Disappointing crowds...

[GOALden Hawk]

Two big games at the MCG on the weekend, and IMHO, 2 fairly disappointing crowds.

On Saturday Collingwood v Hawthorn should have attracted at least 60,000 I thought. Sure, it was overcast, but 2 sides in the 8 with a decent rivalry and good support bases - I was hoping for a few more people.

But yesterday's crowd was very ordinary I thought. The official AFL fixture states the Essendon-Kangaroos match was at the MCG as it is a traditional crowd puller.

Yet only 52,000 turned up, despite Essendon been on top, the Kangaroos in good form and playing for a spot in the 8, a traditional rivalry and a perfect winter afternoon.

Let's hope the AFL shows some common sense next year and schedules that match at Colonial. Just proves the point that yesterday's match should have been there in place of the Essendon-Hawthorn match in Round 9.

Let's hope there is a big crowd on Sunday for the Hawthorn-Carlton clash.

 

[AlfAndrews]

Disappointing crowd at Collingwood-Hawthorn? ... maybe.

But the main thing is ... GoaldenHawk ... YOU were there.

**at least you did SOMETHING**

 

[Mr Ripper]

Could be on completely the wrong tram here, but I've an inkling that 'away' team supporters aren't turning up in the numbers they used to.

It was almost as if the Dons were playing an interstate side yesterday, such was the scarcity of Kangas amongst the crowd.

Hafta keep an eye on how many Carltonians front up at the G on Sunday for their crunch game against the Hawks.

 

[Dan26]

The crowds were okay.

North have a very small following remember. The problem is that the last three Ess-Roos games have all drawn big crowds, but there were special circumstances for each one.

56,000 in Round 1 this year. Opening match of the year, makes it an "event"

67,000 in Round 14 last year. Essendon were undefeated, and it was a 1v4 match

69,000 in Round 17 1999. 1v2 on the ladder. 1v2 matches are always big.

Yetsrerday's match was 1v10, and Essendon was not undefeated like they were last year (i.e striving for the perfect season), which may have added some theatre-goers to last years crowds as we strived for the perfect seasson. 52,000 is about right for a 1v10 match, when the 10th team is the least supported club in Melbourne. Wish I had been a little more careful with my crowd tipping.

 

[Pessimistic]

Would anyone there yesterday have preferred the game to have been at colonial ? "greatest game ever" at colonial doesn't have that ring to it.

Perhaps the essendon home game split should be 5 at MCG and 6 at colonial.

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Pessimistic
Perhaps the essendon home game split should be 5 at MCG and 6 at colonial.

11 at the 'g and none at colonical would suit me better

 

[windyhill]

Have to agree,crowds have levelled out.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Dan, North drew 18k for their home game v Freo at Colonial; no way in hades did they have 18k there yesterday.

 

[Dan26]

Originally posted by Mr Ripper
Dan, North drew 18k for their home game v Freo at Colonial; no way in hades did they have 18k there yesterday.

Well, not where you and I were sitting anyway. North don't have many AFL members. We have sh*tloads.

 

[Dan26]

Makes you wonder why yesterday's match wasn't at Colonial, and the Ess-Haw game at the MCG. Colonial still would have had a 48-50,000 sell-out with Ess-North (as we did with Ess-Haw), but instead, the MCG game, would have attreacted 75,000 in Round 9.

Good one Peter Jackson, you dill. I told you so

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Originally posted by Dan25
Makes you wonder why yesterday's match wasn't at Colonial, and the Ess-Haw game at the MCG. Colonial still would have had a 48-50,000 sell-out with Ess-North (as we did with Ess-Haw), but instead, the MCG game, would have attreacted 75,000 in Round 9.

Good one Peter Jackson, you dill. I told you so

That was exactly the point I was trying to make...the 4 games Essendon play at the MCG should have included the Hawthorn game and not yesterday's match...and the crowd figures proved it.

Anyone honestly believe Essendon v Hawthorn in Round 9 would have got less than 52,000 at the MCG? Didn't think so.

Still, good to see one of the best games of all time been played at the home of football...and not at the 'boutique' television studio on the other side of town.

 

[stoisle]

Originally posted by Mr Ripper
Could be on completely the wrong tram here, but I've an inkling that 'away' team supporters aren't turning up in the numbers they used to.

It was almost as if the Dons were playing an interstate side yesterday, such was the scarcity of Kangas amongst the crowd.

Hafta keep an eye on how many Carltonians front up at the G on Sunday for their crunch game against the Hawks.

I would not have thought being an "away" member mattered as mush these days because most clubs give the option of a membership ticket that lets you into every match you play in Melbourne.

 

[Smokin]

The North fans were probably expecting another shalacking!
I mean we have touched em up in our last couple meetings!

Thats probably why they came out like they did in the first quarter.

 

[PiesPremiers]

Originally posted by Dan25
Good one Peter Jackson, you dill. I told you so

LOL..its wayne jackson daniel...

 

[Smokin]

Originally posted by PiesPremiers


LOL..its wayne jackson daniel...

I take it he is talkin about Essendon CEO, Peter Jackson.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Originally posted by PiesPremiers


LOL..its wayne jackson daniel...

Actually I think he is referring to Peter Jackson of the Essendon administration, not Wayne Jackson the ****head.

 

[Danny Chook Fan Club]

Originally posted by Dave
11 at the 'g and none at colonical would suit me better

You'll get yourself drummed out of the union for that sort of crazy talk.

What are you, a real football supporter or something?

 

[topdon]

I believe that Essendon's home ground should be Colonial...BUT...they should only play games there against the non-Victorian sides, St.Kilda, and the Western Bulldogs. The rest should be played at the MCG.

Nothing beats the atmosphere yesterday! Colonial has none.

 

[Shinboners]

Agree with TopDon.....yesterday's game would not have been the same had it been at Colonial. A truly great game needed the best backdrop sport can offer, and there is none better than the MCG.

 

[Shinboners]

One other thing, with 52,000 at the game, if you wait say, 5 years, you won't meet an Essendon fan who will say that they wearn't there.

 

[hotham]

15,622 at Optus Oval. Very poor crowd for a club that have so many premierships. Almost a soccer crowd in fact.

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Shinboners
One other thing, with 52,000 at the game, if you wait say, 5 years, you won't meet an Essendon fan who will say that they wearn't there.

Yeah you will, me

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Danny Chook Fan Club
You'll get yourself drummed out of the union for that sort of crazy talk.

What are you, a real football supporter or something?

Abso-farking-lutely.