Why has Footy Park fallen out of favour in just 10 years?

[Brucetiki]

In 2003 Slowdown was played at Adelaide Oval on the same day as the Centrals/West 2nd semi at Footy Park.
2005 EF/QF was played the day after the night Showdown semi final

That's in addition to the other two Slowdowns? What happened to them anyway? Can't it be run as the McDermott McDermott Slowdown?

This year it's on the night before the SANFL Grand Final at Adelaide Oval, I assume Little Heroes will be running it now. I thought it had the best timeslot last year when they had it the Monday night after the AFL Grand Final.

So it is still going then. Had not heard of it lately. The night before the Grand Final....how typical.

Yeah saw it on the ticker outside the 7 Studio's. McDermott trying to upstage the Grand Final again

[Brucetiki]

Don't know about 2002 Spelly.
Since 2003 they have generally held it on the October public holiday, and can't recall any controversy about 2005 like there was in 2003 on good old footysa.com, but could be wrong.
This year it is on the Saturday night before the SANFL GF.

The timing of the Slowdowns became a major nuisance to the SANFL in the mid-2000's when they were on the holiday Monday and were pulling larger attendances than the Grand Final. Centrals even criticised the timing of the Slowdowns at a couple of the chimney unveilings for their poor timing.

Then they moved the Slowdowns to AAMI Stadium in 2007 and 2008, which saw Slowdown attendances plummet, and even though it returned to Adelaide Oval last year, the crowds didn't flock back.

[spell_check]

Don't know about 2002 Spelly.
Since 2003 they have generally held it on the October public holiday, and can't recall any controversy about 2005 like there was in 2003 on good old footysa.com, but could be wrong.
This year it is on the Saturday night before the SANFL GF.

I remember 2005 specifically being criticised on FootySA. I'm sure it was on the same day.

[FlyingHigh]

Could be right Spelly. That year EF/QF and prelim were at Adelaide, but the 1st/2nds semis at Footy Park

[PhilH]

It is usually scheduled on the long weekend, if it is the Saturday Night then maybe there should be some intense promotion of the SANFL Grand Final during the match.

[gossipgirl]

Adelaide oval would attract larger crowds and perhaps the SANFL could do what the AFL do ie to maximise crowds they do everything in their power to ensure Collingwood make the finals so the SANFL could do similar things to ensure the Port Magpies make the finals

[Hazydog]

Spelly's spreadheet (great work by the way) suggests to me the venue doesn't make much difference. Personally I don't need any extra facilities than were available on Sunday. Free parking, choice of undercover seating if required, only a short wait to be served a couple of beers ($6.20 at bit rich for a pint but then I pay $5.50 for a can at home games so cant blame the SANFL for that), great vantage point, and as far as I was concerned a great atmosphere. If I want any more comfort then I should just stay at home!
I'm a bit wary about the concept of home finals. Assuming last Sundays 2nd semi was a stand alone game at Elizabeth, I couldn't see more than 4000-5000 attending, and even less if the weather was dodgy. To me that would devalue the finals experience.

[CENTURION]

they wouldn't play finals way out of town, they would be at Thebby Oval, Woodviile or Richmond, if they weren't to be at Adelaide.

[Hazydog]

Not sure it would make much difference Centurion - ie Dogs V Legs in a 2nd semi at Woodville or Richmond doesn't sound too appealing to the neutral or occasional fan. (Obviously stalwarts like you and me would be there with bells on!)
Dont entertain thoughts of Thebby though - no-one has enough $$ to get that back up to speed surely?

[CENTURION]

why not Wayville? Lots of grandstands, close to town, trainline right there.

[fish]

why not Wayville? Lots of grandstands, close to town, trainline right there.

...and the Goody for after match celebrations.

[spell_check]

Although something will have to be done about the track on the outside - it's about 90 odd metres from each inner side.

And where will the parking be? To be honest, I can't see people getting enthused about Wayville anyway, but that's my opinion (usually a very different one at that).

And my different opinion is the same regarding going to the venue in question. I go there to watch the football match. It the video screens for replays; it has good views. That's all I need.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

I've often thought the oval at Wayville had the potential to be a good neutral SANFL venue.

http://i40.tinypic.com/10mn3us.jpg

[redden whites]

Maybe it's footy not just footy park that is slowly falling out of favour

[Reddeer]

Maybe it's footy not just footy park that is slowly falling out of favour

You're spot on there, sadly

[therisingblues]

Spelly's spreadheet (great work by the way) suggests to me the venue doesn't make much difference.

I had a different take on it. The title of this thread is suggesting that Football Park is not as popular as it once once and the spread sheet supports that view IMO.
Top of the list is the year 2000, at Football Park which is in keeping with it having ONCE been a popular venue. But since finals have returned there last year the highest (comparitive) attendance reaches only number 19th overall on the graph (and was recorded on a fine day). Ahead of it are 5 attendances from Adelaide Oval in the preceding years of 2006,7 and 8. With one attendance from 2008 sitting 2nd overall. All other attendances in the top 20 are old ones from Football Park or newer ones from the Adelaide Oval.
If a big crowd turns up for the Preliminary Final this week that could screw the theory, and it is also reasonable to suggest that since Footy returned to the Park, there have only been 5 oppotunities for it to prove itself. As it stands though it is lagging behind what it once was and what Adelaide Oval has recently been able to draw in the way of crowds.

[spell_check]

Maybe it's footy not just footy park that is slowly falling out of favour

You're spot on there, sadly

Overall the SANFL has been rubbish this year. The finals have been alright.

[MatteeG]

Overall the SANFL has been rubbish this year. The finals have been alright.

That comment is totally 'inverted'

[CENTURION]

if you barrack for Glenelg, yes.

[birdmanptr]

Maybe it's footy not just footy park that is slowly falling out of favour

You're spot on there, sadly

Overall the SANFL has been rubbish this year. The finals have been alright.

I agree the finals have been good Both Norwood and the Eagles have played well should be a good game Sunday

Wont mean a lot to the winner will for Centrals long time since they beat the Eagles in a GF and a chance to beat Norwood for the first time

And the slowdown will get more than the SANFL GF will