Round 9 - IT SOLD OUT !

[Pessimistic]

There'e been lots of discussion on the essendon Hawks game at colonial, and whether it should be switched to the MCG.

One thing is not being discussed in the press in that the game actually sold out last year, and didn't seem to be as competitive as this year.

Whats more the fact it would sell out was poorly communicated and a lot of people travelled to the venue only to be turned away.

This is why it should be at the MCG. Whether or not either essendon or hawthorn wins or loses the next 2 games should be irrelevant

Any thoughts anyone ?

 

[Hellacopters]

errrr...um...


no!

 

[dunstall19]

I HAVE BEEN TIPPING THIS GAME WOULD HAVE TO BE SWITCHED FROM ABOUT A MONTH BACK. THIS MATCH WILL TYPIFY THE GREAT CLASHES FROM THE 80'S WHEN BOTH THE GAMES AND THE CROWDS WERE BIG! I THINK IT WAS A GAME IN 97' THAT THEY SAID BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF 80'S CLASHES, BUT ESSENDON PULLED AWAY TO WIN EASY. I REMEMBER LISTENING TO THE GAME ON RADIO THAT ARVO AND UNLESS MY MEMORY HAS EVAPORARTED CRAWFORD PLAYED ON HIRD AND RIPPED HIM TO SHREDS- CRAWFORD WAS MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF AND HE DOMINATED PROCEEDINGS ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR. ID HAVE TO SAY ESSENDON HAVE WON JUST ABOUT EVERY ENCOUNTER SINCE AND THE LAST CLOSE AFFAIR WAS LAST YEARS ANSETT CUP. I CANT SEE CRAWFORD HAVING SUCH AN IMPACT THIS TIME AROUND BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHAT HES CAPABLE OF!!! IM SURE SHANE WONT FORGET THE GAME!!!

THIS MATCH WILL GET CLOSE TO 70 000 EASY, EASILY AND IF YOUR IN MELB AND MISS IT YOUR A MUG.

THE PHYSICALITY WILL COME BACK TO FOOTY RD9 AND IT WILL BE A LAST MAN STANDING AFFAIR BETWEEN THE TWO PROUDEST CLUBS SINCE 1980.

THERE DESERVES TO BE AT LEAST A CUP ON OFFER FOR THESE MATCHES AS HAWKS V ESS ENCOUNTERS CAN BE MUCH BETTER GAMES THAN MAG V ESS GAMES EVER WILL- INC THIS YR.

THE BLOOD WILL BE BOILING AS HAWTHORN PAY TRIBUTE TO THE KINGS OF THE BYGONE ERA.

COLONIAL WOULD NOT DO JUSTICE TO SUCH A CLASH.

#19- HAND OF GOD 1986

 

[Max Power]

Essendon & Hawthorn H & A games have never had huge crowds

Only once have they got over 50,000 to a game, in 1996 I think - just a whisker over 60,000

Hawthorn fans are deluded by their membership numbers but four legged animals aren't allowed into AFL grounds

Or falling for the Mike Sheahan mathematics formula - Essendon have 35,000 members, Hawthorn have 25,000 members so that means 60,000 will turn up regardless. It don't work like that, only around 75% of Essendon members turn up on gameday and even less than that for Hawthorn as it is an away game and you have to pay full price.

So you may have 25,000 EFC members, 12,500 Hawk members at best, that still is below the 42,000 public/members capacity of Colonial. And really if you ain't a member TS to you if you get locked out.

Hawthorn's away game crowd average has been only 27,567 in 2001

So what is better a full house at Colonial or a half empty MCG?

 

[dunstall19]

Originally posted by Max Power
Essendon & Hawthorn H & A games have never had huge crowds

Only once have they got over 50,000 to a game, in 1996 I think - just a whisker over 60,000

Hawthorn fans are deluded by their membership numbers but four legged animals aren't allowed into AFL grounds

Or falling for the Mike Sheahan mathematics formula - Essendon have 35,000 members, Hawthorn have 25,000 members so that means 60,000 will turn up regardless. It don't work like that, only around 75% of Essendon members turn up on gameday and even less than that for Hawthorn as it is an away game and you have to pay full price.

So you may have 25,000 EFC members, 12,500 Hawk members at best, that still is below the 42,000 public/members capacity of Colonial. And really if you ain't a member TS to you if you get locked out.

Hawthorn's away game crowd average has been only 27,567 in 2001

So what is better a full house at Colonial or a half empty MCG?

WHAT GAME ARE YOU FOLLOWING - YOU HAVE THE SMALLEST IDEA OF ANY AFL FOLLOWER. IF ESSENSCUMCRUD MEMBERS DONT ROCK UP IT WONT MATTER AS THOSE SEATS WILL STILL BE IN A RESERVED SECTION - HAWK MEMBERS WONT GET JACK SO WHATS IT MATTER IF YOUR A MEMBER OR NOT??? ESSENCRUD FANS WILL MAKE UP 40 000 ODD INC NEUTRAL AND THAT LEAVES ABOUT 5000 HAWK FANS AT BEST- ILL BET ANYTHING YOU HAVE THAT THE GAME WILL GET 65000 AT MCG.

YOUR FOLLOWING A DIFFERENT GAME IF THESE CLUBS HAVENT GOT OVER 50 000 MORE THAN ONCE!!! YOUR THAT FU#$%D UP IN THE HEAD THAT YOU MUST BE THE NO.1 ESSENCRUD TICK/HOLDER.


ALL ESSENCRUD MEMBERS/FANS ARRIVED ON THE SAME BOAT.

 

[windyhill]

If there is one more bullshit cup awarded,I`ll spew up.

 

[windyhill]

In fact don`t Essendon and whorethawn play for the M.S shield ? A good cause,but we have cup overload at the moment.

 

[Dave]

Yep D19, your memory has evaporated.

Max is correct about crowds, since 1993 there has been ONE match that has attracted a crowd in excess of 50,000. Given that prior to 92 Essendon & Hawthorn played at surburban grounds there would not have been any clashs that exceeded this figure.

That said I'd be quite happy for the game to be moved, though why Essendon should do so when it's not in their best interests is a little mystifying. Why should Essendon care about Hawthorn's members? Do Hawthorn care about anyone elses members?

 

[dunstall19]

Originally posted by Dave
Yep D19, your memory has evaporated.

USE YOUR BRAIN YOU IDIOT. NOT JUST FOR THE GATE REVENUE BUT FOR FOOTBALL. YOU SIGNED UP FOR THAT PISSY LITTLE CRAP DOMAIN FOR FAIRYS AND NOW YOU CAN PAY THE PRICE!! TOO BAD IF YOU DONT GET YOUR 7 GAMES THERE OR WHATEVER, GAMES SHOULD ONLY BE PLAYED THERE IF A CROWD OF 60 000 OR MORE IS NOT LIKELY.

OBVIOUSLY YOU DONT REMEMBER HIRDS PASTEING BY CRAWFORD , HAHAHAH. MY MEMORY IS FINE BUDDA.

#19 GOAL KING

 

[elt]

50,000 is meaningless

Let's not forget the facts here people :

• The AFL promised to move any games that were a sellout at Colonial to the G
• The G is free the next day and with both teams playing on a Saturday the following week there is no argument about unfair breaks
• Last year it sold out at Colonial in a game with far less interest
• The capacity of Colonial is not 52,000. It is more like 46,000 once Medallion Club is considered. This means all the stats about crowds over 50,000 are meaningless

It is a sad indication of the way the game is going that we are happy to deny people, especially members (RSPCA jokes aside), the opportunity to see their team play in what will be one of biggest games of the year so far for their club.

 

[Chris_23]

Valid points about the crowd figures....BUT! When was the last time Hawthorn and Essendon were 1st and 2nd on the ladder respectively? You all know that this game could attract 65,000 - 75,000. That game you are talking about when they got just over 60,000 was in 97 at the 'G'. Both teams had sh!t years but at the time Hawthorn were on a 4 game winning streak, thus our supporters were coming out of the woodwork, just like they are now Last years return match at Colonial was a sell-out, people were turned away at the door. MOVE IT!!!!!!!

BTW, to the w***er who couldn't resist saying that our members are dogs and cats, you are more than welcome to go down to the club and check out the membership records. Anyway, to be honest if half of our members were cats and dogs why would we give a sh!t??? As long as they pay i couldn't care less.

 

[elt]

Originally posted by Max Power
Essendon & Hawthorn H & A games have never had huge crowds

Only once have they got over 50,000 to a game, in 1996 I think - just a whisker over 60,000

How many times have they got over 46,000 which would cause a lockout at Colonial?

Originally posted by Max Power
Hawthorn's away game crowd average has been only 27,567 in 2001

We have played three away games so far this season. One was in Freo so you can hardly blame us for the attendance there. We also played at Optus which, considering its reputation for ripping people off, I thought over 27,000 was a good crowd. The last one was against the Bulldogs at Colonial which was attended by 34,000. All in all I would say our away crowds have been quite good considering the opposition and venue.

[M1 style chant]
Check your facts not useless stats!
[/M1 style chant]

Originally posted by Max Power
So what is better a full house at Colonial or a half empty MCG?

I can't believe you would even need to ask this question. As far as I am concerned every member should be given the opportunity to see their team play where possible. Then again I guess a full Colonial would look good on tv and that's the main thing

 

[Dave]

D19, a few things. I didn't sign up for it, I voted against it. Given that the club has signed a contract, why should we pay any price? Becuase you can't go to see your team? Poor baby, have a sook. You want all of Hawthorns interstate games transferred to the MCG too?

Don't give me that "for football" crap either. You're shitty because it's your team. I didn't see Hawthorn calling for last weeks game to be moved, or last years Essendon/Nth or Collingwood/Doggies match so they can't say they're "doing it for football". They're doing it for their supporters, full stop. And if that's good enough for them, it's good enough for every other club.


As for my memory, the game you referred to in 1997, and said that Essendon "pulled away to win easy" was actually won by Hawthorn. Hird did not play at all, so it would have been a little difficult for Crawford to give him a "pasteing". Now what was that about your memory again "Budda"?

 

[Max Power]

The point pretty much is all Essendon and Hawthorn members will get in if the game is played at Colonial regardless

If you ain't a Essendon or Hawthorn member - tough

 

[elt]

Originally posted by Max Power
The point pretty much is all Essendon and Hawthorn members will get in if the game is played at Colonial regardless

If you ain't a Essendon or Hawthorn member - tough

Tell that to the Hawks members who didn't get in last year when we weren't undefeated and it wasn't our biggest game of the year at that point.

On your 'logic' we don't need the G anymore - move ANZAC Day matches to Colonial ... most of the members can get in anyway

 

[Dave]

Chris/ELT, good points both of you. As I said to D19, I'd be quite happy for the game to be moved as my wife's a hawks fan (and she's not a cat or dog!) and wants to go, at the moment she can't. If the game was switched she could, though whether that's good or bad I'm not quite sure of

I understand your position and frustration at possibly missing what will hopefully be a cracker of a game, but I can also understand my clubs desire to fulfill their contractual obligations. They are only looking after their fans interests in the same way Hawthorn are in trying to get the game switched, a point I made to D19, though he didn't understand it. Too busy looking for the CAPS LOCK key no doubt

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by elt
Tell that to the Hawks members who didn't get in last year when we weren't undefeated and it wasn't our biggest game of the year at that point.

Good point. At the end of the day, it's not Essendon's problem if other teams fans don't get in. That's up to the league. Yep, they lied again. Shock, horror. They also said unused medallion seats would be sold to the public, and that hasn't happened either.

 

[elt]

Dave,

I can understand Essendon's point of view, particuarly as if it was moved even a much larger crowd would probably make them less money. That's without even taking into account the contract obligations. Just frustrating if Hawks supporters, members, their cats, dogs and other assorted wildlife can't attend.

Spot on about the caps lock btw

 

[Dave]

Elt, yep, I know what you mean. I would have much preferred the Dons to stay at the MCG, then this would not have ever been an issue. It's unfortunate that money now is seen as more important than the fans, but that's life

(I'd sure be pissed off if the boot was on the other foot too).

 

[Pessimistic]

I guess if we don't want to maximise crowds then why do Essendon, Carlton, Richmond and Collingwood always play each other at the G ?

Perhaps some of the essendon games should be at colonial. Or don't play each other twice each year.

PS. Hawthorn had a ground agreement at waverley but that was worth squat to the bigger picture. Why should essnedon be any different ?

 

[Dave]

Pess, I assume you're replying to me, though given you hardly ever do it's a bit hard to know. You seem to be confusing what I've said about Essendon with the AFL.

I have said numerous times I think the game should be moved. I've never said it should not be moved because we aren't about maximising crowds. What I've said is I can understand Essendon's POV that this game being at Colonial may be in the clubs best interests. Playing the other clubs you mentioned at Colonial would not be in Essendon's best interests. Given the league can't move the game without the clubs consent, their hands are somewhat tied.

I also agree that Hawthorn were treated shabbily by the AFL wrt Waverley, as have the league, otherwise they would not have agreed to the concessions they did (under threat of legal action). I would imagine that if the AFL attempted to break the agreement that they made with Essendon that the club would take action similar to that that Hawthorn did.

Actually, given that the AFL are yet to commit to a contract that contains what they initially promised it may well eventuate that Essendon tell the League & Colonial to GFC and go back to the MCG. Depends on whether their contract to play there is still binding.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Given reasonable weather, I'd confidently predict at least 75,000 would turn up to Ess v Haw at the G.

If Essendon can pull nearly 70,000 for a game against the Swans, then you could expect plenty more for a game against the Hawks.

Using past figures for these clubs as a guide is a furphy. Remember when North played the Dogs as 1 v 2 in the last round of '98? Drew 68,000 when the best these two clubs had ever managed previous to this was low to mid 30s.

If both Essendon and Hawthorn win this week, their clash should immediately be transferred to the MCG.

 

[Dave]

As always, the voice of reason. Well said Mr Ripper.

 

[hawfawnchick]

My friend works down at Hawthorn and she said that tickets are already on sale for members of both teams for this clash. From what she said, the hawks are being inundated with calls and the big problem is that their aren't enough reserved seats for hawks members. Word is, this game will be a sell-out at Colonial despite what some people argue and just quietly, while I realise Essendon have obligations to play so many games at Colonial each year, moving the game to the MCG could prove to be a windfall. I think more hawks supporters would be willing to trek to the MCG than Colonial, therefore, providing Essendon with a profit larger than they would get at Colonial. Just my opinion and you don't have to agree with me (as I'm sure some of you will tell me).

 

[dunstall19]

NO DAVE I DONT LIVE IN VICTORIA SO I WONT SEE THE GAME EITHER WAY. THATS NOT A BIG CONCERN TO ME. I BELIEVE HAWTHORN WILL FIRE UP MORE AT THE MCG THAN COLONIAL, AND IT WILL BE A MORE PHYSICAL ENCOUNTER.

YOUR THINKING OF A DIFFERENT GAME, IF HIRD DIDNT PLAY?? BECAUSE HE RECEIVED A MUCH TALKED ABOUT TOWELLING BY A YOUNG SHANE CRAWFORD.

#19 GOAL KING