Discussion So I crunched the numbers …. again

[ClarkeM]

FWIW too I actually met TFLUA-Tiger in real life about five years later. He admitted it was a mistake at the time and by then all water under the bridge and the Dragons were back as the sole entity at that stage.

What else did he admit to Pie ?

He was a pretty good umpire yeah, all things being equal? And by that I mean he was on a pathway for such and good on him.

But still, his legacy is forever tainted in this place.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Meanwhile the Las Vegas Bears had 1 and a half posters on average each week showing up. If only someone had the vision to present that said data at the time and ask the question as to HOW on earth is this the "best thing for the league".

Didn’t they get folded then though?

 

[ClarkeM]

Didn’t they get folded then though?

While the two most active clubs had to merge for the sakes of the league, the least active club was folded...

Math doesn't quite math.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

What else did he admit to Pie ?

He was a pretty good umpire yeah, all things being equal? And by that I mean he was on a pathway for such and good on him.

But still, his legacy is forever tainted in this place.

Haha just admitted he hadn’t handled the situation well and was over his head with the admin job. He did umpiring but career wise was in journalism (which is how we crossed paths). Was working with Bendigo Pioneers at the time.

 

[The Half Back]

boncer34 was the GOAT admin.

 

[ClarkeM]

Haha just admitted he hadn’t handled the situation well and was over his head with the admin job. He did umpiring but career wise was in journalism (which is how we crossed paths). Was working with Bendigo Pioneers at the time.

Ah true, there you go!

 

[ClarkeM]

boncer34 was the GOAT admin.

You should rank them all

 

[The Half Back]

You should rank them all

1. boncer34
2. Kennedy Parker
3. NaturalDisaster
4. The Rest

 

[serial_thrilla]

FWIW too I actually met TFLUA-Tiger in real life about five years later. He admitted it was a mistake at the time and by then all water under the bridge and the Dragons were back as the sole entity at that stage.

Can we just pretend the merger didn't exist, and combine DRA and SDR historical records?

 

[Kilroy]

Season 40 was meant to be the season of celebration …

It sucks hey... always knew the inevitable would happen but not this swiftly.

Just got to keep posting and doing our best.

It’s down by a third already.

May be time for an “intervention”?

Nice work Kilroy

I've combined your latest numbers with some of the historical ones I compiled a few years ago. The time of year doesn't seem to have impacted participation historically.

View attachment 2485301

 

[Kennedy Parker]

View attachment 2485391

Every admin has the challenge of figuring out how to boost activity and engagement levels. I don't think any have a really clear answer.

Those numbers are like the economy, mostly cyclical and influenced by a large number of variables that aren't necessarily controllable.

 

[Kilroy]

Every admin has the challenge of figuring out how to boost activity and engagement levels. I don't think any have a really clear answer.

Those numbers are like the economy, mostly cyclical and influenced by a large number of variables that aren't necessarily controllable.

Like economies, forums are vulnerable to being talked down by the naysayers.

Much easier to be the Chicken Littles of the world than to make an effort.

Appreciate your intervention.

 

[ClarkeM]

Every admin has the challenge of figuring out how to boost activity and engagement levels. I don't think any have a really clear answer.

Those numbers are like the economy, mostly cyclical and influenced by a large number of variables that aren't necessarily controllable.

Admins should also try do something though, right?

 

[Kilroy]

Admins should also try do something though, right?

Quite a few have commented on the importance of rookies to the reinvigoration of the forum each season. New blood to use a bio-chemical analogy.

The tours of sub-forums have their limitations and their place, but it takes brainstorming and commitment from above to make such opportunities happen.

If the off-season competitions need tweaking to target more likely breeding grounds then we should be having those conversations in the Committee and/or in the media.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Can we just pretend the merger didn't exist, and combine DRA and SDR historical records?

Preaching to the choir. I already do that!

 

[Kennedy Parker]

Like economies, forums are vulnerable to being talked down by the naysayers.

Much easier to be the Chicken Littles of the world than to make an effort.

Appreciate your intervention.

Admins should also try do something though, right?

Previously significant growth phases have often followed significant structural changes or innovative new ideas.

I think the biggest phase of growth in SFA history happened when Boncer changed the fixture from one that mirrored the AFL season and had a 6 month gap, to two seasons per year which basically meant year-round Qooty.

Expansion also creates a short-term boost in activity and engagement through excitement and a large number of new players entering.

Filths first run was a boom period when it comes to rookie recruitment, from memory the S22 was an especially large crop. During this period, the Beez was reintroduced and the first Qooty tours happened I believe.

Then there was a period of 5 seasons of negative/no growth in participation before COVID lockdowns made people bored. Ant Bear was admin at this time and was pretty vocally in support of expansion, so the league had a couple of failed expansion bids that were eventually absorbed into existing clubs which spurred a lot of activity for a while.

Then there was the OOB expansion which kept activity high for while but the novelty of that wears off gradually.


You obviously can't expand the league every season, and you wouldn't expect a global pandemic to be repeated. When I was admin and not much was happening I'd normally look at organising/encouraging some kind of collaborative event e.g. a heritage round celebration or a charity event. That can lift the energy of the community a bit.

Crossover events with other boards also have proven effective in the past. S35 we did a charity game with the GD got a few rookies on board from that (including Gralin himself). Then the following season a werewolf game on the GD was able to attract a few GD posters to the club room for more, and some ended up recruited via that sub-board.

Those initiatives will have more of an incremental impact but in periods where business is slow in terms of new recruits the next best thing you can do is retain the players you already have and keep them engaged for longer.

 

[Kennedy Parker]

Having said that, you can bring in 50 rookies in the offseason but they won't stick around if the product is not entertaining.

Posting stats get measured but it's more a lagging indicator. A lot of posters will stick around and post in match threads out of habit even as their enthusiasm starts to wane.

Media and team threads are more of a leading indicator for the state of the league.

I love Tonga Bob but 4 out of the last 5 Beez Trophies suggests dwindling competition in the media scene, and if he doesn't win it again it will probably mean a third Beez for TheInjuryFactory

If activity is falling then probably the first priority for admin and committee is a concerted effort to promote and encourage media engagement and production.

 

[Kilroy]

Presumably we’re in the sort of territory now that coaches struggle with?

Do we need both a carrot and a stick in how we react to “the product”.

Not suggesting we need a “dislike” button, just that we need challenges to inspire us to greater heights.

 

[sabso]

Admitted to rigging the sim

All I know is you rigged the cricket sim and still didn’t win

 

[Robertio]

the next best thing you can do is retain the players you already have and keep them engaged for longer.

 

[Tonga Bob]

Having said that, you can bring in 50 rookies in the offseason but they won't stick around if the product is not entertaining.

Posting stats get measured but it's more a lagging indicator. A lot of posters will stick around and post in match threads out of habit even as their enthusiasm starts to wane.

Media and team threads are more of a leading indicator for the state of the league.

I love Tonga Bob but 4 out of the last 5 Beez Trophies suggests dwindling competition in the media scene, and if he doesn't win it again it will probably mean a third Beez for TheInjuryFactory

If activity is falling then probably the first priority for admin and committee is a concerted effort to promote and encourage media engagement and production.

I love you too

 

[Tonga Bob]

Admitted to rigging the sim

 

[ClarkeM]

Having said that, you can bring in 50 rookies in the offseason but they won't stick around if the product is not entertaining.

We'd be lucky to even get 5 rookies these days but your point is incredibly valid and true.

 

[sabso]

We'd be lucky to even get 5 rookies these days but your point is incredibly valid and true.

Competition for the eka is as hot as ever

 

[Kilroy]

We'd be lucky to even get 5 rookies these days but your point is incredibly valid and true.

9 Rookies in S40

Bombers
38 posts - Saint Kidding
7 posts - hobotree

Demons
55 posts - tomcruise

Gumbies
46 posts - Matthew Jelley
3 posts - Spooky17

OOBS
60 posts - HitTheNailOnTheHead
52 posts - hammer180

Swamprats
17 posts - Slingshot Footy

Warriors
54 posts - ubiquitous226

Competition for the eka is as hot as ever

Chipmunk

You taking bets?