AFL 2021: Clubs already beginning to think ahead to whether fans will be allowed to attend games

The AFL is preparing for the worst as more empty seats will force clubs to think differently about their membership packages for next season while football department staff cuts begin on the road.

This isn’t a scene AFL clubs want to see in 2021.

Clubs have begun contemplating another season with restricted crowd numbers in another potentially huge blow to the game’s finances.

Officials have been warned to begin planning for a range of scenarios next season including a full season of crowds, half season with crowds and in the worst case scenario, no crowds at games in Victoria next year.

The league remains hopeful we will again see packed venues at games in Melbourne next year, but the situation will hinge on the state’s attempts to reduce active cases of COVID-19 over the next few months and the reopening of state borders.

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This isn’t a scene AFL clubs want to see in 2021.

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Victorian venues have safe seating plans ready to roll out next year which would allow fans to be seated at an appropriate distance from members not from their own household.

In any case, a second season of reduced gate takings will be another devastating blow to clubs already reeling from million-dollar losses this season.

It has forced clubs to think differently about how they could market their memberships to fans without necessarily gaining access to live games in Victoria in the early part of next season, or longer.

But with the prospect of increased television ratings, clubs could potentially extract good value from signage at venues and sponsorship on jumpers.

The league has lauded fans’ loyalty this season, with a remarkably low one per cent drop off in memberships in 2020.

But that would almost certainly rise next year unless fans were let in to games.

Clubs’ scenario-planning comes as they begin to downsize their football departments for next season.  

No fans would be a terrible setback for AFL clubs next year.

Clubs have been told to reduce their football department spend to $6.2 million plus up to $200,000 of extra apportionments.

The changes are scheduled to kick-in from November 1.

It means clubs have had to begin informing staff of drastic wage cuts and redundancies in preparation for next pre-season.

Football managers have the difficult task of telling staff while they are making extraordinary sacrifices away from their families in interstate hubs.

One club on Thursday confirmed they were being forced to make more than 10 redundancies, while other coaches and key staff have taken considerable wage cuts, and had their roles halved from full time to part time.

Some key staff are known to be considering their futures in their game, despite being offered positions for next year.

Players also face a considerable wage cut next year with key figures estimating the salary cap to be reduced by about 20 per cent for next season.  

St Kilda footy boss Simon Lethlean says shorter breaks between games increase injury risk.

To bolster the league’s finances, there is a call to increase the number of games in the fixture next season.

St Kilda football manager Simon Lethlean said Thursday night games were a prime time lock for next year to help prop up the broadcast deal.

But the shorter breaks do come at an increased risk of injury for the game’s stars.

“I think we are seeing every week at clubs that it is having a toll on playing groups,” Lethlean said on SEN.

“There’s a lot of soft-tissue injuries happening and you can’t put Jade’s (Gresham) down to anything in particular but a condensed workload with little or less rest wouldn’t help.

“So I think you are seeing that it is going to be a war of attrition this season and resilience is critical.

“But certainly if I put my fixturing hat on we have broken the back of teams not accepting five-day breaks or not being up for it. 

Jade Gresham picked up a serious back against the Cats.

“You will see a lot more clubs just dealing with the hand being dealt.  

“I would be surprised now if the industry is not in a position to Thursday night every week as opposed to having them structured around a bye.

“Thursday night is just an earlier start to the weekend for everyone and it is a great thing for TV and to have (more) prime time games.”