The never ending No AFL in the SANFL whinge thread

[Panther Pack]

I know this has been done before, but I'd like to see an updated analysis of the weekly attendances in Adelaide for AFL and SANFL combined.

My reasoning is that in the glory years of the 70's and 80's, the average weekly attendance in the SANFL would have been approx 40,000, give or take a few thousand.

When the Crows entered the AFL, obviously SANFL attendances dropped but the Crows would have averaged over 40,000 for home games in the early years.

When Port entered the AFL in 1997, obviously there were more attending AFL matches at Footy Park as we basically had a weekly match here. Of course SANFL attendances suffered again, but the total weekly football attendances in Adelaide increased, probably around or above the glory SANFL years.

The weekly AFL and SANFL attendances have seemingly steadily decline in recent years, more so AFL than SANFL, until this year for the AFL.

So my point is that although it appears that SANFL attendances have dropped this year, Adelaide Oval attendances have dramatically increased. Now the novelty factor of a upgraded Adelaide Oval, plus a resurgence in Port's on field success is obviously a major factor.

It appears to me that this year could be the highest attended season (AFL and SANFL combined) ever. Maybe I'm wrong because I'm not anal enough to record the attendance stats for the last 100 odd years.

So to those that are anal enough (yes, we don't understand why you do it but we love you for doing it), are you able to confirm or deny my flimsy hypothesis.

If in the unlikely event I'm correct, then the SANFL will continue to bleed as the State Government, SMA, SANFL and SACA will rejoice about the rivers of gold delivered by Adelaide Oval. Add the relatively good ratings for SANFL on channel 7, there will be less concern from the powers to be about the falling SANFL attendances.

A rambling load of crap? Maybe it is or maybe it isn't.

Hope you also take into account South Australia's population throughout the different eras and how many were there when the beatles performed at the town hall!!!!

[bennymacca]

Interesting question, SANFL Annual Reports may provide some answer.

Yes, I do a lot of SANFL crowd analysis (it helps part of my job at the Eagles) but even I don't do figures with AFL & SANFL combined.

Just TWO WEEKS AGO, there was 27K at the SANFL and 47K at Port v Geelong. I think combined it was about 75K ... I would be surprised if that had ever been surpassed.

Good point.

You are probably a good person to ask.

Just by how much have the sanfl crowds declined over say the last 10 years? And has there been a statistically significant change this year?

[dedja]

There are only so many people who attend AFL and SANFL each week, and historically it seems that limit is 40,000 to perhaps 50,000.

As you quite correctly point out Phil, a recent 75,000 attendance on a weekend in Adelaide is probably unprecedented.

[therisingblues]

The official figure for 1976 grand final was 66,000 odd. But newspaper reports claim that crowds at several entry points stormed the gate, and I think part of a fence came down somewhere, meaning uncounted thousands rushed in without paying. Speaking to some people who were there, I heard that the 66,000 figure was "a joke", and that 75,000 was more realistic. Journo's tend to agree.
That was a grand final admittedly, but you can bet that "the recent 75,000" would have consisted of more than a few patrons who attended two, perhaps three games that weekend. Meaning that the same people were counted two, three, (four?) times over, owing to the spread of games over separate days and time slots. The 1976 "75,000", while an estimate, is amazing in that they were all there on the same day at the same time, and the vast majority of them being Port and Sturt supporters.
The point here is that in 1976 there must have been a pool of SANFL fans, somewhere above 100,000 if you included the entire potential support across the ten teams, and not just Sturt/Port fans and interested neutrals that turn up on Grand Final day.
Glory days of SANFL still the greatest IMO.

[bennymacca]

I would have thought there would be much, much more than 100k SANFL fans in SA.

The problem comes in the level of support. There wouldnt be too many that financially follow both an SANFL and AFL club, as you guys would know.

As you guys also correctly point out, that proportion is skewing more heavily toward the AFL clubs

[sjt]

Woodville Crowd was 1,747 ... alas it was what we were worried we would get when you mix Mothers Day AND live TV coverage. Too easy to do the right thing by mum at lunch and have a look at the footy on TV later.

By my calculations that is 9,844 for the SANFL Charity Round or AVERAGE of 1,969 per game.

Going by last years figures the average for round 9, 2013 was 2002. No improved crowd average with the inclusion of the professional teams.

[bennymacca]

But also no real decrease in crowds as some seem to be intimating?

[Jim05]

But also no real decrease in crowds as some seem to be intimating?

Hard to tell, got to take into account the weather, not sure what rd9 was like last year but the weather this weekend was pretty good, I think they would be disappointed with the figures overall. Reckon the numbers will drop off a fair bit in the middle of winter especially when 3-4 clubs season will be over in a month or two's time

[therisingblues]

Wait for the crappy June weather.
I don't think Taylor Walker will be making many more special appearances to prop up the Raven's crowds either.

[PhilH]

Signs not great re crowds this year as form lines start to emerge.

Port are up but Alberton Crowds down
South are up but not a HUGE rise in Noarlunga crowds

Norwood are down and they bring the most @ home so will those figures drop off as year progresses.
Glenelg are down and I think the 9K match will cover some holes.

West are down and crowds with them, Central in a similar boat but to lesser extent,

Sturt's & Eagles should be OK crowd wise, indeed Double Blues could see a healthy rise at Unley. Not sure about North yet, on field or in attendances.

[whufc]

But also no real decrease in crowds as some seem to be intimating?

Last years crowds in the same round were affected by some absolutely horrible

Without the Country Showdown and the Taylor Walker comeback game the average crowds would be well down on last years at the same time.

The end of year figures are going to be pretty damming imho

[whufc]

Signs not great re crowds this year as form lines start to emerge.

Port are up but Alberton Crowds down
South are up but not a HUGE rise in Noarlunga crowds

Norwood are down and they bring the most @ home so will those figures drop off as year progresses.
Glenelg are down and I think the 9K match will cover some holes.

West are down and crowds with them, Central in a similar boat but to lesser extent,

Sturt's & Eagles should be OK crowd wise, indeed Double Blues could see a healthy rise at Unley. Not sure about North yet, on field or in attendances.

And that's with as close to perfect football weather you will get to start a year

[dedja]

It is usually accepted that up to 10,000 got in for free in the 76 GF Theri. I was one of many who tried to get in but they locked the gates only have them opened them later so I missed one of the greatest GF performances ever by Rick Davies.

[cennals05]

We have had much better weather this year than last. The crowds would have to be a concern. The novelty factor is certainly over for the Crows.

[bennymacca]

Will Norwood sucking have a larger effect on crowds than anything else?

Glenelg Norwood centrals filling the bottom 3 spots on the ladder and south and eagles doing well would almost be the worst case scenario for crowd numbers would it not? Point taken about ports crowd being down though. Would be interesting to see what the crowd numbers are like in the power bye week, because it didn't really seem to affect the crows reserves numbers

[whufc]

Will Norwood sucking have a larger effect on crowds than anything else?

Glenelg Norwood centrals filling the bottom 3 spots on the ladder and south and eagles doing well would almost be the worst case scenario for crowd numbers would it not? Point taken about ports crowd being down though. Would be interesting to see what the crowd numbers are like in the power bye week, because it didn't really seem to affect the crows reserves numbers

Centrals are in better position win loss wise at the same time last year but their crowds are down

[bennymacca]

Surely a second year of poor results follows that crowds are going to further dwindle. Saying they are doing slightly better than last year is splitting hairs.

I'm just trying to make the point that there are lots of factors that affect this stuff, the reserves teams are certainly a factor but sometimes there are other bigger factors at play too

[Booney]

Just wanted to check and I figured here was the best spot.

Does Topsy still follow the SANFL or does he just pop in from time to time and kick the shit can over?

I'd assume he'd be in this thread a bit, so here's the spot to ask.

[matt35]

As has been stated, lots of factors impact on crowds. A big one this year, even more so as the weather goes downhill, will be a more high profile, better promoted and widely watched live tv game each weekend. Centrals for example have already had two tv home games, both of these attracting sub 2,000 crowds. Yes it was sub 2,000 without tv on Saturday, but I suspect weather would have had a slight influence on that crowd, as well as the AFL at Adelaide Oval.

This weekend should be particularly interesting, with weather set to be perfect, the AFL done by Thursday night and the Magpies playing at home on a weekend where the Power have a bye.

I do expect Norwood's decline in form to have a significant impact on crowds this year, they are after all the club who draw the biggest SANFL crowds. Hopefully on what should be a reasonable Friday night there's still a reasonable crowd for Norwood v Adelaide.

[bennymacca]

yep good post matt. this will be the week that really gives a good indication, because everything is set for a perfect weekend