Comments on: Soccer has the AFL rattled, that’s the real story http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michael Dwyer http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1967 Michael Dwyer Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1967 It is rather ironical the the AFL, which put tremendous pressure on its clubs in favor of docklands stadium replacing Waverley Park, is being told it can't have the stadium on 28 February (after making a tentative booking months ago). This game would have been played in Perth if either Collingwood or Richmond lost in the first round. <br />The stadium has not been anything like the financial success promised for the clubs that play there (except Essendon without whose patronage the stadium would not exist).There are rumors that the investors have been unhappy with their returns. <br /> It appears that soccer and rugby pay less in rent to docklands than football. When the AFL finally gets a 25 year old stadium in 2025 they may be able to look after their own clubs instead of other sports. <br />As far as popularity is concerned, there may be more boys playing soccer (especially in NSW where competition starts at under 5 level) but this does not translate to crowds at soccer. Melbourne Victory would average less attendance at home games than any AFL club. The total attendance at all A-League games is less than that attained by Collingwood in a season (excluding finals).<br />Players don't necessarily translate to adult followers, as basketball- probably the sport with the highest participation in the country- can attest.<br />I have been told that soccer will take over for nearly 60 years. I still think the AFL has no reason to worry about soccer. Apart from Britain, soccer is not the leading sport in any English speaking country. South Africa is a special case as apartheid kept blacks out of rugby. It is rather ironical the the AFL, which put tremendous pressure on its clubs in favor of docklands stadium replacing Waverley Park, is being told it can’t have the stadium on 28 February (after making a tentative booking months ago). This game would have been played in Perth if either Collingwood or Richmond lost in the first round.
The stadium has not been anything like the financial success promised for the clubs that play there (except Essendon without whose patronage the stadium would not exist).There are rumors that the investors have been unhappy with their returns.
It appears that soccer and rugby pay less in rent to docklands than football. When the AFL finally gets a 25 year old stadium in 2025 they may be able to look after their own clubs instead of other sports.
As far as popularity is concerned, there may be more boys playing soccer (especially in NSW where competition starts at under 5 level) but this does not translate to crowds at soccer. Melbourne Victory would average less attendance at home games than any AFL club. The total attendance at all A-League games is less than that attained by Collingwood in a season (excluding finals).
Players don’t necessarily translate to adult followers, as basketball- probably the sport with the highest participation in the country- can attest.
I have been told that soccer will take over for nearly 60 years. I still think the AFL has no reason to worry about soccer. Apart from Britain, soccer is not the leading sport in any English speaking country. South Africa is a special case as apartheid kept blacks out of rugby.

]]> By: Michael Christiansen http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1968 Michael Christiansen Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1968 I presume the author is aware that A.Demetriou is the CEO of the AFL and reports to the independant commission. Not that this line displays that understanding "the AFL Commission, headed by Andrew Demetriou".<br /><br />The AFL should be able to assume that as the primary (highest usage and longest standing) tennant, that the contractual assurance of priority their way would hold. Such that a fixture published end of October would be considered worthy of Docklands management NOT double booking.<br /><br />Docklands chose to. On the basis of a gamble. A gamble that just one of Freo or WCE would win a round 1 NAB cup fixture. They didn't. Docklands management are exposed. The AFL on behalf of its clubs and sponsors and broadcasters have every right to stand their ground. Apart from anything, the AFL are NOT able to simply stand up and volunteer a change for channel 10 without proper consultation - - especially given that it IS just the NAB cup.<br /><br />The FFA on the other hand, went out and started selling tickets. Now is THAT arrogance or what?? <br /><br />So, Docklands management (Ian Collins et al) deserve the biggest bake. The FFA number two - and let's not forget, they have a fully flexible GF, like the Sheffield Shield. Everyone knows the MCG is off line for footy until the cricket is done and the pitch can be lifted. Why is the FFA not a little more diligent in locking away potential GF venues?<br /><br />Let alone dates in the calendar. Everyone knows the last Saturday in September. But, 2 years ago MVFC hosted AU on the 2nd last Sunday in Feb at 6pm. This time around, the last Sat in Feb at 7.30pm(?). It's hardly up to the AFL to attempt to avoid, back in October - a potential conflict SHOULD MVFC host and SHOULD the FFA chose to host the GF on a date that the AFL has a booking.<br /><br />So - - tell me again how you read so much (fear?) into the actions of the AFL. Heck, they just need to make Collo sweat re the larger issue of stadium deals at Docklands - that's a BIGGY. HAL? Na! I presume the author is aware that A.Demetriou is the CEO of the AFL and reports to the independant commission. Not that this line displays that understanding “the AFL Commission, headed by Andrew Demetriou”.

The AFL should be able to assume that as the primary (highest usage and longest standing) tennant, that the contractual assurance of priority their way would hold. Such that a fixture published end of October would be considered worthy of Docklands management NOT double booking.

Docklands chose to. On the basis of a gamble. A gamble that just one of Freo or WCE would win a round 1 NAB cup fixture. They didn’t. Docklands management are exposed. The AFL on behalf of its clubs and sponsors and broadcasters have every right to stand their ground. Apart from anything, the AFL are NOT able to simply stand up and volunteer a change for channel 10 without proper consultation - - especially given that it IS just the NAB cup.

The FFA on the other hand, went out and started selling tickets. Now is THAT arrogance or what??

So, Docklands management (Ian Collins et al) deserve the biggest bake. The FFA number two - and let’s not forget, they have a fully flexible GF, like the Sheffield Shield. Everyone knows the MCG is off line for footy until the cricket is done and the pitch can be lifted. Why is the FFA not a little more diligent in locking away potential GF venues?

Let alone dates in the calendar. Everyone knows the last Saturday in September. But, 2 years ago MVFC hosted AU on the 2nd last Sunday in Feb at 6pm. This time around, the last Sat in Feb at 7.30pm(?). It’s hardly up to the AFL to attempt to avoid, back in October - a potential conflict SHOULD MVFC host and SHOULD the FFA chose to host the GF on a date that the AFL has a booking.

So - - tell me again how you read so much (fear?) into the actions of the AFL. Heck, they just need to make Collo sweat re the larger issue of stadium deals at Docklands - that’s a BIGGY. HAL? Na!

]]> By: Rob Moston http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1969 Rob Moston Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1969 I know that Crikey is a bit Melbourne-centric, but please open your eyes and realise that Australian Rules "footy" is not even the national sport. It is barely played or followed East of the Great Divide. Therefore a significant perecentage of this country's population couldn't give a stuff about some pretty boy methamphetamine addict or some bloke called Franklin with a sore thumb. It's a completely irrelevant sport.<br /><br />As for soccer's so-called "rise" in Australia, it should be noted that it has been coming off a very low base, so improvement is to be expected given the amounts of money that have been pumped into the FFA by the federal government and Foxtel. The old NSL was largely the domain of post-war migrant community clubs and the dismally poor and often un-competitive national side prevented the mainstream "bandwagon-effect" that Australians are so prone to. Sure, the A-League is pitched at a much broader market than the NSL and Australia now has a decent international squad of professional footballers playing at or near the top level in Europe, not to mention a rather straightforward qualification route through Asia, but to suggest that it will rival the traditional team sports in this country is ridiculous. It's a second-tier, niche sport at best and will remain that way for the foreseable future. <br /><br /> I know that Crikey is a bit Melbourne-centric, but please open your eyes and realise that Australian Rules “footy” is not even the national sport. It is barely played or followed East of the Great Divide. Therefore a significant perecentage of this country’s population couldn’t give a stuff about some pretty boy methamphetamine addict or some bloke called Franklin with a sore thumb. It’s a completely irrelevant sport.

As for soccer’s so-called “rise” in Australia, it should be noted that it has been coming off a very low base, so improvement is to be expected given the amounts of money that have been pumped into the FFA by the federal government and Foxtel. The old NSL was largely the domain of post-war migrant community clubs and the dismally poor and often un-competitive national side prevented the mainstream “bandwagon-effect” that Australians are so prone to. Sure, the A-League is pitched at a much broader market than the NSL and Australia now has a decent international squad of professional footballers playing at or near the top level in Europe, not to mention a rather straightforward qualification route through Asia, but to suggest that it will rival the traditional team sports in this country is ridiculous. It’s a second-tier, niche sport at best and will remain that way for the foreseable future.

]]> By: tonybarrell http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1970 tonybarrell Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1970 Quite an interesting observation, but while nobody likes the AFL board, it's hardly likely that FFA will be bold enough to start playing soccer in winter is it? Until that happens, where's the challenge? Quite an interesting observation, but while nobody likes the AFL board, it’s hardly likely that FFA will be bold enough to start playing soccer in winter is it? Until that happens, where’s the challenge?

]]> By: Chris http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1971 Chris Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1971 "Here Here!" “Here Here!”

]]> By: Bob http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/02/17/soccer-has-the-afl-rattled-thats-the-real-story/#comment-1972 Bob Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-1972 "Apart from Britain, soccer is not the leading sport in any English speaking country."<br /><br />Vital point, well made. It is played in over 250 countries and is the leading sport in about 200 of them, but they are not english speaking ones, so they don't count.<br /><br />Australian Rules on the other hand is the leading sport in one country, english speaking or otherwise. Oh hang on thoughy, that's the only one where it is played.<br /><br />The AFL isn't worried about attendances Michael - it is viewing figures. TV deals support sport, not supporters. Soccer is towelling them up on Foxtel and the World Cup figures will go through the roof again in 2010. <br /><br />Don't worry Michael, far too many people in the Australian media owe their salaries to AFL to allow any other sport to get too big for its boots. If that wasn't the case then Andrew Demetriou would be called out on the total hypocrisy of using Ben Cousins as a marketing tool after spending most of last season slaughtering both player and club.<br /> “Apart from Britain, soccer is not the leading sport in any English speaking country.”

Vital point, well made. It is played in over 250 countries and is the leading sport in about 200 of them, but they are not english speaking ones, so they don’t count.

Australian Rules on the other hand is the leading sport in one country, english speaking or otherwise. Oh hang on thoughy, that’s the only one where it is played.

The AFL isn’t worried about attendances Michael - it is viewing figures. TV deals support sport, not supporters. Soccer is towelling them up on Foxtel and the World Cup figures will go through the roof again in 2010.

Don’t worry Michael, far too many people in the Australian media owe their salaries to AFL to allow any other sport to get too big for its boots. If that wasn’t the case then Andrew Demetriou would be called out on the total hypocrisy of using Ben Cousins as a marketing tool after spending most of last season slaughtering both player and club.

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