Monday Soap Box - Round 4, 2025

[GVGjr]

Time to get on your soapbox for the round 4 games.

Is the ladder starting to take shape?

[Bornadog]

Carlton and Collingwood playing every single Thursday and Friday nights and never down in Geelong - the AFL FIXture stinks and doesn't allow smaller clubs to grow through primetime exposure.

[GVGjr]

Carlton and Collingwood playing every single Thursday and Friday nights and never down in Geelong - the AFL FIXture stinks and doesn't allow smaller clubs to grow through primetime exposure.

Do you think we could draw crowds if we were scheduled for some Thursday night football?
I get that it probably helps for sponsors but we don't have the crowds to support Thursday night football.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Do you think we could draw crowds if we were scheduled for some Thursday night football?
I get that it probably helps for sponsors but we don't have the crowds to support Thursday night football.

I suppose the point is we'll never have a chance to grow our crowd base if we're never given exposure because we don't have big crowds.

[GVGjr]

I suppose the point is we'll never have a chance to grow our crowd base if we're never given exposure because we don't have big crowds.

The supporter base and membership is increasing each year? That really doesn't appear to be the issue.
The challenge has always been getting enough people at the games.
We have a working class support base and families with young children who don't embrace Thursday night football.

[Bornadog]

Do you think we could draw crowds if we were scheduled for some Thursday night football?
I get that it probably helps for sponsors but we don't have the crowds to support Thursday night football.

I am talking about all clubs not just us. I did say Thursday/Friday - Thursday footy is rubbish

[SquirrelGrip]

I see Thursday Night Football as a TV night. Best for games to be hosted by non-Melbourne teams and I'm happy to stay at home and watch it there. Crowds then not as big an issue.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

The supporter base and membership is increasing each year? That really doesn't appear to be the issue.
The challenge has always been getting enough people at the games.
We have a working class support base and families with young children who don't embrace Thursday night football.

Oh I see you're talking about Thursday specifically. Well who's the opposite of a working class supporter base? Probably melbourne right? I feel they'd have similar struggles with pulling a crowd .

I don't know what the answer is. Size of supporter bases is historical and would take decades to even out even with the right strategy. But the non existence of equalisation (aside from hand outs) is making it impossible.

I think Thursdays and Sunday twilight should be reserved for interstate. Sunday works for WA given the time zones and smaller cities like Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane maybe work better for Thursdays given a likely shorter commute for fans.

[jazzadogs]

Oh I see you're talking about Thursday specifically. Well who's the opposite of a working class supporter base? Probably melbourne right? I feel they'd have similar struggles with pulling a crowd .

I don't know what the answer is. Size of supporter bases is historical and would take decades to even out even with the right strategy. But the non existence of equalisation (aside from hand outs) is making it impossible.

I think Thursdays and Sunday twilight should be reserved for interstate. Sunday works for WA given the time zones and smaller cities like Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane maybe work better for Thursdays given a likely shorter commute for fans.

So we're just equalising the Victorian sides? Haha

Thursdays are crap for all fans who attend, there is no city or supporter group who want their team on Thursday nights. The AFL priority for Thursday nights is tv viewers.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Carlton and Collingwood playing every single Thursday and Friday nights and never down in Geelong - the AFL FIXture stinks and doesn't allow smaller clubs to grow through primetime exposure.

Watching Carlton lose every Thursday has become a new favourite routine of mine.

And I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but I actually quite like playing the Thursdays - last year every time we had one I'd take the Friday off work and start the weekend early at Marvel (I work in the CBD which is handy!). Though I'm a bit less impressed about one of our Thursdays being down at Geelong this time - still going to make the trip but I'm going to feel it Friday morning.

- BNC