Crowd numbers - my perspective

[DubDee 20,575]

My solution to this is to delete your twitter account. I’ve never had one so i miss out on all the nonsense

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

Crowd was fine for a Sunday afternoon against the Dogs.
1:00pm is a challenging timeslot too with kid's morning activities!

I was sitting ground level in the Southern Stand and it was very, very difficult.  I offered the kids at halftime that we could go home if they were struggling, but they were keen to see it through.  When the sun was behind clouds for much of the second half, a few thousand people emerged from the shade and started to fill the ground level.

Numbers were much better than what the TV made them look on an unbelievably hot day.

[John Demonic 4,799]

4 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Only one remedy that will shut these numpties up. Winning, winning, and more winning.

And not listening. Although its harder to avoid it with every media opinion being posted on DL these days

Edited March 18 by John Demonic

[whatwhat say what 18,918]

56 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

FWIW there's a weekly thread on BigFooty where posters of all persuasions can offer their predicted results and crowd figures. After seeing this thread I went for a look to see what the great unwashed were anticipating. Aside from a couple of outliers, everyone was pretty close to the actual attendance.

The footy media give me the irrits and the simpering twit that is Sam McLure annoys me more than most. The whole lot are best ignored.

On the bright side, Matty Hill is calling footy games and Tom Browne is nowhere to be seen. A rare nett positive

could you share the link pls? would be curious to see what people's expectations were

[Rab D Nesbitt 7,124]

4 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

You could live in a world where you expect a man united or Liverpool crowd to Dees v Dogs and you will probably be disappointed most weeks, or you could live in reality where our average crowd in 2023 was 5th in the league at 39.5k up from 11th in 2019 with an average of 32.6k.

In that context 44k looks ok to me, above average vs a low drawing team.

Also coming off the back of the highest attendance in rd1, 40k v Swans. Next best in rd1 was 33k blues v lions, and the greatest draw card on the planet, bigger than football itself Collingwood pulled 21k - up a whopping 17% on the average Giants crowd in 2023 of 18k (yes I know capacity is only 23k..)

We’re doing ok.

Hi Woey. I hear what you're saying and I'm perfectly comfortable with our reality. Of the 40k that turned up to the SCG last week around 5% might have been Dees. They were going to get 40k against almost anyone in a week where there were no NRL games, so wasn't really a reflection of our drawing power, in my opinion. 

We're a boutique sized club with an upwardly mobile supporter base that has numerous options to choose from on any given weekend. When we do choose to visit the G were more polite than raucous. All this is fine. We are who we are. I'd rather be happy in our own skins than waste energy trying to be something we're not. 

[old dee 22,852]

4 hours ago, Jontee said:

44,100 was a good crowd for a dogs game. And it wasn't actually footy weather.

And I think the MCC would have been happy with that number.

It was also a 1.00 PM game which I think is a terrible time. You have to commit all day. 2.30 PM and you can count on at least another 5-6000.

[old dee 22,852]

Funny isn't about the media and our crowd numbers. The next match is the Hawks home game  but our compensation match for the NT game so we get in for nothing. The media will be carrying on about the hawks drawing better crowds and look where they are on the ladder.  Being a footy commentator does not make you a rock scientist in fact most of them would struggle to be  much at all if they had not had a player career.

Edited March 18 by old dee

[old dee 22,852]

5 minutes ago, old dee said:

It was also a 1.00 PM game which I think is a terrible time. You have to commit all day. 2.30 PM and you can count on at least another 5-6000.

Sorry to disagree Rab but there were NRL games last weekend in Sydney. You have been listening too much to AFL waffle.

[old dee 22,852]

16 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Crowd was fine for a Sunday afternoon against the Dogs.
1:00pm is a challenging timeslot too with kid's morning activities!

I was sitting ground level in the Southern Stand and it was very, very difficult.  I offered the kids at halftime that we could go home if they were struggling, but they were keen to see it through.  When the sun was behind clouds for much of the second half, a few thousand people emerged from the shade and started to fill the ground level.

Numbers were much better than what the TV made them look on an unbelievably hot day.

I was there too, i would say 80% of the crowd where on the southern side of the ground.

[Rab D Nesbitt 7,124]

11 minutes ago, Tracca said:

its the worst time for a football game ever with kids sport on potentially at that time or in the morning at least. 

Hi Tracca. I've seen every reason / excuse under the sun being used as justification for our crowds not being more reflective of our membership tally. From 7:20pm on a Thursday night until 3:20pm on a Sunday, whether it's too hot, cold or wet to the wrong mode of transport (usually bus) to a lack of technological prowess. Whether it's too early due to kids sports or too late for school the next day. My bingo card is full. 

[3183 Dee 2,602]

5 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

So once again the journos and numpties on Twitter spent yesterday having a go at Melbourne about the crowd - where were they? why do they play Melbourne games at the MCG if they can't fill it?  They'll always be a nothing club, blah blah blah. We've heard it all before, right?

Here's my perspective:

- 44,000 is still higher than the 2023 crowd average of 35,000

- the crowd yesterday was overwhelmingly Melbourne, yet no one was saying "where are the Bulldogs fans"?  Why is that?  Oh, because they're the darlings of the league.

- The TV was focusing on the Shane Warne stand, rather than the Olympic Stand which was pretty chockers from where I could see

- Of the 9 games, yesterday's crowd was the 4th highest of the weekend.  No one was criticising the other games that had lower attendances than ours.

My take is this - the media and the meatheads couldn't pick on Melbourne, couldn't pick on Goodwin, couldn't pick on Oliver, so let's roll out the barrel on the usual rubbish.  Because Melbourne.

I'm sick of [censored]....

Why do they play Melbourne games at the 'G?! Because it's our home ground! Why do they let other teams play there is a more pertinent question. I actually thought 44k was pretty good yesterday, given the weather. The Shane Warne stand (where I sit) is always going to be emptier than the MCC, which was pretty full all around to the Olympic Stand, for Melbourne games. 

As an aside - we have a great view from our seats, but those sunny afternoon games early in the season are a killer!

[leave it to deever 15,336]

It's a pretty good number of you consider the current cost of living.

And the crowd looked mostly Mfc supporters on TV.

[Fromgotowoewodin 725]

18 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Hi Tracca. I've seen every reason / excuse under the sun being used as justification for our crowds not being more reflective of our membership tally. From 7:20pm on a Thursday night until 3:20pm on a Sunday, whether it's too hot, cold or wet to the wrong mode of transport (usually bus) to a lack of technological prowess. Whether it's too early due to kids sports or too late for school the next day. My bingo card is full. 

No ones crowd is a reflective of its membership (except GC, see below).

2023 average H&A crowd vs final membership totals, pies had 106k members, averaged 60k at games or 57%.

Tigers had 101k members who thought they were still good, 49k still committed enough to turn up or 43% - I’d expect they’ll get around 92k members this year as those bandwagoners realise its another rebuild.

We got 56% of our member number to games on average at 39k of 70k, slightly above the overall average of 53%, so we bat above.

Suns are an outlier as they got 82% at 19k ave crowd vs 23k members but that’s just cos their membership is so low, get 5k oppo fans to a game and you’re laughing. 

Our crowds are fine, it’s bias and [censored] from the media and oppo fans that we don’t turn up (and it’s not much better when our own club talks us down as fans). 

[BDA 20,048]

I was there. didn't look like a 44k crowd to my eye. One of my kids couldn't go because of a clash with a basketball game but i had downloaded her ticket. how is the crowd number determined. tickets sold or numbers through the turnstiles.

[whatwhat say what 18,918]

maclure called it 'pathetic' on the ninefax realfooty podcast

would love to share this with him but alas he doesn't accept feedback on any social media platforms:

2 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

No ones crowd is a reflective of its membership (except GC, see below).

2023 average H&A crowd vs final membership totals, pies had 106k members, averaged 60k at games or 57%.

Tigers had 101k members who thought they were still good, 49k still committed enough to turn up or 43% - I’d expect they’ll get around 92k members this year as those bandwagoners realise its another rebuild.

We got 56% of our member number to games on average at 39k of 70k, slightly above the overall average of 53%, so we bat above.

Suns are an outlier as they got 82% at 19k ave crowd vs 23k members but that’s just cos their membership is so low, get 5k oppo fans to a game and you’re laughing. 

Our crowds are fine, it’s bias and [censored] from the media and oppo fans that we don’t turn up (and it’s not much better when our own club talks us down as fans). 

 

[daisycutter 28,508]

4 minutes ago, BDA said:

I was there. didn't look like a 44k crowd to my eye. One of my kids couldn't go because of a clash with a basketball game but i had downloaded her ticket. how is the crowd number determined. tickets sold or numbers through the turnstiles.

well it couldn't hardly be based on tickets sold as that would just mostly be the paid membership numbers

[Fromgotowoewodin 725]

3 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

alas he doesn't accept feedback on any social media platforms:

He knows the feedback he’d get if he did, genuinely one of the worst in a crowded field

[58er 5,608]

4 hours ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

First and foremost. It is OUR HOME GROUND. That's why we play there. 

I also thought the attendance was poor. Let's say there were 10,000 Doggies supporters there. That means around 40% of our supposed 75,000 membership turned up to watch our opening home game. Both sides have also won flags in the last eight years and are mooted as top four contenders. Could you imagine only 40% of season ticket holders turning up at Anfield / Old Trafford / Ibrox / Celtic Park for any game? 

Two things are wrong with your. Comment. Please don’t compare Soccer with AFL. EPL would not even take 44,000 at most grounds  a start. And in another day our crowds are over 50,000plus and up to Even80,000 none of those  are EPL regular figures. Except at about 3or 4 Clubs ManU Liverpool, Rangers even Newcastle get 52,000 but look at overall averages as well.

Secondly your figure of 71, 000 plus members last year is not relevant for the 50,000 we have now. We generally get about 27,000 to 40,000 members and fans Yrestrday say 34,000 and we were 5th BEST last season averaging 47,000 for the MCG home games. 
Years ago 25,000 would be lucky for Dogs/Demons fans and it is well known Dogs  fans do not support MCG games. 

At best MCC estimated 50,000 which really might have been possible if we had beaten Swans the previous week, 

BTW 48,000 was the figure for the 2023 1st round game and with our membership about 5,000 less at this stage that’s where this 44,000 sits well. 

I can say if Melb play the footy like  they did yesterday those that don’t like ugly wins will be Back in numbers as members or fair weather patrons. Best footy since 2021 yesterday plus the thrill of Clarry back to his happy cheeky upstanding and tough footy he is a known for and is a champion at. Great crowd response and that’s what mattered IMO.

Many more will evolve and understand the full magnitude of his journey too late to appreciate his effort to be ready for footy in2024. 

Once he steps on that oval he only knows one way and that’s why he will if he can continue on and play as well as he is able he will become even more revered and acclaimed with his present contract. 

Congrats to all who have been involved in the last few months it has been a mighty effort so far and looks really promising for the future as well. 

Naturally our window for success is along on this journey as well. 

[Rab D Nesbitt 7,124]

13 minutes ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

No ones crowd is a reflective of its membership (except GC, see below).

2023 average H&A crowd vs final membership totals, pies had 106k members, averaged 60k at games or 57%.

Tigers had 101k members who thought they were still good, 49k still committed enough to turn up or 43% - I’d expect they’ll get around 92k members this year as those bandwagoners realise its another rebuild.

We got 56% of our member number to games on average at 39k of 70k, slightly above the overall average of 53%, so we bat above.

Suns are an outlier as they got 82% at 19k ave crowd vs 23k members but that’s just cos their membership is so low, get 5k oppo fans to a game and you’re laughing. 

Our crowds are fine, it’s bias and [censored] from the media and oppo fans that we don’t turn up (and it’s not much better when our own club talks us down as fans). 

All good. As I said I'm pretty relaxed about who we are as a supporter base and how many of us turn up on a game day. I actually found the Hamish Blake & Ryan Shelton video last year pretty funny. I don't think our president needs to keep labouring the point though. Personally, when I hear people with top end memberships at our bigger supporting rivals say they only have access to a ballot for GF tickets I feel blessed that I follow the MFC. Bigger isn't always better. 

[58er 5,608]

1 hour ago, old dee said:

I was there too, i would say 80% of the crowd where on the southern side of the ground.

You mean the Northern side. 
ie MCC, Ponsford  and Northern (Olympic ) Stand. 

The Warne Stand was known for being the Southern (or Great Southern) Stand for 80 years plus. 

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,418]

31 minutes ago, BDA said:

I was there. didn't look like a 44k crowd to my eye. One of my kids couldn't go because of a clash with a basketball game but i had downloaded her ticket. how is the crowd number determined. tickets sold or numbers through the turnstiles.

I'd say due to the heat a lot of people who had the ability would've been in the bar areas!

I couldn't make it unfortunately due to a prior commitment, so put my hand up as one who couldn't make it!

[DistrACTION Jackson 6,418]

29 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

maclure called it 'pathetic' on the ninefax realfooty podcast

would love to share this with him but alas he doesn't accept feedback on any social media platforms:

 

Sam Maclure is probably the most hated journalist in Melbourne.

He speaks absolute nonsense and is there just to try create headlines, a bit like a Kane Cornes but even worse.

I actually think the word 'journalist' doesn't actually cover him as a professional, as it is demeaning to the other people doing a great job.

[forever demons 1,814]

Game day miss it so much .Morning ,see ya sweetheart home for tea,10am Connells tavern elizabeth st,2pm in the ground with a few slabs between us,5.30pm back to connells drunk as hell ,8.00 train home cold shoulder for tea .Ahh game day i miss you so much

[forever demons 1,814]

10 minutes ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

All good. As I said I'm pretty relaxed about who we are as a supporter base and how many of us turn up on a game day. I actually found the Hamish Blake & Ryan Shelton video last year pretty funny. I don't think our president needs to keep labouring the point though. Personally, when I hear people with top end memberships at our bigger supporting rivals say they only have access to a ballot for GF tickets I feel blessed that I follow the MFC. Bigger isn't always better. 

yes it is

[Travy14 1,492]

6 hours ago, Katrina Dee Fan said:

So once again the journos and numpties on Twitter spent yesterday having a go at Melbourne about the crowd - where were they? why do they play Melbourne games at the MCG if they can't fill it?  They'll always be a nothing club, blah blah blah. We've heard it all before, right?

Here's my perspective:

- 44,000 is still higher than the 2023 crowd average of 35,000

- the crowd yesterday was overwhelmingly Melbourne, yet no one was saying "where are the Bulldogs fans"?  Why is that?  Oh, because they're the darlings of the league.

- The TV was focusing on the Shane Warne stand, rather than the Olympic Stand which was pretty chockers from where I could see

- Of the 9 games, yesterday's crowd was the 4th highest of the weekend.  No one was criticising the other games that had lower attendances than ours.

My take is this - the media and the meatheads couldn't pick on Melbourne, couldn't pick on Goodwin, couldn't pick on Oliver, so let's roll out the barrel on the usual rubbish.  Because Melbourne.

I'm sick of [censored]....

Its a Moo point, the numbers will come out and we will be the best attending club again beside the big 4 Melb clubs (Rich, Coll, Ess & Carlt) 

Is  frustrating though!