Bomber Spirit
Norm Smith Medallist
What do you think? Is the AFL better or worse than it was 2 years ago? Has it gone forwards or backwards?
I think it's in worse shape. While there's always been a strong corporate interest in the game, the balance has swung way too far. Money has over-ridden everything else - the TV rights being a prime example, with the AFL taking huge slabs of money which significantly slashed the coverage available to developing football states. One stroke of a pen that undid years of promotional work.
Giving more and more opportunities for Eddie McGuire's conflicts of interests to dominate everyone's thoughts. Tonight Port Adelaide takes on Collingwood - yet the on-field action is overshadowed by increased security presence, propaganda wars on the Footy Show and of course Eddie's commentary will be closely scrutinised. Was it ever like this before?
Attendances are falling, several clubs are experiencing membership declines for the first time in over a decade. Not that the AFL cares - as long as people pay more to get an add-on pay-TV channel that still doesn't show games live, they're raking in the dollars. And the corporate sponsors, the aristocracy and other associated ****ers will get grand final tickets while competing club members' allocation is at a record low.
What say the rest of you? Is the AFL going ahead in leaps and bounds, or lurching into crisis?
I think it's in worse shape. While there's always been a strong corporate interest in the game, the balance has swung way too far. Money has over-ridden everything else - the TV rights being a prime example, with the AFL taking huge slabs of money which significantly slashed the coverage available to developing football states. One stroke of a pen that undid years of promotional work.
Giving more and more opportunities for Eddie McGuire's conflicts of interests to dominate everyone's thoughts. Tonight Port Adelaide takes on Collingwood - yet the on-field action is overshadowed by increased security presence, propaganda wars on the Footy Show and of course Eddie's commentary will be closely scrutinised. Was it ever like this before?
Attendances are falling, several clubs are experiencing membership declines for the first time in over a decade. Not that the AFL cares - as long as people pay more to get an add-on pay-TV channel that still doesn't show games live, they're raking in the dollars. And the corporate sponsors, the aristocracy and other associated ****ers will get grand final tickets while competing club members' allocation is at a record low.
What say the rest of you? Is the AFL going ahead in leaps and bounds, or lurching into crisis?
