SA Footy PHILosophy - Impact of AFL Draw on SANFL.

[PhilH]

SA FOOTY PHILOSOPHY - October 24th 2008

SANFL IMPACT FROM AFL DRAW
By Phil Herden


It's not even three weeks since Central won the premiership but next year suddenly seems a lot closer after the 2009 AFL draw was released today, it's scheduling a critical component of how the SANFL will plan and promote its season.

Here are some early observations of how the draw will impact on the SANFL in 2009.


1) The first point is a welcome reduction in Saturday afternoon AFL games at AAMI Stadium next year.

Last year there were seven games in this time slot plus an eighth with the Crows v Collingwood Elimination Final, in 2009 there are just four Saturday afternoon (3 Crows, 1 Power) with more scheduled in the Saturday night and Sunday timeslots.

In addition the Crows only play three interstate games on Saturday Afternoon (one in the first round with no SANFL), the Power not playing any away in this time slot.

ABC TV will be a big winner from this, of the first twenty two SANFL rounds they will only be telecasting head to head against a Crows or Power game six times. Last year it was fifteen.

There may also be a indirect win for the SANFL if more non Saturday afternoon AAMI Stadium games enable those with SANFL, Amateur, Suburban or Country commitments to come to the matches in turn boosting car park and catering revenue. Personally the AFL can play the Crows and Power at 3am on a Wednesday morning, just leave Saturday afternoon for the tradition clubs to play their matches.

In 2007 there were only six weeks when all four SANFL games were played at the same time on a Saturday afternoon. Expect that to increase in 2009 especially with Adelaide Oval again expected to out of action for most of the season (third year in a row). This in turn may lead to less games being broadcast on radio unless a third broadcaster to assist RPH & Life FM is found.


2) Last year the SANFL was gifted two rounds free of AFL with the Hall of Fame game and the mid-season break. To their credit the league made the most of these with Rivalry Round and clever scheduling (ie 11,000 plus at Glenelg for Tigers v Sturt).

Next year there will no Hall Of Fame Game but in the mid seasom break both the Power and Crows are scheduled to play on June 13 & 14 leaving the weekend of June 19-21 100% Adelaide AFL free. Let's hope that some of the mainstream media personalities that in previous years have so publically pushed the AFL to split the clubs across the two weeks sto top bitching about there being no football to talk about and instead follow many footy fans in getting behind the SANFL for the week.


3) Not strictly AFL related but Anzac Day will be interesting this year. Scheduled for a Saturday in 2009 (take note no Public Holiday in SA on the Friday / Monday) the traditional Central v Glenelg, Grand Final rematch will have some competition with other matches. Will Adelaide Oval be available or will it be at Elizabeth? Also with Norwood and Port pushing for "exclusivity" to the Anzac Day game and last years disapointing Central v North crowd is this the last change for the grand final rematch tradition to continue?


4) Round One may require something different as well. Traditionally the season starts in AFL Rd 2 with a Friday Night game at Coopers Stadium. Alas in 2009 that timeslot has the Crows hosting St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.


5) Based on recent years, In 2009 the following clubs with play the following opponents three times

Central - Eagles, Norwood, North, South

Eagles - Central, Glenelg, South, West

Glenelg - Eagles, Port, Sturt, West

North - Central, Norwood, Sturt, West

Norwood - Central, North, Port, South

Port - Glenelg, Norwood, Sturt, South

South - Central, Eagles, Norwood, Port

Sturt - Glenelg, North, Port, West

West - Glenelg, Eagles, North, Sturt


6) The other key factor in the scheduling will be the "wish list" from each SANFL club.

How many games will Central schedule on a Saturday Night?

Will the Eagles retain a second base at Thebarton Oval?

How can Glenelg top its massive crowd increases last season?

Will there be twilight football at Prospect this year?

How many Friday night games can the Legs squeeze into Coopers Stadium before winter arrives?

Can the Magpies steer clear of a clash with the Power?

Will South return to Encounter Bay next Easter weekend?

Will the Double Blues go country once again?

What can Westies do to bring the crowds back to Broadspectrum?



Traditionally the SANFL draw is released between late November and early December.


Phil Herden

[spell_check]

4) Round One may require something different as well. Traditionally the season starts in AFL Rd 2 with a Friday Night game at Coopers Stadium. Alas in 2009 that timeslot has the Crows hosting St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

Have that match one week earlier would be the best thing to do.

[Barto]

4) Round One may require something different as well. Traditionally the season starts in AFL Rd 2 with a Friday Night game at Coopers Stadium. Alas in 2009 that timeslot has the Crows hosting St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

Have that match one week earlier would be the best thing to do.

Or just kick it off with 3 games on Sat arvo and a game at Norwood on Sat night.

[spell_check]

4) Round One may require something different as well. Traditionally the season starts in AFL Rd 2 with a Friday Night game at Coopers Stadium. Alas in 2009 that timeslot has the Crows hosting St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

Have that match one week earlier would be the best thing to do.

Or just kick it off with 3 games on Sat arvo and a game at Norwood on Sat night.[/quote]

If Norwood can have it on then (for whatever reasons why they never have had a premiership match then I don't really know), that sounds good.

[Squawk]

5) Based on recent years, In 2009 the following clubs with play the following opponents three times

West - Glenelg, Eagles, North, Sturt

That will make it even harder for West to make the final 5 IMHO.

[test]

phil if westies wanat a crowd they should try not being so poor, and winning once in a while

[johntheclaret]

SA FOOTY PHILOSOPHY - October 24th 2008

SANFL IMPACT FROM AFL DRAW
By Phil Herden

In 2007 there were only six weeks when all four SANFL games were played at the same time on a Saturday afternoon. Expect that to increase in 2009 especially with Adelaide Oval again expected to out of action for most of the season (third year in a row). This in turn may lead to less games being broadcast on radio unless a third broadcaster to assist RPH & Life FM is found.

Phil Herden

Geez, I hope not Phil. Being an O/S poster, I totally rely on RPH / Life FM for my fix.

North went for the Saturday games last year and crowd numbers were down. Maybe some of it was due to a poor season, but with crowd numbers in mind do you think that clubs like Glenelg, who favoured Sunday games, will want more of the same this year, perhaps splitting the games between Sat and Sun ?

[Bluedemon]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

[sturtpeter]

Is there anyone else on here apart from Phil and I suffering severe withdrawal symptoms each and every weekend??


Bring on 2009 and Sturt's year of glory.

[am Bays]

4) Round One may require something different as well. Traditionally the season starts in AFL Rd 2 with a Friday Night game at Coopers Stadium. Alas in 2009 that timeslot has the Crows hosting St Kilda at AAMI Stadium.

Have that match one week earlier would be the best thing to do.

In the AFL draw that game is scheduled for Thu/Fri, the AFL are thinking of playing games on a Thursday night to spread teh interest in footy over more days

Channel 7 wouldn't mind putting actual matches against the Footy show which still rates its socks off in Melbourne the most important Footy market in teh country.

Even though it is likely to be plkayed on a Fri (Aints vs Crows) don't be surprised if it is on a Thursday night.

When is easter?

[Thiele]

Easter is round three of the Afl Thursday 9th - Monday 13 April

[Dogsbody]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

More country games, please!

[Big Phil]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

More country games, please!

Why DB ???

[TroyGFC]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

More country games, please!

I agree s should have a Saturday of a long weekend game at Mt Gambier. Good excuse for a weekend pissup!!!!

[Dogsbody]

What Troy said!

I missed the Port Pirie trip for Dogs vs. Roosters in the late 90's, saw the '95 match at Clare and was at Berri Oval in 2007. Road trips are the best.

[Thiele]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

More country games, please!

Berri was great in 2007 even though we lost

[Big Phil]

i think from memory that west and sturt are playing a game at wakierie next year.

More country games, please!

Berri was great in 2007 even though we lost

Berri was a fantastic weekend in 2007...

Went up and stayed for a couple of days at the local hotel and the Doggies won by close to 20 goals from memory.

Went up with the missus and the olds and had a great weekend. I reckon they should let Centrals play North up in Clare in the last weekend of August in 2009. Play it on the Sunday as well, that way, after I get married in Clare on the Saturday, we can watch the Dogs on the Sunday !!

[locky801]

Play North and have your celebrations wrecked mate

[Big Phil]

Play North and have your celebrations wrecked mate

Why would the celebrations be wrecked by a 15 goal win to the Doggies mate !!!

[Ash59]

What can Westies do to bring the crowds back to Broadspectrum?

Maybe start calling it Richmond Oval so the crowds know where to go!