Resource 2017 AFL and AFLW Crowds and Ratings

[The_Wookie]

Womens footy kicks off in less than two weeks, so time to fire this up.

Apparently 500 people turned up at Freo Oval for Freo v the academy

More than 500 fans were on hand to see Fremantle go against the next generation of women’s players - giving head coach Michelle Cowan an important chance to test her troops before the season opener against the Western Bulldogs on 4 February.

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2017-01-23/freo-flourish-in-final-aflw-hitout

http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2017-01-23/freo-flourish-in-final-aflw-hitout

Carlton v Melbourne womens trial match at Princes Park attracted an estimated 2,000 people with no publicity. This has been directly responsible for moving the AFL Womens R1 game between Collingwood and Carlton to Princes Park.

The Magpies' training ground at Olympic Park Oval was set to host the clash on Friday, February 3. But an estimated attendance of 2000 for a practice match between Carlton and Melbourne at Ikon Park last Saturday forced the AFL to reconsider.

The crowd figure for the Blues-Demons match was especially significant considering the match was not widely publicised.

Lethlean does not anticipate having to move any other matches. The Pies have another three matches scheduled for Olympic Park Oval, coming up against Melbourne, GWS and Adelaide.

"This (match) is our main concern at this stage, because it's the first game and it's two of the biggest clubs in Victoria. We don't expect any other capacity issues at any games but it's a flexible new competition. We can do what we need to do to maximise exposure and access," he said.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[RodneyMaynard]

So what kind of ratings are we expecting for the first AFLW match tonight? Hopefully the history of the night draws in lots of casual viewers who like what they see and tune in for other matches.

As an aside, I had a bit of trouble finding the broadcast guide for the Women's League on AFL.com.au. It's not on the main website's broadcast guide - which still lists the 2016 GF - but on the matches page of the AFLW sub site. It also says the match tonight is being broadcast on Channel 7, when in fact here in Canberra the match is being broadcast on 7mate, and anyone not on EDST also has to do their own calculations to work out match start times. I assume this guide was developed exclusively with Victoria in mind. Comes off as a bit lazy TBH, and hopefully something they improve for next season.

 

[Gigantor]

So what kind of ratings are we expecting for the first AFLW match tonight? Hopefully the history of the night draws in lots of casual viewers who like what they see and tune in for other matches.

As an aside, I had a bit of trouble finding the broadcast guide for the Women's League on AFL.com.au. It's not on the main website's broadcast guide - which still lists the 2016 GF - but on the matches page of the AFLW sub site. It also says the match tonight is being broadcast on Channel 7, when in fact here in Canberra the match is being broadcast on 7mate, and anyone not on EDST also has to do their own calculations to work out match start times. I assume this guide was developed exclusively with Victoria in mind. Comes off as a bit lazy TBH, and hopefully something they improve for next season.

I'm thinking they would want to replicate (at a minimum) last year's ratings of around 650k. So to push 700k for such an historic game is not out of the question, noting that there's stacks of sport on tonight.

Is it on Fox as well?

 

[The_Wookie]

Seven, Fox, Streamed

I dont think it will get to 650. Predicting between 400-500,000 on FTA at best. Maybe 100k on Fox.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Garlic muncher]

Lock out, ordered by Police.

Skills not great, but cant fault endeavour.

Estimated 18k by Mike Fitzpatrick at half time.

 

[Garlic muncher]

Hope raffles, pre match functions etc at Pubs etc around Carlton were organised.

 

[Pea Nut]

Sold out isn't quite right though is it ?? Completely given away is more accurate.

Ikon Park certainly is a great ground for footy.

The Lions should try opening the gates and allowing free entry to get some sort of turn out and atmosphere at the ground. Only way anyone will show up !!

 

[The_Wookie]

AFL talking about moving the Pies v Dees game to Ikon Park as a double header before the Blues v GWS

AFL general manager of game and market development Simon Lethlean said next Saturday night's clash between Collingwood and Melbourne could be moved from Olympic Park Oval to Ikon Park.

In that instance, the League could stage a double-header fixture at Ikon Park with Carlton and Greater Western Sydney due to play at the venue next Saturday evening.

"It's a possibility now that we know the ground's got a good capacity, people can get here OK and the lights work well," Lethlean said.

"We'll have a think about it across the weekend but we'll do what's right so we can have the most people coming to the ground."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-...-venues?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Crawb]

Is Victoria Park not a viable option if Collingwood need a bigger stadium? Or are facilities and ground too poor?

 

[Garlic muncher]

Is Victoria Park not a viable option if Collingwood need a bigger stadium? Or are facilities and ground too poor?

Council issues apparently, residents need to walk dogs

Vic Park would be a great ground- perfect in fact, the estimated crowds would not be huge but enough to make a decent spend around the ground at pubs eateries etc that the council should be supportive.

 

[The_Wookie]

too many games at Ikon like tonight and the local residents will arc up there too

 

[parano1a]

AFL talking about moving the Pies v Dees game to Ikon Park as a double header before the Blues v GWS

Good move. Olympic Park is not a sufficient ground. Hopefully Vic Park can be used for next year's comp (I'm sure Gillon has a few dollars spare to pay off the council).

 

[footyfan1978]

too many games at Ikon like tonight and the local residents will arc up there too

That was my thought tonight when I saw lights on and over 20,000 there. Locals would not be happy.

 

[footyfan1978]

Is Victoria Park not a viable option if Collingwood need a bigger stadium? Or are facilities and ground too poor?

Basically a public urinal last time I attended that ground.
No places for ladies to play.

 

[telsor]

too many games at Ikon like tonight and the local residents will arc up there too

A few friends in Brunswick reported that pubs up there were packed after the game, and while normally that might seem a good thing, when you're talking lockouts, pubs running out of clean glasses and long queues, the locals were getting a bit put out (not too serious, especially after the realised why it happened and that it was probably just a one off). That the number of people was a bit of a surprise also contributed (venues didn't put more staff on).

 

[The_Wookie]

Official crowd: 24,568 at Ikon Park, Carlton

 

[Bazzar]

Crowds will always be good in the initial stages, more so for the curiosity factor, but the standard needs lo improve otherwise it will drop off big time.

 

[Gigantor]

Crowds will always be good in the initial stages, more so for the curiosity factor, but the standard needs lo improve otherwise it will drop off big time.

We have years for that. Increased professionalism, more resources, will mean ongoing improvement.

Apart from the fact that they are all still semi-professional and this is the first season of the new comp, other factors would have contributed to poor skills:

- the players being met by a massive crowd and a wall of noise
- the intensity being far greater than most are used to (especially noticeable with some of the girls who were relatively new to the game).

One thing is for sure, the women's game will not be for the fainthearted.

It has to be said, Mo Hope looked well, well off the pace of the game, and a few other girls who have previously done well in the exhibition games did not look up to standard tonight, but you have to give credit to Carlton - they are clearly going to be a top 3 team (the other top two play tonight).

 

[Our Game]

I agree it will take a while for the skills to improve but as more and more young girls take up the sport over the next few years the talent pool will improve

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[Garlic muncher]

You would expect those ratings in Melbourne for a Collingwood Carlton clash.

As per usual with a 3 hour difference in WA the ratings were not great.

 

[NoobPie]

Awesome ratings. Perth on 7 mate starting at 430 probably didn't help.

It will tip over 1 million with Foxtel and regionals