How tight are the AFL?

[markr]

The big story here is the blatant racism from the kid's mum:

"The AFL has just proved they are mercenary Indian givers to have so disappointed a five-year-old child," angry mum Nadia Munro said.

Surely in this day and age we no longer accept such culturally insensitive terms as "indian giver". Shame Nadia Munro, Shame.

 

[Neville Bartos]

The good Vlad giveth, and he TAKETH AWAY.

Stop ruining the league

 

[Art Corvelay]

In these tough economic times, it's refreshing to see the AFL tightening the strings and saving money where it can. A penny saved is a penny earned. Of course, them seem quite happy to blow a few million on new expansion teams so a few ****ing tickets makes stuff all difference at the end of the day Let the kids go!

 

[mollyfud]

Not tight at all. Its a administration problem not a cost problem. 1000 tickets is nothing to the AFL, hell the Hawks could donate the tickets as well but the issue is that the tickets are given out far before the game and as I understand they are for one of at least two games. It was reported in the comments of the blog post on the HUN site that the tickets have printed on them:

“Ticket will not provide admission if match is upgraded to a “designated seat game”

This is need as NO ONE, no even Hawks H&A members can just walk up if they don't have a seat. Surely if you have a free ticket your going to check out all the catches and possible extra costs of the ticket! I have a reserved seat to all Hawks games and still rang and double checked I didn't have to get a ticket.

People are going to complain about any empty seats, image if 500 or more where to be left by Auskick families not turning up!

The AFL should be appalled for making the ticket available not bagged because people didn't read the tickets properly!

Molly

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Not tight at all. Its a administration problem not a cost problem. 1000 tickets is nothing to the AFL, hell the Hawks could donate the tickets as well but the issue is that the tickets are given out far before the game and as I understand they are for one of at least two games.

Just heard the kid's mum on SEN and the Hawks have donated tickets (even though the kid is a Geelong fan). Good for them.

If the AFL want to make this nice gesture to the kids they should set the seats aside for it. They already pick games in advance they think will allow the space, if they guess wrong that's bad luck.

As each kid gets two games to choose from, I think it would be reasonable to ask families to call a toll-free number in advance to book a seat for the game where they want to use the ticket. That way no-one's left in the lurch and there aren't empty seats at big games either.

 

[Johnson#26]

FFS that is pathetic.

Harden up, AFL.

The game is FOR THE FANS. Without us, there'd be no footy. Kids like Ethan are the future. The G won't be full, anyway. Absolute rubbish.

 

[jefffff34]

You pay $35 for a years worth of Aus Kick sessions.

Thrown in is; a backpack, a footy and a few other bits a pieces as well as two tickets to one of the non ticketed AFL games of the club you support. Now there is whining because they aren't given tickets to quite possibly the biggest game of the H/A season outside ANZAC day. Come on. Aus Kick is an unbelievable deal.

Now when I was in Vickick (that's right...Vic...for Victoria....we did it right) we got all that stuff, magazines, sticker album, etc, and we got a full on squadron membership to go to any game we wanted to for the season.

Now they are able to go to one game that can't be a big game.

Good on you Demetriou you fat ****en wart.

 

[mollyfud]

Just heard the kid's mum on SEN and the Hawks have donated tickets (even though the kid is a Geelong fan). Good for them.

If the AFL want to make this nice gesture to the kids they should set the seats aside for it. They already pick games in advance they think will allow the space, if they guess wrong that's bad luck.

As each kid gets two games to choose from, I think it would be reasonable to ask families to call a toll-free number in advance to book a seat for the game where they want to use the ticket. That way no-one's left in the lurch and there aren't empty seats at big games either.

Good to hear by the Hawks.
I agree with your thoughts to a degree and I am sure the AFL will look at the administration of the program (if they choose to do it again). But don't blame the AFL or say they are tight. They are not at wrong here!
Molly

 

[badius]

It'll work out better for the kid to go to the Melbourne game anyway. Will be much happier witnessing a win

 

[Astro_]

The AFL should be happy with the additional 30,000 - 40,000 paid spectators they will get to the game given Geelong and Hawthorn's outstanding form.

Im sure the AFL budgeted for a crowd of only 45,000 - 55,000 when the 2008 draw was constructed on their super-computer late last year.

The poor kids (and their parents) will probably get the Kangaroos vs Melbourne game as a replacement.

 

[Sanks]

Vlad and his mates are nothing short of scumbags.

 

[mollyfud]

Vlad and his mates are nothing short of scumbags.

Love the deep level of analysis and examples you give!
Molly

 

[bourbons]

Pffft aren't tix still available on the net today?

Interesting to observe Melbourne and bulldogs supporters whining about the AFL being money hungry. If all clubs were self-supporting, the AFL wouldn't have to be so careful with their money.

But don't blame the AFL or say they are tight. They are not at wrong here!

Give me a break. How much cash is in the game; TV rights, record attendances, and they're going to quibble over 1000 odd 'paying customers'.

Disgrace

 

[grimface_87]

Not trying to defend the AFL, but how much is a kids ticket at the 'G these days? $2 from memory.

The thing that annoys me is they waited until now to tell them when it would have been obvious weeks ago that the game was going to draw a massive crowd.

 

[alley_cat]

J

If the AFL want to make this nice gesture to the kids they should set the seats aside for it. They already pick games in advance they think will allow the space, if they guess wrong that's bad luck.

I want to say I am surprised at this but truth is this is the way AFL is going. Its not about the fans but about the almighty $$$. That said even a sell out does not mean that all seats will be used. If they were really concerned about fans being able to get in then they would make members (including MCG members) nominate if they are going and if they don't then on-sell the tickets to those that want to go. But no, don't want to upset the members when you can pick on little kids.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Love the deep level of analysis and examples you give!
Molly

I think people understand that the tickets could be withdrawn if the match had too much interest but the AFL have given the kids and families only a week's notice when they were aware this match would probably draw 80,000 or more many weeks ago. Add this to Andrew's blatant lies this morning claiming the match has sold out (it hasn't, tickets still available, not many but some nonetheless).

 

[Furn]

Tickets are still available and cost about $40 for similar tickets.

So they are saving $40,000 thats a drop in the ocean for the AFL

Juz give them the tickets ffs.

 

[tandino]

I guess it's a final confirmation (if one was needed) that the AFL holds money above everything else. And as a financial contributor to both the AFL and one of it's clubs, I myself find it pathetic.

The AFL would have known exactly how many "tickets" they allocated to the kids, and could have dealt with this issue months ago through either

1) Putting aside seats before they go on sale to the general public, or
2) Cancelling those tickets months in advance

It's an amateurish mistake to make, to sit on your hands and hope that nobody kicks up a fuss.

 

[DanA]

So they are saving $40,000 thats a drop in the ocean for the AFL

Juz give them the tickets ffs.

Yeah but about 1 in 5 of those tickets are used. So potentially there are 8000 unused tickets

 

[mollyfud]

I think people understand that the tickets could be withdrawn if the match had too much interest but the AFL have given the kids and families only a week's notice when they were aware this match would probably draw 80,000 or more many weeks ago. Add this to Andrew's blatant lies this morning claiming the match has sold out (it hasn't, tickets still available, not many but some nonetheless).

We have known since about round 4 that this was going to be a block buster and the hawks site at least has noted that it was going to sell out since early June. The "tickets" the people had noted that they wouldn't be good if the game was full. What more can the AFL do? They wouldn't of necessarily had contact details for all the people as the tickets and 100% booked, they are more like vouchers. Thats the issue!
Molly

 

[tandino]

We have known since about round 4 that this was going to be a block buster and the hawks site at least has noted that it was going to sell out since early June. The "tickets" the people had noted that they wouldn't be good if the game was full. What more can the AFL do? They wouldn't of necessarily had contact details for all the people as the tickets and 100% booked, they are more like vouchers. Thats the issue!
Molly

They actually do.

These ticketholders got an email last night saying that their ticket was now invalid.

 

[Strawbs]

Just heard the kid's mum on SEN and the Hawks have donated tickets (even though the kid is a Geelong fan). Good for them.

If the AFL want to make this nice gesture to the kids they should set the seats aside for it. They already pick games in advance they think will allow the space, if they guess wrong that's bad luck.

As each kid gets two games to choose from, I think it would be reasonable to ask families to call a toll-free number in advance to book a seat for the game where they want to use the ticket. That way no-one's left in the lurch and there aren't empty seats at big games either.

HTH, with that kind of simple logic you'll never get a gig at AFL House. It's pretty easy isn't it? Just add this to the litany of other ****-ups of the "biggest sporting organisation in the country." You only need to look at the following list to see that we shouldn't be surprised by the lack of common sense, efficiency, foresight etc.

Food prices.
Tribunal/Match Review Panel
Western Sydney
Games in Dubai, South Africa...
The Fixture
Murder of Fitzroy
Rule changes
Umpire training
Selling out the fans for TV $$$

 

[Strawbs]

Strewth, c**k-ups gets edited! It's not even a rude word!

 

[Hawthorn United]

Add to the list of stuff ups:

Interchange

 

[Orange]

Just heard the kid's mum on SEN and the Hawks have donated tickets (even though the kid is a Geelong fan). Good for them.

If the AFL want to make this nice gesture to the kids they should set the seats aside for it. They already pick games in advance they think will allow the space, if they guess wrong that's bad luck.

As each kid gets two games to choose from, I think it would be reasonable to ask families to call a toll-free number in advance to book a seat for the game where they want to use the ticket. That way no-one's left in the lurch and there aren't empty seats at big games either.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Just means we'll end up with more crap journailsm and sensationalist humbug and more stooges getting their 11 seconds of fame.

and why is everyone assuming its about the money - isn't it about giving people who would normally go to a game of footy the chance to go rather than a bunch of tight arses who'll only go cause its free?