Is Women's Footy The Perfect Curtain-Raiser For AFL Games?

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Is Women's Footy The Perfect Curtain-Raiser For AFL Games?

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Sunday, January 10 2016 @ 03:04 pm ACDT

This article demonstrates one problem that Australian Football is facing and that is the lack of quality journalism pandering to an equally shallow readership. Quite simply, curtain-raisers disappeared when the AFL cancelled the reserves competition and replaced it with an extended warm-up period. There have been many instances of quality football games preceding AFL games that have been almost totally unattended. It is exactly the same scenario that confronts the call of AFL fans for a return the AFL reserves competition. Not only are these calls in conflict with each other but they will not draw spectators let alone additional attendees and will not add value to the experience under the current set-ip.
Even the the stand-alone option is lacking the most basic detail. On any given week-end (possibly from Friday to Monday) we have AFL, state leagues, amateurs, community football, school comps, juniors, women and girls football.Given the struggle of state leagues to survive, what are the likely fortunes of yet another league, this time national? Yes, the new media contract offers possibilities but that can be quickly removed by AFLPA demands as in the past.and which are generally supported by AFL fans.
It's time to think a bit more deeply. Perhaps:
1. Provide bigger and better warm-up facilities freeing up the main arena.
2. The low number of women's games could be played as twilight games.
3. Finding a niche for the new league as in summer under lights or mid-week.
4. From a television perspective, a summer league would break new ground.

Is Women's Footy The Perfect Curtain-Raiser For AFL Games?

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Monday, January 11 2016 @ 06:07 pm ACDT

I don't think curtain raisers work either, it's true very few people attend - maybe just an occasional one.

I'd love a summer comp - I'm so footy starved in summer. But it's a huge ask to expect anyone to play Aussie Rules in the Australian summer heat. They'd have to play all games at night but e.g. here in Adelaide it's often sunny and still 35 degrees plus at 7pm. Yesterday it was 37.0 at 6pm, 35.7 at 7pm, 33.6 at 8pm, and that was on a day that didn't even get into the 40s. You'd see similar numbers for Perth and sometimes in Melbourne. Besides OH&S the standard would drop due to fatigue and sweaty hands. And going forward these temperatures are only getting more common.

Playing in winter but out of sync with their male counterparts may work better. E.g. if the Crows are away then mostly that means interstate, so the women would have live footy fans more likely to attend a game at home as the men are away. Just a thought.---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

Is Women's Footy The Perfect Curtain-Raiser For AFL Games?

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Tuesday, January 12 2016 @ 12:22 am ACDT

Yes, any summer football competition would have to be at night and that would be a large part of the attraction like the BBL. The length of the initial season is stated to be quite short and could be positioned wrt the climate but the timing of hot spells can be unpredictable. I believe the summer soccer competition plays mostly in the afternoon.

It will be interesting what effect the AFL club association will have. Initially it will encourage fans to support their "other" branded team especially if they play in alternate weeks instead of earlier as suggested. But we're talking 6 teams what about the fans of the other 12 twelve clubs.Will they support women's football unequivocally or reluctant to follow their rival in the men's comp. The women's competition should follow the lead of other national competitions and have one team in each large city with extras in Sydney or Melbourne and that suggests a dedicated name for maximum long-term appeal.

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

Is Women's Footy The Perfect Curtain-Raiser For AFL Games?

Authored by: Brett Northey
on Tuesday, January 12 2016 @ 05:57 pm ACDT

My worry is that even starting at 8pm it'll be very hot quite off. Cricketers don't run so much. I can only assume soccer players don't either.

Do they need to be aligned with AFL clubs? My first thought was yes. Do they get crowds and TV ratings to state league level women's matches? Why will people watch? Initially curiosity. But long term for the quality of the game and for tribalism of supporting their club that they already follow. Maybe the tribalism of supporting their city or region could work. Not as strong as club identity I suspect.---
Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN

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