2018 fixture

[bloodspirit]

Very harsh feedback for wolftone. I don't have a big problem with night games but Saturday afternoons is my favourite problem. I definitely don't have a problem with someone not renewing their membership because it is difficult to get to games. It's perfectly ok to buy a membership for the value it offers. The Swans after all are a corporate entity run in corporate style. While I feel a degree of loyalty to the club and players, the times have moved on and AFL is now a big business and I have no problem demanding that the club provides value if they want my $$. Like Mel said, if those who have the money want to make the Swans their favourite charity, by all means but if I'm giving charity I think there are better causes I can support, much as I care about the club and our success.

[Mel_C]

The AFL schedules our games in prime time because we are successful and popular. Games involving the swans are normally high rating so of course the AFL is going to think about the $$.

Unfortunately they forget about supporters with families as well as the older generation. I'm sure this year the SCG games with high attendance were those in the afternoon or twilight.

My dad is getting older and couldn't attend the night games here in Melbourne. This year we at least had some day games whereas next year they are mostly at night. He is debating whether to renew his AFL membership.

[Thunder Shaker]

I think you answered your own question there. Although we do have three return games against top-6 sides, one of them is against West Coast, who we must all admit, aren't that scary. It could be an easier draw, but I'm not outraged. In the end, it is what it is, and if you want to win, you have to be good enough to beat the best.

In terms of game times, I agree that evening games are a bummer to get to, but I think the club would be pretty happy with. All that TV exposure is great for the club - attracts fans, attracts sponsors. Thursday and Friday nights are the worst, what with getting there from work and no public transport to get home, but I find if I ride my bike straight from work, that's about 20-30 minutes, and about 30 minutes to ride home after the game, with no wait for traffic, so its not too bad.

On the fixture balancing, Essendon has an easier fixture than several clubs below them on the ladder.

[neilfws]

I'm sure this year the SCG games with high attendance were those in the afternoon or twilight.

I feel a graph coming on



(have images stopped displaying in posts?)

I'd say of the afternoon/twilight games two were average, one low and three above average crowds. Notable that the 3 higher attendance games were the last 3, one of which was a final. I guess the weather plays a part (warmer towards the end of the season). Notable too that the lowest crowd was a night game versus the 2016 premiers...at a point in the season when the Swans were back on the up after the 6 losses. Go figure.

So lots of factors at play: time of year, opposition, weather, finals, previous form.

[neilfws]

I feel a graph coming on

Seems the forum ate my graph. Trying again. Maybe admins can look into it if this one has issues.

[AnnieH]

Not sure that Friday night football is a great way to attract fans in Sydney. for a start Friday night footy has always been the purvey of the NRL in Sydney and is a huge tradition here. I don't know where you are based but certainly from a person with a Melbourne perspective Friday night footy would be a really huge event. But in Sydney going up against the NRL head to head on a Friday night is like being on a hiding to none. The NRL Friday Night footy is still the most popular telly in Sydney and as most Sydneysiders go to watch their teams they do watch the matches on 9 on a Friday night. So winning new fans in Sydney from Friday night footy might not be that easy. Other live broadcasts do better than the Friday games due to no NRL telecast.

So in all I think the impact of Friday night AFL footy in getting new fans and winning the hearts and souls of the uninitiated in Sydney is negligible.

I think the impact to NRL is a lot lower than what you imagine. The Friday night Sydney game constantly out-rates the NRL game on Channel 9, and the crowd we get at our ONE home match (even on a Thursday night), is still higher than all the NRL weekend matches put together.

[Swanstubbs]

Response from Swans about my gripes with this years draw...

"Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback on the 2018 fixture


We understand that the afternoon and twilight timeslots are favourites of our members, we also understand that the night games can make it difficult for our family members to attend we are happy with the blockbuster fixture we have been given and always welcome families at the footy.



Each club does get a few requests for the fixture we are not necessarily met by the AFL, each year we do request to have more afternoon or day games as we know that these timeslots are preferred by our members. Given we have a very high number and supporters and draw large crowds the AFL tend to allocate us the blockbuster timeslots of night game.


If you are unable attend all home matches your membership is transferable so you can pass it along to a family member or friend to use. Alternatively you can return your seat for resale and if it is resold you will earn an account credit to her 2019 membership. These are measures we have put in place for members to get the most out of their memberships as we understand that sometimes it can be difficult to attend all 11 home games due to prior commitments.

We look forward to seeing you in 2018!"

[liz]

I am glad to at least read that the Swans requested more day time or twilight games, suggesting they are at least in tune with what the supporters want. If the AFL doesn't allocate what clubs ask for, I guess it's hard for the club to do much.