I'm officially done, join me on the other side

[rumoursofwinter]

There was an article in the age about two players in the vic country team who are likely to be drafted in the first thirty and who did it without the pathway of going to a private school. Afl is all about pathways, money and growing the pie. The coaching teams behind the programs for some of the schools is more impressive than say Port Adelaide's coaching staff. Its a growth industry and a boys club. It's about the process. The clubs are really there to service the customers. The players are there to act their part. No one rocks the boat and everyone is happy or at least well paid.

 

[Us against the rest]

There's something different about the AFL that I can't quite put my finger on.

It's like it's become entertainment instead of sport.

But it's like an empty feeling at times whether good or bad.

Yep agreed, I think with so many teams and Tasmania to come it's made it so difficult to win a flag, also with all the talent spread over more teams the standard has dropped especially with goal kicking.
It's about all the clubs staying financial and putting bums on seats. My interest in the AFL is dwindling fast.

 

[pstew2dstew]

Yep agreed, I think with so many teams and Tasmania to come it's made it so difficult to win a flag, also with all the talent spread over more teams the standard has dropped especially with goal kicking.
It's about all the clubs staying financial and putting bums on seats. My interest in the AFL is dwindling fast.

I also think watching players and Ken laughing on the ground when fans are shattered has taken some shine off the passion side of things.

But I just can't pinpoint what exactly is causing this, and this excludes the problems we experience with the coach. It's a whole AFL thing.

 

[SC_Power]

Does anyone remember what happened to my football club, the one I caught an overnight bus to watch at a wet ansett cup grand final at waverley, the one that made me cry in my seat at the mcg when they ran out in round 1 1997, the one that let me sit inside the fence at the 1976 gf, the one at which I used to crush soft drink cans to stand on to see over people's heads on the mound at Alberton.

I'd really like to know where they went.
I miss them.
View attachment 2166696

You caught a bus to Waverley?
I drove the whole day to get there.
Sat in front of the Hawks fan base.
Watched us go goalless to half time
When we kicked our first in the 3rd quarter (Che C-C?), I stood up and cheered, and got a massive cheer from the Hawks fans for supporting my club.

Where is THAT club I loved?

 

[SC_Power]

There's something different about the AFL that I can't quite put my finger on.

It's like it's become entertainment instead of sport.

But it's like an empty feeling at times whether good or bad.

Absolutely it’s entertainment, structured as a football game.

 

[Ljc_86]

It was more entertaining when they weren’t trying to be entertaining

 

[Cam1870]

View attachment 2166728in case it helps, I mean this club...

I wonder how many people were disappointed the "bonus wangas liftout" wasn't all they hoped for

 

[Cam1870]

I agree with the OP
The game is a joke, the club is a joke, but it’s the AFL as an organisation that I detest the most.

The capacity of the afl to exceed their own ridiculous level of virtue signalling year on year is truly something to behold.

Being woke is one thing but to destroy what was once an amazing game is quite another level again.

The afl can gagf I detest every single person associated with afl house and I hope they get hit by a bus

The AFL isn't f'ed because of "virtue signalling" or "woke". It's because there's no equity in the draw. It's because we're seeing pay tv ramp up and free to air fall away forcing everyone to pay more. It's because the AFL gives draft concessions to who it wants without accountability. It's because some players and clubs are not treated equally at the tribunal. It's because as members we don't get a say in picking our board.

None of these things are "woke". The only thing forced down your throat is betting adds. (Not women's football which you and anyone else are welcome to watch or not which also, is not "woke")

 

[Papa G]

The AFL isn't f'ed because of "virtue signalling" or "woke". It's because there's no equity in the draw. It's because we're seeing pay tv ramp up and free to air fall away forcing everyone to pay more. It's because the AFL gives draft concessions to who it wants without accountability. It's because some players and clubs are not treated equally at the tribunal. It's because as members we don't get a say in picking our board.

None of these things are "woke". The only thing forced down your throat is betting adds. (Not women's football which you and anyone else are welcome to watch or not which also, is not "woke")

Welcome to Country
Laura Kane in a position of power
Players being banned/fined for dressing up at a private party
Holly Ransom exists
Indigenous Round
Pride Round
Every AFL ground on AFL website given Aboriginal name
Holly Ransom
Shit teir female commentators/Special comments
Being forced to apologise for any and every little thing
Shaun Burgoyne commentating

Outside of indigenous round none of these things existed 10 years ago. Some of these things are okay in isolation, but to say there hasn't been a shift is not correct.

 

[Andre]

Welcome to Country
Laura Kane in a position of power
Players being banned/fined for dressing up at a private party
Holly Ransom exists
Indigenous Round
Pride Round
Every AFL ground on AFL website given Aboriginal name
Holly Ransom
Shit teir female commentators/Special comments
Being forced to apologise for any and every little thing
Shaun Burgoyne commentating

Outside of indigenous round none of these things existed 10 years ago. Some of these things are okay in isolation, but to say there hasn't been a shift is not correct.

These are the key ones. The AFL is devoid of players that'd have been called a 'character' these days. Sure don't be racist, sexist, homophobic etc., but the AFL is determined to go beyond that and have cookie cutter player personalities, that are bland as can be. They can say the right words, but you can tell most players have little passion for who they play for. It's just 'which branch office' they happened to be assigned to on joining the company. Sure a draft leads somewhat to this, but it still feels like the AFL has managed to suck the emotion out of it's players more than most other sporting leagues around the world that also have drafts.