Gather Round 2025

[Jim05]

Sounds like they need to resurrect the barossa valley train line

Total rebuild.
It’s stuffed

[mighty_tiger_79]

The neutral supporters at gather round make it an interesting day.
So many people around me clapping when either team scored was a bit different.
Lacked any real atmosphere coz of this.
But the Blues got their 1st win so was a great day at AO.

It was West Coast v Carlton…. When you’re that starved on anything to clap for your own team it’s not surprising you’ll clap anything

I did have a Numpty crows supporter wearing a beanie sitting next to me clapping both teams.
34 degrees is a bit hot for a beanie but whatever works!
He was drinking a pint of beer and a can of hard solo.
I thought he was holding it for someone until he can back with the same.
Beer then hard solo……rinse and repeat 5 times

Who the **** drinks a beer then hard solo then beer then hard solo……….?

I know someone who had a coke in between beers, he called it a 'sweetener'

Perhaps this was his alcoholic sweetener???

[mighty_tiger_79]

Sounds like they need to resurrect the barossa valley train line

Total rebuild.
It’s stuffed

Lock in Gather Round for 50yrs and then it gets re-built

[Brodlach]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

[daysofourlives]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

The only reason there hasnt been any announcement yet is because it will be announced during the election campaign next year, A politician like Mali isnt going to let that opportunity go to waste.

[Jim05]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

I wouldn’t trust anything Dicky says

[Eagles2014]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

The only reason there hasnt been any announcement yet is because it will be announced during the election campaign next year, A politician like Mali isnt going to let that opportunity go to waste.

Even Mali doesn’t need tricks like this, the Libs and Tarzia are an absolute mess and he will win by a landslide

[dedja]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

I wouldn’t trust anything Dicky says

Isn’t he leaving this year? … so considering it’s in SA until next year it will 100% remain in SA whilst he’s chairman.

[Jim05]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

I wouldn’t trust anything Dicky says

Isn’t he leaving this year? … so considering it’s in SA until next year it will 100% remain in SA whilst he’s chairman.

He wanted to stay until the end of 2028.
I haven’t heard anything about him leaving this year

[dedja]

AFL Chairman told the SANFL workers last night that it will remain in SA whilst he is chairman because we do it so well

Dillon was in the room whilst this was said

I wouldn’t trust anything Dicky says

Isn’t he leaving this year? … so considering it’s in SA until next year it will 100% remain in SA whilst he’s chairman.

He wanted to stay until the end of 2028.
I haven’t heard anything about him leaving this year

You’re correct.

I thought his term was up this year but just checked and it’s March 2026.

I also didn’t realise he’d fairly recently made statements he wanted to go on until 2028. It will be interesting whether he tries for re-election and whether that will fly with the clubs.

He’s completely damaged goods, not sure why he thinks it’s a good idea to hang on at the AFL, but here we are.

[bertiebeatle1]

He was very smug walking across the bridge Sunday night

[Lightning McQueen]

He’s completely damaged goods, not sure why he thinks it’s a good idea to hang on at the AFL, but here we are.

Isn't it a job where you go into knowing full well that you're just going to be hated?

Whatever he does will be criticised, the game will always be labeled as becoming weaker as far as standard and in any other public KPI, as a spectator I just take it for what it's worth, if I'm watching a game I hope it's close (unless my SGM requires otherwise).

My biggest gripe is the Opening round bullshit, it has zero merit IMO.

As far as "Gather Round" is concerned, instead of the bidding war etc. with the lopsided draw why don't they just have one in each state each year? Teams can play their double-up games during these rounds, they can still manipulate it enough for their to be only one dual Victorian game.

[whufc]

He’s completely damaged goods, not sure why he thinks it’s a good idea to hang on at the AFL, but here we are.

Isn't it a job where you go into knowing full well that you're just going to be hated?

Whatever he does will be criticised, the game will always be labeled as becoming weaker as far as standard and in any other public KPI, as a spectator I just take it for what it's worth, if I'm watching a game I hope it's close (unless my SGM requires otherwise).

My biggest gripe is the Opening round bullshit, it has zero merit IMO.

As far as "Gather Round" is concerned, instead of the bidding war etc. with the lopsided draw why don't they just have one in each state each year? Teams can play their double-up games during these rounds, they can still manipulate it enough for their to be only one dual Victorian game.

The bidding war is the only reason its financially viable for the AFL.....

Collingwood vs Sydney averages 54k at the G, instead 47k at AO
Brisbane vs WB average 25k at the Gabba, instead 9k at Nwd
Fremantle vs Richmond 10k in the Barossa would have got 30k plus at either sides home game.

Even GC vs NM 9k at the barossa, GC averages 10k at home against NM.

[The Bedge]

The bidding war is the only reason its financially viable for the AFL.....

Collingwood vs Sydney averages 54k at the G, instead 47k at AO
Brisbane vs WB average 25k at the Gabba, instead 9k at Nwd
Fremantle vs Richmond 10k in the Barossa would have got 30k plus at either sides home game.

Even GC vs NM 9k at the barossa, GC averages 10k at home against NM.

What about the tv ratings?

[dedja]

Just for context, my comments about Goyder were based on his ‘leadership’ at Qantas.

[whufc]

The bidding war is the only reason its financially viable for the AFL.....

Collingwood vs Sydney averages 54k at the G, instead 47k at AO
Brisbane vs WB average 25k at the Gabba, instead 9k at Nwd
Fremantle vs Richmond 10k in the Barossa would have got 30k plus at either sides home game.

Even GC vs NM 9k at the barossa, GC averages 10k at home against NM.

What about the tv ratings?

There is no extra games and in fact you still had games overlapping in timeslots.

Maybe a bit more from the stay at home factor from interstate fans.

The lost attendances vs gained tv ratings would be interesting figures....

Was it $80m over the 3 years from the SA Government, thats where the serious money is made and you better believe that figures is only going up. I'm sure some state would throw a $100 million at it in a few years.

[LaughingKookaburra]

The only other place you could see it being as similar to the current format would be in Hobart once the new Macquarie stadium is completed. You could play the games at Macquarie, Bellerive and North Hobart. The central hub would be maintained however getting as many cars down to Hobart would just not happen given the Spirit Of Tasmania. The infrastructure and location of Stadiums in Perth make it very hard as Optus Stadium is 5km out of the CBD and the central transport hub. You could do it in Melbourne too however you’d doubt the AFL would do that.

[Lightning McQueen]

The only other place you could see it being as similar to the current format would be in Hobart once the new Macquarie stadium is completed. You could play the games at Macquarie, Bellerive and North Hobart. The central hub would be maintained however getting as many cars down to Hobart would just not happen given the Spirit Of Tasmania. The infrastructure and location of Stadiums in Perth make it very hard as Optus Stadium is 5km out of the CBD and the central transport hub. You could do it in Melbourne too however you’d doubt the AFL would do that.

F*** Tassie, they'd all get in on a family ticket anyway.

[whufc]

Cant see it going anywhere...

-Tassie would be very difficult with the ferry ect plus what 150k tourists at once. Would Tassie have the accommodations to cater for all of that once??

-Western Australia will make a play but what's really achieved from moving it from SA where it is a boom success, plus we are much closer for all fans to travel to. WA wouldn't get close to the travelling numbers we see

The only real possible changes would be to a NSW or QLD under the whole growing the game concept. A 42k capacity at the GABBA holds back Queensland in my opinion.

[The Bedge]

Leave it as is.. use other states if you want to run a similar type round?

As is though, VIC obviously have ANZAC Day + Dreamtime at the G + finals inc GF.
QLD / NSW have shitty opening round - maybe they could evolve on that to make it a bit more of a festive? Rotate each year play all games in either state?

WA get 2x derbys
SA get 2x Showdowns

Round 1
Carl v RIch (VIC)
Gee v STK (Geelong)
Melb vs NMelb (VIC)
Coll v Ess (VIC)
Haw vs WB (Vic)
Bris v GC (QLD)
GWS v SYD (NSW)
Adel v PA (SA)
Freo v WCE (WA)

Deadly