SANFL games as AFL curtain raisers poll

[Squawk]

I'm against it but could be swayed on two counts:

1. No extra cost to a SANFL club member to attend
2. Every AFL club member has to nominate the SANFL club they support and pay $5-$10 as a levy on their membership to go to that club in that season. If every AFL club member can be levied to subsidise bus fares, then whay can't they be levied to support the SANFL competition? I know the Commission will say a levy isn't warranted when the clubs get a dividend, but I think that the dividend system could be maintained in an equalised form and the extra levy money would be an incentive for SANFL clubs to market themselves better with the lure of some extra $$$.

[CUTTERMAN]

Personally we can do without it,
BUT
If this is seen and organised with a view to promote our league to a new audience (AFL fans with little to no SANFL exposure) then its not totally wiythout any benefit.

IF this was to occur
1) Season Ticket and Home Match Ticket Holders must have access to the game for no cost.
2) These ticket holders must be allocated access to the SANFL Members Area on game day (Saves issue with allocated seats)
3) Each club must be allocated some tickets (SANFL Members Guest passes) to be sold to bona fide SANFL club members at SANFL rates.
4) Time between games should be minimised
5) All SANFL Media Passes to be honoured for access to media centre
6) Should be part of a concentrated strategy where the SANFL competition is actively promoted at all AFL games at AAMI Stadium (ie ABC Highlights, Ads, Promos on Video Screens and weekly article in SA edition of AFL Football Record).
7) Should also be a promotion / competition put together to encourage those coming to the game to come into the stadium early.

Phil, there's one major stumbling block for this whole idea that I've only just remembered from hearing it on 5AA. That is, the AFL demand that both clubs have access to the ground an hour at least, (maybe 1 1/2 hrs) for warm ups before the start of AFL matches. This was never the case for any previous curtain raisers in SA.

[CUTTERMAN]

with the 2 polls, (other on DB.org), both are sitting at over 90% against, which is sort of what I thought but probably a little surprised as it being so high in the negative. It's good in my opinion and I'm glad that the overwhelming majority of supporters see it the same way.
The real question would be a poll on an AFL forum asking the same question, I'd expect it to be about 80% in favour of the idea. They love to be entertained at any expence.
I go to the odd Crows game, not a member and maybe once or twice a year go to melb to see a crows game, but I am totally against the idea.

[doggies4eva]

Personally we can do without it,
BUT
If this is seen and organised with a view to promote our league to a new audience (AFL fans with little to no SANFL exposure) then its not totally wiythout any benefit.

IF this was to occur
1) Season Ticket and Home Match Ticket Holders must have access to the game for no cost.
2) These ticket holders must be allocated access to the SANFL Members Area on game day (Saves issue with allocated seats)
3) Each club must be allocated some tickets (SANFL Members Guest passes) to be sold to bona fide SANFL club members at SANFL rates.
4) Time between games should be minimised
5) All SANFL Media Passes to be honoured for access to media centre
6) Should be part of a concentrated strategy where the SANFL competition is actively promoted at all AFL games at AAMI Stadium (ie ABC Highlights, Ads, Promos on Video Screens and weekly article in SA edition of AFL Football Record).
7) Should also be a promotion / competition put together to encourage those coming to the game to come into the stadium early.

Phil, there's one major stumbling block for this whole idea that I've only just remembered from hearing it on 5AA. That is, the AFL demand that both clubs have access to the ground an hour at least, (maybe 1 1/2 hrs) for warm ups before the start of AFL matches. This was never the case for any previous curtain raisers in SA.

Another reason to play the SANFL game after the AFL game. We should seriously consider this as an option.

[doggies4eva]

From an SANFL perspective the costs they allocate as putting on a game are not always covered by the gate earned on that day.

Unless it has changed in the last 18 months the game day gate receipts are pooled (home , season tickets excluded) and then divided up equally at seasons end.

Basically some matches and clubs subsidised some others

It is an interesting "arrangement" as a club makes no extra gate money if 1,400 or 3,000 turn up.

However that said they obviously make more from bar, canteen, car parking and social club post match.

Is this the best way to give clubs incentives to promote their home games??

Personally I think
1) this pooling should be reduced (ie after costs taken out 50% allocated to home club, 50%to pool)
2) clubs that dont generate enough gate to cover SANFL allocated costs should be sent a bill for the difference ...... that will get them focussed on home game promotions quick smart.

I am against pooling. Clubs should keep all of their gate receipts and pay all of their ground expenses. That way prudent business decisions will be made by those who can control costs and influence revenue. This will give clubs an incentive to encourage attendance and will place greater emphasis on cost containment.