AFL Fans Association (AFLFA) – Giving footy fans a voice: mid-season hits and misses in 2019

Cheryl Critchley, who has been part of the Footy Almanac community since the Almanac commenced in 2007,  and now adds her voice to the AFL Fans Association (AFLFA), has forwarded their latest press release for the consideration of all footy followers.

 

This press release outlines the issues the  AFLFA wish to voice currently for the information of the football loving public.

 

The opinions expressed therein are those of the AFLFA.

 

                                 

 

AFL FANS ASSOCIATION (AFLFA): “GIVING FOOTY FANS A VOICE”

 

Mid-season hits and misses in 2019

Clubs helping fans in tough times and the MCG buggy service are big hits in the AFL Fans Association mid-season ‘hits and misses’. But the AFLFA has taken aim at violent fans, abusive trolls, inconsistent umpiring, confusion over fan evictions, lack of ticketing transparency and controversial rule changes.

 

HITS

 

  • AFLW skill levels continue to increase and the competition is inspiring record numbers of females to play footy. A record 53,034 packed Adelaide Oval watch Adelaide beat Carlton in the Grand Final.
  • AFLW games at old suburban grounds such as Norwood Oval, Victoria Park, Whitten Oval, Fremantle Oval and Ikon Park.
  • More close games – the closeness of the competition has increased some fans’ interest.
  • Sunday Funday continues at most AFL grounds, with free kids’ entry and family activities.
  • The Front Bar and Marngrook continue to be popular with discerning footy fans.
  • Clubs helping fans in tough times, such as Collingwood treating terminally ill fan Kyron McGuire to the match-day experience of a lifetime.
  • Sir Doug Nicholls Round promotes indigenous issues and the need to stamp out racism.
  • Some clubs are offering cheap ticket deals on social media. For example, North Melbourne and the Bulldogs have offered $15 adult general admission tickets.
  • MCG and Marvel Stadium food deals continue. Marvel has kids meal deals and the MCG charges just $4.50 for pies and hot chips.
  • Nine VFL curtain raisers were scheduled before AFL games this season.
  • The MCG buggy service for mobility impaired patrons, which the AFL Fans Association helped instigate, has gone from strength to strength.

 

MISSES

 

  • The evictions for umpire abuse of a Richmond fan banned from the cheer squad for three weeks, and a Carlton fan from Marvel Stadium, have supporters worried about what they can and can’t say at games.
  • Gambling advertising is all pervasive and fans don’t like its influence on kids.
  • A worrying number of fan violence incidents have occurred this year.
  • Social media trolls abusing players such as Tayla Harris and Liam Ryan are a big problem.
  • Less transparency – the AFL has removed its ticket price guide from its website. Some clubs don’t have guides on their websites, which makes it hard for fans to compare prices across games.
  • Ticket prices at Perth Stadium West Coast games and all Adelaide Oval games are very expensive.
  • Some clubs are using dynamic pricing to increase reserved seat prices for low crowd games.
  • Food is particularly expensive in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney.
  • The loud volume of music and announcements at footy grounds can be very annoying.
  • Moving LED ads during play can be distracting for fans.
  • Inconsistent match review and tribunal decisions have annoyed many fans.
  • The AFL pouring money into AFLX despite the ambivalence of most fans.
  • While individual umpires do a great job, changes to rule interpretations have seen some fans become increasingly frustrated with inconsistent decisions, particularly holding the ball.
  • AFL rule changes such as 6-6-6 have so far failed to achieve their aim of higher scores.
  • The Footy Show.

 

More information: AFLFA president Gerry Eeman on 0403 938 484. Email: [email protected] or [email protected].  

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you really enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

*