Why are there no Pre Matches prior to AFL Games?

[Sojourner]

Just wondering if anyone knows why they no longer appear to have any games on prior to the AFL matches being played at the Docklands and the MCG? I saw three matches last weekend and in none of them was there a pre-match game. With Fitzroy being re-launched in the VFA in Vic, I thought it would have been a great opportunity for the club to play a match prior to the Richmond vs Brisbane match at the MCG.

It is because of worries about damage to the grounds? It makes for somewhat of a sterile atmosphere prior to the start of the match and if matches like North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide are only getting a minimal crowd, it could be one way of increasing it somewhat by offering a little more than just the standard match.

[nuggety goodness]

Adleaide must be different, there's always a prematch match...
i went to the Crows v Bullies ame last weekend and the pre match game was Broken Hill V Woomera Districts. then interestingly, after the match there was an SANFL U19s match on...

[dedja]

good post ...

SET <AFL rant> = ON

its another example of how the AFL has lost the plot when it comes to grassroots footy at the expense of the mightly corporate dollar.

Andrew Demetriou and that out of his depth lawyer Adrian Anderson are only concerned with sanitising the game and maximising media rights income ... why would they care about the real supporters that actually go to the games?

The SANFL aren't perfect either but they're much closer to being the Real Deal than the AFL will ever be.

OK, I feel better now.

[Brad]

Maybe because they have to open the gorunds up a hour or two early it saves costs?

But I agree you need something on beforehand.

[Mr66]

With Fitzroy being re-launched in the VFA in Vic, I thought it would have been a great opportunity for the club to play a match prior to the Richmond vs Brisbane match at the MCG.

Make that the VAFA, an entirely different comp.
No affiliation with the VFA or AFL.
The VAFA have asked the AFL many times if one of its senior matches could be a curtain raiser to an AFL game, and have been knocked back every time bar once.

[gadj1976]

I remember a few (maybe many) years ago when the AFL were quoting that the ticket price hadn't gone up that particular year, however they'd neglected to mention that the ressies were taken off before hand, because they wanted the grounds to stay in pristine conditions for the A grade. So from what I recall, it was because of the A grade games needing the turf to be in top condition.

[Wedgie]

You don't need anything on before AFL matches in Melbourne as you can actually get into and out of the ground quickly and shock horror have other things to do before and afterwards. Completely foreign to AFL games in Adelaide that sort of concept though.

[MightyEagles]

Adleaide must be different, there's always a prematch match...
i went to the Crows v Bullies ame last weekend and the pre match game was Broken Hill V Woomera Districts. then interestingly, after the match there was an SANFL U19s match on...

I didn't see any u19s game last week, you must be confused it with the u18s.

[FOURTH ESTATE]

The AFL mandate that the ground be available 1 hour before the main game to allow clubs too warm up on the ground.
The cost of opening up AAMI early for an early game is in the vicinty of $10,000. This figure is correct as the SAAFL have looked into playing matches before the AFL.

[Dirko]

U16 GF is on before the game today.

[nuggety goodness]

Adleaide must be different, there's always a prematch match...
i went to the Crows v Bullies ame last weekend and the pre match game was Broken Hill V Woomera Districts. then interestingly, after the match there was an SANFL U19s match on...

I didn't see any u19s game last week, you must be confused it with the u18s.

my bad, i'm confused because of the age changes they make.... was 17s 19s now 18s... but that's a different issue for a different thread...