Opinion Non-Crows AFL 6: This Is Getting Cruel

[1970crow]

Geez, just saw the goals and our 2 late chances. Heartbreaking stuff, 1 goal that went past 3 players by a few inches each, a total brain fade by a keeper who tries to dribble a forward which would then require a repeat through another forward and then the near goals.

 

[George Kramer]

Funny to term it risk but anyway the AFL strategically released round 1 fixture this morning. At 6am. On a Sunday. But yeah they’re not rattled.

I wouldn’t call it rattled, just being the entitled dicks they are

 

[1970crow]

Funny to term it risk but anyway the AFL strategically released round 1 fixture this morning. At 6am. On a Sunday. But yeah they’re not rattled.

correct. They released the fixture to align with the biggest audience of the week. There's insanity in this, but it's not the AFL, it's from those that truly believe the AFL released their fixture to compete with the World Cup. The rode its wave you nimrods.

 

[AFC979810]

Pele played in the North American Soccer league in 1975

That league collapsed in 1984

Soccer will never be anything but a minor game over there. A place where once great players go for retirement and one last pay day

You are 100% wrong on this.

The MLS is ever growing. They have smartly targeted cities that lack exposure to more than 1 team from the big 4 leagues (Portland, Salt Lake, Kansas City, Nashville, Columbus, Orlando, St Louis, San Jose).

The Timbers for example - have a 25,218 capacity stadium. Their average crowd in 2022 is 23,841.

The Trailblazers have a 20,000 seat stadium with an average crowd of 17,209 people.

Like the A-league and Socceroos, the MLS and USMNT have taken massive massive steps over the past 20-30 years. Its a very slow burn, but something all the other leagues are extremely concerned about.

Once more - the question I want answered is where is the growth for the AFL coming from? Seems to me it hit its peak in the early 2000's and the only direction its going is down.

 

[AFC979810]

Kid participation has been a recurring thme too. AFL isn't stupid, it sees the competition which is why it changed kids rules to be less combatative. But seeing and engaging in competetion isn't the same is forecasting certain doom. I think there's a few around here that might not catch the nuance. Just saw a coke add on TV, they're obviously s**t scared of Pepsi, they know they're done, will go the way of Mom n Pops Soda in 2 decades, you wait.

So old mate. You were adamant that the release of the "international" game 6 hours after the Socceroos made the 16 wasn't because the AFL was concerned about Soccer.

What are your thoughts on the fixture being released at kickoff of Aus vs Argentina?

 

[AFC979810]

correct. They released the fixture to align with the biggest audience of the week. There's insanity in this, but it's not the AFL, it's from those that truly believe the AFL released their fixture to compete with the World Cup. The rode its wave you nimrods.

Ha ha ha. What AFL fan is up on 6:00am to see the AFL fixture? With no build up - with no fanfare.

And it could have massively backfired. If the Aussies somehow beat Argentina their fixture result would have received zero press. Even now talk for the next two days will be about the Socceroos, not the fixture.

 

[AFC979810]

I wouldn’t call it rattled, just being the entitled dicks they are

It was stupid, scared and reeks of insecurity.

I can't think of one benefit. Its like the reactive rule changes, the announcement of an international match in Feb.

 

[George Kramer]

It was stupid, scared and reeks of insecurity.

I can't think of one benefit. Its like the reactive rule changes, the announcement of an international match in Feb.

It’s just consistent with who they are. If I didn’t love footy the AFL could go **** itself.

Oh to go back to days of the SANFL being a top competition where our stars stayed.

 

[kirky]

Ha ha ha. What AFL fan is up on 6:00am to see the AFL fixture? With no build up - with no fanfare.

And it could have massively backfired. If the Aussies somehow beat Argentina their fixture result would have received zero press. Even now talk for the next two days will be about the Socceroos, not the fixture.

And after two days, the Socceroos will disappear for another 4 years.

We get it, you like soccer but in your lifetime, if ever, it won’t overtake AFL as the dominant footy code in the AFL States.

If you think AFL is in a world of pain, then have a look at cricket.

 

[AFC979810]

It’s just consistent with who they are. If I didn’t love footy the AFL could go * itself.

Oh to go back to days of the SANFL being a top competition where our stars stayed.

I absolutely love the AFL. I love the sport and the Crows will forever be my #1.

However, the writing is on the wall in my opinion. The AFL is on a decline. The talent is spread too thin, there is zero growth, the people in charge are insecure and trying to change the rules every single year. They are fighting a losing battle.

It's not going to be immediate, but as the old generation, who believe that soccer is just diving and acting, die off (kirky 1970crow Sanders ) they will be replaced by open minded sports fans.

 

[CrowsB4hoes]

And after two days, the Socceroos will disappear for another 4 years.

We get it, you like soccer but in your lifetime, if ever, it won’t overtake AFL as the dominant footy code in the AFL States.

If you think AFL is in a world of pain, then have a look at cricket.

I don’t think it will ever overtake AFL in AFL states ( whatever “overtake” means) but on a national level it will be the dominant sport if it isn’t already.

 

[Scorpus]

I absolutely love the AFL. I love the sport and the Crows will forever be my #1.

However, the writing is on the wall in my opinion. The AFL is on a decline. The talent is spread too thin, there is zero growth, the people in charge are insecure and trying to change the rules every single year. They are fighting a losing battle.

It's not going to be immediate, but as the old generation, who believe that soccer is just diving and acting, die off (kirky 1970crow Sanders ) they will be replaced by open minded sports fans.

I'm not convinced the AFL needs growth, but even so, their growth avenues are AFLW and their attempts in the rugby states.

Or do you mean they need international growth?

 

[AFC979810]

And after two days, the Socceroos will disappear for another 4 years.

We get it, you like soccer but in your lifetime, if ever, it won’t overtake AFL as the dominant footy code in the AFL States.

If you think AFL is in a world of pain, then have a look at cricket.

Not denying Cricket is in a world of pain.

Once again I agree. Possibly not in my lifetime Soccer becomes the dominant sport, but in my childrens lifetime it has a chance to be.

Once more - where is the growth of the AFL coming from? Please someone answer this. If you ain't growing you are dying (happy for you to dispute this as well).

Lets look at what's happened recently:

2019 AFL average attendance - 35,122
2022 AFL average attendance - 31,000

In 2022 - AFL attendance was the lowest in 26 years.

2019 A league average attendance - 8,565
2022 A league average attendance - 9,288

To not think the AFL is absolutely shitting themselves right now is head in the sand stuff. It has been proven by release of the fixture at kick off.

 

[AFC979810]

I'm not convinced the AFL needs growth, but even so, their growth avenues are AFLW and their attempts in the rugby states.

Or do you mean they need international growth?

They need growth, because if you aren't growing whilst others are - you lose market share and are losing.

Where that growth comes from doesn't matter. It can be international (no chance), from rugby states (little chance) or AFLW (what a joke).

 

[1970crow]

It’s just consistent with who they are. If I didn’t love footy the AFL could go * itself.

Oh to go back to days of the SANFL being a top competition where our stars stayed.

The AFL sets its metrics upon what is readily identifiable. They have no 'feel' for the game itself or of its supporters. It's run by a small group of people that are entirely removed from the vast majority of the fan base. But you have to measure success somehow and soccer is no different, they're doing everything they can to reach their audience and capture the hearts of consumers. But at the end of the day, hard fact figures that correlate to $ are going to be chased much harder than positive fan engagent survey trends.

 

[1970crow]

It was stupid, scared and reeks of insecurity.

I can't think of one benefit. Its like the reactive rule changes, the announcement of an international match in Feb.

What do you reckon the cost actually was? How will impact Aussie rules next year?

 

[Scorpus]

They need growth, because if you aren't growing whilst others are - you lose market share and are losing.

Where that growth comes from doesn't matter. It can be international (no chance), from rugby states (little chance) or AFLW (what a joke).

Apart from your opinion, what are the actual indicators AFL isn't growing or maintaining its position?

Is it revenue? Attendance? Participation numbers?

All of these things are tracked so there would have to be actual evidence it's happening.

If soccer is beating the AFL for growth it would show up in something like the percentage of sports revenue per code over time

 

[AFC979810]

What do you reckon the cost actually was? How will impact Aussie rules next year?

No cost, No benefit.

Made em look like dickheads though IMO. 4 days after announcing a game for all Australians they try and usurp a game for all Australians.

 

[1970crow]

I absolutely love the AFL. I love the sport and the Crows will forever be my #1.

However, the writing is on the wall in my opinion. The AFL is on a decline. The talent is spread too thin, there is zero growth, the people in charge are insecure and trying to change the rules every single year. They are fighting a losing battle.

It's not going to be immediate, but as the old generation, who believe that soccer is just diving and acting, die off (kirky 1970crow Sanders ) they will be replaced by open minded sports fans.

nice strawman, I've not seen anyone suggest soccer is just diving and acting. Interesting that you are using soccer as some kind of vehicle to progress a belief of superiority over others. Are you really tyat devoid of positive attributes that you need to believe that being a soccer fan makes you better than others?

 

[kirky]

Not denying Cricket is in a world of pain.

Once again I agree. Possibly not in my lifetime Soccer becomes the dominant sport, but in my childrens lifetime it has a chance to be.

Once more - where is the growth of the AFL coming from? Please someone answer this. If you ain't growing you are dying (happy for you to dispute this as well).

Lets look at what's happened recently:

2019 AFL average attendance - 35,122
2022 AFL average attendance - 31,000

In 2022 - AFL attendance was the lowest in 26 years.

2019 A league average attendance - 8,565
2022 A league average attendance - 9,288

To not think the AFL is absolutely shitting themselves right now is head in the sand stuff. It has been proven by release of the fixture at kick off.

Can you provide the source link for those attendances for the A-League?

Think you are being a bit disingenuous by using the current season stats when the season is still in progress. Am I right?

And what was the average in 2018 or even 2017?

Don’t cherry pick to suit your position.

And just on soccer, one of my great sporting experiences was going Stamford Bridge in August 2004 and see Chelsea vs Southampton. We were in London and wanted to see an EPL game and this seemed to be the easiest game to get to. Southampton scored a goal within the first 60 seconds and seeing the Southampton bay go off their tree. They still ended up losing 2-1 to Chelsea.

 

[1970crow]

No cost, No benefit.

Made em look like dickheads though IMO. 4 days after announcing a game for all Australians they try and usurp a game for all Australians.

I It's just part of their strategy to reach as many people as they can and remain on people's minds during the off-season. The sport sees soccer as a competitor, marketing see the local World Cup audience as an opportunity. It doesn't speak in support of them crapping their pants, it's just consistent execution of a long held deliberate strategy. You'll forget about all this until the next olympics anyway, I'm bored now, see you in 4 years.

 

[AFC979810]

Apart from your opinion, what are the actual indicators AFL isn't growing or maintaining its position?

Is it revenue? Attendance? Participation numbers?

All of these things are tracked so there would have to be actual evidence it's happening

Attendance is a big one. 2002 - 32,000. 2022 - 31,000.

Participation also down. Lots blamed on Pandemic. ‘Living in their screens’: McLachlan’s fight to get kids back into local footy

Shit even just reading through this forum - its most rabid supporters lament the changes and the way the game is now.

An increasingly hard sell: just what has happened to AFL football? | Jonathan Horn

How did we arrive here? Who, or what, is to blame? And is there a solution? Jonathan Horn breaks down the game’s current malaise

www.theguardian.com

The AFL is stuck between tradition and ratings.

'Doesn't make sense': AFL under pressure to make grand final change

The disappointing AFL grand final TV ratings could have telling repercussions. Details here.

au.sports.yahoo.com

In truth its a one city sport that has had a great run.

 

[Scorpus]

Attendance is a big one. 2002 - 32,000. 2022 - 31,000.

Participation also down. Lots blamed on Pandemic. ‘Living in their screens’: McLachlan’s fight to get kids back into local footy

s**t even just reading through this forum - its most rabid supporters lament the changes and the way the game is now.

An increasingly hard sell: just what has happened to AFL football? | Jonathan Horn

How did we arrive here? Who, or what, is to blame? And is there a solution? Jonathan Horn breaks down the game’s current malaise

www.theguardian.com

The AFL is stuck between tradition and ratings.

'Doesn't make sense': AFL under pressure to make grand final change

The disappointing AFL grand final TV ratings could have telling repercussions. Details here.

au.sports.yahoo.com

In truth its a one city sport that has had a great run.

Okay so AFL attendances are down slightly over 20 years.

But so is the A-league, which averaged 11k in it's first year (2005), peaked at 15k in 2007 and for the last five seasons has averaged less than its first year.

Not that attendances are a perfect way to track whether a sport is growing or declining. But that metric doesn't suggest soccer is outgrowing AFL.

The issue with soccer in Australia has always been conversion of widespread community participation into top tier interest and dollars. AFL revenue was growing steadily until COVID (2022 numbers yet to be seen). Soccer has a long way to go before it even challenges that in Australia again despite huge numbers at local levels.

 

[AFC979810]

nice strawman, I've not seen anyone suggest soccer is just diving and acting. Interesting that you are using soccer as some kind of vehicle to progress a belief of superiority over others. Are you really tyat devoid of positive attributes that you need to believe that being a soccer fan makes you better than others?

Little sensitive there old man. I don't think I am better than anyone. Just worried for the game of AFL that you and me both love.

I get it. You were born in 1970 - you think of Soccer as it was pre 2000. The world has changed and that can be scary. Just embrace the change.

 

[cleanhands]

It’s just consistent with who they are. If I didn’t love footy the AFL could go * itself.

Oh to go back to days of the SANFL being a top competition where our stars stayed.

Thanks mate

late edit:
and for some of us whos ability fell somewhere between Billy Frampton, Elliot Himmelberg and Fischer MacAsey