walhawk
1 Nov 2007, 23:02
Let fast forward 20 years into the relocation to 2030.
Using Fitzroy & South as examples, around 1/3 of Roos supporters will stick with GC Roos, 1/3 may change to another team of just become footy fans and 1/3 will be lost to the game.
Lets say the Roos have 210,000 fans in Vic. So 140,000 or more will have their hearts broken and 70,000 of these may be lost to the game.
Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast, if the get a decent ground (let's assume) then let's say crowds are averaging 20,000 and 30% of GC residents (200,000 people) start showing some interest in AFL.
(Sounds like a win, but how many of those GC people watch AFL on TV anyway? What are the ratings? What are the projections for the increase in participation? Has the AFL not done the research?)
So Queensland gains a team, increased awareness, TV ratings, crowds, participation. Maybe 200,000 new fans, the game V Brisbane sell out the Gabba everytime. Sound good.
And Victoria loses some good North people, but would the game in Victoria really suffer? Would less kids play the game? No. Offspring of disgruntled North fans may start playing soccer - but they will more likely either follow the Gold Coast or another Vic club.
It will be a net gain nation wide for AFL.
But does that make it right?
This is partly a moral decision. Hearts will be broken. Friendships shattered.
On balance the Gold Coast Kangaroos will be good for the game.
North may be gone or merged or in Sydney by 2015 anyway. If they move now on their own terms they will not regret come 2030.
It will be a heartbreaker but it can be done right. The risk in not going could be as great as the risk in going.
Not that you get to vote anyway, but I'd hate to be a North supporter right now.
Using Fitzroy & South as examples, around 1/3 of Roos supporters will stick with GC Roos, 1/3 may change to another team of just become footy fans and 1/3 will be lost to the game.
Lets say the Roos have 210,000 fans in Vic. So 140,000 or more will have their hearts broken and 70,000 of these may be lost to the game.
Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast, if the get a decent ground (let's assume) then let's say crowds are averaging 20,000 and 30% of GC residents (200,000 people) start showing some interest in AFL.
(Sounds like a win, but how many of those GC people watch AFL on TV anyway? What are the ratings? What are the projections for the increase in participation? Has the AFL not done the research?)
So Queensland gains a team, increased awareness, TV ratings, crowds, participation. Maybe 200,000 new fans, the game V Brisbane sell out the Gabba everytime. Sound good.
And Victoria loses some good North people, but would the game in Victoria really suffer? Would less kids play the game? No. Offspring of disgruntled North fans may start playing soccer - but they will more likely either follow the Gold Coast or another Vic club.
It will be a net gain nation wide for AFL.
But does that make it right?
This is partly a moral decision. Hearts will be broken. Friendships shattered.
On balance the Gold Coast Kangaroos will be good for the game.
North may be gone or merged or in Sydney by 2015 anyway. If they move now on their own terms they will not regret come 2030.
It will be a heartbreaker but it can be done right. The risk in not going could be as great as the risk in going.
Not that you get to vote anyway, but I'd hate to be a North supporter right now.