derby weekend

[barry]

Every year after the RL State of origin games, there is talk about AFL starting up their old SOO games for a similar big event.

But it occured to me, the biggest events apart from finals in AFL are the derbies (Port v Adel), (Freo v WC), and even the vic equalivents in (Ess v Pies on Anzac day). These games have a lot of similarities with RL SOO in that they are played on a couple of times a year, are big event things, and are full of passion.
Except the AFL ones have three distinct advantages:
1) Crowd split between both sides. - more atmosphere.
2) Are bigger. Western Derby has twice the viewer percentage on TV in Perth than RL SOO does in Sydney.
3) Maintains club loyalties. - Adds to club passion, not diminishes it.

Imagine how big a Sydney derby would be if another team was located up here and given half a dozen years to establish itself. It would be much bigger than the pies game we have now, and would rival RL SOO in Sydney.

Thats something the AFL needs to consider in its expansion plans IMO.

[motorace_182]

Awesome idea! A whole weekend of derbies would be great! That will murder any rating the league may have had - why not Sydney vs Brisbane....

[barry]

Originally posted by motorace_182
Awesome idea! A whole weekend of derbies would be great! That will murder any rating the league may have had - why not Sydney vs Brisbane....

Nah, it would look like a poor imitation of RL SOO.

The crux of my post was, that a 2nd team in Sydney would have a huge spin-off advantage in the shape of a SOO-like-hyped-up derby game twice a year.

[timthefish]

couldn't be more agreeable. i think this should be put in place regardless of a second team in sydney(which i believe we're almost ready for).

why not have the season start and finish with darbies? that may not be the afl's preference as rounds 1 and 22 would be big drawers anyway but think of the bang at the start of the year for promotion. all the obvious pairings could be made, the victorian teams can do what they like and sydney/brisbane can take turns each year with hosting start and finish to the year.

everyone gets a home game (except us and brisbane) to start and finish the season. we'd build up that almost instinctive syd/bris rivalry and if became big a deal with one of the cheap airlines might be able to deliver a decent package for respective away matches.

there might be a bit of a concern that this will mean that the match-ups are essentially the same in adjacent rounds (22 and 1 of the following year) but i don't think it should be much of an issue in different seasons.

do it! do it now!!

tim

[timthefish]

Originally posted by barry
Nah, it would look like a poor imitation of RL SOO.

well, i would have to say that RL SOO has become a pretty poor imitation of itself already. let the arl/nrl say what they like, syd-bris is an obvious paring for our game.

The crux of my post was, that a 2nd team in Sydney would have a huge spin-off advantage in the shape of a SOO-like-hyped-up derby game twice a year.

i reckon it is almost (say five years) time for a second full-time team and promotions like these will get them going much faster than the swans did.

[Schneidergirl]

Sorry to say this... but there is NO WAY Sydney is ready for another AFL team, we hardly gather the crowds with the Swans. NSW is always going to be a RL state [with arseholes forever calling it GayFL... GET A @@@@ING LIFE!].

I do however think a AFL SOO is a good idea, I would like to see NSW & QLD Vs VIC or East (VIC, NSW, QLD)Vs West (SA & WA)

[monopoly19]

Without being a huge rugby league fan, I love SOO. It'd be nice if the Swans had that kind of rivalry with anyone, but it's hardly something you can manufacture immediately. The hatred has to build up over time...

[BAM_BAM]

didn't they try this in a way last year? The final round they did the WA and SA derbies. And pitted us against the Dees being Sydney V Melbourne scenario.

I'm not sure though that the Dees are the team to pit us against in that respect. There really isn't that much of a history? is there?

The RL SOO is a completely different animal though IMO. It worked for Aussie Rules with the Big V against SA. Same hatred (for want of a better word) between those states as there is between the league in NSW and QLD. It's a jealouy thing. All the best players migrated to Vic (Rules) and NSW (league).

[Go Swannies]

Yes, they tried the match-up last year on the same weekend as the Derbies. I think the plan was to see if total attendance could top 500,000.

But Sydney is the problem. We don't hate the Lions enough - and share the same battles with the Melbourne clubs (well, Eddie). And the Swans don't regard the Dees as our natural enemies.

vs the Hawks we had 25,000 and, after four losses that was pretty good. But it was still near the worse attendance for the weekend. No way Sydney could support two teams. Just have to stick with blockbusters like the Pies at Telstra.

Of course some Sydney finals would be nice. And get a fair crowd.

[pillowtalk]

Originally posted by Schneidergirl
Sorry to say this... but there is NO WAY Sydney is ready for another AFL team

I agree. There's no way they could afford it.

We asked to play the Dees at Telstra this year for a SOO type game. (We still got a fair crowd considering the rugby was on) We'd be better off asking to play Brisbane instead

[Bart]

Originally posted by pillowtalk
I agree. There's no way they could afford it.

We asked to play the Dees at Telstra this year for a SOO type game. (We still got a fair crowd considering the rugby was on) We'd be better off asking to play Brisbane instead

Swans v Brisbane Prelim Final 71,019

NSW v QLD NRL SOO 68,344

Brisbane should be the third team to play us annually at TS after Essendon and Pies.

BTW I don't think we'll see a second team in Sydney ever.

[dawson]

Id rather 26 weeks of solid high quality football than three nights.

How would you be able playing State of Origin to have to play crappy club football with no atmosphere, no build-up and in front of two men and a dog.

There are heaps of great rivalries in AFL. Just this weekend alone you have:
Freo vs Essendon
Pies vs North
Swans vs Dogs
Demons vs Lions
Blues vs Saints

Are there any rugby league club games which anyone actually gives a stuff about?

[timthefish]

Originally posted by Bart
BTW I don't think we'll see a second team in Sydney ever.

not ever? never ever?

while my prediction of five years cannot really be substantiated, while we have melbourne teams on almost permanent drip-feed i believe it is possible. history records that forced or enticed relocations and mergers are denied right to the last minute and then come about very quickly. i believe it is plausible that a team might just be out west within this decade.
i believe auskick numbers are strong and growing and within ten years that will turn into a lot of paying spectators. who knows what we'll have in 20-25 years.

the only thing for loyal swans fans to do is breed.

[Bart]

Originally posted by timthefish
not ever? never ever?

while my prediction of five years cannot really be substantiated, while we have melbourne teams on almost permanent drip-feed i believe it is possible. history records that forced or enticed relocations and mergers are denied right to the last minute and then come about very quickly. i believe it is plausible that a team might just be out west within this decade.
i believe auskick numbers are strong and growing and within ten years that will turn into a lot of paying spectators. who knows what we'll have in 20-25 years.

the only thing for loyal swans fans to do is breed.

Nope. I think the AFL are more likley to let a team fold than fund a lossmaker somewhere else.

In addition although Auskick have good numbers, I also believe NSWAFL have failed in the past few years at transfering that interest to schools and clubs.

I think most original Sydney guys playing AFL are playing because of their fathers interest in the sport or where they originally were brought up.

I don't see a Sydney 'product' of NSWAFL running around anywhere. Please correct me.

[Schneidergirl]

I'm with you Bart!!!

Sydney is just not cut out for two AFL teams... much like Melb is not cut out for two RL teams.

Maybe a country NSW team... [a relocation]? Although I still don't know if that would work.