Interesting reading comments from a discussion that Matthew Lloyd and co had on the rescheduled venues.
The crux of it was, he finds it bizarre that so many VIC sides have been diverted to Sydney and playing matches there in front of a sparsely populated SCG or Giants Stadium. And he suggested that because of lack of interest, this scheduling should be diverted to WA and/or SA (citing the immense success of the Rich vs Ess fixture in Perth). And the likelihood that the Queens Birthday fixture in Sydney could be a flop.
I find it continually frustrating that Tasmania, a traditionally fervent AFL state, is repeatedly overlooked and treated with ignorance or even contempt by not only the AFL, but the wider AFL community (media and co). The sport is in what looks to be near terminal decline in the State through decades upon decades of neglect. In what was one of the most pure Australian rules obsessed regions anywhere. Why not use the latest unorthodox situation as an opportunity to breath some life and interest back into the sport down here.
In addition to SA and WA, Tasmania is more than capable of playing a role. Tasmania could host a group of Victorian clubs between both Hobart and Launceston (say two in each Launceston and Hobart as their temporary home for a total of four clubs in the state). Being fed the likes of GWS, Gold Coast Suns and Fremantle as regular fixtures has meant crowds have dropped off in recent years at games played in Tasmania, as interest wanes. Bringing a few Victorian clubs down to play fixtures would most certainly rejuvenate interest and get the crowds back.
Tasmanians traditionally follow Victorian clubs (in far greater numbers than other clubs), with the likes of Richmond, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and St.Kilda all having sizable fan bases in the state in addition to Hawthorn. In footy culture terms, Tasmania has always in a sense been a kind of annex of Victoria, so this is all a legacy of that. A full house of 22k in Launceston, or 18k in Hobart would be preferable to a sparsely populated SCG or Giants Stadium.
I can guarantee Melbourne vs Collingwood for Queens birthday in Launceston would have sold out rapidly. As I say, a full house in Launceston would be far better atmosphere than a half full (or even less) SCG and on a far superior, larger playing surface than the postage stamp at the SCG.
The crux of it was, he finds it bizarre that so many VIC sides have been diverted to Sydney and playing matches there in front of a sparsely populated SCG or Giants Stadium. And he suggested that because of lack of interest, this scheduling should be diverted to WA and/or SA (citing the immense success of the Rich vs Ess fixture in Perth). And the likelihood that the Queens Birthday fixture in Sydney could be a flop.
I find it continually frustrating that Tasmania, a traditionally fervent AFL state, is repeatedly overlooked and treated with ignorance or even contempt by not only the AFL, but the wider AFL community (media and co). The sport is in what looks to be near terminal decline in the State through decades upon decades of neglect. In what was one of the most pure Australian rules obsessed regions anywhere. Why not use the latest unorthodox situation as an opportunity to breath some life and interest back into the sport down here.
In addition to SA and WA, Tasmania is more than capable of playing a role. Tasmania could host a group of Victorian clubs between both Hobart and Launceston (say two in each Launceston and Hobart as their temporary home for a total of four clubs in the state). Being fed the likes of GWS, Gold Coast Suns and Fremantle as regular fixtures has meant crowds have dropped off in recent years at games played in Tasmania, as interest wanes. Bringing a few Victorian clubs down to play fixtures would most certainly rejuvenate interest and get the crowds back.
Tasmanians traditionally follow Victorian clubs (in far greater numbers than other clubs), with the likes of Richmond, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and St.Kilda all having sizable fan bases in the state in addition to Hawthorn. In footy culture terms, Tasmania has always in a sense been a kind of annex of Victoria, so this is all a legacy of that. A full house of 22k in Launceston, or 18k in Hobart would be preferable to a sparsely populated SCG or Giants Stadium.
I can guarantee Melbourne vs Collingwood for Queens birthday in Launceston would have sold out rapidly. As I say, a full house in Launceston would be far better atmosphere than a half full (or even less) SCG and on a far superior, larger playing surface than the postage stamp at the SCG.
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