SA Footy PHILosophy - Impact of AFL Draw on SANFL.
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:17 pmSA 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
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
