We got fixture wrong: AFL

PNess

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Thread starter #1
A somewhat amusing article from Caro in The Age today. I was shocked when I read the headline - the AFL has admitted to getting something wrong?

If you check out the article the headline should actually read: Hawks got it wrong: AFL.



THE AFL has conceded it made a number of errors with the 2009 home-and-away fixture that has prevented fans from attending games and could cost the competition another season attendance record.

League executive Gillon McLachlan pointed to the round-19 Hawthorn-St Kilda clash in Tasmania as a scheduling mistake, which came about following a request from the Hawks. The match could have attracted an extra 45,000 fans had it been played at the MCG. He hinted that the AFL would be less likely to co-operate with such club requests next season.

As the 16 clubs set about delivering their 2010 wish-lists into head office, McLachlan told The Age: "We will always try and support clubs in their requests, but in this case we might have got it wrong and it's costing people attending the game.

"In trying to find the right balance we might have lost sight of the bigger picture and the broader ideal of maximising attendances and to a lesser extent ratings. Did we get it right with Hawthorn? We need to discuss that with Hawthorn. They got what they wanted and the Tasmanian Government got what they wanted … but there is a bigger picture."

McLachlan's comments backed up those of AFL boss Andrew Demetriou who revealed three days ago that the league had invested in new analysis and a small team of experts scrutinising every game in the fixture as it related to venue, attendance, timeslot and television rating.

Demetriou told ABC radio that the data would be put into play next season and that club requests such as Hawthorn's to play more Victorian teams at Aurora Stadium would come second to maximising attendances. Demetriou also deemed the Hawthorn-St Kilda clash, which has become increasingly tantalising with the Hawks recent return-to-form, as a fixturing mistake.

"We need to increase the power of the fixture as a tool," said McLachlan. "We are looking at the attendance and rating of every game in the schedule and breaking down every possible combination. We obviously support what Hawthorn are doing in Tasmania, but it is one example of where we might not have seen the wood for the trees."

McLachlan's comments did not bode well for the AFL's current poor performers such as Melbourne which has pleaded in recent years for less Sunday games, requests which have largely fallen upon deaf ears. Given that the AFL seems certain to more heavily favour the big-drawing successful sides with marquee games, the struggling clubs could be forced to rely on the new equalisation funding policy as consolation.

"Success comes in cycles," said McLachlan. "Every team has its peaks and troughs."

St Kilda has not played at Aurora Stadium since 2006.

That club was one of three Melbourne teams to sell games to the Gold Coast Stadium in 2009, another factor harming crowds which will not happen next season.

Demetriou also said it was preferable that every team played at least two home-and-away games each season at the MCG to prepare for finals. The Saints do not play at the MCG until round 22 against Melbourne.
 

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Tasmaniac

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#2
Thanks for posting this, should have been on here just for the number of times Hawthorn gets a mention.

As a Tasmanian Hawk I personally don't care about having to play Non-Vic sides in Tassie, makes perfect sense. Make 'em travel.

I can imagine an article from Jeff crying crocodile tears (for the benefit of the Tassie audience/govt), saying how disappointed he is.

But the only ones who would be truly disappointed would be the Tassie Govt, and Tasmanians who support Vic clubs, and they can get stuffed.
 
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#4
Whoever would have thought StK would be undefeated as of Rd 16? LOL.

Still, if we want to talk scheduling mistakes, then Geel v StK at Docklands must take the cake (hindsight again is a wonderful thing).

FWIW though, hope we play the VIC teams in VIC next year and we make teams like the Coasters, Freo and Brisy travel that little bit further. Perhaps the Adelaide sides too.
 

stick

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#7
Yet again the AFL showing scant regard for the Tasmanian footballing public. They really do not give a rats-toss bag about Tassie. I find it ammusing that they are willing to shaft Tassie, but yet refuse to relocate 'blockbuster' games from Etihad to the 'G' despite promising they would do this when the stadium first came into existence.

How about they fix that issue first before shafting Tassie footy fans????
 

Badesumofu

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#8
This game wasn't expected to be such a big drawing game when the fixtures were done. St. Kilda aren't generally a huge drawing club. They've been predicted to become a top side for quite a few years now, how was anyone to know that this would be the year they finally delivered?

It's not likely that Hawthorn would have asked to have the game down in Tassie if they had known that it would have been a 60K - 70K plus game at the 'G.
 

hawker11

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#9
This game wasn't expected to be such a big drawing game when the fixtures were done. St. Kilda aren't generally a huge drawing club. They've been predicted to become a top side for quite a few years now, how was anyone to know that this would be the year they finally delivered?

It's not likely that Hawthorn would have asked to have the game down in Tassie if they had known that it would have been a 60K - 70K plus game at the 'G.
We played them in a prelim final last year - it's not rocket science that the return game in the following year would be a crowd puller.
 

QuietB

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#10
I love how the afl think they have stuffed up the fixture because they wont get an attendance record but never mention the inequalities in the fixture which is much more relevent/meaningful.
 

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#11
and they don't address the biggest problem that they have introduced of teams not playing one another until round 21 FFS. Who knows, us getting Richmond (as it turns out this year) might have been the boost we needed during the first 15 rounds. It also might not have made a difference, but it should at least be possible. Play everyone once, and then do whatever is necessary to fit the games in.
 

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hawker5

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#12
AFL can only blame themselves for this one - StKilda, Footscray and Hawthorn all made the finals last year and nothing at the end of last season suggested that this would change - Last year Melbourne finished last, the Roos looked like they would slide and noone was certain what would happen with Richmond so they could of considered these 3 Melbourne clubs for a game in Tasmania and given Richmonds supposed historical link to Tasmania this could of been an island block buster.
 

Hawthorn United

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#13
I love how the afl think they have stuffed up the fixture because they wont get an attendance record but never mention the inequalities in the fixture which is much more relevent/meaningful.
First thing I thought too. Coming up with excuses already if there's a drop in attendances.

Afterall, they rave on about how the game is in great shape due to attendance figured. If they happen to drop off, oh it's fixturing problems not people turning away from the game.
 
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#14
League executive Gillon McLachlan pointed to the round-19 Hawthorn-St Kilda clash in Tasmania as a scheduling mistake, which came about following a request from the Hawks.

I doubt if this is actually true. I cannot believe that the club would submit their fixture preferences with a specific request of a home game against St Kilda at Launceston.

With Hawthorn as defending Premiers and St Kilda preliminary finalists, an attendance of well over the magic 35000 would have been guaranteed at the MCG.The game would probably draw 50000 to 60000 which gives Hawthorn a very nice profit which would be much more than they will receive in Tasmania.

I believe that the more likely request from Hawthorn would be far more generic such as asking to play 2 games in Launceston against Melbourne teams which made the 2008 finals.

There is no way that the AFL would schedule Hawthorn against Collingwood and Geelong in Tasmania.

This meant that to comply with “Hawthorns request”? North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs or St. Kilda would have to travel to Launceston.

Given their low drawing capacity, North Melbourne were a given. The Match Scheduling Committee (if that is what they are called) probably tossed a coin to decide the other game.

In fact Hawthorn’s submission may simply have asked to play 2 games against Melbourne clubs.

I think that once again the AFL is obfuscating in offering a Clayton’s apology and trying to make Hawthorn appear as the real villains.

I also find it interesting that the ubiquitous Carolyn Wilson is the Journalist who is responsible for the story. Her anti Hawthorn crusade is well known. In fact she could have made up the whole story.

Accepting her report to be true will result in an angry response from St Kilda supporters who have now been given the excuse to blame it all on Hawthorn.

It will be interesting to watch the St Kilda board this week.
 

Mervyn Beasley

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#15
I love how the afl think they have stuffed up the fixture because they wont get an attendance record but never mention the inequalities in the fixture which is much more relevent/meaningful.
So so true!!

Re Lord Mud'd post: I think you'll find the HFC requested 2 of their games in Tas to be against Melb teams, not necessarily StK specifically.
 

Hawkk

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#16
As I've said all year there is absolutely no guarntee the AFL will support a 5th game in Tasmania

Could the AFL be against us playing games down there long term, especially if our Melb based crowds continue to rise (3 of the biggest 10 games this season have been Hawthorn games)
 

Hawkk

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#17
This game wasn't expected to be such a big drawing game when the fixtures were done. St. Kilda aren't generally a huge drawing club. They've been predicted to become a top side for quite a few years now, how was anyone to know that this would be the year they finally delivered?
St Kilda have a bigger Vic fan base than Melbourne, North, Dogs, Sydney, Brisbane, Fremantle, Port, Adelaide and West Coast yet we played 3 of these games at the MCG

It's not likely that Hawthorn would have asked to have the game down in Tassie if they had known that it would have been a 60K - 70K plus game at the 'G.
Hawthorn actually requested to play Geelong and Collingwood in Tasmania last year, St Kilda was a comprimise

FWIW, whether there motives are questionable or not, its good to see the AFL actually putting the best interests of our supporters first for once
 

play2win

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#18
it would be interesting to know what the club actually submitted to the afl regarding the games to be played in tassie.

my first thought when i saw the saints game scheduled to be down there when the draw was first published was that it probably came about from the club requesting it for football reasons. if you recall the saints didn't fare too well when they did play down in tassie.

maybe the club targeted specific clubs because they thought the playing conditions would be more favourable - and not directed by the commercial outcomes as the afl would be.
 
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#19
As an ex-Victorian Tasmanian Hawthorn Nut, I'm lovin it all the way to Aurora stadium. Whoever is to blame for this fixturing fiasco I say Thank you!!!! WOOOO HOOOOOO!!! Here's to AFL blockbusters on my doorstep!!!!!!!!
 
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#20
Mervyn Beasley;15146677 [B said:
Re Lord Mud'd post[/b]: I think you'll find the HFC requested 2 of their games in Tas to be against Melb teams, not necessarily StK specifically.
If you read the post properly you will see that that is exactly what I said.

Elementary my dear man.
 

Mervyn Beasley

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#21
If you read the post properly you will see that that is exactly what I said.

Elementary my dear man.
I took your advice and read your post properly and I see it is exacty what u said:cool::thumbsu:

Must admit I didnt go beyond the higlighted bit at the top!
 

HAWKS HEROES

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#23
how can anyone say that like last year us and cats who could have fioreseen us playing so well and what a block buster rd 17 would be let alone this year and saits ! that is just plain silly you will never foresee it and there will always be games that at first people will think oh it is only so and so they are not that great then all of a sudden 5 months down the track they are top of the ladder and flying ! you can not forsee it nor can the AFL ! no one stuffed up the fixture it just happened that way !
 

kimbopen

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#24
Kinda like in 2007, when the AFL scheduled Collingwood & Hawthorn at the then Telstra Dome, and everyone complained about it. At the time it was said that "no-one could have foreseen that these two would be playing so well ... blah, blah, blah."

It happens EVERY single year. There will ALWAYS be several games each year which fit this category. FFS, build a bridge & get over it already, Caro & the AFL.

Who does the fixing, ooops, sorry scheduling of games if not the AFL?

Both Adrian Anderson and Gillon McLachlan are tools of the highest order.
 

QuietB

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#25
Kinda like in 2007, when the AFL scheduled Collingwood & Hawthorn at the then Telstra Dome, and everyone complained about it. At the time it was said that "no-one could have foreseen that these two would be playing so well ... blah, blah, blah."

It happens EVERY single year. There will ALWAYS be several games each year which fit this category. FFS, build a bridge & get over it already, Caro & the AFL.

Who does the fixing, ooops, sorry scheduling of games if not the AFL?

Both Adrian Anderson and Gillon McLachlan are tools of the highest order.
Collingwood v Hawthorn at the dome is one of the biggest %$#@ ups in history. It is not even one of their home grounds FFS.

Fixturing should not be that hard although I can understand the AFL $%#&ing it up - they manage to %*&# up the easiest of things.

  • All teams play each other once until round 15 - then teams can play each other again
  • All games are scheduled at the home clubs home ground
No one gives $%#@ about rivalry round, or umpires round, or the homosexual footballers of eastern europe round and whatever else they have.

How hard can it be?
 
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