Saturday afternoon home games: your thoughts?

[gossipcom]

Apart from the hell with the parking at Goulburn Street, it was a good day.

[top40]

Having kids who play junior sport on Saturday, my very first reaction was not postitive. I have poor memories of a 2005 Saturday afternoon game against the Kangaroos at Manuka, (the weekend Pope JP 11 died), and having to rush after kids sport in order to get to the game on time.

This year, I'm sure the Swans and the AFL have deliberately scheduled these Saturday afternoon SCG games, (there is a July game ahead against Essendon), so as to be held in the middle weekend of the school holidays. Herein, almost universally there is no organised junior sport for those particular weekends.

Both the size of crowd, as well as the atmosphere for the Carlton game, showed that Saturday afternoon is a good idea. Also, it is strangely a good feeling to know that by late Saturday afternoon, with the weekend not even half way over, you have finished your local Swans watching committments, (especially after a great win). Haven't felt that way since that wonderful ANZAC night win against Melbourne back in 2003.

[Beaussie]

I much prefer Saturday afternoon footy over Sunday 1pm games. It's good to be able to have a drink at the footy without having to worry about work the next day.

[cruiser]

More please!

[royboy42]

Sat arvo instead of night for me anytime. Loved the 210 start..gives a chance for a bite before the game. But the traffic getting there and especially after the game is intolerable.
Last year i took the Sydneysiders Option but they doubled the parking charge this year..nearly 40 bucks a game..ridiculous.
Yesterday I parked in the grounds from Driver av at the Fox end..it took 40 mins to get out of the carpark, then 45 on cleveland, anzac pde to get tinto the tunnel.
Any info on the goulburn st carpark option...is it ok?

[laughingnome]

I still will prefer football under lights, but that's just me. The 2pm timeslot was great, especially for the victorians. While school holidays helped, I don't doubt the number of people was boosted by Viccies coming up for the weeked who will drive/fly home today.

[RedRosie]

This seasons Hawthorn night game at Olympic Park using public transport, home at 1.30am .....stuffed!

Yesterday at home using public transport by 7pm , dinner and wine rewatch the game, beautiful.

Lots of Sydney supporters dont live anywhere near the Sydney area

[Cheer Squad]

Sat arvo instead of night for me anytime. Loved the 210 start..gives a chance for a bite before the game. But the traffic getting there and especially after the game is intolerable.
Last year i took the Sydneysiders Option but they doubled the parking charge this year..nearly 40 bucks a game..ridiculous.
Yesterday I parked in the grounds from Driver av at the Fox end..it took 40 mins to get out of the carpark, then 45 on cleveland, anzac pde to get tinto the tunnel.
Any info on the goulburn st carpark option...is it ok?

Apparently Goulburn Street carpark was a nightmare yesterday.

Thats the problem with the SCG - it's not really that well served by any form of transport and never has been. There's no train link handy, no trams, and travel by car guarantees a traffic nightmare. It's been like that for as long as I can remember. Travel by bus is probably the best option as long as you're prepared to queue for it.

[Bazman]

Just got back to Melbourne hoped every managed to get out of the carpark.
SEN hinted that there would be more Saturday arvo games next year. How do they know? God know. Besides that what a great day for footy.

[pinkemu]

I wish every home game was on A Saturday at 2:10 and at the SCG.

Loved it, although I am suffering a major hangover today.

[Lucky Knickers]

I quite like Sunday arvos but yesterday was ok and I went to the aftermatch function for the first time at Club Swans which I wouldn't do if it was Sunday.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I liked having the game on a Saturday arvo very much. The 2pm start was also good.

A big thumbs up from me. Would be good to have some more of these type of games next year.

Ok living in Melbourne a Saturday afternoon match is nothing new, but I thought it was a resounding success. All the more astonishing given the racing down the road as well!

As a traveller coming up for a 2pm start makes a great deal of difference. That extra hour means you just have more time & are not rushing to the ground after breakfast.

I do fear however that many people who play sport may not be able to come if we play too many Saturday afternoon games. Hopefully the AFL can orchestrate things with the local footy leagues so that juniors etc etc play early or on a Sunday. The incentive for everyone should always be to get to the game.

But considering the amount of families with small kids who make up our support & membership base, 2pm daytime starts should be positively received. The fact that it was such a resounding success will have the AFL & Swans opening their eyes to a timeslot they never felt worked in Sydney.

Once again we see the residence of the AFL & Sydney Swans brand in the toughest market in the country. Very very encouraging figures that will make the other sporting teams in town green with envy.

JF

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I quite like Sunday arvos but yesterday was ok and I went to the aftermatch function for the first time at Club Swans which I wouldn't do if it was Sunday.

That was good wasn't it? We are so lucky to have such a relaxed articulate bunch of players playing for us. Jude & Ryan not only answered questions without being prompted, but spoke incredibly articulately & appeared very comfortable in the Club Swans setting. Ryan even got asked prickly questions in relation to his commitment to the Red & White & NOBODY stepped in & censored the question or anything.

Just a shame that the after-match was not full. When the "Celebrity Head" joke in the MA Noble Stand always is, despite not being 10% as interesting & informative. The club should plug Club Swans & the after-matches there.

JF

[bedford]

Saturday nights please

[sidswan]

I thought the buses to/from SCG and Central really good. Fast & frequent, highly recommended.