Resource 2017 AFL and AFLW Crowds and Ratings

[NoobPie]

Fantastic ratings for the wallabies last night - 700k on FTA and a further 190k on Foxtel. Superb numbers for a dead rubber on a Saturday night

Surely the lesson learnt here is that people will watch the wallabies in large numbers if it has clear air from the afl and nrl? I know that the RC has to necessary be played in august and september but why not play the Australian home games (and northern hemisphere team tour matches) on a Sunday evening when the afl/nrl rounds are over? Melb, adel and Perth rated 145k collectively last night on fta. From memory the wallabies earlier matches weren't rating much higher than that nationally on metro fta

 

[Demonoid]

Fantastic ratings for the wallabies last night - 700k on FTA and a further 190k on Foxtel. Superb numbers for a dead rubber on a Saturday night

Surely the lesson learnt here is that people will watch the wallabies in large numbers if it has clear air from the afl and nrl? I know that the RC has to necessary be played in august and september but why not play the Australian home games (and northern hemisphere team tour matches) on a Sunday evening when the afl/nrl rounds are over? Melb, adel and Perth rated 145k collectively last night on fta. From memory the wallabies earlier matches weren't rating much higher than that nationally on metro fta

Yes 700k is excellent, and compares about the same with 725k FTA total for the Socceroos WCQ against Syria. Socceroos got a bit more on STV, but given that WCQ was on a weeknight with no other sports to go up against, thats pretty darn impressive for the Wallabies.

A-League Derby last night:
Sat TV #ALeague #ONE #SydneyDerby 71k
Sat STV #ALeague #FoxSports #SydneyDerby 113k
Total 184k. That's quite poor and the game was not even a sellout with 35k in attendance. Both teams undefeated after first 2 rounds going in. Has the Sydney Derby lost a bit of its appeal?

 

[NoobPie]

Yes 700k is excellent, and compares about the same with 725k FTA total for the Socceroos WCQ against Syria. Socceroos got a bit more on STV, but given that WCQ was on a weeknight with no other sports to go up against, thats pretty darn impressive for the Wallabies.

A-League Derby last night:
Sat TV #ALeague #ONE #SydneyDerby 71k
Sat STV #ALeague #FoxSports #SydneyDerby 113k
Total 184k. That's quite poor and the game was not even a sellout with 35k in attendance. Both teams undefeated after first 2 rounds going in. Has the Sydney Derby lost a bit of its appeal?

Certainly suggests that 3rd / 4th football code question is far from settled and the death of Australian rugby prematurely announced

I think the Sydney derby has followed the same trajectory as every other soccer franchise (considering the derby itself as a "franchise" in and of itsel) since northern spirit - a massive novelty premium that is misdiagnosed each time as something more substantive and enduring. Melbourne heart/city must be the only example that has actual grown its average crowds off its first few years (and not by much). It is the exception that proves the rule as the only novelty it offered was the derby....

Anyway, it's a huge kick in the guts for the "We are Football" set. Sydney, where 40% of soccer's participants are, rated just 36k on FTA compared to 160k for the wallabies. Almost certainly the total derby ratings (inc Foxtel) were lower in Sydney than the average swans game. Ouch

Back to the wallabies, I think they should play in Australia on Wednesday nights during football season on further reflection. The SOO gets massive numbers now even outside of nsw and qld on Wednesday nights during the AFL season. Would sanzaar agreement of course

 

[Demonoid]

Certainly suggests that 3rd / 4th football code question is far from settled and the death of Australian rugby prematurely announced

I think the Sydney derby has followed the same trajectory as every other soccer franchise (considering the derby itself as a "franchise" in and of itsel) since northern spirit - a massive novelty premium that is misdiagnosed each time as something more substantive and enduring. Melbourne heart/city must be the only example that has actual grown its average crowds off its first few years (and not by much). It is the exception that proves the rule as the only novelty it offered was the derby....

Anyway, it's a huge kick in the guts for the "We are Football" set. Sydney, where 40% of soccer's participants are, rated just 36k on FTA compared to 160k for the wallabies. Almost certainly the total derby ratings (inc Foxtel) were lower in Sydney than the average swans game. Ouch

Back to the wallabies, I think they should play in Australia on Wednesday nights during football season on further reflection. The SOO gets massive numbers now even outside of nsw and qld on Wednesday nights during the AFL season. Would sanzaar agreement of course

Ratings would be good...only question would be crowd numbers. Suncorp would be OK but ANZ is hard to fill at the best of times (on a weekend), so a weeknight would be difficult.

 

[Our Game]

Fantastic ratings for the wallabies last night - 700k on FTA and a further 190k on Foxtel. Superb numbers for a dead rubber on a Saturday night

Surely the lesson learnt here is that people will watch the wallabies in large numbers if it has clear air from the afl and nrl? I know that the RC has to necessary be played in august and september but why not play the Australian home games (and northern hemisphere team tour matches) on a Sunday evening when the afl/nrl rounds are over? Melb, adel and Perth rated 145k collectively last night on fta. From memory the wallabies earlier matches weren't rating much higher than that nationally on metro fta

What did it rate in Melbourne?

 

[NoobPie]

What did it rate in Melbourne?

80k in Melbourne...which was half what it rated in Sydney and Brisbane (160 and 161 respectively)

https://mobile.twitter.com/MediaweekAUS?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

 

[NoobPie]

Ratings would be good...only question would be crowd numbers. Suncorp would be OK but ANZ is hard to fill at the best of times (on a weekend), so a weeknight would be difficult.

Yep that's the risk....I think the wallabies should probably only play at Allianz in Sydney....aami park would sell out for decent games on a Wednesday as well

 

[Our Game]

80k in Melbourne...which was half what it rated in Sydney and Brisbane (160 and 161 respectively)

https://mobile.twitter.com/MediaweekAUS?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

Thats pathetic for CH 10 in prime time for a supposed national? team.
Im not surprised it dosent rate in Melbourne as RU is not that popular in Victoria and the Wallabies are just a NSW/Qld combine in reality.
I wonder how long new owners CBS will put up with figures like that on the main channel in prime time
It would be a lot cheaper to run one of their popular US shows and also get better ratings

 

[Our Game]

'Melbourne heart/city must be the only example that has actual grown its average crowds off its first few years (and not by much). It is the exception that proves the rule as the only novelty it offered was the derby

Both the soccer derbys are down quite a bit on last year.

 

[NoobPie]

Thats pathetic for CH 10 in prime time for a supposed national? team.
Im not surprised it dosent rate in Melbourne as RU is not that popular in Victoria and the Wallabies are just a NSW/Qld combine in reality.
I wonder how long new owners CBS will put up with figures like that on the main channel in prime time
It would be a lot cheaper to run one of their popular US shows and also get better ratings

I think the Wallabies were great for channel ten on a Saturday night, even in Melbourne...for a dead rubber mind you. It was the third highest rating non-news program on Saturday

'Melbourne heart/city must be the only example that has actual grown its average crowds off its first few years (and not by much). It is the exception that proves the rule as the only novelty it offered was the derby

Both the soccer derbys are down quite a bit on last year.

Yep, and it was inevitable IMHO. Every "post ethnic" franchise since the likes of Perth Glory and Northern Spirit followed similar trajectories. Big novelty factors saw average crowds in the first 2-3 years which were never matched since. The derbies are just another example of this as evidenced by the gap between the derby crowds and the sustained averages of the franchises (particularly in Sydney)

 

[BringBackTorps]

Certainly suggests that 3rd / 4th football code question is far from settled and the death of Australian rugby prematurely announced

I think the Sydney derby has followed the same trajectory as every other soccer franchise (considering the derby itself as a "franchise" in and of itsel) since northern spirit - a massive novelty premium that is misdiagnosed each time as something more substantive and enduring. Melbourne heart/city must be the only example that has actual grown its average crowds off its first few years (and not by much). It is the exception that proves the rule as the only novelty it offered was the derby....

Anyway, it's a huge kick in the guts for the "We are Football" set. Sydney, where 40% of soccer's participants are, rated just 36k on FTA compared to 160k for the wallabies. Almost certainly the total derby ratings (inc Foxtel) were lower in Sydney than the average swans game. Ouch

Back to the wallabies, I think they should play in Australia on Wednesday nights during football season on further reflection. The SOO gets massive numbers now even outside of nsw and qld on Wednesday nights during the AFL season. Would sanzaar agreement of course

Soccer has clearly surpassed RU in popularity in Aust. on every metric. -& is now the 3rd football code.

As soccer is a non-contact sport, there is an argument as to whether it should be directly compared to the 3 contact football codes. Should soccer's more appropriate comparisons be basketball & tennis? Soccer certainly competes with the AFL, NRL, & ARU for commercial sponsorship, media attention, & Council/Govt.funds.
I have seen many soccer teenagers from 13-16 y.o. switch to AF -most are generally "useless"& leave AF after a few years.
RU teenagers who switch to AF generally make a contribution after about 5 games -great tacklers, run in straight lines hard at the ball..but butcher it. Many RU players remain with AF.

The Wallabies game against NZ is a showpiece game -but a similar Socceroos showpiece game, also in prime time, in a WC would outrate the Wallabies.
Also, RU(&RL) male contact regd. nos. are in long term decline -soccer regd. nos. are growing, & vastly dwarf RU. Soccer is now being played in almost every primary & secondary school (state & private) in Aust. (FFV also claims, since 2016, it has more regd .players than AF in Vic. I suspect the big growth in female regd. AF nos. might reverse this).

 

[BringBackTorps]

Maybe you should look at the list of Australia's top 10 most popular & most visited attractions. Like the Opera House, SHB, Bondi beach, Blue mountains. Sydney area has a lot more than Melbourne in it. Sydney is Australia's biggest airport by passenger movements for a reason.

I think you should visit more places than just the MCG & Etihad. You'll get a better perspective on Australia.

You have failed to consider the most salient and relevant fact to this discussion.
Melbourne is now, and has been for over 10 years, the no. 1 inbound (ie where Australians choose to travel) tourist destination in Australia. Australians, obviously, know the various merits of their own country.
Also, more Syd. residents are leaving Sydney for Melb., than vice versa (In preceding 5 years of 2016 Census, 27670 left Syd. to live in Melb.;whilst 19100 left Melb. to live in Syd.).

Melbourne does not have the beauty of Syd. Harbour (but Melb. is the only place on the east coast where there are sometimes glorious fiery sunsets, & a radiant red sky, directly over the sea). My understanding for the reasons given by tourism authorities is that Melb. has a very diverse range of tourist attractions, which also appeal to diverse demographic groups.
Sydney does attract more international tourists, but even this gap is being closed by Melb. (China are close to overtaking NZ as Aust.'s no.1 source of foreign tourists -& they particularly like Melb. & its "European ambience"; and Ballarat's Sovereign Hill/Chinese history- which is breaking attendance records).

 

[madmug]

You have failed to consider the most salient and relevant fact to this discussion.
Melbourne is now, and has been for over 10 years, the no. 1 inbound (ie where Australians choose to travel) tourist destination in Australia. Australians, obviously, know the various merits of their own country.
Also, more Syd. residents are leaving Sydney for Melb., than vice versa (In preceding 5 years of 2016 Census, 27670 left Syd. to live in Melb.;whilst 19100 left Melb. to live in Syd.).

Melbourne does not have the beauty of Syd. Harbour (but Melb. is the only place on the east coast where there are sometimes glorious fiery sunsets, & a radiant red sky, directly over the sea). My understanding for the reasons given by tourism authorities is that Melb. has a very diverse range of tourist attractions, which also appeal to diverse demographic groups.
Sydney does attract more international tourists, but even this gap is being closed by Melb. (China are close to overtaking NZ as Aust.'s no.1 source of foreign tourists -& they particularly like Melb. & its "European ambience"; and Ballarat's Sovereign Hill/Chinese history- which is breaking attendance records).

A lot of places are attracting overseas visitors & breaking records. Indeed Tasmania topped the growth rate of the nation. Domestic increases showed likewise impressive growth figures. That considering its another plane trip, or overnight ferry trip, away.

I've seen a fiery red sunset looking west from Parramatta. Its amazing how the sun looks through carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. I thought it was just Sydney but obviously Melbourne has bad air pollution too.
Sydney is still clearly the winner in the tourist visitation stakes. Taronga Zoo tops the lot, the harbour & the SH bridge, Bondi beach, Coogee beach, Manly beach, SH ferries, Blue mountains, QV building, etc etc.
Melbourne has footy. a big domestic attraction.

So again Melbourne is a great place for a visit. Sydney is clearly way in front though for beauty & variety of attractions .

PS, Where can you see the sea from Melbourne?

 

[Demonoid]

i know we are not doing the cross code comparison thread anymore, but, just 3 rounds in, its already a talking point in the mainstream media...

FFA not panicking over plummeting A-League TV ratings and stagnant crowds

Football Federation Australia has called for patience with its A-League marketing strategy after lacklustre television ratings and stagnant attendances raise concerns whether the competition has reached its maximum appeal in its current format...

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/spo...ings-and-stagnant-crowds-20171022-gz5xdx.html

 

[Our Game]

A lot of places are attracting overseas visitors & breaking records. Indeed Tasmania topped the growth rate of the nation. Domestic increases showed likewise impressive growth figures. That considering its another plane trip, or overnight ferry trip, away.

I've seen a fiery red sunset looking west from Parramatta. Its amazing how the sun looks through carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. I thought it was just Sydney but obviously Melbourne has bad air pollution too.
Sydney is still clearly the winner in the tourist visitation stakes. Taronga Zoo tops the lot, the harbour & the SH bridge, Bondi beach, Coogee beach, Manly beach, SH ferries, Blue mountains, QV building, etc etc.
Melbourne has footy. a big domestic attraction.

So again Melbourne is a great place for a visit. Sydney is clearly way in front though for beauty & variety of attractions .

PS, Where can you see the sea from Melbourne?

You might want get your blinkers off and read this article by a Sydney writer I see you come from the provincial town of Hobart and that might explain your lack of the finer things that Melbourne has to offer.
Maybe you should get out a bit more when you are in Melbourne
Melbourne has many great attractions

The best local and international sports events at the best stadiums and racetracks, the biggest and best art galleries and museums
The biggest and best theatres with all the top international productions (The Opera House theatre is pathetic in comparison to our opulent massive State Theatre) great shopping,the biggest casino in Australia,the stunning Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsular wineries.The Dandenongs and Phillip Island The Twelve apostles and the Surf Coast including one of the best surf breaks at Bells Beach

I could go on and on and they are just some of the reasons the Chinese and other International visitors are flocking to Melbourne in ever increasing numbers.

Melbourne style, fashion and culture guide: The style capital of Australia - no it's not Sydney

Andrea Black

• 
  Sydney, forget about it, it's never going to happen. Melbourne will always be Australia's style capital. From the "Paris end" of Collins Street to the labyrinth of laneways, style is inherent in the city's design and psyche.

"Right from the get-go the city's planners ordered a clever base that promoted endless encounters with culture, be it fashion, food, architecture or art," says Christine Barro, owner of iconic Flinders Lane accessories boutique, Christine. "Cities try to replicate that energy, but they can't."

• It was back in 1885 when London Telegraph journalist George Augustus Sala declared Melbourne to be "marvellous". "I found Melbourne a really astonishing city", he reported, "with broad streets full of handsome shops and crowded with bustling well-dressed people".

• 
  That statement still rings true. It's the city couture house Dior chose to exhibit the world exclusive The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture at NGV International on St Kilda Road (on until November 7).

"The creativity, imagination and elegance of Christian Dior could find no better city and no better gallery for a retrospective display than Melbourne and the NGV," says Martin Foley, Victoria's Minister for Creative Industries.

 

[madmug]

You might want get your blinkers off and read this article by a Sydney writer I see you come from the provincial town of Hobart and that might explain your lack of the finer things that Melbourne has to offer.
Maybe you should get out a bit more when you are in Melbourne
Melbourne has many great attractions

The best local and international sports events at the best stadiums and racetracks, the biggest and best art galleries and museums
The biggest and best theatres with all the top international productions (The Opera House theatre is pathetic in comparison to our opulent massive State Theatre) great shopping,the biggest casino in Australia,the stunning Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsular wineries.The Dandenongs and Phillip Island The Twelve apostles and the Surf Coast including one of the best surf breaks at Bells Beach

I could go on and on and they are just some of the reasons the Chinese and other International visitors are flocking to Melbourne in ever increasing numbers.

Melbourne style, fashion and culture guide: The style capital of Australia - no it's not Sydney

Andrea Black

• 
  Sydney, forget about it, it's never going to happen. Melbourne will always be Australia's style capital. From the "Paris end" of Collins Street to the labyrinth of laneways, style is inherent in the city's design and psyche.

"Right from the get-go the city's planners ordered a clever base that promoted endless encounters with culture, be it fashion, food, architecture or art," says Christine Barro, owner of iconic Flinders Lane accessories boutique, Christine. "Cities try to replicate that energy, but they can't."

• It was back in 1885 when London Telegraph journalist George Augustus Sala declared Melbourne to be "marvellous". "I found Melbourne a really astonishing city", he reported, "with broad streets full of handsome shops and crowded with bustling well-dressed people".

• 
  That statement still rings true. It's the city couture house Dior chose to exhibit the world exclusive The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture at NGV International on St Kilda Road (on until November 7).

"The creativity, imagination and elegance of Christian Dior could find no better city and no better gallery for a retrospective display than Melbourne and the NGV," says Martin Foley, Victoria's Minister for Creative Industries.

Again Melbourne is great to visit. The couple of things you mention are good. Well done.
Any reading of what international tourists want, its mainly natural attractions. Yes they visit out two biggest cities, but its the iconic things, SHB, Opera House, beaches, flora & fauna, food & souviners, photo's that differentiate with what they have at home.
The biggest growth is in regional tourism. Cuddle a Koala, watch a whale etc.
So the Melbourne opera house is better than the SOH? That is just clutching at straws & embarrassing. One is a world class icon. The other is a wannabee local building. Its like saying Sydney thinks the Olympic stadium is better than the MCG. Its not, & they dont.
Do you have any more surveys like Melbourne coffee is the worlds best????

 

[Our Game]

Again Melbourne is great to visit. The couple of things you mention are good. Well done.
Any reading of what international tourists want, its mainly natural attractions. Yes they visit out two biggest cities, but its the iconic things, SHB, Opera House, beaches, flora & fauna, food & souviners, photo's that differentiate with what they have at home.
The biggest growth is in regional tourism. Cuddle a Koala, watch a whale etc.

Melbournes tourist numbers both international and interstate have skyrocketed over the past 15 years and there has to be reasons for that.

So the Melbourne opera house is better than the SOH? That is just clutching at straws & embarrassing. One is a world class icon. The other is a wannabee local building. Its like saying Sydney thinks the Olympic stadium is better than the MCG. Its not, & they dont.

Do you have any more surveys like Melbourne coffee is the worlds best????

No and I dont care to me the coffee thing is crap There is a much more to Melbourne/Victoria than coffee!

Yes the SOH is great to look a but thats all its got - to call it a genuine Opera House is a joke at but its crap on the inside thats why the NSW government is spending hundreds of millions trying fix some of the problems but there is nothing they can do about the opera theatre.
Opera Houses are supposed to be able to perform every opera and the very small opera theatre at SOH cannot have the large operas perform there as its stage way to small. This massive mistake was caused by the NSW government at the time when they forced Utson out and saved money by turning the what was Utsons plan to have the concert hall as the opera theatre overturned.

People have voted with their feet as well If Sydney is so appealing then why do so many want to leave?


Australians flock to Melbourne as locals head out

• Census 2016:
  Peter Martin
  

Melbourne gained an extra 485,220 residents in the five years to the 2016 census, the overwhelming bulk of them imports from the rest of the country or overseas.

While most came from overseas (365,240), Sydney accounted for 27,670, more than any other Australian city, setting up a flow that was only partly offset by the 19,100 Melburnians who headed north to Sydney.

 

[madmug]

No and I dont care to me the coffee thing is crap There is a much more to Melbourne/Victoria than coffee!

Yes the SOH is great to look a but thats all its got - to call it a genuine Opera House is a joke at but its crap on the inside thats why the NSW government is spending hundreds of millions trying fix some of the problems but there is nothing they can do about the opera theatre.
Opera Houses are supposed to be able to perform every opera and the very small opera theatre at SOH cannot have the large operas perform there as its stage way to small. This massive mistake was caused by the NSW government at the time when they forced Utson out and saved money by turning the what was Utsons plan to have the concert hall as the opera theatre overturned.

People have voted with their feet as well If Sydney is so appealing then why do so many want to leave?


Australians flock to Melbourne as locals head out

• Census 2016:
  Peter Martin
  

Melbourne gained an extra 485,220 residents in the five years to the 2016 census, the overwhelming bulk of them imports from the rest of the country or overseas.

While most came from overseas (365,240), Sydney accounted for 27,670, more than any other Australian city, setting up a flow that was only partly offset by the 19,100 Melburnians who headed north to Sydney.

Any reading of the jobs & business will show that its cheaper to operate in Melbourne hence IT & other businesses have chosen Melbourne. Thats a problem for Sydney, maybe. But different situation than tourist icons & attractions.
Who said the SOH is a great place for Opera? Its a world class iconic building. The MOH can be as good as it likes, but no one wants to visit it & get pictures. Same as the other things in Sydney. They are far more attractive icons for tourists. Then theirs Bondi beach etc!!

The thing about the growth of Melbourne is that it becomes a two edge sword. The growth becomes a pissing contest with Sydney, but Melbourne becomes more crowded, congested & loses some of its attraction & amenity, especially with locals. My cousins live in the eastern parts of Melbourne. from Caulfield & out to Narre Warren. They hate the traffic. They say the rail system is overloaded. The live & work & have families so they stay but spend a heap of time commuting & driving to things. But its clearly losing some appeal for some. Jobs attract but costs & lifestyle can suffer with pure growth & increased density.
So be careful what you wish for. Being number one comes at a cost.

 

[TheMissingLink]

All you do is go on and on about iconic attractions. Everyone has acknowledge that Sydney has more iconic attractions than Melbourne (namely the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera house, such lovely postcard pics) but Melbourne has a much better lifestyle. The layout and spread of Melbourne is much better whereas Sydney just mainly spreads out west. I have relatives in Sydney and visit there every now and then. IMHO Sydney CBD is slighty better than Melbourne but that is it. Melbourne is more cosmopolitan and with much better transport. Sydney roads are narrow compared to Melbourne as well.

 

[workhorse]

Is this the Sydney vs Melbourne thread?

 

[madmug]

All you do is go on and on about iconic attractions. Everyone has acknowledge that Sydney has more iconic attractions than Melbourne (namely the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera house, such lovely postcard pics) but Melbourne has a much better lifestyle. The layout and spread of Melbourne is much better whereas Sydney just mainly spreads out west. I have relatives in Sydney and visit there every now and then. IMHO Sydney CBD is slighty better than Melbourne but that is it. Melbourne is more cosmopolitan and with much better transport. Sydney roads are narrow compared to Melbourne as well.

I lived in both places for near 5 years. I think I understand a bit about each place.
Lifestyle is in the eye of the beholder as much as anything. The footy is a big thing in Melbourne. Sydney has outdoor lifestyle things more than most places.
Cosmopolitan is applicable to both, being big immigrant cities. Sydney has its history & places like the Rocks which is just great to wander around. I found the Sydney rail just as good/not good as Melbourne.
I got to Melbourne for family & footy on occasion. I go to Sydney/Brisbane/Sunshine coast for holidays. Its just better for that.

 

[kaypee]

I lived in both places for near 5 years. I think I understand a bit about each place.
Lifestyle is in the eye of the beholder as much as anything. The footy is a big thing in Melbourne. Sydney has outdoor lifestyle things more than most places.
Cosmopolitan is applicable to both, being big immigrant cities. Sydney has its history & places like the Rocks which is just great to wander around. I found the Sydney rail just as good/not good as Melbourne.
I got to Melbourne for family & footy on occasion. I go to Sydney/Brisbane/Sunshine coast for holidays. Its just better for that.

I'm sort of the same. Love Sydney, love Melbourne. Lived in qld a few times and love north coast. But the crowds and crap development in nsw/ se qld Have ruined it. SA coast is now a great beach holiday. Byron < Streaky

 

[Rabman]

Estimate home crowd average attendances next season (big 6):

1.Richmond (63,101)
2 West Coast (53,259)
3. Essendon (51,547)
4. Collingwood (51,101)
5. Fremantle (49,227)
6. Adelaide (47,547)

hard to get a reading on the western Australian teams, but i reckon they'll pull strong consistent crowds next season, Richmond should dominate after this year, could rival Collingwoods record back in 2010. Essendon on the climb should pull strong attendances, collingwood hopefully can do the same. Adelaide bring what they normally do.

 

[madmug]

I'm sort of the same. Love Sydney, love Melbourne. Lived in qld a few times and love north coast. But the crowds and crap development in nsw/ se qld Have ruined it. SA coast is now a great beach holiday. Byron < Streaky

Yes, my point. Lots of great & different places. However I do think Melbourne & Sydney are slowly losing some of their charm & fun we were use to. Thats because they are getting busier & more crowded year by year. Still great places but hard work with crowds, traffic etc. Still better than most cities OS, like in South East Asia, but thats no reassurance that they won't get worse.

As far as footy goes, the changes to the game have altered the fabric of what we've grown up with. The 'professionalism' of the game has changed how its played. Its much more defensive orientated & IMHO it gets more boring more often. Thats sad. I'd hate it to be as defensive as soccer, RU or RL. Making it safer is important. For the sake & future of the game we can't & shouldn't avoid that issue.

The expansion of two clubs IMHO was too much too quick. I agree GWS appears a sound strategic move. Its a huge are with a lot of established communities & a successful history with sports clubs. Sorry but GC is living up to its history. People go their for other things than sports.
I believe the AFL have short changed established footy areas, especially Tasmania & WA. Its a unique game but the AFL need to care about who cares for the game & not simply use them.

 

[sverik25]

Estimate home crowd average attendances next season (big 6):

1.Richmond (63,101)
2 West Coast (53,259)
3. Essendon (51,547)
4. Collingwood (51,101)
5. Fremantle (49,227)
6. Adelaide (47,547)

hard to get a reading on the western Australian teams, but i reckon they'll pull strong consistent crowds next season, Richmond should dominate after this year, could rival Collingwoods record back in 2010. Essendon on the climb should pull strong attendances, collingwood hopefully can do the same. Adelaide bring what they normally do.

There's no way you can even really begin to predict that before the fixture is announced.