Footy Fans Survey: Nearly a third of fans say their enjoyment of the game has diminished
ONE in three football supporters say watching the footy has been less enjoyable this year as fans reveal the most frustrating rules in the game. SEE FULL RESULTS
ONE in three football supporters say their enjoyment of the game has diminished in 2018.
As the AFL grapples with ways to combat congestion and increase scoring, the annual Herald Sun Footy Fans Survey suggests change is needed.
More than 14,000 fans completed the national survey over the past two weeks, a period that coincided with a landmark AFL meeting on rule changes.
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Some 31 per cent of supporters said their enjoyment had fallen while 52 per cent said it had remained the same and 17 per cent reported it had risen.
In a related finding two out of three fans said the look of the game was either important to them or the most important thing.
The AFL is expected to announce rule changes by October, with the league’s powerful competition committee narrowing 45 potential changes to six last week.
A 6-6-6 starting formation at centre bounces is tipped to be introduced while reforms such as reduced interchange rotations, an extended goalsquare and restrictions on runner movements are on the table.
AFL football boss Steve Hocking told the Herald Sun that “look of the game” was a “central part of our thought process during our work this season”.
“It is our view that we want to see players more evenly spread across the field, and allow our players to showcase their skills,” Hocking said.
“Our game was designed to played on a large field, with space, and for the players to showcase their ability. We are closely examining how we can return a greater spread of players to the game.”
Among other key survey findings:
THE protected zone was the most frustrating rule for 49 per cent of fans with the sliding rule and holding the ball next on the frustration ladder.
SOME 34 per cent of fans would slash interchange numbers if they could alter one rule while 27 per cent would bring in a red/card send-off system and 21 per cent would implement a last-touch out of bounds penalty. Only 18 per cent would bring in zones/starting positions.
JUST on 60 per cent of fans said the AFL’s new match review officer model had failed to provide greater judicial clarity.
Competition committee member Andrew Ireland last Friday highlighted an apparent contradiction in fan sentiment
The Sydney chief executive told ABC radio the league had done a lot of research, the results of which were “almost contradictory”.
“People respect the power and speed of the game and the athleticism and how hard the game is played,” Ireland said on ABC radio.
“(They) don’t like congestion but don’t want the AFL to play with the rules. So it’s almost like ‘how are we going to get to that end point?’.
“I think the people I bump into say `can you leave it alone, it’s a great game’, but I think there is a general view a lot of the congestion isn’t great for the game.”
Western Bulldogs supporter Frank Docherty said not winning many games had “taken away a bit of the fun … but I still love going to the games”.
“I don’t have a big issue with the way the game’s played, the rules are just what they are, they’ll change them however they change them, it doesn’t make me not enjoy the game.”
Glenn Porra “absolutely” loves the game just as much, but said blowouts were hard to take.
“I think the really good games are really awesome, but across the board the not so good games are getting a bit unwatchable,” Porra said.
Porra’s main concern with the game is the amount of free kicks.
“The amount of free kicks that they do pay can be easily cut by letting the iffy ones go, so the game flows a bit better,” he said.
“The umpires are told how to umpire the game but it’s still up to them to interpret the rules. I think they can afford to let the little stuff go, particularly when the ball’s loose.”
Zaige Porra wasn’t a fan of the protected zone rule: “It doesn’t make sense to me, I don’t understand it.”
Just on 60 per cent of fans said the new single-person MRO reform had not provided greater clarity on penalties, but AFL chief Steve Hocking disagrees.
“I believe the accessibility of Michael Christian in explaining decisions each week has greatly improved the knowledge base for both fans and media on how the game’s judiciary system is applied,” Hocking said.
“From my experience at club level, I also know that clubs appreciate the early notice on decision-making when clubs are contesting Thursday / Friday matches, and are able to move on from a matter with an early verdict.
“There have been a number of areas highlighted through the year that may cause us to look closely again at our annual post-season review, such as rules around head clash liability, but those discussions will take place once the season is concluded.”
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Originally published as Footy Fans Survey: Nearly a third of fans say their enjoyment of the game has diminished