Thursday, July 31, 2014: Perfectly good advertising space going to waste

They want you back. The AFL, under the guidance of Gil, has launched a campaign to drag supporters back to the game. Yes, after a season of dismal crowds, it would appear there is no aphrodisiac like a freezing cold Sunday night in an empty stand for a Collingwood Carlton game, and Gil wants the people back.

The early ideas are promising - less Sunday night and Sundya twilight games, a push for Melbourne clubs to sign members who will actually turn up etc. However one suspects Mark Evans might have been involved in the idea to hold an annual telethon for cheap tickets, and to establish a 'WebJet' type service for centralised bookings (probably with its own sets of fees and charges to add to Ticketmaster's.

The worst part is the continued focus on Matchday Experience - which to those who actually like football means loud things yelling at you every time there is a break in play for any reason. For what it's worth, when I was a kid at Waverley Park, the sepia toned replays of highlights were more than enough entertainment for me. But I suppose that's perfectly good advertising space going to waste.

In the news...
Port Adelaide are in hot-water after one of their sponsors used a rather distasteful term for supporters of Adelaide Crows. The AFL and Port Adelaide have condemned the language, although the deal remains in place.

In better news on that topic, Brendan Goddard has supported the call for a Pride Round. "We want to create a place not only here at Essendon but at the footy where everyone is welcome and equal" said Goddard.

THERE's a game tonight. Teams are here.