Central fans bored of success?

[NFC]

This isn't a troll but seriously, they seem to have less fans at the finals year after year. Have they become complacent? Do they take all this success for granted because they know they'll win a flag every year? They had big support in the eary years of their success and it seems like less are onboard each year.

This obvisouly isn't directed at the fans on here, the die hard ones. But I'm talking about your mates, or family, do they still care as much as they once did? I have a few friends who used to go to a few games, then just the GF's, now they don't even go to that.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

There is certainly quite a few that perhaps take it for granted abit now, for example i know people who in the past wouldn't have missed a grand final for the world, but now occasionally miss one as they go on holidays over that weekend or plan something in advance, whereas there are other people like me that are probably the other extreme, and wont plan anything that weekend as to an extent, you expect your team to be playing, regardless of how the team has been traveling.
I think the football park factor certainly would have played a part over the weekend, its just seen as to much of a hassle to get there for some of the more so-so supporters, its just so much easier to stay at home and watch on tv rather than try and figure out how to get to West Lakes.

[MightyEagles]

I've noticed that there isn't as many end-to-enders as there used to and that is at H&A games at home.

[Dutchy]

I was going to raise a similar topic around the disappointing crowd on the weekend.

I believe the main factor was AAMI, no one wants to go there, the die hards (like most of us) will but the neutrals will more than likely stay at home and watch on TV, whereas at the Adelaide Oval, being central and a great atmoshpere standing on the hill and drinking beer (without a lid) is more like the SANFL we are used too all year round

I have no doubt if last weekend was at Adelaide Oval (pre demolition) there would have been 14k minimum

I know its a once off as next year Adelaide Oval will be ready (I believe) but I would have much preferred stand alone games at a neutral SANFL ground Norwood or Richmond (that dont need to get the ground ready for cricket) would be ideal being not far for everyone, get 8,000 to those venues and it would be sensational

Glenelg V Central at Richmond this week on Sunday would draw 10,000 IMO Eagles v Sturt @ Norwood on Saturday would pull 6,000 - doubt we will get 16k this weekend

The other advantage is the Ressies can play beforehand in their normal time slot

[sjt]

This isn't a troll but seriously, they seem to have less fans at the finals year after year. Have they become complacent? Do they take all this success for granted because they know they'll win a flag every year? They had big support in the eary years of their success and it seems like less are onboard each year.

This obvisouly isn't directed at the fans on here, the die hard ones. But I'm talking about your mates, or family, do they still care as much as they once did? I have a few friends who used to go to a few games, then just the GF's, now they don't even go to that.

No i'm not bored of success. There's definitely no guarantee of any flag. I was however extremely bored of not winning flags pre 2000.

[whufc]

This isn't a troll but seriously, they seem to have less fans at the finals year after year. Have they become complacent? Do they take all this success for granted because they know they'll win a flag every year? They had big support in the eary years of their success and it seems like less are onboard each year.

This obvisouly isn't directed at the fans on here, the die hard ones. But I'm talking about your mates, or family, do they still care as much as they once did? I have a few friends who used to go to a few games, then just the GF's, now they don't even go to that.

good post NFC and so true,

I have found that the mates i go to the football with now are die hards and wouldn't miss a game for anything, but all my other mates who i use to go to the football with when i was younger are alot more relaxed about the game, and prefer to only go the major finals.

I think alot of this is due to the fact that alot of them see the day as a social event, so drinking is major part of the day, being 25-30 years olds and been able ot drink heaps makes it a very expensive day so alot of these guys would rather save for the GF and after party.

The football park effect is huge also, if it was at Adelaide Oval they would all jump on a train and get into it, at football park they public transport is to hard, therefore they have to organise designated drivers and so forth, much easier to sit at home and watch.

If the DOgs make the GF again this year the bandwagon will be in full swing and the noise will be massive as per usual. I think all it will take is one year where the Dogs don't make the GF or Finals and they will back on board come final time.

[Psyber]

It's "bored with success" in English.
But you are probably right in what you are saying.

[Hazydog]

Agree that the novelty has worn off with some supporters & with the ever reducing exposure the SANFL gets it would seem natural that the support would drop off. Having said that, upon entering the ground, and when getting something to eat etc, all I could see was red white & blue. And similarly where I sat in the concourse on the Eastern wing there seemed to be more Doggies supporters. For the record, where did Sturt supporters notice their own congregating in a condensed area?

[Dogwatcher]

The ever reducing exposure the SANFL gets

This is a total myth in my opinion.

[Hazydog]

Coverage of the Magarey Medal is a prime example DW.

Although maybe I should have said mainstream media coverage because stalwarts like us, know to tune into Life FM or RPH & visit sites like this one & the Messenger to get good coverage. The average AFL supporter relies on ever diminishing snippets of information on 7,9, & 10 news & the Advertiser, and they are the ones that we need to drag out to the Finals.

I'm also suspecting the heartbreak of the Crows effort on Saturday night would have left a lot of potential SANFL ring ins a bit flat and in need of a quiet day of mourning

[Dogwatcher]

They're not ever diminishing. They are as they have been for about a decade now, as far as I can tell.

As much as I love the SANFL, we need to be realistic about the coverage we get. We are only a state competition.
We are a niche market.
Hence, sites like this fill the niche, while the majors do what they want.
You may have to search a little harder to find it - but it is there.

In some ways, to say it is diminishing is to disregard those organisations like the ABC, Life FM and other radio broadcasters who do do a good job of promoting the SANFL.

The coverage the SANFL receives is much greater than the state competitions for other sports get - prime example, our favourite summer sport, cricket.

[Dogwatcher]

You make a good point about the Magarey Medal.
But if you look back over the past 15 years or so, the coverage of the Medal has waxed and waned.
You'll find that whether we get coverage of the medal on television will depend on not the interest level of the network gut the interest of sponsors. As to cover an event like that, the network needs to make $$$ from advertising to cover its costs.

Someone like CK, who works a lot closer to the city media, may have a greater understanding of this and may in fact provide some better facts.

[Hazydog]

Totally understand and agree with you re the need for commercial stations to justify expense v ratings, or for the ABC just to find the funding to be able to telecast the MM.
The point I make is that up until last year it was telecast live & I think it was an invaluable promotion for the Finals series.

[Dogwatcher]

No it wasn't always telecast live - it was telecast on and off over the past few years. Some times we'd get it, other times not.

[hawkseye]

I think the numbers will be up this week. The Crows last weekend would have been a major factor imo. I dont go every week anymore because of amateur commitments but it only takes the 1st 5 minutes of the 1st final to get straight back into it and i love it. Best time of year i reckon.

[hawkseye]

Also well done to the SANFL for allowing free parking on Sunday.

[doggies4eva]

I will never be bored with success. This year if we make the GF I will attend again despite having to travel 3,000kms to see the game live that I could watch on TV.

[Dogwatcher]

NFC, I picked this up from the latest SANFL Philosophy (check out the Footyjournal thread), which might provide further indication about your theory. It regards home ground figures:

CENTRAL

2009 - 31,392 from 10 games (avg 3,139 ranking 4th)
2008 - 36,981 from 10 games (avg 3,698 ranking 3rd)
Movement - drop 559 per game (15.1% drop)

Notes
- 3th straight decrease in home crowds. Was at #1 in the league with 4115pg in 2006 (when lights introduced) but then dropped to 3830 (still #1) in 2007 and so on.
- Surprisingly their highest attendance was 4,489 against the Eagles in Round 1. Not helped by poor weather for its two drawcard games (Anzac Day v Glenelg & Rd 22 v Sturt) and having two home games against South who have a 100km round trip to make.
- Over the last two seasons Central average 4,084 for night games and 2,967 for day games.

[csbowes]

I will never be bored with success. This year if we make the GF I will attend again despite having to travel 3,000kms to see the game live that I could watch on TV.

I admire that dedication.

I did the same thing in 2002. I travelled 14,000kms from London to be here for the Prelim and Grand Final... even got in the Advertiser that year as one of those nut fans who goes beyond the call... obviously it was worth it in the end.

[csbowes]

NFC, I picked this up from the latest SANFL Philosophy (check out the Footyjournal thread), which might provide further indication about your theory. It regards home ground figures:

CENTRAL

2009 - 31,392 from 10 games (avg 3,139 ranking 4th)
2008 - 36,981 from 10 games (avg 3,698 ranking 3rd)
Movement - drop 559 per game (15.1% drop)

Notes
- 3th straight decrease in home crowds. Was at #1 in the league with 4115pg in 2006 (when lights introduced) but then dropped to 3830 (still #1) in 2007 and so on.
- Surprisingly their highest attendance was 4,489 against the Eagles in Round 1. Not helped by poor weather for its two drawcard games (Anzac Day v Glenelg & Rd 22 v Sturt) and having two home games against South who have a 100km round trip to make.
- Over the last two seasons Central average 4,084 for night games and 2,967 for day games.

Do we have the stats for the other clubs as a comparison? I'd be interested in seeing who pulls the best crowds...