AFL's longterm future

tigerisland

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Jun 1, 2009
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I watched half of the first quarter yesterday and then turned off the TV to mow the lawn and walk the dog. Like most here I have followed Richmond all my life and played footy to my mid 20's, yet the first quarter was my breaking point. 36 players within 50m of the ball, endless contests and zero excitement. I have had enough. I nearly gave up last year after the first Sydney game but still stuck fat, however until the AFL shakes this game up I am over it and will only watch us play freer flowing teams. For the first time in my life I have something to be excited about with Richmond (was born in '81) except I am not.
Some of the issues are:
In only 5 games this year have both teams scored over 100 points
Lowest average scores since the 60's
Too much dilution of talent with 18 teams. This has seen more Athletes play who can get to contests, tackle, harrass but little else causing more stoppages and stopping the best players playing with flair
More turnovers and clangers than ever before due to the number of below AFL players playing
Expansion teams that will never ever make it, yet big clubs like ours are expected to subsidise them in perpetuity
Poorly run clubs like bulldogs and North get bailed out continually. No matter how many mistakes they make off the field, all at the expense of the well run
Politicisation of the AFL around left wing causes (Green round, Recognise round, boing Adam Goodes etc)
In my view it can all be sheeted home to 2 people Dometriou and Fitzpatrick and the cosy relationship between management and board. Seems Gil is sort of trying but cheaper pies ain't going to cut it.
My son and his friends are not interested in AFL. Now it does not worry me but I heard Rohan Connolly report the same thing about his son yesterday on radio. Auskick numbers are declining, crowds are declining and this game has serious issues. The game has ben whored out for TV rights dollars at the expense of its soul and I fear it will eventually have neither. When clubs like Geelong are now over $1 million below budgeted revenues and declining membership, when Brisbane have only 24K members after 25 years, When just 22K people watch 2 of the biggest clubs in the land play on a Friday night...
Appreciate much of this has already been discussed on this board but who else is worried about where AFL will be in 10 or 15 years time?
 
Oct 14, 2012
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Thought the game was rather entertaining this weekend.
Although I do agree with the Op soccer is catching and catching quickly.

The change will happen in 10 - 15 years from now. you only need to look at the numbers in juniors to be worried. It will get to the stage where the talent pool will just drop off it will be harder and harder to field 18 clubs with the very best talent.

Soccer is about to explode.
 
May 17, 2004
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Though it was a pretty entertaining game after quarter time.
I thought as a contest it was pure in the sense that either side didn't give an inch , cracked in as hard as all get out. Yep typical of the modern game that has a bias towards defense , nothing too new with that . Not sure last night that it detracted from the game though
 
Mar 13, 2007
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It is interesting that the state of football should be brought up. The down fall started when the TAC cup was introduced many years ago. The grass root development ceased immediately and so did the grass root promotion in preference for development in non traditional areas . The $$$ cost of auskick and similar grass root introduction and development program costs continue to raise to the state that the AFL are making money out of them rather than investing. Which is a large variation to soccer. The AFL doesn't want grass roots footy which they can't make money out of . Now I get that everything has to be financially viable but you don't get supporters attending AFL games or watching games upon the TV, and therefore increasing TV rights, if they can't stand the game.
Vlad was the driver and drove the move to put Gill in his seat to avoid his ways being exposed by fresh blood.
The organisation is way to top heavy and the cover ups go a lot deeper than the Essendon drug saga , it is just one of many examples of non transparent behaviour by a organisation is which is bleeding badly.
The end of the covering up is near and the sooner it occurs the better.
 

This Is Anfield

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Feb 25, 2014
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It's over exposure as well, every game can be watched, far too many teams so the quality of footballer is diluted and the super fit athlete rules.
Footy shows abound and it's everywhere in print, over analysed and over complicated.
 
Mar 13, 2007
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It's over exposure as well, every game can be watched, far too many teams so the quality of footballer is diluted and the super fit athlete rules.
Footy shows abound and it's everywhere in print, over analysed and over complicated.
Commercialised bastardisation, the more money in TV rights the more the head honcho's get paid, no consideration is given to the future.
Vlad got absolutely as much as he could out of the game and paid no respect what so ever to the long term future of the code.
 

This Is Anfield

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Feb 25, 2014
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Commercialised, the more money in Tv rights the more the head honcho's get paid, no consideration is given to the future.
Vlad got absolutely as much as he could out of the game and paid no respect what so ever to the long term future of the code.
Familiarity breeds contempt, mind you, I don't want it to go back to when I first started following the Tiges, no live coverage at all, the replay was the last qtr of the match of the round, usually us, Collingwood and Carlton and World Of Sport on Sunday!
 

Tiger23

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Feb 26, 2011
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I have to say I'm a passionate richmond and afl supporter. But I'm from a soccer background and I have played all my life.

Soccer is growing rapidly in this country but I don't think it will ever be the number 1 sport. The afl really need to start developing and investing in grass roots in this country. The facilities, the coaching is absolutely piss poor and you only get thru to the top level with your own personal talent and hard work.

Now let's look at soccer in Europe, and almost every club in the top leagues have an outstanding junior programme. Kids who get identified as early as 6 or 7 years old with potential get signed up by clubs. They get coached by professional coaches, they have amazing facilities, and most of all they have the opportunity to become the best they can. Time and time again clubs like Ajax from holland keep producing really good players that come thru the soccer academies.
 

SpudsLoveChild

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May 17, 2014
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It's over exposure as well, every game can be watched, far too many teams so the quality of footballer is diluted and the super fit athlete rules.
Footy shows abound and it's everywhere in print, over analysed and over complicated.
I'm all for more choice and different times to watch games. If I don't want to watch it, I don't watch it. It's the same with reading about it.

Footballers now are required to be dedicated athletes who have a higher football skill level across the board than players had 20 years ago. I don't buy the they were better in the old days argument that every generation rolls out. It doesn't matter what sport it is...it was always better in my day...it's just BS.

So what don't people like about the game at the moment? The number of stoppages is my number one gripe, closely followed by the high number of interchanges which gives players the ability to get to stoppage after stoppage.

Funnily enough the interpretation of holding the ball only if the player has had prior opportunity has lead to more stoppages. I was all for this change as last year players were getting pinged when they had no opportunity to release the ball. But the players and coaches are gaming the rule to ensure more stoppages so they can reset.

I'd like to see the IC numbers come down substantially which should reduce the ability of players to cover ground so that they go back to more traditional roles and one-on-one contests. I'd also like to see...and I'm surprised that I want to go back to it...the umpires blow holding the ball more. You grab the ball and are tackled instantly and can't get rid of it...tough s**t...ping him. Yeah, it's not perfect but it's better than where we're at now.
 

tigerisland

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Jun 1, 2009
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I have been thinking about these issues a lot over the past few years. What really bought it on though was watching the homecoming hero clip on the rfc website for Matty Knights and the Essendon Semi Final game. The time and space, the one on one contests and you look at the players they are not nearly as big. Sure there was not the levels of money and professionalism in the game as there is now but it was more enjoyable. Maybe I am just showing my age but I think Vlad did enormous damage to the game.
 
Oct 15, 2009
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Thought the game was rather entertaining this weekend.
Although I do agree with the Op soccer is catching and catching quickly.

The change will happen in 10 - 15 years from now. you only need to look at the numbers in juniors to be worried. It will get to the stage where the talent pool will just drop off it will be harder and harder to field 18 clubs with the very best talent.

Soccer is about to explode.
Grenade launched. Good luck with the responses. :D
 
May 23, 2010
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Leafy Eastern Suburbs
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Not enough highlights.
No contested marks where forward and defender fly for the ball. It's just a big ******* wrestle that culminates in fights over who held who.
Dribble kick goals.
No left foot. How much does Deledio stand out?
Every ******* centre bounce it's 7 defenders vs 6 forwards.

And the goal of footy these days? Create a stoppage.
And they wonder why the game's in trouble.

Jack rarely gets to jump at the ball. Look at Griffo...all the tools in the world, can leap like a stag but guess what? He needs to build his strength to wrestle some muscle bound defender.
And it's not just us. Imagine playing on Rance, same story.

There's plenty more.
 
Oct 2, 2007
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Can't stand having 30 odd players around the ball at stoppages. You'll get the odd free flowing passage of play but it's nothing like it used to be. I still love Richmond and always will but as a sport it's gone backwards. I absolutely despise the AFL commission, it's one giant incestuous organisation.
 
Mar 13, 2007
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I'm all for more choice and different times to watch games. If I don't want to watch it, I don't watch it. It's the same with reading about it.

Footballers now are required to be dedicated athletes who have a higher football skill level across the board than players had 20 years ago. I don't buy the they were better in the old days argument that every generation rolls out. It doesn't matter what sport it is...it was always better in my day...it's just BS.

So what don't people like about the game at the moment? The number of stoppages is my number one gripe, closely followed by the high number of interchanges which gives players the ability to get to stoppage after stoppage.

Funnily enough the interpretation of holding the ball only if the player has had prior opportunity has lead to more stoppages. I was all for this change as last year players were getting pinged when they had no opportunity to release the ball. But the players and coaches are gaming the rule to ensure more stoppages so they can reset.

I'd like to see the IC numbers come down substantially which should reduce the ability of players to cover ground so that they go back to more traditional roles and one-on-one contests. I'd also like to see...and I'm surprised that I want to go back to it...the umpires blow holding the ball more. You grab the ball and are tackled instantly and can't get rid of it...tough s**t...ping him. Yeah, it's not perfect but it's better than where we're at now.
IMO the bullshit floods , zoning and reduction in leading key forwards is a direct result of Carey dominance and pagan's paddock . Since then clubs have invested heavily in ways and means to slow the offensive games of their opposition. Measures need to be taken to increase the speed of stoppages and deter players and clubs trying to gain stoppages so that they can setup.
 
Oct 14, 2012
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Goldfingers
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Anything involving CROATIA & M.City
Not enough highlights.
No contested marks where forward and defender fly for the ball. It's just a big ******* wrestle that culminates in fights over who held who.
Dribble kick goals.
No left foot. How much does Deledio stand out?
Every ******* centre bounce it's 7 defenders vs 6 forwards.

And the goal of footy these days? Create a stoppage.
And they wonder why the game's in trouble.

Jack rarely gets to jump at the ball. Look at Griffo...all the tools in the world, can leap like a stag but guess what? He needs to build his strength to wrestle some muscle bound defender.
And it's not just us. Imagine playing on Rance, same story.

There's plenty more.
You can add forwards entries to pocket on your list.
Seriously im ******* over it. What happened to kicking it directly infront top of the goal square? So worried about the ball going back the other way we keep on having either stoppages or set shots from the boundary line.
 

SpudsLoveChild

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May 17, 2014
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IMO the bullshit floods , zoning and reduction in leading key forwards is a direct result of Carey dominance and pagan's paddock . Since then clubs have invested heavily in ways and means to slow the offensive games of their opposition. Measures need to be taken to increase the speed of stoppages and deter players and clubs trying to gain stoppages so that they can setup.
Yep...and they can flood and run to stoppages because of the high number of interchange rotations.
If you stay on the paddock the full game you won't be able to run as far.
 
Mar 13, 2007
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Yep...and they can flood and run to stoppages because of the high number of interchange rotations.
If you stay on the paddock the full game you won't be able to run as far.
You speed and open the game up reduction in interchanges will naturally occur as when players go to the bench their opponent will be free. The game needs more one on ones and less congestion.
Some outside the square suggestions.
1. Can not handball or kick backwards with the first possession from a stoppage, ball up and throw in.
2. Can not have more than " X# " consecutive possessions in the midfield or defensive 3rds of the ground.
3. bring back reserves and under 19's.
 

tigerisland

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Jun 1, 2009
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Perth
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I wish they would listen. This is not blind rage venting, everyone is providing constructive solutions. Speaking with a friend of mine in country Victoria absolute footy heartland. He has played SANFL and his son goes to my old primary school. Says A league are so pro active with the kids and it is impossible to get an AFL player to attend a clinic. Soccer is more popular than AFL and that was just unthinkable even 10 years ago. I am not sure the AFL understand how serious the situation is.
 
May 23, 2010
7,594
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Leafy Eastern Suburbs
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I have to say I'm a passionate richmond and afl supporter. But I'm from a soccer background and I have played all my life.

Soccer is growing rapidly in this country but I don't think it will ever be the number 1 sport. The afl really need to start developing and investing in grass roots in this country. The facilities, the coaching is absolutely piss poor and you only get thru to the top level with your own personal talent and hard work.

Now let's look at soccer in Europe, and almost every club in the top leagues have an outstanding junior programme. Kids who get identified as early as 6 or 7 years old with potential get signed up by clubs. They get coached by professional coaches, they have amazing facilities, and most of all they have the opportunity to become the best they can. Time and time again clubs like Ajax from holland keep producing really good players that come thru the soccer academies.

Agree in part, the game must invest in the game, no doubt.

But what made footy the great game is that blokes in their 20s and 30s would play the game with love and passion without any prospect of "making it" thru any academy or stream into AFL. The little kids dream of being a superstar but grow to love the game, grow up, have their own kids and the cycle endures.

Turn the game into s**t at the highest level and be buggered if blokes will run around D grade amateurs to set up at stoppages and rotate 20 times thru the bench. Drag me after I kick a goal. * off!!
They talk about speccies, miracle goals, the occasional punch on and live for next week when they try it on again with their mates.
 
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