19th Man Concept

[Gingernuts]

Hey all, new to the forum, hope you don't mind me posting a bit of a discussion topic.

I'm interested to hear people's thoughts on the 19th man concept being employed by the Adelaide Football Club. I personally think it's a great concept, a clubs supporters should be required to show the same sort of dedication and commitment to the team as a player. Loud and proud support from the sidelines, whether it be home or away, is invaluable and can make players 'grow another leg' so to speak. The supporters can contribute to the characteristics of the club also, eg Collingwood supporters are generally passionate hard nuts, and this characteristic flows on to the team itself.

Unfortunately however, on what I witnessed last Friday night, the AFC has a lot of hard work on it's hands. With 10 minutes to go in the last term St Kilda kicked a goal to put them about 20 points up and the chorus of flipping seats was deafening. The Crows kids had busted their guts all night, some of them for the first time in front of a home crowd, and when the '19th man' was needed the most where were they?? Walking out the door to 'beat the traffic' even though the game was still winnable, albeit remotely.

Imagine what those kids must've been thinking when they looked up into the stands to see the streams of their 'supporters' deserting them. What a kick in the guts. It's the first time I've felt truly embarrassed to be a Crows supporter.

At the first game of the season the 19th man concept has just served to show how 'fair weather' Crows supporters really are. They're quick to point the finger at Neil Craig, at the players, at the umpires. Well, I reckon Crows supporters need to have a good hard look at themselves if they're fair dinkum about wanting to win a flag, because at the moment the 19th man is a soft, wingeing reservist who can't even see out a game. Why should the players play their hardest for a club with supporters like that??

Sorry for the length of the post, just had to vent my spleen about this one!

[Footy Smart]

i was at the game and have been a member since 1996. The same thing happens every week but was highlighted by the timing of the goal and situation of the match IMO Many people who catch the bus have to walk around the ground and get in line to catch the early bus or get a seat etc. I thought it was a very strange mood at AAMI on friday night with the crowd never really getting into the game at all... i think it was the fact that the game st kilda use flooding and takes the sting/entertainment out of the game..... but yes some supporters need to have a good look at themselves

[Gingernuts]

Yeah, I know there's public transport issues, and a lot of people do travel a long way to be at games every week.

But by being a Crows member/season ticket holder, surely you are making a commitment to attend games and support your team despite these issues?

Being a bit controversial here, but I would suggest that if a supporter is not willing to sit in a bit of traffic, or line up for a bus, to support their team, what kind of supporters are they really??

[finn]

great concept but its always been a problem with people leaving early. i was taught that leaving early was bad form - stay even if you're getting killed - that's when you're needed most.

perhaps the public transport could be timed that's there's no incentive to leave early? won't happen though because people will be happy to stand just to get a seat on the way home. kinda curious that.

[saintal]

[quote="finn"]i was taught that leaving early was bad form - stay even if you're getting killed - that's when you're needed most.
quote]

Ditto. Been hard sitting through the final Q of many South games though

Thought the concept had some promise there on Friday night.

[CUTTERMAN]

Unfortunately however, on what I witnessed last Friday night, the AFC has a lot of hard work on it's hands. With 10 minutes to go in the last term St Kilda kicked a goal to put them about 20 points up and the chorus of flipping seats was deafening.

That's a gross exageration, GN, I know some were leaving but to say it was deafening? I think what ever the AFC do to get the crowd involved is going to take a long time, personally I cringe when the 19 comes up on the scoreboard and there's no reaction. The problem is that it's a "herd mentality" and if one person stands up to rev up the crowd and they get a mute response then they're only going to do it for so many times, I think people want to but don't want to make arses of themselves when they get no reaction. It's a long way from the days of the SANFL b4 the AFL came in. That's probably one thing the Power has going for it!
I also think that because of a culture of the gross majority of the crowd being Crows fans they have never been REALLY confronted by opposition supporters cheering and chanting for their team, if they were they'd be more compelled to do the same in retaliation.

[Gingernuts]

Yea, I was taking a bit of 'poetic licence' to get my point across there. lol

Seriously though, I would estimate that of the 41 000 that were there at least 30% got up an left as one as the St Kilda goal sailed through, at least in the outer where I was anyway. There was a lineup to get out in every asle, something clearly visible to the players on the field.

Keeping in line with the 19th man concept, how would the supporters react if say 6 of the team decided that after the 'sealer' went through they'd piss off down the race to get first dibs on the hot shower. Don't think that'd go down too well somehow. lol

I think perhaps it would do some supporters good to apply their expectations of the players too themselves for a change.

[Rik E Boy]

I reckon the real problem would be if the players noticed and were effected by the exodus rather than a few disgruntled punters headed for the exits.

The 19th man is solid, it's the first 18 you have to worry about ha ha.

regards,

REB

ps - Going to the Swannies v Lions match this week Gingernuts. My first for the year.

[Gingernuts]

Good on ya REB - was wondering how long it would take you to chip in. lol

Swans v Lions will be a belter this weekend, always a good game and they look particularly well matched up at the moment. Enjoy!

[Voice]

Unfortunately however, on what I witnessed last Friday night, the AFC has a lot of hard work on it's hands. With 10 minutes to go in the last term St Kilda kicked a goal to put them about 20 points up and the chorus of flipping seats was deafening.

That's a gross exageration, GN, I know some were leaving but to say it was deafening? I think what ever the AFC do to get the crowd involved is going to take a long time, personally I cringe when the 19 comes up on the scoreboard and there's no reaction. The problem is that it's a "herd mentality" and if one person stands up to rev up the crowd and they get a mute response then they're only going to do it for so many times, I think people want to but don't want to make arses of themselves when they get no reaction. It's a long way from the days of the SANFL b4 the AFL came in. That's probably one thing the Power has going for it!
I also think that because of a culture of the gross majority of the crowd being Crows fans they have never been REALLY confronted by opposition supporters cheering and chanting for their team, if they were they'd be more compelled to do the same in retaliation.

Sad to say that actually they don't just cheer for their team in retaliation.
They retaliate with abuse as if you don't belong there watching your team play.
Had this last year in the Freo game for starters (my wife supports Freo and i help her out) where she was called all sorts of names for being a vocal supporter, told to leave, surrounded by around 8 Crows girls and pushed around, into a pregnant lady mind you.
I was asked to step outside by some twit.
IMO the Cows supporters have become too comfortable with there own and need a bit of a reality check when it comes to how to support their team.
My wife and I actually enjoy going to Port games against our clubs as most of them throw some footy banter back at you but they can still have a laugh and enjoy opposition supporters supporting their club vocally. Provides more atmosphere at their games even though the crowd is smaller