Strategy What should the AFL do with gather round?

[Philth]

Perth is the only other viable option.

Maybe give Perth a one off trial after the current SA deal has expired, and see how it goes?

 

[Aussie in exile]

I hear SA Government wants 5, AFL offered 3, SA Government holding out for 5.

Media reports announcement next week.
I'm hearing next month

Fish where the fish are, and the fish are in Adelaide.

 

[Millsie69]

Perth is the only other viable option.

Maybe give Perth a one off trial after the current SA deal has expired, and see how it goes?

Would love to hear how it's viable?

Airlines already jack up the prices for Gather Round in SA, which causes people to drive, but at least that's a viable option from basically every capital city.

Given it's near impossible for anyone to practically drive to Perth for one game, you have to fly.

Doubt many will be able to afford that.

SA just makes sense and deserves to keep it for as long as it's around.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

Perth is the only other viable option.

Maybe give Perth a one off trial after the current SA deal has expired, and see how it goes?

I think the locals would love it having 9 games of AFL in one weekend instead of 1 or 2. Probably would sell out most games.

In terms of travelling fans, a lot less than what SA gets and that's what the governments that is paying the bill are really interested in. Would the WA government put any money in if it only serves the locals?

If there are no government subsidies, how much are the match day tickets are going to be worth? The AFL would want full gate takings at current rates and someone has to pay that.

SA government does subsidise the ticket pricing for SA GR hence why the games are well attended.

 

[OhhhhhCyril]

Gather round itself is fine, I don't think they need to change anything.
Just need a better fixture to make it more appealing.

 

[Philth]

Would love to hear how it's viable?

Airlines already jack up the prices for Gather Round in SA, which causes people to drive, but at least that's a viable option from basically every capital city.

Given it's near impossible for anyone to practically drive to Perth for one game, you have to fly.

Doubt many will be able to afford that.

SA just makes sense and deserves to keep it for as long as it's around.

Ok instead of viable I should have said possible.
As for your points on driving, do you really think people from anywhere other than Victoria are driving to Adelaide for GR?
Surely Sydney fans for example would have flown.

 

[Scotland]

The only real questions in play are whether the AFL can squeeze more money out of WA than SA or use WA to drive the price up, and if there is appetite for Gather Round 2.0.

Vic sides generally play around 6 games outside Victoria per year, excepting home games that are sold for sponsorship reasons. Some clubs go to Kardinia Park often, some rarely and some never. With the shift to 18 teams it's not like the 90s/early 2000s when some teams could only travel 3-4 times and others were guaranteed 5-6 and a trip to Geelong. It's a bit more even and there's also the factor of how many neutral home games vs home games against non-Vic sides etc. But is everyone travelling to Adelaide or Perth one week that big an advantage? Adelaide having 12 home games when everyone else gets 11 sounds ridiculous, but in the context of the AFL what doesn't? Hawthorn had what a 16 day break the other week after 3 games. You can't make this stuff up.

One thing I always liked about the old Super Rugby comp is that with huge distances to travel teams went on tours. Western Force didn't just fly all the way to South Africa for one game only to fly back 3 weeks later, they would stay and play a couple of games then play a couple of games in Aus/NZ. The AFL isn't a proper H&A league so doesn't have to have a fixture that follows that.

 

[illegaleagle]

Would love to hear how it's viable?

Airlines already jack up the prices for Gather Round in SA, which causes people to drive, but at least that's a viable option from basically every capital city.

Given it's near impossible for anyone to practically drive to Perth for one game, you have to fly.

Doubt many will be able to afford that.

SA just makes sense and deserves to keep it for as long as it's around.

Get a flight over you cheapskates, we have to do it when we have a Melbourne trip with the boys, or go to a grand final in Melbourne. Also we can’t drive to adelaide it’s too far so we take flights and there’s plenty from WA who manage to make it to gather round. I think if it’s in WA say once every 4 years that would be fair. Then maybe half the time in SA and once every 4 years in Melbourne or Tassie. Also in WA there are a fair few non eagles or dockers fans as well, so would be good for them and guarantee most games attendances would be high. Remember the Dreamtime at the Optus, during Covid filled the stadium.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Lock in a 50 year contract at Adelaide like thy did with the GF at the G.

 

[illegaleagle]

Lock in a 50 year contract at Adelaide like thy did with the GF at the G.

If this is the case WA teams should get an extra home game as a trade off, the SA teams will have an unfair advantage every year by playing an extra home game than everyone else. I know we do atm with north Melbourne deal but they should lock in a deal as long as SA keeps the gather round because WA gets squat.

 

[Hamingja]

If this is the case WA teams should get an extra home game as a trade off, the SA teams will have an unfair advantage every year by playing an extra home game than everyone else. I know we do atm with north Melbourne deal but they should lock in a deal as long as SA keeps the gather round because WA gets squat.

You are already getting an extra home game via North Melbourne how greedy do you want to be

 

[illegaleagle]

You are already getting an extra home game via North Melbourne how greedy do you want to be

That’s only for a few years what happens when it runs out and gather rounds in South Australia next 50 years

 

[greatwhiteshark]

If this is the case WA teams should get an extra home game as a trade off, the SA teams will have an unfair advantage every year by playing an extra home game than everyone else. I know we do atm with north Melbourne deal but they should lock in a deal as long as SA keeps the gather round because WA gets squat.

Always miles behind hands the Vics get so I am not concerned about Adelaide. More concerned how little the vics travel

 

[Daniel6]

I’ve got the best idea.

Have…

1 game in WA
1 game in SA
1 game in NSW
1 game in QLD
1 game in Tasmania
1 game in Canberra
1 game in Alice Spring
2 games in Melbourne

And then everyone “Gather Round” the front bar with a cordial and do it all again the next weekend.

 

[Rotayjay]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. An edict that is too often forgotten in this day and age.

 

[JHF1870]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. An edict that is too often forgotten in this day and age.

And Sydney just had a thunderstorm delay. Not worth the risk.

 

[Rotayjay]

It has to move from SA or it will wither on the vine. There is only a select % of footy fans who are willing to travel interstate for games and once you've experienced a GR in Adelaide, would you really go back again for the same thing? I went in 25 and had a great time (Adelaide is beautiful) but I wouldn't book a second trip, I've seen what I wanted to see.

As much as I enjoy it, I have to admit that this is an overlooked but critical point.

 

[Freomaniac]

I hear SA Government wants 5, AFL offered 3, SA Government holding out for 5.

Media reports announcement next week.
I'm hearing next month

I won't be shocked if its 4 more years

 

[Yoda_]

why are we changing something thet is working?

is it just selfish people wanting a slice of the pie?

 

[speedpeck23]

Went for the first time this year...fantastic. Just keep it in SA. Have been to TDU several times...Adelaide lends itself to events like these.. Ease of access AO and pubs. The vibe was great, even though weather not great. Went to live site in Norwood...supporters of all clubs in club colors... all watching Ess v Melb on screen....strangely we were all cheering the Bombers as they finally won a game. Great atmosphere.... definitely worth the trip.

 

[Millsie69]

Ok instead of viable I should have said possible.
As for your points on driving, do you really think people from anywhere other than Victoria are driving to Adelaide for GR?
Surely Sydney fans for example would have flown.

But how many of those driving from VIC to SA do you expect to drive another 3.5 days on to WA?

 

[Daniel6]

Driving Melbourne to Perth is 35 hours. 3332 kms

Melbourne to Adelaide is is 8 hours and 726 kms

Adelaide to Perth is 27 hours and 2607 kms.

Families from Melbourne would have to leave Wednesday morning and get home Tuesday lunch time. Traveling 6,500 kms for Gather Round doesn’t sound like fan to me. Thats approximately 8 tanks of fuel.

 

[Feraligatr]

Leave it in South Australia. They've done the work and it's a great weekend.

But because the SFL can't help but tinker with things, I would like to see WA get it if it comes to that

 

[Philth]

But how many of those driving from VIC to SA do you expect to drive another 3.5 days on to WA?

None.
Look, I agree it’s best to keep it in SA, but they could possibly do a one off in Perth, it would be a novelty and people would fly over for it I think.

 

[Atch]

I would personally like to see it canned. It's run its course and I think we're better off without it. It's just a SA tourism cash grab. I also really don't want to hear James Brayshaw promote the barrosa valley again.