Mobbs
A Large Portion, Yes
I noted the new Fox AFL promo vid today on Youtube. Gave it a watch. Had a think.
AFL level footy and local footy is savagely separated. The top-tier stuff is sanitised, commercialised, and a commodity for sale. Sure it contains the same base element - blokes playing the code attempting to win for their team. Sure, the fans still participate in a near-tribal fanaticism that does indeed, as the promo suggests, inhibit their opportunities and responsibilities in everyday life. But there are still stark differences.
AFL is a show. It runs on showmanship, delivery of the product, and packaging. It just doesn't feel about the footy. Fox have tried to sneak past this and go down the guts, but some elements of the premier league that make it such a retail item simply had to remain for this advertisement to be relevant. The commentary/hosting team making an appearance at the home kind of drives that home for me. There is a soul, but the soul is sold.
It's also interesting that by the very title, they are appealing for the fervour to not be seen as insanity. I'm in two minds about that. I think crazy is ok. I have the utmost respect for those who embrace crazy, if it's channelled towards love for their footy team. For years I've thought "Yeah. I'm crazy. Crazy for Roy. Crazy enough to kill you if you tell me that that's a bad thing." Although, maybe, that's just me.
Step away from the AFL for a moment, and stroll down to the Brunswick Street Oval on a Saturday mid-winter. (You've got 9 chances in 19 of picking the right one). The 'exhibition' at the BSO will also be all about delivery of a product. Delivery of desire and passion. Delivery of ardour, love and commitment. Delivery of a ******* football down the ******* throat of a ******* teammate.
I don't knock the Fox Ad, I kindah like it. I thought the first two skit moments (paramedics and after-school) were funny. But could you imagine if (alternate universe) Fox had a VAFA channel. What do you think would be different about this promo. Because you know they'd want to access a potential viewer base, they'd consider what that base is in love with, and they'd work out concepts for catching the attention of that base. But what would that ad look like? Would it - for example - make fun of funerals to get a lol in?
The VAFA have a TV show and were recently polling anyone willing to listen as to what would be good to see on that show. Imagine if they created a promo with similar goal to what Fox have done. What would that ad look like? Would "crazy" be a dirty word, or an ambition, synonym for faith?
One thing is for sure, when the promos for the AFL start coming out, that means the Hell of unfooty is drawing to a close for another year. Salvation is at hand, for the fans of the big league, and the fans of the big soul of footy at places of worship like the BSO.
At both places, I think it's unlikely you'll find the crazy lacking. It would be sad if it was.
AFL level footy and local footy is savagely separated. The top-tier stuff is sanitised, commercialised, and a commodity for sale. Sure it contains the same base element - blokes playing the code attempting to win for their team. Sure, the fans still participate in a near-tribal fanaticism that does indeed, as the promo suggests, inhibit their opportunities and responsibilities in everyday life. But there are still stark differences.
AFL is a show. It runs on showmanship, delivery of the product, and packaging. It just doesn't feel about the footy. Fox have tried to sneak past this and go down the guts, but some elements of the premier league that make it such a retail item simply had to remain for this advertisement to be relevant. The commentary/hosting team making an appearance at the home kind of drives that home for me. There is a soul, but the soul is sold.
It's also interesting that by the very title, they are appealing for the fervour to not be seen as insanity. I'm in two minds about that. I think crazy is ok. I have the utmost respect for those who embrace crazy, if it's channelled towards love for their footy team. For years I've thought "Yeah. I'm crazy. Crazy for Roy. Crazy enough to kill you if you tell me that that's a bad thing." Although, maybe, that's just me.
Step away from the AFL for a moment, and stroll down to the Brunswick Street Oval on a Saturday mid-winter. (You've got 9 chances in 19 of picking the right one). The 'exhibition' at the BSO will also be all about delivery of a product. Delivery of desire and passion. Delivery of ardour, love and commitment. Delivery of a ******* football down the ******* throat of a ******* teammate.
I don't knock the Fox Ad, I kindah like it. I thought the first two skit moments (paramedics and after-school) were funny. But could you imagine if (alternate universe) Fox had a VAFA channel. What do you think would be different about this promo. Because you know they'd want to access a potential viewer base, they'd consider what that base is in love with, and they'd work out concepts for catching the attention of that base. But what would that ad look like? Would it - for example - make fun of funerals to get a lol in?
The VAFA have a TV show and were recently polling anyone willing to listen as to what would be good to see on that show. Imagine if they created a promo with similar goal to what Fox have done. What would that ad look like? Would "crazy" be a dirty word, or an ambition, synonym for faith?
One thing is for sure, when the promos for the AFL start coming out, that means the Hell of unfooty is drawing to a close for another year. Salvation is at hand, for the fans of the big league, and the fans of the big soul of footy at places of worship like the BSO.
At both places, I think it's unlikely you'll find the crazy lacking. It would be sad if it was.
