Sydney… the biggest club in the land??

[My_Username]

So you are saying the AFL lose money on the Friday nights collingwood don't play in? That is just absurd.

Not Collingwood specifically, but I dare say the media rights go for more because the AFL agrees to fixture with one of their goals being to maximise viewers. (presumably there is an agreement to 'consult' the broadcaster on such things, and some KPIs involved).

I'd also add that the AFL (not the clubs) gets more money if they cumulative attendance at the MCG exceeds certain levels, so you can be assured that it's in their interest that Collingwood Vs Carlton is going to be in a slot that will maximise attendances too.

It's not fair, but I can understand that it's part of the balance between a 'fair comp' (something that can never be fully achieved, but should be striven for) and a 'commercially successful entity' (and considering some of the financial issues in soccer/rugby currently, this is very important too).

I'd be a lot more accepting though if the benefits were shared more evenly however (e.g. clubs benefiting from being in the high profile slots get less $$$ while those playing Sunday afternoons (etc) get a bit more).

 

[greatwhiteshark]

OK, don't believe the ratings.

Tell me why the TV stations 100%, unequivocally, with absolute certainty, pay more to the AFL for the rights to night games than day and twilight games?

Hint: the TV stations are businesses and they generate income by selling advertising which is worth more when more people are watching the screen.

No issue with any of that, but for a league to think that no other teams other than a select few will be watched is just ridiculous. And that you and others think this also is mind boggling.

 

[Roddy]

Sydney is the biggest AFL club in the same manner Melbourne is the biggest NRL club

There's a 'Melbourne' in the NRL?

 

[NetworkNerd]

There's a 'Melbourne' in the NRL?

Yes. Most supported NRL team

Melbourne Storm is again the most widely supported club in the NRL in 2023 while Parramatta is on top in Sydney - Roy Morgan Research

www.roymorgan.com

The Melbourne Storm have again topped the ladder as the most widely supported NRL club in 2023 with 1,197,000 supporters, an increase of 34,000 (+2.9%) on a year ago to just edge out a resurgent Brisbane Broncos in second place with 1,150,000 supporters, up 94,000 (+8.9%) in a year.

 

[The King!]

I just want them to win, not as fussed with the dick swinging

 

[NetworkNerd]

Nope. Tassie Devils is. 120K founding members

https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/blow-your-mind-tasmania-devils-break-record-in-24-hours-put-afl-clubs-to-shame/news-story/f17d78df4c47c054d5e5318180c980a0

Jazny likes this

 

[Wolfgang West]

I just want them to win, not as fussed with the dick swinging

Hang around here long enough and you might become a fan !

 

[Mr.X]

This is just more media beat ups to start something.

Typical of these so called “journos” who love to make an issue when there isn’t one

Essendon are going fine, still a way to go but on the right path

 

[MickG88]

Interesting statement, but part of me thinks this is possible

Pridham might be thinking they are playing NRL not AFL, firmly behind Collingwood, West Coast, Carlton and Richmond.

If you read the OP, the whole point of it is that Sydney is in the box seat to become the biggest club in the land in the FUTURE.
Given the population base they feed from and growing AFL support in NSW, it's not an unreasonable expectation.

Except AFL is a sport that resonates with Vic, SA and WA more than NSW and QLD. Sydney is a big fish in a very small pond and the pond ain't getting any bigger.

 

[The King!]

Pridham might be thinking they are playing NRL not AFL, firmly behind Collingwood, West Coast, Carlton and Richmond.

Except AFL is a sport that resonates with Vic, SA and WA more than NSW and QLD. Sydney is a big fish in a very small pond and the pond ain't getting any bigger.

Some clubs have ambition I guess, and some clubs are St Kilda.

 

[MickG88]

Some clubs have ambition I guess, and some clubs are St Kilda.

guess so, helpful when the AFL want your club to be successful. You guys still have academies and COLA?

 

[The Tilt]

Pridham might be thinking they are playing NRL not AFL, firmly behind Collingwood, West Coast, Carlton and Richmond.

Except AFL is a sport that resonates with Vic, SA and WA more than NSW and QLD. Sydney is a big fish in a very small pond and the pond ain't getting any bigger.

"AFL" is not a sport.

 

[loki04]

Interesting statement, but part of me thinks this is possible

Sydney the biggest AFL club in Sydney... not the land.

To be the biggest in Australia you need support in every state. Sydney don't tick that box at all.

 

[loki04]

Collingwood
West Coast
Carlton
Richmond
Crows

Essendon supporters are also everywhere. Geelong handbaggers also seem to have reasonable support away from home base.

 

[loki04]

Collingwood are a huge club everyone knows this. But don't tell us their numbers when they are on top. Tell us the numbers when you are at the bottom. That is what really shows a clubs size.

2021 we finished 17th.

 

[Wolfgang West]

Sydney the biggest AFL club in Sydney... not the land.

To be the biggest in Australia you need support in every state. Sydney don't tick that box at all.

Wasn’t that survey they base this on taken Australia wide.

 

[MickG88]

"AFL" is not a sport.

Elaborate, please.

 

[Farang83150]

No idea if they are or aren't, does it show on the balance sheet....

 

[Great8]

Elaborate, please.

Australian Rules is the sport.
AFL is a competition that plays Australian Rules.
It grinds my gears when I see signs saying “Come and try AFL”
AFL IS NOT A SPORT

 

[The Tilt]

Elaborate, please.

As above, the sport is called "Australian Football" or "Australian Rules" (or just "football" or "footy"). It's not "AFL". The AFL is a league, not a sport.

It grinds my gears at the best of times, but if you're going to suggest the Swans' president doesn't know what sport his club plays, you should at least get the name of the sport right.

 

[WillHayward]

Yes. Most supported NRL team

Melbourne Storm is again the most widely supported club in the NRL in 2023 while Parramatta is on top in Sydney - Roy Morgan Research

www.roymorgan.com

The Melbourne Storm have again topped the ladder as the most widely supported NRL club in 2023 with 1,197,000 supporters, an increase of 34,000 (+2.9%) on a year ago to just edge out a resurgent Brisbane Broncos in second place with 1,150,000 supporters, up 94,000 (+8.9%) in a year.

The equation really needs to be fan numbers (breadth) x fan passion (depth).

Most people who tick a box for being a "supporter" of Storm or the Swans couldn't name a single player.

I would think clubs like the Bombers, Eagles, Pies, Blues, Broncos and Eels would be a fair way ahead of the Swans overall when you consider depth of support not just breadth?

 

[WillHayward]

Yes. Most supported NRL team

Melbourne Storm is again the most widely supported club in the NRL in 2023 while Parramatta is on top in Sydney - Roy Morgan Research

www.roymorgan.com

The Melbourne Storm have again topped the ladder as the most widely supported NRL club in 2023 with 1,197,000 supporters, an increase of 34,000 (+2.9%) on a year ago to just edge out a resurgent Brisbane Broncos in second place with 1,150,000 supporters, up 94,000 (+8.9%) in a year.

The equation really needs to be fans numbers X fan passion.

Most people who tick a box for being a "supporters" of Storm or the Swans couldn't name a single player.

I would say clubs like the Bombers, Eagles, Pies, Blues, Broncos, Eels, Roosters would be a fair way ahead of the Swans.

 

[windyhill]

Good ambition, but if the Eagles can get crowd numbers like last year when they were beyond diabolical, I don't see any club - in any code - toppling those guys.

Source - this page: AFL Tables - West Coast - Crowds - had them averaging 35K in 2023. WTF!

Essendon, saga years, got crowds they didn’t deserve, unbelievably loyal supporters. Winning the toss was celebrated.

 

[loki04]

Wasn’t that survey they base this on taken Australia wide.

Imo the surveys are rubbish and only done on a cross section of the population the margin for error is huge.

 

[loki04]

The equation really needs to be fan numbers (breadth) x fan passion (depth).

Most people who tick a box for being a "supporter" of Storm or the Swans couldn't name a single player.

I would think clubs like the Bombers, Eagles, Pies, Blues, Broncos and Eels would be a fair way ahead of the Swans overall when you consider depth of support not just breadth?

How many people do you know that have ever even done one of these surveys?
No one I've ever met.