What about the fans?

[Twodogs]

Stan Alves made a bloody good point yesterday on ABC radio regarding tightening of rules from week to week. They were discussing the rushed behind rule and how all of a sudden this week the AFL decided that the rule was going to be adjudicated differently this week to the rest of the season so far. Some coaches said they had been told and some said they hadn't.

Alves asked who informed the fans. The people who come to watch and are sitting in the stands asking what the hell is going on? Why do we have this rule all of a sudden? What's the reasoning.

He has a very good point. It's time to grab the AFL back and point out that without us you have nothing. Stop treating fans with contempt.

[Mantis]

The AFL are the most reactionary corporation going around.. They are a complete and udder joke!

[Twodogs]

The AFL are the most reactionary corporation going around.. They are a complete and udder joke!

Yep. They are a bunch of silly moos!

[bornadog]

I keep saying why the rule changes, what are we gaining? The only rules that need to be tightened up are protecting players and in particular head high hits.

[hujsh]

The way the rules have been heading it feels like the AFL head honchos sit in the stands, listen to the mindless appeals for frees by fans for their team and think "we'll it seems fans really want to see more free kicks for holding the ball, rushed behinds, deliberate out of bounds, hands in the back, incorrect disposal, being a dickhead, high contact, etc etc"

My main gripe is that prior opportunity doesn't seem to exist anymore. If you grab the ball and they manage to pin one of your arms they win a free. Because BAAAAALLLLLLLLLL

[jeemak]

hujsh, you go to a game where Hawks or Collingwood are playing and watch how quickly they call "ball". It's a conditioned response to having a slight but ultimately undue influence over the umpires.

[Twodogs]

hujsh, you go to a game where Hawks or Collingwood are playing and watch how quickly they call "ball". It's a conditioned response to having a slight but ultimately undue influence over the umpires.


We'd do it. If we could. :(

[G-Mo77]

C'Mon guys. Who doesn't love seeing opposition players running towards the boundary line appealing for a free every time it goes out. Now we get to see it every time a behind is rushed through. Look at the bigger picture. :D

[bulldogtragic]

The AFEL response: What about the fans? Let them eat cake, or stale $3 pies on a Sunday.

[Sedat]

The AFEL response: What about the fans? Let them eat cake, or stale $3 pies on a Sunday.
But they used to be $3.50. Gilligan is clearly a man of the people.

[Twodogs]

The AFEL response: What about the fans? Let them eat cake, or stale $3 pies on a Sunday.


But they used to be $3.50. Gilligan is clearly a man of the people.


You mean Marie Antoinette...

[bulldogtragic]

But they used to be $3.50. Gilligan is clearly a man of the people.

Absolutely. The lay people in focus groups must of indicated they'd be likely to go the footy 2% more and buy more food. Thus the lay people indicated by reducing pies by 50c he could make even more money for himself and his crony people. Truly a man of his crony people.

[Sedat]

You mean Marie Antoinette...
:D

Gilligan is the disparaging nickname give to him by Grant Thomas - Thomas is not everyone's cup of tea but he is hilarious when it comes to insulting the self-important types at City Hall.

[jeemak]

:D

Gilligan is the disparaging nickname give to him by Grant Thomas - Thomas is not everyone's cup of tea but he is hilarious when it comes to insulting the self-important types at City Hall.

Does he have a gig anywhere, or does he just blog these days?

[hujsh]

hujsh, you go to a game where Hawks or Collingwood are playing and watch how quickly they call "ball". It's a conditioned response to having a slight but ultimately undue influence over the umpires.

Absolutely, but it also seems to be seen as the correct way to officiate now by most people

[Sedat]

Does he have a gig anywhere, or does he just blog these days?
Posts occasionally on Twitter - almost always on the money when he does.

[Ghost Dog]

Not since the fightback campaign have AFL supporters gone toe to toe against head office. But there may come a time, in the age of social media, when fans have to do something. I agree, totally ridiculous that fans are not informed of rule changes. Until they do it properly, AFL will continue to be a parochial competition.

[SonofScray]

"Football is for you and me, not for #$%^&ing industry."

The league, despite its own arrogant views, is not the game. Long after the AFL is gone, the game will still be played. There will still be kids kicking a ball between each other and drilling torpedoes through trees from 50m out.

[Twodogs]

"Football is for you and me, not for #$%^&ing industry."

The league, despite its own arrogant views, is not the game. Long after the AFL is gone, the game will still be played. There will still be kids kicking a ball between each other and drilling torpedoes through trees from 50m out.


That's what footy is. A ball and some mates.