Herald Sun footy writer Glenn McFarlane runs a rule over 10 ways to get fans back to the footy
GLENN 10: We know crowds are down in the heartland at the moment. But here’s a few ways we could look to get those disaffected fans back to the footy.
Glenn McFarlane
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10 WAYS TO GET FANS BACK TO THE FOOTY
We know crowds are down in the heartland at the moment. But here’s a few ways we could look to get those disaffected fans back to the footy.
1. Fix the ticketing mess
Make ticket pricing and access to tickets simpler, less complicated and wherever possible more affordable. It’s the footy fan’s greatest bug bear. Sure, it might cost the AFL a bit of money — and force some revision in current arrangements with ticket agencies and stadia. But it will be worth it in the long run. Variable ticket pricing has scared a lot of people from attending games and even Gill McLachlan has admitted it has confused and frustrated fans. The single best way to encourage those disaffected fans back to the game is to cut the red tape and make it easier. And maybe even reserve a small section of the crowd where the first-to-the-ground, best-dressed scenario could apply.
2. More curtain-raisers before games
Now that more AFL teams have stand-alone VFL sides, what’s to stop them from scheduling at least some of them before the league matches. Going to games early to see some of the potential stars of the future used to be a longstanding tradition of AFL fans. It’s been gone for the best part of 20 years now. It’s time to bring it back on a more regular basis. There is nothing more frustrating than arriving to a game early and having nothing to entertain you. The kids of generation Z are fast-paced and like to see things happening. Watching blades of grass or old replays on the big screen won’t cut it anymore.
3. Get rid of Monday night footy and have only a sprinkling of Thursday night footy
The people have voted with their feet. Monday night footy in Australia stinks. It might be different in the US, or with the NRL, but Australian football fans are happy to draw a full stop on the round by early evening on Sunday. Thursday nights, particularly in Adelaide, or with a public holiday Friday following, are a different story and could be worth investigating more. But the key is to make the great majority of rounds to run over three days — Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
4. Legislate to ensure at least one game has to be played in Victoria every Saturday afternoon
Ask most footy fans what they want, and a lot of them will give you a simple answer. A Saturday arvo game, and that could be spread across three grounds — the MCG, Etihad Stadium and Simonds Stadium. Start at least one game per round at 1.45pm or 2.10pm on a Saturday and fans would be happy. It’s very user friendly and those who love a bit of tradition might be drawn back to the game.
5. More family-friendly timeslots
Less of the 7.40pm, 7.50pm and later games, and more of the 7.10pm starts for night games. It mightn’t sound much in terms of timing, but for families eager to get their kids home at a reasonable time, it could make all the difference when deciding whether to attend or not.
6. Freeze on-field rule changes for the next two years
There have been so many changes to rules and interpretations over the past 20 years which have frustrated the hell out of the fans and the players. So let’s allow the game to sort itself out without the legislators getting involved. Leave it alone until 2017.
7. Give bonus percentage points for teams that kick more than 100 points in a game
Fans hate dour, defensive footy, so why not reward the teams that score more freely. It doesn’t mean clubs should get extra premiership points — that wouldn’t work. But there could always be some incentive in terms of bonus percentage points factored in for teams that push beyond 100 points.
8. Umpires to alert clubs and the fans if there is to be any particular emphasis in terms of rule interpretations each week
Paul Roos came up with this idea a few weeks ago and he has a point. If there is to be any particular emphasis relayed to the umpires each week, why not be transparent and open it up to the clubs and the fans. That way it might make for a better understanding of what the umpires are doing in what we know is a very tough gig.
9. Link public transport tickets to the footy tickets
This would not be easy, but surely not impossible. It happens overseas and has happened in some instances for other sports in Australia. It is almost a no-brainer for the AFL to at least speak with the Government and see if something could be done. It’s worth the discussion.
10. Allow kids to have kick-to-kick on the ground after the games
It used to be one of footy’s great traditions and should be revived. The issue of potential litigation has made it tougher, but have a “enter at your own risk” sign there on display. Kids love having a kick where their heroes have just played. That has stretched back generations. Maybe even try to get the young fans closer to their heroes by having injured players out signing autographs before and after games.
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