A Suggestion for the SANFL

[bayman]

using ken farmers name & putting a statue & a plaque with his record there would show those with no idea that football was played in adelaide before 1991

[MightyEagles]

Love the idea Sojo, here's my suggestions...

Eagles: Malcolm Blight (although he played for Woodville)
Port: Russell Ebert
North: Barrie Robran
South: Hayden Bunton
Centrals: John Platten
Glenelg: Peter Carey
Sturt: Peter Motley
Norwood: Gary McIntosh
West: Neil Kerley (although he did play for many clubs)

What do you lot reckon?

How about L. Head for the West Torrens Club on one side and Blight on the other side of the entrance.

[Hondo]

Great idea but 9 bronze statues = lots of $$$ you'd need a generous benefactor/donor or 9!!!!

So I think JAS' idea is more realistic. They do JAS' idea at Subiaco but it looks like they have just picked the most appropriate people rather than try to do a quota of one per team. At the 'named' gate they have a sign with a photo and their achievements, records and a speil about how they influenced WA Football.

[JAS]

Great idea but 9 bronze statues = lots of $$$ you'd need a generous benefactor/donor or 9!!!!

So I think JAS' idea is more realistic. They do JAS' idea at Subiaco but it looks like they have just picked the most appropriate people rather than try to do a quota of one per team. At the 'named' gate they have a sign with a photo and their achievements, records and a speil about how they influenced WA Football.

Cheers...was trying to avoid some fairly predictable bloodshed and in-fighting over who could be called the best player

I don't know what the layout of the stadium is like but if the gates have a corridor/tunnel type of structure to herd the fans then perhaps that could be used to display each teams 'hall of fame' with a picture and plaque for each player thereby hopefully satisfying every generation of supporter and including almost everyones favourite players.

Regards
JAS

[CUTTERMAN]

Great idea. Each club could poll their supporters as to who their statue should be. Another idea, not sure if it's been mentioned, is that each club's gate should be the club's corresponding direction in relation to Adelaide CBD. ie Centrals will have the NE gate, Sth AD the southern gate, Sturt the SE gate etc.

[Pseudo]

How many bars are there at Football Park?
If there's the right amount, maybe the SANFL clubs can honour their best off-field performer by naming the bars.

Heh... then there'd be two Ralph Sewer bars, one for Woodville one for the Bays

[Blue Boy]

A Fantastic Idea

Robran / Ebert and Blight would have to be a must !!!

For the Double Blues im in a 4 way split between Bagshaw / Motley / Fitzgerald and Jumby !!!

[Footy Chick]

If this plan were to come into fruition it would be fantastic.. I would gather that the board or members (via vote) would have the last say on who gets moulded into immortality..

The only problems I would envisage with anything that has been suggested is;

a) Unless Barrie Robran is the highest bidder by tendor, he's unlikely to have a stand named after him at AAMI stadium..it was a big ask to name the car park next door Max Basheer Reserve and he is arguably the SANFL's greatest servant..

b) Having gates named after legends is good in theory, however I'll bet your bottom dollar Bass won't show the "Ebert" gate on its tickets..could get tricky for our interstate guests..

c) The bars need to stay as they are, except maybe with upadating, I think the Medallists, Premiers bars etc... reflect the history of the SANFL pretty well, but lets face it... the pissed idiots at AFL games probably don't take much notice anyway..

I would envisage a museum of SANFL History on the grounds, of which memorabilia could be donated, to keep the history of the SANFL alive.

[smac]

If this plan were to come into fruition it would be fantastic.. I would gather that the board or members (via vote) would have the last say on who gets moulded into immortality..

The only problems I would envisage with anything that has been suggested is;

a) Unless Barrie Robran is the highest bidder by tendor, he's unlikely to have a stand named after him at AAMI stadium..it was a big ask to name the car park next door Max Basheer Reserve and he is arguably the SANFL's greatest servant..

b) Having gates named after legends is good in theory, however I'll bet your bottom dollar Bass won't show the "Ebert" gate on its tickets..could get tricky for our interstate guests..

c) The bars need to stay as they are, except maybe with upadating, I think the Medallists, Premiers bars etc... reflect the history of the SANFL pretty well, but lets face it... the pissed idiots at AFL games probably don't take much notice anyway..

I would envisage a museum of SANFL History on the grounds, of which memorabilia could be donated, to keep the history of the SANFL alive.

BASS would put anything on the tickets they were asked to by the stadium owners (they print AAMI Stadium on them already).

Agree with a & c though.

[Ian]

I think it is great idea



Gates sorted as close as geographically possible
Gate 1 South
Gate 2 Sturt
Gate 3 Norwood
Gate 4 North
Gate 5 Central
Gate 6 Port
Gate 7 Eagles
Gate 8 West
Gate 9 Glenelg

Goals Ken Farmer & Tim Evans

Stands
Members Stand Barrie Robran Stand
Northern Stand Russel Ebert Stand
The "Outer" Split the outer up in to 4 more sections eg: Members to Crows players race, Members to Big Screen, and divide the Eastern side outer into 2 and give them the names of 4 past champions, names that come to mind that could be considered include, Lindsay Head, Malcolm Blight, Jack Oaty, Gary McIntosh, John Platten, Peter Darley, Grantley Fielke, Dennis 'Fred' Phillis

[Footy Chick]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

[LPH]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Not Scotty, please!!!!
Anyone but him, even Grave Danger or Alfie Steed but FFS NOT Scotty!!!

[Pseudo]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

Nonsense. Chambo will certainly give it a nudge this year, what with Sturt's new-look forward structure supporting him.

(tiptoes away quietly, sporting an evil grin)

[smac]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

Nonsense. Chambo will certainly give it a nudge this year, what with Sturt's new-look forward structure supporting him.

(tiptoes away quietly, sporting an evil grin)

That would be most appropriate.

[Brucetiki]

I think it is great idea



Gates sorted as close as geographically possible
Gate 1 South
Gate 2 Sturt
Gate 3 Norwood
Gate 4 North
Gate 5 Central
Gate 6 Port
Gate 7 Eagles
Gate 8 West
Gate 9 Glenelg

Goals Ken Farmer & Tim Evans

Stands
Members Stand Barrie Robran Stand
Northern Stand Russel Ebert Stand
The "Outer" Split the outer up in to 4 more sections eg: Members to Crows players race, Members to Big Screen, and divide the Eastern side outer into 2 and give them the names of 4 past champions, names that come to mind that could be considered include, Lindsay Head, Malcolm Blight, Jack Oaty, Gary McIntosh, John Platten, Peter Darley, Grantley Fielke, Dennis 'Fred' Phillis

You've missed out on Gates 2A (middle of Crows facility) and 4A (eastern side of new stand). Given that gates 6 and 9 are media/VIP entrances and have minimal frontage, maybe we could use gates 2A/4A in lieu of 6 and 9

[Squawk]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

With all due respect, I would have Bruce Schulz ahead of Tim Evans and Scott Hodges.

[Ian]

I like it - with one suggestion of my own.
If you were to name a gate after a player, I would like the eligibility criteria to be that the player had to have played at Footy Park ie since the ground opened in the mid 1970s. That would ensure that the gate names had a direct association with the named players in question.
Otherwise, I think the concept of naming each gate after the nine clubs would also be good with a statue out the front of a player who fits the above criteria.

So using your theory, if the SANFL were to off load Footy Park and build a new stadium in the city, you would want them to wait 30 years or so before they named the stands/gates/goals etc. etc.
Perhaps then it's time to remove all the pre '74 magarey medalists and goal kickers from their respective bars, as they didn't play on Footy Park


Why cut off the greats of the SANFL just because the league built a new home in the '70's ??
If someone who played later than 1974 is considered one of the all time greats, put their name up in lights, but not at the expense of absolute legends of the game that were retired before the concrete monstrosity was built.

[Ian]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

With all due respect, I would have Bruce Schulz ahead of Tim Evans and Scott Hodges.

Tim Evans is 2nd on the all time goal kicking list, he was consistant over a long time, and IMHO opinion the best FF in my life time, statistics show that Ken Farmer was the greatest of all time, but his record for goals in one season was broken years ago (during a longer season than the '30's though).
Can someone (cue Spelly) give us an average goals per game for the great full forwards, Farmers average was 6.3 per game, as well as 5 goal average in state games.

[Footy Chick]

Ok, Tim Evans is my hero and all but he isn't the all goalkicking record holder..that record has stood for 17 years and isn't going to be beaten anytime soon, so it really should be Scott Hodges...

With all due respect, I would have Bruce Schulz ahead of Tim Evans and Scott Hodges.

Tim Evans is 2nd on the all time goal kicking list, he was consistant over a long time, and IMHO opinion the best FF in my life time, statistics show that Ken Farmer was the greatest of all time, but his record for goals in one season was broken years ago (during a longer season than the '30's though).
Can someone (cue Spelly) give us an average goals per game for the great full forwards, Farmers average was 6.3 per game, as well as 5 goal average in state games.

Oh, I completely agree with your comments on Timmy Evans, but you can't knock someone who has held a goalkicking record for 17 years and did it when it was the SANFL was as we "used to know it". Ithink there is a thread in the histroy forum somewhere that shows the list you're after Ian.

[Wedgie]

A friend of mine presented these concepts to the SANFL 5 years ago, still awaiting a reply:


1. Buses - ideally 9 buses. One each in SANFL clubs colours covering the whole thing as per current Lexus bus. Option 2 is to have the back of 18 buses in club colours (2 buses per club) that have club draw for the year, ongoing comment about games results, website address, membership comment et cetera.

2. At AAMI Stadium - banners outside the ground, or along entrances to car parks or around car park perimeters celebrating various SA champs. Could be SANFL legends, high achieving VFL/AFL South Australians, monthly themes (June 2003 Champs of the 70s). Many possibilities but a chance to have a sponsor pay for the banner, brand the banner and have them on display to remind people about the heritage and culture of local footy.

3. Volunteers Day - designated match each year to recognise volunteers from all clubs (lure for amateur clubs possibly to supply their vollies with a ticket as well).

4. West End signs outside each suburban ground that promote the next fixture, make comment about last result and promote sponsor. Preferably located on main road.

5. Small bronze plaque on 1 metre high stone block on outside of road that circles the oval perimeter (approx. 15 metres from oval fence) showing legends of the game in SA. Players stats and 'picture' of player in action on plaque. Again sponsor pays to logo the plaque.


And in a seperate letter:

To make the game healthier through:

1. Increased participation at all levels of the game

2. Increased opportunity for player progression to elite levels

3. Maximising revenue opportunities in every instance

4. Ensuring public interest is stimulated enough to drive crowd support

At the SANFL level we have a continuing growth in presence of the AFL with media interest and subsequently population focus leaning more and more toward this competition. The SANFL is undeniably a feeder competition to the AFL yet remains gloriously independent through shrewd planning and decisions made by wise administrators decades ago. Whilst we would never deny success for the local AFL clubs, and in fact thrive in the reflected glory for football in South Australia, there is a need to address the waning interest in the local competition as evidenced by the decrease in crowds. In 2003 the crowds at local games have been clearly affected by the growth in attendances at AAMI Stadium AFL matches. It is healthy that football continues to be hugely popular but as a competition we cannot act defenceless against the might of the AFL. Rather this creates an opportunity to differentiate our type of football from what is offered at AAMI Stadium weekly.

Local SANFL football is proud with a rich culture that needs to be continually reinforced. For over 100 years SANFL football dominated the local sporting landscape and created many legends and unforgettable moments. We must continue to educate the football population about the true roots of our game and continue to provide the forum for local legends and heroes. There may never be the same passion attached to SANFL as there was pre Adelaide Football Club but there is a strong market that thrives on touching, feeling and smelling the games that are played at league suburban grounds every week. The SANFL is a unique product that can grow and win the loyalty of children through its personal touch. It can continue to fuel the need for heroes that we all crave to enjoy and entertain thousands for its genuine competitiveness and tribal culture.

Likely future successes of the Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club extending into September regularly means the SANFL should be looking immediately at getting maximum possible interest and attendance at our own finals matches through means different to the current situation. There is no doubt the final four system will ensure a more competitive finals format with less predictable games but there will be only 4 finals matches played whereas previously there were 6 finals played with the final five system.

Adelaide Oval is always a fantastic place to play any sport and can cater for big crowds. It has played a part in attracting larger crowds to games that the SFC and PAMFC play, particularly the early season Friday night fixtures. The league has conceded that AAMI Stadium is not suited for any SANFL fixtures other than Grand Finals and I am completely supportive of this. However there is logic in playing the other three finals (whilst we retain the final 4 system) at the ground of the highest ranked finalist.

For the sake of this exercise I will use Norwood Football Club v SFC as the example. Over the last three seasons including 2003 there have been three finals games played between the two club and three games at Norwood Oval.

The crowds have been:

2000 5 August 6251

2000 Elimination Final 15 539 (including CDFC v PAMFC Qualifying Final)

2001 4 May 13 754 (SFC & Norwood Oval Centenary game)

22 March 7771
2002 Qualifying Final 10 765 (including WWTFC v WAFC Elimination Final)

2002 Preliminary Final 14 527 Adelaide Oval

2003 19 May 7105 (125 year celebration game severely effected by weather)

The average crowd for SFC games at Norwood oval is 8787 whereas the average for Norwood Football Club v SFC finals is approximately 10 500 (on the formula that 33% of the crowds at double headers are there for the other game). This statistic suggests strongly that it is extremely viable to have games between these two clubs as stand alone finals with there being a negligible difference in average crowds comparing Norwood Oval to Adelaide Oval. The logical conclusion is that a possible income of in excess of $50k to $70k. This figure does not include gate income or social club activity or income generated by the SFC through their raffle or souvenir sales.

At this point I have no knowledge of what the deal is between the SACA and SANFL but to take away the opportunity for $70k income into the competition which admittedly could be the most attractive set of statistics in the competition is a matter that needs careful consideration and review. All money generated by our competition should be reinvested into the competition. The additional revenue raising opportunities for clubs hosting finals include car parking, social club activity, bonuses built into arena advertising deals and membership packages. Taking SANFL finals from Adelaide Oval will effect the neutral games deals but the income from finals at suburban grounds is very significant.

The intangible atmosphere component of this concept is also very relevant. We must continue to convince young people that the SANFL product is exciting, viable and a very acceptable level at which to play a career of football. It is very watchable and has a feeling about it that makes it within reach of the common man. Players are accessible, the ovals are traditional and the games tribal. It remains a very different product from the AFL and we should continue to seek opportunities created by the AFL rather than concede to it. The SANFL must continue to present itself as a safe family event for the week with local heroes that play honest, hard football. Unpredictable results assist to keep supporters interested and there is plenty of evidence to suggest many other factors drive people to watch sport. The atmosphere issue is paramount in keeping public interest. People want to be where there is energy and atmosphere and a crowd of 7000+ at any suburban ground creates a tension that will cast many to days of yesteryear and many others to a new and moorish experience. The stories of SANFL glory days will come to life on the mound when thousands of supporters crowd a suburban oval with that familiar air of expectation.

The likely crowds at suburban ovals will create a base requirement for oval facilities and provide excellent leverage for the SANFL to have non-negotiable core facilities in order to host finals for any club. A genuine sense of purpose will be given to the Oval Upgrade Committee with every club conscious (pre-season at least) of the universal desire to host finals and the requirements that would go with that ambition. Naturally clubs preferring to play at Adelaide Oval would still have that opportunity and likely be able to negotiate from a favourable position with the SACA.

Interestingly an independent website that chats about the SANFL exclusively and with no editing recently ran a poll on the exact topic of this discussion paper. The clear majority of respondents favoured having finals at suburban ovals and at the ground of the highest ranked league team playing. The voters are likely the hardest core of SANFL supporters and despite the voting numbers only being hundreds this is a result that should not be ignored.

I write this with the sole intent of improving the competition and improving the capacity of clubs to generate revenue. The division of funds from finals games played at club grounds is the natural question. The obvious criticism is the stronger clubs get even more opportunity to raise money but this problem is far from insurmountable.