Jars: Stop the negative footy
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:37 pmSOUTH Australian football identity Andrew Jarman says the SANFL needs a major overhaul to avoid the risk of becoming irrelevant.
On the back of an 11 per cent drop in regular season crowds and with the SANFL on the verge of selling its two AFL licences and searching for a new football general manager, Jarman said it was time for a wide-ranging review.
His concerns extend on-field, as well. He says a grand final between the defensive-minded Norwood and West Adelaide teams would drive spectators away from the competition.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6483217522
Not online but in yesterday's paper Jars gives his 10 ideas to help save the SANFL:
Without typing out the whole thing I’ll just a highlight a few of his points for each one.
1. Make the SANFL an eight-team competition
Magpies should stay but make two clubs merge. Reduce the quantity and improve the quality of the lists. With 8 teams and even draw and a top 4 finals system.
2. Abolish the reserves competition
He says Reserves players & teams are raided by country and amateur clubs offering big money. Under his plan SANFL teams would run a maximum of four teams Under 14’s, 16’s, 18’s and League. Each club senior squad of 35 players with those not selected to play for their amateur clubs. Have someone watching them there on part-time basis. He says Reserves players are basically slaves playing for $75 a game despite training just as much as the League players so squad of 35 all contracted.
3. The season is too long
Cut season to 18 home & away games and play the Grand Final on AFL Preliminary Final weekend. He says they all have jobs and/or study, they’re part-time footballers so season is too long and have GF on AFL Prelim Final Sunday so SANFL isn’t competing against AFL, amateur footy & country footy.
4. Stop playing defensive footy
Says the comp is about entertainment and kicking goals so we need to teach out players to attack and take the game on.
5. Drop regular season gate prices
Says it makes no sense charging $14 for a home & away game but $15 to watch two finals on the same day. How can you justify paying $14 to see 8 goals kicked? Surely with government support & AFL support something could be done. New CEO needs to look at more marketing opportunities etc to engage people and bring them through the gates.
6. Remove AFL players from SANFL lists
Let Crows & Power go into their own AFL Reserves comp which has to happen. Too much of a strain on everyone involved the SANFL club, the AFL player and the AFL club. It unbalances the comp and coaches can’t plan ahead.
7. Stop paying for the ABC to televise games
SANFL is a great product and ABC could finish up televising it in 12 months time anyway. Foxtel Cup is a waste of time as best clubs want nothing to do with it so when TV rights are up the league should negotiate with Foxtel to show some games.
8. Provide cash incentives for clubs
If a club finishes in the top 4 give them $10,000. It’s about winning but clubs need help financially.
9. Play finals at suburban ovals, and grand final at AAMI/Adelaide Oval
Last two weeks a combined 18,000 at AAMI Stadium in a ground that holds 40,000. Reward club that finishes higher or play at neutral venue.
10. Help all clubs host Friday night footy
SANFL needs to own Friday night market. All club must get slice of action so encourage clubs to share grounds so those that don’t have the facilities to host can get in on it. Also schedule day games in middle of winter in June & July.
On the back of an 11 per cent drop in regular season crowds and with the SANFL on the verge of selling its two AFL licences and searching for a new football general manager, Jarman said it was time for a wide-ranging review.
His concerns extend on-field, as well. He says a grand final between the defensive-minded Norwood and West Adelaide teams would drive spectators away from the competition.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6483217522
Not online but in yesterday's paper Jars gives his 10 ideas to help save the SANFL:
Without typing out the whole thing I’ll just a highlight a few of his points for each one.
1. Make the SANFL an eight-team competition
Magpies should stay but make two clubs merge. Reduce the quantity and improve the quality of the lists. With 8 teams and even draw and a top 4 finals system.
2. Abolish the reserves competition
He says Reserves players & teams are raided by country and amateur clubs offering big money. Under his plan SANFL teams would run a maximum of four teams Under 14’s, 16’s, 18’s and League. Each club senior squad of 35 players with those not selected to play for their amateur clubs. Have someone watching them there on part-time basis. He says Reserves players are basically slaves playing for $75 a game despite training just as much as the League players so squad of 35 all contracted.
3. The season is too long
Cut season to 18 home & away games and play the Grand Final on AFL Preliminary Final weekend. He says they all have jobs and/or study, they’re part-time footballers so season is too long and have GF on AFL Prelim Final Sunday so SANFL isn’t competing against AFL, amateur footy & country footy.
4. Stop playing defensive footy
Says the comp is about entertainment and kicking goals so we need to teach out players to attack and take the game on.
5. Drop regular season gate prices
Says it makes no sense charging $14 for a home & away game but $15 to watch two finals on the same day. How can you justify paying $14 to see 8 goals kicked? Surely with government support & AFL support something could be done. New CEO needs to look at more marketing opportunities etc to engage people and bring them through the gates.
6. Remove AFL players from SANFL lists
Let Crows & Power go into their own AFL Reserves comp which has to happen. Too much of a strain on everyone involved the SANFL club, the AFL player and the AFL club. It unbalances the comp and coaches can’t plan ahead.
7. Stop paying for the ABC to televise games
SANFL is a great product and ABC could finish up televising it in 12 months time anyway. Foxtel Cup is a waste of time as best clubs want nothing to do with it so when TV rights are up the league should negotiate with Foxtel to show some games.
8. Provide cash incentives for clubs
If a club finishes in the top 4 give them $10,000. It’s about winning but clubs need help financially.
9. Play finals at suburban ovals, and grand final at AAMI/Adelaide Oval
Last two weeks a combined 18,000 at AAMI Stadium in a ground that holds 40,000. Reward club that finishes higher or play at neutral venue.
10. Help all clubs host Friday night footy
SANFL needs to own Friday night market. All club must get slice of action so encourage clubs to share grounds so those that don’t have the facilities to host can get in on it. Also schedule day games in middle of winter in June & July.
