 956]

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

None too soon.

The scale of crowd violence at AFLW games is out of hand and I for one applaud the removal of the one specific portable lightweight and useful item which has been driving the rolling fracas.

Would've thought frisbees were more of a concern at this time.

 

Frisbees with arms and legs attached?

[Hawk the Demon 956]

5 minutes ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

I just had a call from Wendy at AFL, good news, the ban is being overturned at Casey Fields.  She told me she and Nicole Livingstone just got out of a meeting with MFC, who were true to their word to fight this ban on our behalf, and they're announcing overturning for Casey Fields at this stage only.  I'd like to think I played a role in this!!

Well done Katrina! Terrific result!