AFL Discrimination against North Melbourne, St Kilda & The Western Bulldogs

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

On the topic of "marquee" and "blockbuster" games, why don't North Melbourne, The Western Bulldogs & St Kilda get a regular blockbuster date? All the other sides in the comp seem to have at least one of these fixtures

Collingwood v Essendon - ANZAC Day
Carlton v Richmond - Season opener
Richmond v Essendon - Dreamtime
Collingwood v Melbourne - Queens Birthday
Hawthorn v Geelong - Easter Weekend

Then you have the derbys interstate which are played twice a year.

The only three teams that are missing out on Blockbuster fixtures of the soon to be 18 teams are North Melbourne, St Kilda & The Western Bulldogs. Arguably the three clubs who need these fixtures the most

So why not give St Kilda a regular fixture on a public holiday against The Western Bulldogs? And North Melbourne a regular fixture against Hawthorn or Essendon on a marquee date?

The AFL need to do something about this inequality immediately in my opinion, as it obviously isn't a level playing field for all clubs. These clubs are losing out on massive amounts of revenue, because of poor fixturing and discrimination by the AFL

Surely these clubs fans are sick of being shafted to poor timeslots, and would turn out in numbers, if given the opportunity of watching their side play a "blockbuster".

 

[jaws1975]

They don't draw well and don't make enough revenue for the AFL. Pretty simple.

 

[Defacto]

the sad thing is we probably deserved these games in 2010 given our form and membership. in 2011 and beyond we will probably slide in terms of form and membership.

whilst its a great idea we havent really drawn large crowd numbers vs the doggies and even more so the roos.

a geelong vs st kilda is probably a better blockbuster.

western bulldogs vs essendon?? north melbourne vs melbourne??

 

[james brayshaw]

saints and the bulldogs played off on friday night and only managed 31 thousand and i doubt my team could muster any more than that against fellow minnow clubs. The only reason these blockbuster games draw crowds is because of the big four.

 

[MaddAdam]

saints and the bulldogs played off on friday night and only managed 31 thousand and i doubt my team could muster any more than that against fellow minnow clubs. The only reason these blockbuster games draw crowds is because of the big four.

In 1998 North and the Dogs played in Rd22 for top spot on a Friday night at G and got 68k. If teams are up and successful, they'll bring in neutrals.

North have lobbied long and hard for Good Friday. We should be given and the opportunity to make a success like we did with Friday nights.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

the sad thing is we probably deserved these games in 2010 given our form and membership. in 2011 and beyond we will probably slide in terms of form and membership.

whilst its a great idea we havent really drawn large crowd numbers vs the doggies and even more so the roos.

a geelong vs st kilda is probably a better blockbuster.

western bulldogs vs essendon?? north melbourne vs melbourne??

If Melbourne can draw 80k to the G vs Collingwood on an annual fixture, then any of the teams I mentioned could as well.

North Melbournes two biggest rivals are Essendon & Hawthorn so why not give them a regular date against one of these sides?

St Kilda v Collingwood has been a great rivalry recently, and with the drawn GF, the AFL should have set up a regular fixture between the two. Would easily draw 70k+ every year.

 

[ManWithNoName]

North Melbourne tried to have a Eureka Match against Richmond. Lasted one year before they couldn't be bothered promoting it again and the concept died. Same thing happened with Sydney and Melbourne playing on ANZAC Day for the "Barassi Cup".

Sides have to make their own marquee, annual matches. They don't just get handed out on a platter.

 

[MarkT2]

They don't get the crowds and if they used Collingwood to get a "blockbuster" crowd there would be even more whiging about Collingwood's advantages, self-made such as they are.

A "blochbuster" draw is not aboutg how many you could theoretically pull through the gate on a good day it is about a bankable crowd no matter what. The QB "event" is merely an allowance for Melbourne based on a con by Collingwood to get a draw event that also suited them at the time. It does nothing for Collingwood now but there isn't any reason for Collingwood to want to change it.

 

[Rocket23]

Anybody who watched the Saints vs Dogs last Friday night will understand why that should not be a 'marquee' match up!!

 

[piesaregreat]

Good Friday is available
If any of these sides want a blockbuster then call on their administrations to do something about it.
Its not the AFL's job to create these events its up to the clubs.

 

[Donakebab]

So you admit that the Easter Weekend is a blockbuster, but you want to usurp ANZAC Day? Make your mind up.

 

[Bigeasy]

I thought because clubs like StKilda, Western Bulldogs and North didn't have "blockbuster" games allocated on special days was why we got compensation from the AFL?

My only gripe is that some club supporters and their officials from the big 4 not only want the cake but eat it too. If they get the allocated big games then the off shoot is to compensate those that miss out on the opportunity.

Clubs are supposed to be non for profit but some clubs think they are a major corporation with shareholders. This is not the EPL, it's the AFL.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

So you admit that the Easter Weekend is a blockbuster, but you want to usurp ANZAC Day? Make your mind up.

ANZAC Day is the "ultimate" Blockbuster though. Hawthorn & Geelong have earnt the right to play ANZAC Day, and Collingwood & Essendon have lost the right with a string of poor standard games.

But we can discuss that in the other thread. Let's keep on topic.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

I thought because clubs like StKilda, Western Bulldogs and North didn't have "blockbuster" games allocated on special days was why we got compensation from the AFL?

It's not only about the money these games would bring in, but the exposure of a regular blockbuster for North Melbourne would be priceless. Would change the publics perception of the club, and would also help grow membership/supporter numbers. It would be a massive step forward if the NMFC could secure a regular Blockbuster.

 

[MaddAdam]

Good Friday is available
If any of these sides want a blockbuster then call on their administrations to do something about it.
Its not the AFL's job to create these events its up to the clubs.

North has been lobbying for a Good Friday fixture since the early 90s, probably longer.

The AFL consistently say no to any team playing it.

 

[Donakebab]

ANZAC Day is the "ultimate" Blockbuster though. Hawthorn & Geelong have earnt the right to play ANZAC Day, and Collingwood & Essendon have lost the right with a string of poor standard games.

But we can discuss that in the other thread. Let's keep on topic.

So in your plan do teams shuffle between the blockbusters depending on their last few meetings? What if one team is up and the other is down, do teams swap to gain a new rival for their blockbuster? It's all good saying share these things around, but it's not in the interest of the AFL to do so.

 

[MaddAdam]

Anybody who watched the Saints vs Dogs last Friday night will understand why that should not be a 'marquee' match up!!

Some of the Anzac Day games have been dogs too.

No doubt for the people there the crowd and sense of occasion has somewhat masked the poor display onfield.

But I've turned off quite a few Anzac games in my time.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

So in your plan do teams shuffle between the blockbusters depending on their last few meetings? What if one team is up and the other is down, do teams swap to gain a new rival for their blockbuster? It's all good saying share these things around, but it's not in the interest of the AFL to do so.

I understand what you're getting at, but I'm not saying share them around on a regular basis. Give teams 5 or 10 year blocks that have earnt a blockbuster, then reassess whether or not it is working.

 

[Torpedo12]

Hawthorn v Geelong - Easter weekend lol Give me a break, thats hardly a blockbuster timeslot.

 

[GameOver]

On the topic of "marquee" and "blockbuster" games, why don't North Melbourne, The Western Bulldogs & St Kilda get a regular blockbuster date? All the other sides in the comp seem to have at least one of these fixtures

Agree with the premise of this. AFL is all about $$ and they don't bring in enough. AD would also say they are rightfully compensated with $$ for loss of gatetakings due to not having blockbusters.

The issue for me is more the fact that not having blockbuster games doesn't allow them to market their club as much and therefore not the same opportunities to grow membership.

 

[grogan]

H.A.d
How long has Geel v Haw at easter been a fixed part of the draw?

 

[greatwhiteshark]

All this is doing is encouraging an even more inept fixture with less integrity that it already has.

The way things are going you may not play some sides even once in a season.

And how on earth can any club own a fixture? If this competition had any professionalism at all you would get a fixture at the beginning of the year and just play when you play.

Remember that stupid system that worked every year for 100 years and still operates in every other sport in the world except the highest level of Aussie Rules. Still works in every other league in the country.

And the worst part is it seems you guys want it to continue and make the comp even less professional with less integrity.

FFS guys if it is all about money then strip the salary cap, make it open season. Suits us a plenty over here in the west.

No one wants that yet you want set fixturing to advantage income??

This comp badly needs a rolling draw, that just goes in cirlcles forever until it is possible to play each side twice.
Where your fixture comes out it comes out. Who falls anzac day falls anzac day.

We are such an amateur comp in almost every sense of the word.

 

[grogan]

I think St's v coll is a bit obvious.
One game i think could carry a fixed draw is Saints v Cats ..........respect

 

[Papa G]

They don't get the crowds and if they used Collingwood to get a "blockbuster" crowd there would be even more whiging about Collingwood's advantages, self-made such as they are.

A "blochbuster" draw is not aboutg how many you could theoretically pull through the gate on a good day it is about a bankable crowd no matter what. The QB "event" is merely an allowance for Melbourne based on a con by Collingwood to get a draw event that also suited them at the time. It does nothing for Collingwood now but there isn't any reason for Collingwood to want to change it.

It does give them yet another, over hyped, stand alone, nationally broadcast, "traditional" event match, more airtime to saturate us with their already over saturated brand which would please sponsors no end, so please don't tell me it does nothing for Collingwood. Other clubs, particularly Melbourne do leech of this you are right, it is a much bigger day for them as the extra 15,000 band wagon Dee supporters that rock up once a year will attest, but for the reasons above, it is another day that adds to the Collingwood beast.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

H.A.d
How long has Geel v Haw at easter been a fixed part of the draw?

Obviously not long, but it is now a permanent fixture, which is a win for both teams, and both sets of supporters!