SCG Crowds... what's the answer?

[Charlie]

At the moment... we are at a crossroads in terms of support. We have a promising side doing good things on the footy field. But at the SCG, crowds are only around 23,000. This concerns me, because at the same time we are getting in excess of 30,000 each game at Stadium Australia, so the interest is there. Is it in the Eastern Suburbs? Should we be allocating another couple of matches to Stadium Australia? This is worrying me, because as much as I love the SCG... I'm finding it harder and harder to justify 9 games there.

Thoughts?

[EMJ]

I think the SCG is in the heart of the Rugby and that may be part of the problem this year.

I like you cannot understand why when the team is playing a great game of footy for all to watch.

[TheHood]

These 1pm games are not helping!

Don't forget the games played at Telstra are the blockbusters and if played at the SCG would draw better than 23,000.

On a personal note, I really miss sell-out SCG games! Nothing gets the cockrels warmed more than a full house (night game) at the SCG followed up with a Swans victory and then emptying the Lightbrigade of beer afterwards!

[floppinab]

Yeah a number of factors, the rise this time still hasn't seen us in the top two (yet!!!), the week off in the middle of SOO was a bad move, and the build up to the finals unfortunately will be right at the start of thw RWC (the one advantage might be that tickets to the RWC will be very difficult to get hold of).

[Bart]

Originally posted by floppinab
Yeah a number of factors, the rise this time still hasn't seen us in the top two (yet!!!), the week off in the middle of SOO was a bad move, and the build up to the finals unfortunately will be right at the start of thw RWC (the one advantage might be that tickets to the RWC will be very difficult to get hold of).

Not so sure on RWC. I read that there will be 500,000 new tickets on sale in August to all matches.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Bart
Not so sure on RWC. I read that there will be 500,000 new tickets on sale in August to all matches.

Yeah? Just watch how fast they go, too.

[Dave]

The RWC is falling short of expectations with overseas numbers due to terror/sars hence the flood of tickets locally.

If Aust. continue their poor form and don't even make the finals it won't be what the RA RA's were hoping.

[Cheer Cheer]

Dare I say this weeks game might be our lowest crowd at the SCG for the season too V the eagles. Won't help the average.

[Beaussie]

Re: SCG Crowds... what's the answer?

Originally posted by Charlie
At the moment... we are at a crossroads in terms of support. We have a promising side doing good things on the footy field. But at the SCG, crowds are only around 23,000. This concerns me, because at the same time we are getting in excess of 30,000 each game at Stadium Australia, so the interest is there. Is it in the Eastern Suburbs? Should we be allocating another couple of matches to Stadium Australia? This is worrying me, because as much as I love the SCG... I'm finding it harder and harder to justify 9 games there.

Thoughts?

Makes one wonder about the fan base of the Eastern suburbs when crowds out west have continually been much bigger. The easy access via public transport to Stadium Australia is definately a major positive.

[penga]

do we need another draw card like plugger to get our numbers back???

[hardluck_harry]

Originally posted by TheHood
These 1pm games are not helping!

Considering for almost 20 years they pioneered the Sunday arvo games I reckon the Swans have been royally screwed with the 1 pm start times.

People like to sleep in Sundays or go worship at their various religions so starting 1pm really would make it a rush to get to the footy. But it's not the Swans or the AFL's decision, it's governed by Channel 10, Foxtel and Channel Eddie.

Also, in the same vein what about the Kangaroos, they were the club that put up their hand first to pioneer Friday night footy. Once it was proved sucessful suddenly Collingwood seem to play the most Friday night games of any Victorian teams. Makes you wonder about who's running the competition.

[Damien]

Originally posted by hardluck_harry


People like to sleep in Sundays or go worship at their various religions so starting 1pm really would make it a rush to get to the footy. But it's not the Swans or the AFL's decision, it's governed by Channel 10, Foxtel and Channel Eddie.

Actually it is mainly Channel 9's Rugby League Coverage that is the problem. It is likely if it was under 10 or 7 or 9 lost league, a lot of sunday games would be at the 2 slot and only showed in other states on Foxtel. I remember 7 offering something like that when they tried to match the 9,10 Foxtel Deal. I even think ratings would be better in the 2 to 5 slot.

I think that generally the problem is that the novelty has warn off and people (flashpan supporters) only want turn up to the Blockbusters. SCG just doesn't have any.

The AFL should really consider Swans V Roos at the SCG by having them play twice a year and start re-hyping the old rivalry based around the '96 grand final maybe.

[Damien]

Re: Re: SCG Crowds... what's the answer?

Originally posted by Beaussie
Makes one wonder about the fan base of the Eastern suburbs when crowds out west have continually been much bigger. The easy access via public transport to Stadium Australia is definately a major positive.

Also, the three match pass for the Stad Aust games almost ensures good crowds - I think it is like $40?

[desredandwhite]

I seemed to remember some 12:40pm starts in 97/98... we were still getting decent crowds then!

[motorace_182]

The SCG is just such a bitch to get in and out of, and SA is easy with buses running to the front door of the stadium. Also the AFL isnt very well publicised i feel seeing that League gets a whole page every day and we often miss out on anything at all. The papers and TV arent to helpfull and we lack a massive drawcard eg Plugger