Most Vocal?
I'd vote Frankston, easily.
That small bunch on the hill must be able to be heard from miles away. On the opposite wing you can hear exactly whats being said.
Last time they brought along a Drum of some kind and were letting off firecrackers. Neither of which were louder than their hollering.
Most loyal? Probably Port Melbourne who have some aging supporters that come to the games rain, hail or shine.
The guys behind the goals at box hill can get fired up, but yeah, those Frankston supporters are pretty rowdy. Sandy fans can have a crack, and there's a few willy and port supporters who can make life difficult. Those old port ladies, they can go.
Easily the most vocal crowd is Frankston supporters on the wing under the scoreboard. When they play Springvale or Sandringham you will see them at their best. They gave Jason Caples an almighty spray which was more than entertainment. The drums and firecrackers add a bit of atmosphere.
Port Melbourne supporters behind the goals always make life tough for the opposition teams. Sandringham can hill mob as well as the supporters who watch from the Social club balcony are also entertaining.
Williamstown supporters can get fairly vocal, especially in front of the grandstand. Coburg and Box Hill supporters are prodominately Richmond and Hawthorn supporters. The Hawthorn supporters who follow Box Hill are not supporters and get let out for weekends. A lot of old Box Hill Mustangs supporters don't want a bar of Box Hill.
Not many St Kilda supporters follow Springvale. Hardly any Carlton supporters follow Preston.
The crowds are not what they use to be in the 1970s.
Crowds of upto 10,000 plus, were regulars at grounds like Port Melbourne, Dandenong, Sandringham, Oakleigh and even Geelong West use to get big crowds.
How many would you get to see a Springvale v Bendigo at Casey Fields in 2006 ?
I think that there should be a novelty round where games are played at other grounds to promote the VFL.
Geelong should play one game at Drysdale or Ocean Grove
Frankston should play one game at Dromana or Rosebud
Box Hill should play one game at Healesville
Williamstown should play one game at Melton
Springvale should play at Berwick or Leongatha
Coburg should play somewhere up the Hume
I know the WAFL have about 3 games a year in Country WA.
The VFL would have nothing to lose by playing 3 or 4 games in outer towns.
I think the interstate game in May might draw a bigger crowd than the Grand Final this year. Supporters from clubs other than the two competing seem to becoming smaller in September.
The state game will be boosted by a few of the SA supporters over for the Adelaide AFL game on the same weekend, and I figure more supporters from VFL clubs will come along to see how their selected players go.
The Grand Final drew about 8-9000 last year? Unless Geelong make the Grand Final, I can't see other clubs getting more than that at Optus Oval.
vfa wrote:Geelong should play one game at Drysdale or Ocean Grove
Frankston should play one game at Dromana or Rosebud
Box Hill should play one game at Healesville
Williamstown should play one game at Melton
Springvale should play at Berwick or Leongatha
Coburg should play somewhere up the Hume
I know the WAFL have about 3 games a year in Country WA.
The VFL would have nothing to lose by playing 3 or 4 games in outer towns.
I reckon thats got a good idea. Maybe sides could play 1 home game at a different venue.
Maybe even Nth Ballarat at Ararat or Horsham.
Didn't Springvale played a game at Pakenham a couple of years ago.
vfa wrote:I think that there should be a novelty round where games are played at other grounds to promote the VFL.
Geelong should play one game at Drysdale or Ocean Grove
Frankston should play one game at Dromana or Rosebud
Box Hill should play one game at Healesville
Williamstown should play one game at Melton
Springvale should play at Berwick or Leongatha
Coburg should play somewhere up the Hume
I know the WAFL have about 3 games a year in Country WA.
The VFL would have nothing to lose by playing 3 or 4 games in outer towns.
I honestly don't think that would work. Firstly because I think country people are already devoted enough to their local football. And secondly, I reckon most clubs would hate the thought of losing a home game to a country town, which would involve someone having to pay ground rental, making sure the facilities were at a sufficient standard, and then the likelihood that the home club would lose out on sales of food/drink etc. Can you imagine Williamstown having Point Gellibrand free on a Sunday while they played a match in Melton? Missing out on their social club lunch and aftermatch bar, plus canteen sales during the day.
Nice thought, but unlikely to happen.
My understanding is the VFL subsided the clubs loss of income when Monday night games were at Waverley with the money from the C7 contract.
Crowds