Sheeds wants AFL Round 1 overseas

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Sheeds wants AFL Round 1 overseas

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Thursday, February 07 2008 @ 02:45 pm ACDT

I don't really see the point in a full round of regular season matches overseas. There's no way that scale could be cost effective for quite some time yet. As an indicator, I dare say most if quizzed in Pretoria streets last week would be suggesting it must be a form of Rugby League or something that was being played.

For now, there aren't 8 markets that would really benefit from hosting a game. And those markets that might, don't necessarily have suitable venues.

Better for now, to think of a full round of games in NSW & QLD regional centres - it's been (regional round) done years and years ago, only this time playing places like Coffs Harbour, Bathurst, Newcastle, Townsville, Tamworth, Blacktown etc etc - at least then, you'd probably carry a smaller loss and be exposing the 'highest' level of the game to people ALL in potential growth regions where there HAS been investment by the AFL. And also, perhaps building towards breaking down the regional tv barriers throughout NSW and QLD.

Sheeds wants AFL Round 1 overseas

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Friday, February 08 2008 @ 09:31 am ACDT

Round 8, 1952, Euroa, Albury and Yallourn.

Actually, I'd love to see an AFL round in the following locations:
Geraldton, Albury, Toowoomba, Newcastle, Ballarat, Townsville, Alice Springs and Port Lincoln.
That'd be suitable playing surface and sirens pending.

Sheeds wants AFL Round 1 overseas

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Friday, February 08 2008 @ 11:34 am ACDT

I think most of those places see matches every few years in the other half of the NAB Cup, where teams go play when eliminated from the main competition. The community camps also get there, but of course so many places to visit. I wouldn't be against an AFL round in the country, but would cost a fair bit with limited capacity grounds to make up the difference, and a full round of people's season tickets not being used. That's why NAB Cup games which are more about the TV audience are more likely candidates.

In terms of what I was saying about alienating the public in Australia, see eread's comments and consider that that person is probably a supporter of international footy, so to get the average supporter view, put a slightly more negative slant on it and replicate that over 100,000s of fans.

I'm arguing for what I reckon will be best for international footy, I want to see a round outside of Australia, but the AFL have to keep the local fans on side. It's real politick. I just think trying to move round 1 would be a public relations disaster. But yes, we are really talking about in a few years time anyway, not going to happen soon - first step is a few more NAB Cup matches.

An interesting related article is the English Premier League (soccer) looking at the same thing, and that's getting a big backlash, from supporters through to politicians. And they are only talking about 1 round out of 39, not 22. With the big following that league has, I suspect they could easily sell out 50,000 seat stadiums at top dollar in many countries around the world, so it would pay for itself immediately.

British Govt lukewarm on Premier League plan.

---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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