Demetriou fiddling while the AFL burns

[Mr Pumblechook]

I recently went to the ground where I played junior footy about 25 years ago, only to find it gone: it's been replaced by 2 soccer pitches. Similarly, my old high school no longer has a footy ground - again soccer pitches.

The AFL keep telling us the game is in good shape and are expecting a bumper new TV rights deal. I think they're deluded. Umpiring dissatisfaction aside (which is no small issue), 'The Age' today had four articles which highlight various disillusional and misguided elements of the current administration.

League's expansion plans are based on flawed TV revenue gains
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/leagues-expansion-plans-are-based-on-flawed-tv-revenue-gains/2009/05/04/1241289101744.html

Arocca blasts crippling deal
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/arocca-blasts-crippling-deal/2009/05/04/1241289101741.html

AFL will fail in the west, says Lord
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/afl-will-fail-in-the-west-says-lord/2009/05/04/1241289101765.html

Twilight game hurt crowd numbers, says Smorgon
http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/twilight-game-hurt-crowd-numbers-says-smorgon/2009/05/04/1241289101753.html

I'm not normally political, but reading today's paper has left me depressed and worried for the future of the game.

 

[hopper]

The only danger to our great game is stagnation. Thus the push into West Sydney when more conservative organisations would just defend their own patch and not spread into others' territories. It's one of the reasons the NRL can't compete with overseas leagues (rugby and league) to keep their players. TV rights deals are reflective of how many people you reach. These deals effectively pay the players. If the AFL does not expand, risks and all, into a growth area like West Sydney with a polulation greater than Adelaide and Perth combined then it is being negligent to its own game and arrogant about it's status as the premier Australian footy code. This team has more ling term viability that GC17. The short term will be tough work. Just my 5c.

 

[martyshire]

This team has more ling term viability that GC17.

From all reports plenty of talented young rangas in Western Sydney

 

[hopper]

From all reports plenty of talented young rangas in Western Sydney

Hah - good get Marty. I'll have Neville Bruns coaching the team the way I'm going!

 

[mexican_radio]

"everything is fine" - Vlad

 

[meltiger]

Twilight game hurt crowd numbers, says Smorgon[/b]

Geez people are sooks. seriously, what's the big difference between 2pm and 4.30 or whatever it is?


Or is he *smile* talking? Melbourne like to sook on an annual basis about Sunday day games.

 

[Chiang Mai Tiger]

I recently went to the ground where I played junior footy about 25 years ago, only to find it gone: it's been replaced by 2 soccer pitches. Similarly, my old high school no longer has a footy ground - again soccer pitches.

you're lucky PC, my old high school is gone completely.