Theres been some concern early about the poor AFL crowds, they are not getting better, last nights effort at Ethihad was a shocker, the joint was half empty, and the WCE v GWS failed to even pull 30,000.
Looks like the product of the AFL is on the nose and punters are getting bored with it.
That’s because it’s still the extended vfl. Throw in the kids running around for gc and gws and no one is going to be interested.
One use to have to prove themselves in ressies before getting a call up. Not all you need is a good beap test.
that game last night was crap.
plus they really need to rethink this monday night idea, its stupid, no one is really in the mood for it.
crowds are down for a reason. some of the games are just a rugby and soccer replica’s Im afraid. Some games are an exception but predominantly its a real concern.
Like previoulsy discussed, very few players that are worth going to watch. Nearly all the teams play “vanilla footy”. Of course AFL type football and its RULES differ from the rest of footy played over weekends. Soccer basketball rugby etc, is the same game with the same rules, unlike footy. What about personalities/characters, the game is also now devoid of them as well. Hardest thing will be now, to try and get the crowds back. To me it all started way back when, someone decided that all teams would play at 2 grounds in Melb. Big big problems in the future me thinks.
Spot on Unk…it’s a bloody boring product, as you say bugger all personalities.
Also you hit the nail on the head re the grounds. I reckon losing Princess Patk was a blue, it gave charachter to the comp, also clubs lost their clubhouses so members lose out as well. Docklands is a bloody boring venue ,also a redeveloped western oval would of been better for Footscray, they are playing miles from their heartland,
As you say , good luck getting crowds back, people can’t be stuffed anymore , price is a factor as well, the cost in wa is over the top.
spot on.
whilst there isn’t much sympathy for vic clubs in WA, the facts are many of them are going backwards fast financially at Etihad Stadium. It has been a disaster. There is talk about St.Kilda moving back to a redeveloped Junction Oval in conjunction with cricket Victoria I think. North wont ever play games at Arden Street, but they must get a better deal at Etihad or god forbid relocate.
I think its a shame only 2 grounds are used in the Melbourne CBD. Some of the suburban grounds whilst rustic, were traditional and had a football feel about them. With people on the terraces and not being pigeon holed into a tiny seat. I think there is a groundswell happening about Princes Park at Carlton. There was rumblings about it being used again as it apparently is ready to go if it was needed.
Don’t get me wrong the MCG & Etihad are fabulous stadiums. I love going to Etihad. But I think the way footy is going, people need a bit of old school back in terms of grounds. I think it would be a real winner for football, and could work for games that attract 20,000 or under. And it would create a greater atmosphere for everyone, including TV of course.
Might add Ive watched the Bulldogs train at Whitten Oval quite a bit over the years. Such a great surface now and it would be great to see the terraces back & footy played there. It would be a huge winner out that way. A real footy area. They could easily accommodate half a dozen games there against certain clubs including the eagles & dockers. The big old scoreboard is still there, just needs a coat of paint.
Wow that would great to see Junction up and running for the saints,fair bit of work to. Do I reckon , would need some more seats.
Look at Adelaide oval what a great ground…
Re north. , I reckon they made a blue not heading to Gold Coast,
The Bulldogs would have preferred Western Oval from what I read.
Apparently they need to get 30,000 bums on seats at Edihad to break even. They were forced, along with other clubs to play home games there. This effectively pays off, and purchases the stadium at the end of the lease contract for the AFL.
The dogs are on the right path with fielding a stand alone Footscray Bulldogs side in the VFL, based at the Western Oval. The facilities are great from what I have seen.
The dogs have a policy of listing players from their traditional zone, and building them up as they are doing now.
Last weekend Footscray had some recognisable players from their league side playing to regain their spot again. This is how it should be.
I my eyes, they are more a club than some other so called clubs who are happy to poach and pay millions. They are a club that is not owned by a corporate entity.
I know docklands is swish and all that, but to me its very sterile, has zero charachter and with the closed roof , lacks all the variables that make a game interesting…
Spot on, its like going to the theatre instead of a footy match.!
I was going to go to Melbourne to watch a game or 2 over a weekend soon. I haven’t done this for so long, I almost forgot when. Reading these posts though, you boys are putting me off it, however if I do go, any suggestions as to which venue is the best?
BTW unk, don’t let em know, coz they’ll probably cancel my Visa 
Hee hee no probs 58. Best place is of course SKILLED STADIUM, home of the mighty cats :lol: Serioulsy though NOTHING beats a BIG crowd at the G 58 IMHO
The MCG is the holy grail. Amazing atmosphere when theres a crowd.
Ive been to Etihad plenty and I actually love it. No bad seat there. Easy access to toilets (they are massive) and hardly a line anywhere for drinks or food - Your in, Your out - everything is designed for the comfort of the patron.
I cannot go to Subiaco anymore. The seats are terrible and cramped. And all the mocked up food vans and tents are a rabble and slow slow slow. Fingers crossed the State Government get Burswood right. Im worried they wont, being politicians and all. :S
Yea you cant beat a big crowd and a tight game of footy at the G. I am still yet to get to Etihad as last time I was over there I was farrrrr too hungover so I missed the game I planned on seeing.
I really hope this new stadium over here gets built properly. A few years ago I saw an Aus v England rugby match (dont judge me!) at ANZ stadium and I couldnt believe how there were 70k there yet we never had to wait in lines to get in/out of the stadium, food, drinks or toilets.
Ive been to 3 or 4 GF’s and a few finals at the MCG inluding back in the 80;s at the old MCG, I think the most memorable for me was a VFL Semi Carlton v Collingwood. for atmoshpehere when its packed..BUT if you go to the MCG with 15,000 people there , you might as well be at a morgue, its just like an empty block of flats.
Docklands is swish, modern and very clean and very sterile, once the roof closes you might as well be at hoyts, the seats on the upper levels are at a crazt step angle..and its really no bodies home ground and has zero history. But it is easy to get a beer and pie if thats what turns you on.
Kardinia Park would be the last true footy ground left in Vic I guess, although it has changed recently, I reckon that would be the go, used to be pretty bleak down there at times.
Waverley was one out the box, went to some games there years ago, a lot of people bagged it, I thougt it was not that bad. Cold and wet though.
Princes Park was one of the best.
i have lost interest this year , though i would like to go to adelaide and check out the adelaide oval with a 50000 crowd there .
I went to three games over the weekend and all were pretty poorly attended I think.
Went to see Essendon and Sydney,ordinary crowd,in more ways than one.
Also went to see Melbourne and Richmond.For what it should have been all about the numbers there were very ordinary.
Also went to watch Saints and Suns,again a very ordinary crowd.
I have to say that I love watching games at Etihad.I don’t find it colourless or sterile.I enjoy the banter that happens there.
I fell in love with it the first game I saw there some years ago,Brissie and Essendon,when both were in power.Essendon kicked something like 11 goals in the first quarter then Brissie blew them off the park with 13 or so in the second.I love the venue.
Yes the G certainly is goo when it is full or almost but still love Etihad.
MCG for atmosphere with a big crowd and Etihad for viewing. Best thing about footy in Melbourne is it has supporters from both teams. That’s why i don’t get into the AuFL over here and stick with the WoFL.