Grand Final Crowds

footyman wrote:Having seen crowd figures at the recent Domestic 20/20 games, it's a worry that they are the same as we get to the VFL Grand Final.

What's more of a worry is that the second tier levels of other sports seem to 'piggy back' on whats happening at the top. Despite the MCG hosting a test match just last week, they still got a great turn out to the 20/20 game three or so days later. Because it's "cricket season".

The Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup are the Spring Carnival's ultimate events, but country racing becomes particularly popular during that time of year as well. Attendance figures go through the roof at meetings predominantly made of up small fields and maiden races. People take pride in going to a racetrack that for 11 months of the year would attract more blowflies than punters. Because people don't care - it's "racing season" and all that matters is going to the races.

Soon it will be "tennis season" and crowds will flock to the Australian Open.

Why then do the VFL struggle so much to capitalise in football's peak time? Is it because there is just too much competition? Because footy season drags out too long? Or has it just not been marketed right?

Simple... Marketing.

The VFL lacks PASSION amongst the general community.

There has to be a way to market the PASSION of the VFL to the general public.

That's why I'm one for having flags/banners and small cheer squads behind the goals... to create passion, colour and noise at the footy.

At some ABC VFL games, the game looks like it's 36 blokes having a kick in the park in front of 5 men and a dog.

All of us here have the passion... country football has the passion... AFL has the tradition which drives it's passion... the VFL has to find a way to bring back to the front of the public's mind... the Suburban Passion.

Pete.

BrekkyDJ wrote:

footyman wrote:Having seen crowd figures at the recent Domestic 20/20 games, it's a worry that they are the same as we get to the VFL Grand Final.

Why then do the VFL struggle so much to capitalise in football's peak time? Is it because there is just too much competition? Because footy season drags out too long? Or has it just not been marketed right?

Simple... Marketing.

The VFL lacks PASSION amongst the general community.

There has to be a way to market the PASSION of the VFL to the general public.

That's why I'm one for having flags/banners and small cheer squads behind the goals... to create passion, colour and noise at the footy.

At some ABC VFL games, the game looks like it's 36 blokes having a kick in the park in front of 5 men and a dog.

All of us here have the passion... country football has the passion... AFL has the tradition which drives it's passion... the VFL has to find a way to bring back to the front of the public's mind... the Suburban Passion.

Pete.

Unfortunetly the day the VFA name was dropped in favour of the long despised VFL the passion and loyality of thousands of dyed in the wool VFA club supporters disappeared and has not returned and dare I say it never will.

I cant see how the current VFL can "market" itself as being anymore than the poor cousin or worse still the reserves of the all mighty AFL in Melbourne.
Remember the VFA was different to the old VFL in many ways - first Sunday Footy games, 16 a side,umpires in different uniforms,direct TV games,promotion and relegation and send off rule etc.

The only reason I take an interest in the VFL is that I am a rusted on Sandy supporter of 60 years and would follow the Zebras fortunes wherever they played albeit with a lot less "passion" than I used to have.