Realistic ANZAC Idea

[Jonno_]

You mean like North and Friday Night Football?

This a poor poor argument and it seems to be everyone's response to "We built it we should keep it".

North did pioneer the idea, however:

1) They didn't pioneer the idea exclusively with another club, it was necessarily shared around as they needed another club to play against. Collingwood v Essendon does not require this.

2) This became a weekly occurrence, and hence for fixturing reasons it became impractical to have North v x every Friday night. No club reasonably would expect that to happen. ANZAC day is once a year and hence does not require this.

3) Television controls much of fixturing. North have a very small supporter base and cannot get people to the game, or to watch it on television. Collingwood v Essendon consistently draw 85,000+ to the games with many more watching it on television. Hence, ANZAC day does not require a change to satisfy television.

4) Collingwood and Essendon do not receive financial handouts from the AFL as every other club do. In fact, Collingwood play games away every year in order to help other clubs financially (every year at ANZ stadium, Queens birthday etc.). There are no calls for these fixtures to be rotated, when we are brining money into your pathetic club.

5) ANZAC day as a Collingwood v Essendon match has become a tradition between two of the biggest Australian sporting clubs. The fact that it is played on a traditional day between the two biggest clubs is what continually draws numbers. If you were to rotate it on any level (except perhaps between Carl, Coll, Ess) you decrease the history and tradition, and take away the fact that it is between the two biggest clubs. Therefore you have created a game that is has no tradition between two of the smaller clubs. You would not draw fans.

As long as we draw 90,000 I don't even see why we argue of this, because the AFL will not take that away.

 

[The King!]

i think the day should stay as is. But i think saying it has to stay essendon v collingwood because of the crowd is a bit stupid. The crowd will come no matter who plays (presuming two vic teams) especially when its a mid week public holiday game.

 

[PowerForGood]

lolz!!!1

Almost as good as Akers idea for a 'rotation system'. He came out during the week and said how great it would be for other clubs to get the 1m per club generated at the gate. Is he aware that it's been PROVEN people won't show up?

Essendon and Collingwood DID create this day. THEY made it.

Sheeds went to the RSL and asked permission then went to Malthouse and asked for support which was absolutely forthcoming. Then these men went about selling the opportunity to the members and supports who bought it.

Irrelevant to position both clubs supporters show up on the day.

As Hird said last night on the footy show "if I build the best house in the street, shouldn't I be allowed to live in it?"

This is a day which Essendon and Collingwood created. Take those clubs away and the day would fall apart. Argue it all you like but at the end of the day football WAS played on Anzac Day before Essendon and Collingwood turned it into what it is today. And when it was played.... crowds were about as well supported as the Queens birthday game and other matches. Just another game.

If the AFL deem it fit to take back the day and share it around they ought to write a cheque to Essendon and Collingwood for their input into the day thus far and their marketing to create what it is.

The problem with Hird's analogy is that you are not building "an asset that you spent your own money on for you to keep", you have an idea whilst being part of the AFL business that is profitable for your business line, that you want to keep on your books, regardless of whether Corporate or any of the other business line's that form the organisation feel should be involved.

And before you say "The AFL will keep this going because this combination makes them the most money" - think again.
Look at the following scenario as a hypothetical example.
Ess v Coll Anzac Day (90K) plus Bulldogs v Melbourne (30K)
Total 120K

Bulldogs v Melbourne Anzac Day (60K) plus Ess v Coll (70K)
Total 130K

Hmmm.. I can just see AA and Vlad thinking "Wow, another 10K people through the gates - given we've done everything else to fix the draw to get more crowds and justify our million+ salaries, this is a great idea!"

 

[Plugger35]

I agree, should be the two highest ranked Victorian teams from the previous year. Would be guaranteed a good, high standard game every year.

St Kilda v Geelong would have been a fantastic spectacle on Anzac Day this year, much better than the one sided yawnfest that Collingwood and Essendon put on.

I can't see the AFL changing it though, we all know they bend over to please Eddie and Collingwood at every opportunity. Fixtures, jumpers, lack of travel etc., it's one rule for Collingwood and another for everyone else.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

If another 2 teams can guarantee pulling a crowd of 90,000 for the day - give them a crack at it.

Otherwise leave it as it is - with Freo getting the night game.

 

[Did's Dodgy Knee]

Sheeds went to the RSL and asked permission then went to Malthouse and asked for support which was absolutely forthcoming.

One small oversight that everyone has with this is that Malthouse didn't start coaching Collingwood until 2000. (and, before you say it, Eddie became President in 1999...)

 

[lihei]

For godsakesssss!!! Close this damn thread!!!

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

90,000 patrons at the MCG says the most realistic idea is leaving it as it is.

 

[beerbandit]

heres a realistic idea for ya.. leave it as it is.. Collingwood Essendon MCG!

 

[The_Ru]

If another 2 teams can guarantee pulling a crowd of 90,000 for the day - give them a crack at it.

Otherwise leave it as it is - with Freo getting the night game.

Just for the record, Collingwood and Essendon have drawn 90,000 4 times in 15 tries.

 

[El_Scorcho]

Interesting that in general only Collingwood and Essendon fans want it kept the same.

I don't particularly want it, but I think it's a bit ridiculous that 'the biggest home and away game of the year' is exclusive to two teams.

Collingwood and Essendon both make plenty of money, how about sharing the love with your fellow Vic clubs.

 

[Football God]

St Kilda v Geelong would have been a fantastic spectacle on Anzac Day this year, much better than the one sided yawnfest that Collingwood and Essendon put on.

I can't see the AFL changing it though, we all know they bend over to please Eddie and Collingwood at every opportunity. Fixtures, jumpers, lack of travel etc., it's one rule for Collingwood and another for everyone else.

from a st.kilda supporter.. i Lol'd.

 

[CalDon]

OK, we can do that as long as everyone else relinquishes their queen's birthday game, 2x derbies, opening round game, 2x games locked in v Collingwood/Dons/Blues etc etc.
No?

Agree totally. If the current ANZAC Day arrangements are to be put on the table then so should all these other "locked in" arrangements.

 

[PowerForGood]

Agree totally. If the current ANZAC Day arrangements are to be put on the table then so should all these other "locked in" arrangements.

Originally Posted by Slattery_20
OK, we can do that as long as everyone else relinquishes their queen's birthday game, 2x derbies, opening round game, 2x games locked in v Collingwood/Dons/Blues etc etc.
No?


Ha Ha. Funny posts here. Sure, Port will throw out their Crows showdown, and we can also look at the following national dedicated TV exposure games as well ...

Guaranteed Queen's Birthday game - Collingwood v Melbourne
Guaranteed 2 x derbies - Collingwood v Carlton, Collingwood v Essendon (incl Anzac Day)
Guaranteed Split Round stand-alone game - Collingwood v Sydney

Let's also add
Guaranteed only 4 road trips per year, any of which are almost never Round 22 - Collingwood (despite their recent good road form, still better not to travel)
Guaranteed GF at home - Collingwood v ... oops, sorry, not gonna happen

 

[Jonno_]

I can't see the AFL changing it though, we all know they bend over to please Eddie and Collingwood at every opportunity. Fixtures, jumpers, lack of travel etc., it's one rule for Collingwood and another for everyone else.

This is a lie. Collingwood don't get any of the handouts that any other club gets. The fixturing is more a result of your clubs lack of support than AFL pandering to Eddie.

Let me tell you how it works.

Your club, St Kilda, can't draw a crowd. My club, Collingwood consistently averages the highest attendances for the year.

Your club, backed by the AFL financially, puts in a fixture request to the AFL saying "Can we please play Collingwood at home this year?"
Every other club, basically, does this. My club puts in a request saying "Can we please play ANZAC day and Carlton + Essendon twice etc.".

Every club gets about five requests, and most put playing Collingwood at home, or twice, on that list, because of the money that we draw for your club.

The AFL draws up the fixture and tries to meet the requests of every club.

Now. When every club says "Can we play Collingwood at home", i.e. Melbourne on Queen's Birthday, this gets put in the fixture. Not for Collingwood, but for Melbourne. Not because Collingwood needs the money, but because Melbourne do.

So when we don't travel all that much, or sell games interstate like you do, it is because clubs want to play Collingwood at home because of the money it brings into their poor club.When we play 14 or so games at the MCG, it is because that is where your club wants to play us, for money. Not because the AFL is being bossed around by Eddie.

So instead of whinging that Collingwood gets such a good deal from the AFL, when we don't, try turning up to games, and getting your friends to go. Then maybe you won't have such an issue with fixturing.

I think also what escapes the supporters of say St Kilda, who seem fervently to be requesting "the two top clubs", is the how the AFL, and football fans in general, view a blockbuster.

Now every year, Collingwood travels to Sydney, at the request of both the Sydney football club and the AFL, to play in an annual blockbuster. This is not a blockbuster because both teams are on top of the ladder, or are currently in their premiership window. These games aren't always exciting or close encounters. They play in this annual blockbuster because its proven that crows turn up to the games and create a good atmosphere.

ANZAC day, is by the definition of some on this board, supposed to be the most exciting and close and highly skilled football game on the calender. Wrong; it is a blockbuster because of the traditional rivalry between the two teams, and because of the atmosphere the huge crowd generates.

Every year certain games will be more exciting because of ladder position and form. Just because you do not understand history, traditional and rivarly, does not mean that you should be playing an exciting match. You can't predict an exciting match, let alone fixture it.

 

[Deefolt]

I can just imagine a tribute to the ANZACS by about twenty thousand spectators in a Melbourne vs Footscray (or whatever they are called these days) game on ANZAC day. Get real.

I went to great pains to book my seat for this year's game when bookings opened, by I can tell you I won't be turning up for a Melbourne vs Footscray game.

there was 36 thousand in attendance against brisbane at the G against a non vic team, against a fellow vic team i dont see why there will be 16 thousand less supporters.... people like you confuse me

 

[Slattery_20]

...


Ha Ha. Funny posts here. ...

I wasn't the one who started this thread entitled "Realistic ANZAC Idea".

Not realistic at all, while Demetriou's proverbial points to the ground, nor his balance sheet points to the black.

Will not happen!
As much chance of this happening as any other fair fixturing happen.

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

Your club, St Kilda, can't draw a crowd. My club, Collingwood consistently averages the highest attendances for the year.

Agreed with alot of what you said except the above. St. Kilda so far this year has averaged approximately 32,500 and was also well above this after 22 rounds last year. I'm sure the AFL would be happy with these numbers considering we have played 3 interstate teams.

For the record, leave ANZAC day how it is. It's a big tradition now and Collingwood and Essendon have done a fantastic job. I'd be more happy for other 'blockbusters' to be shared around.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Just for the record, Collingwood and Essendon have drawn 90,000 4 times in 15 tries.

With 3 of those games coming in the last 4 years - and the other being 85k

I just don't see any other teams (other than Carlton perhaps) regularly dragging that sort of crowd.

I love the Anzac day match - this year's was a big disappointment - but largley we are spoilt. I'd hate to settle in for a match and have a crowd of 40-50,000.

 

[Beckers]

I almost forgot - can you imagine a North Melbourne vs Footscray game on ANZAC day?

It would beat watching Essendon yesterday. That was PAINFUL!!!!!!

 

[R00StaR]

I almost forgot - can you imagine a North Melbourne vs Footscray game on ANZAC day?

Thats the ANZAC spirit is it? Never mind the best teams, we just want to see the most supported teams.

The best teams go head to head, now that is paying respect. This money grab is not.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Filling the stadium is showing respect.

 

[Football God]

Thats the ANZAC spirit is it? Never mind the best teams, we just want to see the most supported teams.

The best teams go head to head, now that is paying respect. This money grab is not.

North and Hawthorn couldnt even fill up in tasmania.

would you want to see st.kilda flooding the entire match? or free flowing football?

 

[Tigersman]

Let em have it.

The two sides do it well.

Other sides can make other days their own. The Richmond/ Carlton opening game has been good for us recently.

 

[IluvHarvey]

Filling the stadium is showing respect.

What a load of crap.

Respect for the game maybe not the Diggers. To be honest I find the whole AFL/Anzac thing insulting. Let's have medals for the player that best represents the Anzac spirit. What a load of crap. It is a game, war isn't.

Who cares let them continue their tradition, but lets pull up a bit on the comparisons to the Anzacs.