Hell Freezes Over - WAFL crowds beat SANFL

[PhilH]

Oh the shame of it .........................


WAFL crowds up for ANZAC weekend

Almost 12,000 people physically showed their WAFL colours over the ANZAC Day long weekend.

Not since last year’s Foundation Day long weekend have so many people attended a round of WAFL fixtures.

Over four games last weekend, 11,889 people flocked to the WAFL, led by 6177 who marched into Steel Blue Oval Bassendean on ANZAC Day to watch Swan Districts and Perth do battle.

It was also the first time in many years that WAFL crowds have exceeded those achieved by the SANFL. In last weekend’s Round 5 SANFL games 11,774 people attended.

The Swans and Demons battle was the only WAFL game played on ANZAC Day, but the resultant crowd proved that when people have time they head to the WAFL in droves.

“That kind of crowd is proof that people still have a strong relationship with the WAFL,” said West Australian Football Commission Director of Football Grant Dorrington.

“It shows that while those people may not have the time to come to WAFL games every week, they will show their colours on special days like ANZAC Day.

“It is a great tribute to the work Swan Districts and Perth put into the celebration that surrounds the ANZAC Day public holiday.”

Over the Foundation Day long weekend in June last year, 19,116 people went to a WAFL game, including 9737 who flooded into East Fremantle Oval to watch the Sharks do battle with arch-enemy South Fremantle.

This year the WAFL has undertaken a new marketing campaign based on extensive research that was conducted late last year.

That research uncovered that people thought the WAFL was a quality product and that they would support it when they had the time.

“The community still has a passion for WAFL football and it was great to see that displayed on a weekend when we were paying tribute to the ANZAC spirit,” said WAFL Operations Manager Clint Roberts.

“Having a game on a public holiday gave people a chance to come and watch a game and they took the opportunity with both hands.

“These days, people are time poor but when given a chance have shown they are willing to support grass roots football.”

[OCT]

This year the WAFL has undertaken a new marketing campaign based [i]on extensive research that was conducted late last year. [/i]

Interesting , that sounds like something the SANFL is doing ? Coincidence ? I have to say the crowds have been slowly reducing in the SANFL. Not just in the last few year cos there has been a slight bump but over the last 10. A good example was the figures on another thread where I think all crowds bar Sturt v North was over 4500 ? Good on the WAFL I say they know there is a market and they are marketing their product obviously well. Almost sounds like common sense . More exposure at the right time = more crowds.

[Mickyj]

Was this last week .If so weather was not really good was it .

[dogs01]

Was this last week .If so weather was not really good was it .

Didnt you read the heading of this thread, it was freezing

[fester69]

Well if the whole eagles family went to richmond we might have just beat them!

[RustyCage]

Port Adelaide had the bye!!

[woodwt]

Maybe their crowds are up because the west Coast and Freo are struggling?

[mighty_tiger_79]

quite good considering the WAFL go head to head with the AFL and dont try to avoid games with freo or the eagles

[mick]

Port Adelaide had the bye!!

That would explain it

[Adelaide Hawk]

I just wonder how many people returned to the WAFL due to West Coast Eagles' performances this season, plus all the controversy of last year.

[Wedgie]

Its official, when Im interstate our crowds fall apart. I even had almost 90k come to see me at the MCG. Never fear, Im back this week to put things back on track.

[Dutchy]

Its official, when Im interstate our crowds fall apart. I even had almost 90k come to see me at the MCG.

Would have been over 90k if you wernt there Wedgie

[Wedgie]

Nah, the empty seats were on the opposite side to me hence MCC members werent interested in going if they couldnt get close to me.

[CUTTERMAN]

I wonder what their scheduling was like because the SANFL's was terrible, 2 games going head to head with the Crows when Sunday is free of any SA AFL teams.

[Sojourner]

Maybe starting a new team Peel Thunder was not such a bad idea then? Dont hold your breath though in waiting for the SANFL to look into the same idea....

[Rik E Boy]

Maybe starting a new team Peel Thunder was not such a bad idea then? Dont hold your breath though in waiting for the SANFL to look into the same idea....

Peel Thunder's overall record is terrible. And what regional South Australian centre could support an SA team in the manner of Mandurah (I think that's the name of the place!). I think eight sides is the way forward for the SANFL, rather than ten.

regards,

REB

[therisingblues]

Maybe starting a new team Peel Thunder was not such a bad idea then? Dont hold your breath though in waiting for the SANFL to look into the same idea....

What's this recent fixation you have had with Peel, Sojourner?
The WAFL has had larger crowds than the SANFL for the first time in many years, and you want to use this one round of success, out of hundreds, to say that it is time to follow the WAFL model?

[Wedgie]

Didnt they get 20 or 25k to a big East Freo v South Freo game a couple of years ago?
Surely they beat us that round too?

[Benchwarmer]

EF v SF had a crowd of about 9000 last year on Foundation Day (holiday Monday) but only 1200 in the first of the three derby matches this season ... 25,000 - you wish!

Interesting to see the quote attributed to Roberts - they kept that market surveyance very quiet as very few people that I know who follow WAFL footy week in week out have ever been asked their thoughts from an anorak with a clipboard or via a website questionnaire!

The crowds are still averaging around 6000-7000 per week (about 1500-1750 per game on average), last week's crowd figures were an irregular spike and nothing to take note of as there was nothing on in Perth until the evening match between Freo and Geelong (even that match didn't receive spectacular hype because of Freo's 1-4 record).

If the WAFL know their market then why have they taken the Budget out of newsagencies statewide (alienating country supporters), why haven't they conducted a radio or TV advertising campaign (to lure in local support or support from disillusioned WCE/Freo fans) and why don't they have any radio or TV station with a WAFL show on air apart from a woeful effort on Channel 31 on Thursday nights (funded by the WAFC if I am not mistaken) by two people who probably think that "football" means a ball made into the shape of a foot.

You guys still set the standard, don't be fooled by that! Even the VFL is making inroads to the extent that the WAFL can be considered third out of the top three state leagues for promotion and "football savvy".

[spell_check]

I've already posted this link in another thread, but you will find the below information in here:

http://www.footygoss.com/forums/viewthread/9215/

Round 6 Attendances

Swan Dist v Perth at Steel Blue Bassendean 6,177
Subiaco v West Perth at Medibank, Leederville 2,682
East Frem v East Perth at East Fremantle 1,545
Claremont v South Frem at Claremont 1,485

2008 Attendance Averages

1. Swan Dist 2,940
2. Perth 2,517
3. Subiaco 2,264
4. West Perth 2,107
5. South Frem 1,883
6. East Perth 1,676
7. East Frem 1,653
8. Claremont 1,550
9. Peel 1,530

Another words, Swan Districts average is not even the SANFL games average, and I think even Eagles crowd average is just below or about at Swan Districts.