Rohan Connolly: The last word from round 14

8 comments

• Hi Rohan
  Honestly I've had a gutful. When will the umpires realise that a Brexit only means long term economic pain for a short term euphoria over immigration? Yes I realise a Brexit may be great for Friday night ratings but surely the umpires can't imagine that an oligarchic myopic return to high tariffs and trying to revive a moribund manufacturing industry can in any way make up for the loss of significant trade deals and the Keynsian trickle down effect of wage growth through the tentacles of the free market? While a Brexit may put bums on seats maybe the AFL should think deeply about the long term consequences of a debilitating trade erosion for future generations. And why are the whistles so shiny? Thank you

  Commenter

  Notahorse

  Date and time

  June 27, 2016, 11:00AM

  • Hi Notahorse, Yes, agree entirely, and suspect Friday nights' dismal crowd was a direct reaction to the disappointing news from the UK. We can expect many more ramifications in the football world yet as players grapple with the consequences. As for the shiny whistles, just a bit of good ol' spit and polish.

    Commenter

    Rohan Connolly

    Date and time

    June 27, 2016, 12:05PM

• Hi Rohan,

  Enjoyed reading your article about dwindling crowd attendances at games this year. Whilst it could be somewhat explained by some of the ‘bigger’ clubs having poor seasons, there are a lot of things the AFL could be doing better to bring back fans. Put games on at the right time and place, and people will come. It was only 2 weeks ago that an unexpectedly huge crowd came along to watch St Kilda and Carlton at Etihad, despite both teams in the bottom 8. Why? Saturday afternoon, 1pm start. Put the game on at 4:40pm and you will get a vastly different result.
  Make the competition less about dollars and more about fairness – I think you would find that most fans would prefer a ‘pure’ fixture as opposed to manufactured blockbusters that favour the bigger clubs. Same goes with the teams that are chosen to play on Friday/Thursday nights – I’m sick of watching Hawthorn play most weeks (along with Bruce’s almost embarrassing adulation for them). More exposure for other teams in the league leads to greater revenue for the clubs involved – but not necessarily for the AFL and their TV rights.
  What about overseas expansion – what do you think the average fan thinks about playing games in China or New Zealand? Why do we need to focus on these growth areas when some of the current clubs in the league are still struggling to get ahead financially?
  These things, coupled with continuous needless tinkering with the rules, are contributing to the average fan becoming disillusioned with the game. I’m not some misty-eyed supporter from the 70s or 80s, but footy has lost its identity and local nature to the corporatisation and sanitisation of the game.

  Commenter

  Rhino

  Location

  Melbourne

  Date and time

  June 27, 2016, 11:25AM

  • Hi Rhino, Good point about the StK v Carl timeslot. There's no sense of continuity about a team's fixture these days, which I think is another factor, we've lost that sense of weekly ritual about going to games. They have become less wedded to each of the so-called power clubs playing each other twice which has opened up more fixturing flexibility. As for overseas games, I'm with you, I reckon they're a crock.

    Commenter

    Rohan Connolly

    Date and time

    June 27, 2016, 12:10PM

• Another week, another sightastic performance from the Lions. Same old story: start well, then get put under pressure, then fold. So, ok, the last quarter wasn't bad but the match was well and truly over by then and we get the usual array of average efforts by senior players, along with the now de rigeur terrible disposal. And, with all due respect to Richmond, against a team that isn't exactly stellar itself. One wonders when this is all going to end. The players look uninspired. It's the coach's job to inspire. So...

  Commenter

  janeygotagun

  Date and time

  June 27, 2016, 11:47AM

  • Hi Janey, Understand your frustration. They really haven't fired a shot since that round 6 game against Sydney, have they. And the decent starts then capitulations I reckon are a really worrying sign of players less than committed. No doubt the pressure continues to mount on Leppa.

    Commenter

    Rohan Connolly

    Date and time

    June 27, 2016, 12:13PM

• Hi Rohan
  It's indeed fascinating how the Cats keep dropping games to their much lower placed rivals. Why is that do you think? Overconfidence or mental complacency? Luckily for them, their run home is mostly rivals in the top 8 - not many teams would be heartened by that! Also, what a topsy turvy season - it seems anyone can lose to anyone. I agree the Hawks are pretty reliable but only a few of their wins have been very emphatic. I still think Sydney could somehow sneak away with it but I'd be too scared to bet on that. Will be fascinating finals indeed.

  Commenter

  Box of fish

  Location

  Wellington

  Date and time

  June 27, 2016, 11:58AM

  • Hi Fish, It is, and the most obvious conclusion would be complacency. Though there is a theory as well that they struggle against sides which can move the ball quickly. It's funny, I suspect Geelong's best could be a bit better now than the Hawks or Swans, but those latter two I suspect can be more relied upon to bring theirs to the table. 

    Commenter

    Rohan Connolly

    Date and time

    June 27, 2016, 12:15PM