AFL fans to draw up plan on how to make game better, call on league to listen

AN UNPRECEDENTED summit of footy fans will meet in Melbourne later this month to draw up a plan on how to make the AFL better. Here’s a selection of some of the improvements they will take to the league.

AFL fans Dianne Waddingham, Jesse Robertson, Suzanne Considine, Cameron Lucas, Fiona Baptie and Gabrielle Turner. Picture: Alex Coppel

AFL fans are calling on the league to shake up entertainment, make matches more affordable and take more action against ticket scalping.

With the Socceroos kicking off their FIFA World Cup campaign tonight, footy fans will this weekend draw up a plan of how to make the AFL better.

An unprecedented summit of footy fans will meet in Melbourne on Sunday, June 24 to compile a list of improvements it will take to the AFL.

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The AFL Fans Association will call for the Grand Final to be kept in its traditional daytime slot and an end to constant rule changes. It will plead with league HQ to put supporters ahead of profits.

A wide-reaching poll to be put to fans even includes a push to bring back the torpedo punt and make it easier for disabled supporters to access their seats.

AFL Fan’s Association president Gerry Eeman said “the look of the game and congestion” would be hot topics as well as the price of tickets, food and merchandise.

But fan disengagement with the game and AFL House are likely to be even bigger issues.

“Fans are starting to feel they’re being treated as consumers of the game rather than the fabric of the game,” he said. “I think that’s the really big one.

“I think the AFL knows that but they need reminding and they need to be kept honest.

“They need to know they’re being watched and can’t always do what they want without any scrutiny.”

AFL fans Dianne Waddingham, Jesse Robertson, Suzanne Considine, Cameron Lucas, Fiona Baptie and Gabrielle Turner. Picture: Alex Coppel

It is believed to be the first time such a forum has been organised by fans to air their views and demand their voices be heard by the AFL.

“Sometimes, it does feel like the AFL is a private company more interested in turnover,’’ Mr Eeman said.

“I do believe there is a belief among fans that the AFL is a business overly concerned with the bottom line.”

Richmond fanatic Gabrielle Turner, niece of Tigers great Jack Dyer, said fans wanted a fair go and the league to “stick to the rules”.

“The one I think for all supporters seems to be the constant rule changes, which is confusing for the players, the umpires and the fans,” she said.

Victorian Fremantle tragic Di Waddingham said umpires frustrated fans by blowing the whistle for free kicks one week and not the next.

She said supporters also wanted a Grand Final ticket if their team qualified.

“I think that’s a bug bear of everybody — particularly members who shell out a lot of money and travel all over country supporting their team,” she said.

“And the match review reporting system is a lottery; it’s so inconsistent.’’

The forum will start at 10.30am on Sunday, June 24 in the Maurice Rioli Room at Richmond’s Punt Rd Oval.

Entry is free, however attendees must register here.

WHAT THE FANS WANT

■ Family-friendly initiatives like activities at games, Auskick and kick-to-kick on AFL grounds.

■ Affordability: Make AFL tickets, merchandise, food and club events cheaper.

■ Memorable match day experience: Do AFL matches need US-style ‘glitz’?

■ Most fans want the AFL Grand Final to remain at 2.30pm.

■ Bring back the torpedo punt.

■ Stop changing rule interpretations such as holding the ball, bumping and protected 50m area.

■ Fix “dynamic pricing” which allows clubs to increase reserved seat costs for low and high-demand games.

■ More Grand Final tickets for competing club members.

■ Stop selling Grand Final corporate packages so non-members jump the queue for up to $4110.

■ Fixture more Saturday matches and put popular games on free-to-air-TV

■ Make it easier for disabled fans to purchase seats they need.

■ Solve player congestion around the ball and poor set goal kicking.

Source: AFL Fans’ Association

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