What Should The SANFL Do On March 19, 20 & 21 In 2010?

[rd]

The last few years have seen the AFL schedule a weekend off for all AFL players to recover from the NAB Cup and get themselves fully prepared for the opening round of the AFL season that commences in the last weekend of March.

To me – that AFL policy is giving the SANFL a free kick to receive all the footy media attention for the week but the SANFL have never capitalised on the situation – they have just quietly allowed that AFL-free weekend to slip by – allowing the SANFL clubs to play a round of meaningless trial matches in front of “Friends & Family” crowds. They then start their season in the last weekend of March and badly lose out in the battle against the AFL Round 1 Publicity Machine.

Next year is the last year the AFL will have the pre-season cup in the current format complete with a mid-March bye. There may never be another March chance again for the SANFL to attract large crowds to their opening games – or at least get some media attention to its traditional competition.

Let’s think outside of the square – what could the SANFL do on the 3rd weekend in March 2010?

Have a SANFL season launch event at AAMI stadium on Sat night March 20 2010? Put on some entertainment (music, games, celebrities etc..) that will bring in a crowd, follow it by presenting all SANFL coaches and captains to the crowd. Then have Central District play either South Fremantle or North Ballarat in a Premiers Challenge match – make the prize money large enough to encourage both sides to play full strength sides (except AFL listed players of course). There’s no footy on TV that weekend – maybe the ABC or Ten HD would show it – people are ready to watch footy on TV by the 3rd weekend of March and it would rate well. Would 15,000 attend the game?

Do we do away with State matches in 2010 and replace it with interstate club games on that weekend? CD plays Nthn Bullants at Elizabeth or AAMI with South Fremantle playing Sturt in Perth and North Ballarat hosting Subiaco in Victoria. If CD & Sturt both win – then South Australia is the champion state league and then players don’t have to worry about mid season state commitments.

Or do those six teams plus Tasmania and the Northern Territory play an eight team knockout comp that commenced a few weeks earlier (matches played as double headers with AFL matches) with the final then to be played on the 3rd weekend of March.

Or does the SANFL schedule Round 1 for that weekend and either arrange for the season to end prior to the AFL Grand Final or schedule in a few split rounds to stretch it out to the October long weekend as usual?

Lets just throw some ideas around folks – I just want the SANFL to do SOMETHING on the 3rd weekend of March 2010. Once we’ve solved this problem I will then work on improving the Football Budget and the 2010 Magarey medal coverage!

[Dutchy]

I think rnd 1 might be too early for the grounds with cricket pitches, but I guess Noarlunga, Elizabeth, Norwood and Richmond may be available

[spell_check]

And Alberton and Thebarton.

[fish]

Nice topic rd.

The first thing that came into my head was a SANFL equivalent of a slowdown. A match featuring ex SANFL stars from all teams, including Woodville and West Torrens. Players like Ebert, Sewer, Bagshaw, Vivian, Carey, Dietrich, Aish and the like. (PS not sure what and where these guys are now, just examples of the sort of iconic players that could be involved).

There could be some sort of rivalry eg north v south or east v west. The match should be at Adelaide Oval for FREE or NOMINAL entry price. It may get some of the lapsed SANFL fans back to a game and possibly interested in attending throughout the season. I dare say that the clubs would be into it, with no risk of current players getting injured and it would be a nice filler before the AFL starts the following week.

[Pseudo]

Perhaps invite South Freo over to play Central? WAFL premier vs SANFL premier, the battle of the bulldogs. And with any luck Central might suffer a couple of injuries to even up the early rounds a bit

[Barto]

Invite Perth over for a game against North Adelaide.

[bloods08]

Wouldnt mind a family day. Have rides, facepainting, etc to keep the kids entertained. Have a guernsey presentation followed by maybe a 20/20 cricket match (for charity) or an internal trial.

[Wedgie]

I reckon a porn night with plenty of booze and strippers would be the way to go. Over to you SANFL.

[HeartBeatsTrue]

Just remember SANFL round 1 will not be the same weekend as AFL round 1. Theres no state game in 2010 (i think) and expect SANFL round 1 to kick off on April 2.

Should they bring the Groundswell day back?

[MightyEagles]

I reckon a porn night with plenty of booze and strippers would be the way to go. Over to you SANFL.

Don't think the female fans of the clubs would like that too much, unless they get a night for themselves.

[Wedgie]

I reckon a porn night with plenty of booze and strippers would be the way to go. Over to you SANFL.

Don't think the female fans of the clubs would like that too much, unless they get a night for themselves.

Sounds fair, we could organise them a few dirty dishes to wash the next night.

[Harry the Horse]

Sensible or opportunisitic fixturing has never been the SANFL's long suit although maybe with Darren Chandler doing the draw, things may change.

But I'd bet probably not so expect a free weekend which would kind of suit me anyway cos I've got something on that weekend already which will preclude me from going to the footy.

[gossipgirl]

A chook raffle

[rogernumber10]

Sensible or opportunisitic fixturing has never been the SANFL's long suit although maybe with Darren Chandler doing the draw, things may change.

But I'd bet probably not so expect a free weekend which would kind of suit me anyway cos I've got something on that weekend already which will preclude me from going to the footy.

What do you have on that weekend Harry? Your life is generally pretty empty from past experience. I have something on and can invite you, if you end up at a loose end.

[Harry the Horse]

Nice to see you back again here Rog after your fearful pounding on the history thread ... I take it you've conceded defeat on the Copping-Woodcock issue?

[rogernumber10]

No defeat conceded. I'm sure people will slowly come to read that thread, post wisely, and the voting will change. Talking in this thread only assists me in promoting Roger's many claims.

By the way, if you happen to run into a crazed Port-supporter who works out of the Advertiser building, do thank him for sending over the print outs from the 1975 Sunday Mail Grand Final wrap up. Reading the work of Ray Barber and Greg Reid has been tremendous. Where is Greg Reid these days?

[holden78]

Now , finally were getting somewhere ; Wedgie you need to get the Cocks to put you up for the SANFL Commission ........... this is the way forward , I can see the league free of pokies in three years with this getting a go ........... we can get Mr Porn Ron Jeremy to kick off the season Tina Turner style with a slick ad campaign , with plenty of new Coopers 62 getting thrown over fleshy babes !

I reckon a porn night with plenty of booze and strippers would be the way to go. Over to you SANFL.

Don't think the female fans of the clubs would like that too much, unless they get a night for themselves.

Sounds fair, we could organise them a few dirty dishes to wash the next night.

[topsywaldron]

Sensible or opportunisitic fixturing has never been the SANFL's long suit although maybe with Darren Chandler doing the draw, things may change.

Chandler doing something to promote the competition? I think not.

His actual title should be "Head of talking the SANFL down"

[topsywaldron]

I reckon a porn night with plenty of booze and strippers would be the way to go. Over to you SANFL.

Don't think the female fans of the clubs would like that too much, unless they get a night for themselves.

Sounds fair, we could organise them a few dirty dishes to wash the next night.

Even by your standards these are pretty lame jokes.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss it any further though as we try to get back on topic.

[SANFLnut]

Lets get this back on track:

What about some sort of lightning carnival set up, get 5 or clubs involved and roll through a series of 30 minute games or 2 halves of 15 mins. Maybe get Crows and Port to field a side full of guys that did not play NAB cup week before. Could hold it at Footy Park (no pitch) let it go from mid afternoon in to the night with clubs playing a couple of times, back to back

i.e
2pm South v Crows
2:30pm South v West
3:00 pm West v Glenelg
3:30pm Glenelg v Norwood etc, etc,
Finish at 8:30 or so with Centrals v crows or how about Port v Port!!

Club supporters could roll in for an hour or so and see their team. Make it a family day - get a bouncy castle out in the car park or something.

Kind of an extension of the Crows and Norwood games that have been on in the past.

Thoughts??