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.

 

[rogerjames]

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")

Actually hate the word woke & refuse to use it. People use it often with very little idea what the label means coz in reality it means something different to everyone. After all , it's just a stupid summary label.

Have hated having betting adds forced down my throat for years. I find it outrageous & very influential on teenagers etc.

I am in total agreement with all your points re how the Afl operate. The Afl are a disgraceful, corrupt organisation.

 

[El_Scorcho]

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.

None of this matters, none of it affects the competition. This is all stuff you can simply ignore and it won't affect the footy one bit.

You're being sucked into identity politics culture war bullshit which causes controversy so people are less likely to focus on things like the fixture, the GF being locked in at a Victorian ground for the next 30 years, a handful of teams getting all the marquee games, the opaque free agency compo system, or the ridiculous Victorian bias, the fact that the AFL control our club.

The AFL have you (and a significant proportion of footy fans) focusing on exactly what they want you to focus on, "wokeness", instead of being angry at the significant structural equalisation problems with the competition.

 

[Papa G]

None of this matters, none of it affects the competition. This is all stuff you can simply ignore and it won't affect the footy one bit.

You're being sucked into identity politics culture war bullshit which causes controversy so people are less likely to focus on things like the fixture, the GF being locked in at a Victorian ground for the next 30 years, a handful of teams getting all the marquee games, the opaque free agency compo system, or the ridiculous Victorian bias, the fact that the AFL control our club.

The AFL have you (and a significant proportion of footy fans) focusing on exactly what they want you to focus on, "wokeness", instead of being angry at the significant structural equalisation problems with the competition.

Mate I've been pointing out the inequities of all this bullshit well before you were making Sack Hinkley signs in your garage. I mean that dickhead Wookie banned me from his Footy Industry Thread that he lords over 6 or 7 years ago because I wouldn't stop banging on about it. I have been banned form the Vic Bias Thread on Main Board as well because the powers that be don't like me pointing out what a corrupt shit show the whole comp is.
Pointing out the shitless direction that the league has gone down on social issues is just the cherry on the top of what a craphouse competition it has become.
Outside of Indigenous Round which I think has a place, all of those other things I listed are unneccessary or just outright suck. Most are peripheral issues, but in combination lead to a shitter, less enjoyable hypocritical "sport".

 

[simba_]

the main problem is the umpires fixing all the games

 

[El_Scorcho]

Mate I've been pointing out the inequities of all this bullshit well before you were making Sack Hinkley signs in your garage. I mean that dickhead Wookie banned me from his Footy Industry Thread that he lords over 6 or 7 years ago because I wouldn't stop banging on about it. I have been banned form the Vic Bias Thread on Main Board as well because the powers that be don't like me pointing out what a corrupt shit show the whole comp is.
Pointing out the shitless direction that the league has gone down on social issues is just the cherry on the top of what a craphouse competition it has become.
Outside of Indigenous Round which I think has a place, all of those other things I listed are unneccessary or just outright suck. Most are peripheral issues, but in combination lead to a shitter, less enjoyable hypocritical "sport".

Absolutely, we're on the same page in terms of footy issues and always have been.

As long as you understand that the reason the AFL go so hard at social issues is to placate the people who are positive re the social issues and provide a focal point for people who are negative. The same reason any corporation is "woke". The same reason the major parties want us all focused on identity politics.

It's a cover so they can run peak capitalism and line their pockets completely uninhibited by any form of criticism.

 

[pstew2dstew]

People needed sport to get away from the political landscape it used to be an escape, I guess not anymore

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

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")

You can have your opinion and I’ll have mine.

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

Must admit I do enjoy being told by 20 somethings that what I think of the afl is wrong

Chortle chortle

 

[Waspy79]

So, I've decided as of now I am officially no longer concerned with the 'Australian Football League'. I hate this competition with a passion, there are so many inequities it defies all logic. I hate this club, happy to swim in mediocrity for so long, I pump money in for what reason? So these wannabes can continue their idealic lifestyle of just existing?

The big deal for me though is the competition as a whole. It just doesn't make sense for me to support a club that is not playing on a level playing field. Tell me why Port should be able to succeed against someone like Collingwood who play 17 games at the MCG. It's totally nonsensical and I only realise now what an idiot I have been all these years. So I'm officially done. The AFL is ****ing shit. Enjoy it if you can because I feel I won't be alone with this sentiment in the next few years. This will be my first year since I can remember that I don't watch a single game. It's not even the same sport I grew up watching.

You are 100% on point. The league is biased, contrived, corrupt and now add to that sickeningly woke and you get a product that to me is completely unpalatable and unwatchable. I was also going to have my bigfooty account closed but prefer to have a whinge on here about how bad the league is administered and stir up Port fans about my somewhat fake defection to GWS. For now, I have a hierarchy of clubs I hope win the premiership. Most could make a reasonable guess at the seven, there is a loose order in the preference. The rest of the clubs can GAGF.

 

[Waspy79]

Haven’t been a Member (after being one since Port joined the AFL and a supporter long before that) for around 3 years now. Don’t miss it and will only get a 3 game membership when Hinkley finally goes. And that is more for the pre or post game meal / wander round town with the eldest.

It’s a VFL in all but name. Yes non-Vic clubs have won flags, but about only a third or half the number that non-Vic clubs ‘on averages’ should have.

The one that really grinds my gears is, even outnumbered, the non-Vic clubs could band together and publicly call out all the blatant Vic only rules / attitudes. I’ve said it before, but Port wanting to wear the Prison bars when we want, was/is an obvious one for the non-Vic sides to rally around. The issue shows ALL non-Vic states (and therefore clubs within them) are second class. All non-Vic clubs should be standing up and saying ‘Hey Victoria, you and your history isn’t the only one that matters’. Instead it’s ambivalence or with Adelaide outright hostility. Instead of the non-Vic clubs standing behind each other on all the issues against the Vics, even if not directly affected, they let the others be picked off, then wonder why they get no support when it’s there turn against the VFL.

I’ll give it to the Vics, they are good at presenting a united front when anything could affect them. Non-Vic clubs let themselves be divided and conquered and wonder why things never improve.

This issue largely comes back to the governance model for all of the clubs. All Vic clubs have member elected boards and as such those boards make decisions in the best interests of their club/s. I do not think any of the non-Vic clubs have this arrangement - the board members are all majority VFL plants - this means boards of those clubs tread carefully and will not stick their neck out. The only exception to this might be Freo and WCE. This is one reason I somewhat respect Koch for pursuing the prison bars argument and campaigning for equality at the tribunal as it wouldn't help with his posturing for a more senior role in VFL HQ.

 

[simba_]

yeah I was just thinking about that actually, Waspys 7 favorite AFL clubs

 

[Enviable Tradition]

This issue largely comes back to the governance model for all of the clubs. All Vic clubs have member elected boards and as such those boards make decisions in the best interests of their club/s. I do not think any of the non-Vic clubs have this arrangement - the board members are all majority VFL plants - this means boards of those clubs tread carefully and will not stick their neck out. The only exception to this might be Freo and WCE. This is one reason I somewhat respect Koch for pursuing the prison bars argument and campaigning for equality at the tribunal as it wouldn't help with his posturing for a more senior role in VFL HQ.

Brisbane is member owned

Kicking the governance football – How does your AFL club compare? - Governance Institute of Australia

www.governanceinstitute.com.au

On SM-G975F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Interstater]

Brisbane is member owned

Kicking the governance football – How does your AFL club compare? - Governance Institute of Australia

www.governanceinstitute.com.au

On SM-G975F using BigFooty.com mobile app

And Adelaide will be by 2028.

I just don't understand why Sydney are not, probably something to do with their previous owners.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

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.

That's why Toby Greene is loved by a huge number of footy fans. A great player who isn't vanilla.

There are a lot of fans and the PC Media brigade who loathe him for the same reason.

 

[JimmyBC]

That's why Toby Greene is loved by a huge number of footy fans. A great player who isn't vanilla.

There are a lot of fans and the PC Media brigade who loathe for the same reason.

We are getting into a can't have it both ways time period, if want us all to lily loaf around in society you probably can't demand mean nasty successful bastards in your football team.