Pre Game Banners

[LostDoggy]

Something that has been on my mind for a while.
For decades these things have been a tradition of the VFL / AFL and have been something we don't even blink an eye at anymore. But I can't help but think, "have they ran their course???"
The banner use to be something special to celebrate milestone games and Finals but now a days the players don't seem to care for them. It is a little silly to watch since teams never bust through the banner anymore, they lift them up and run under.
I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, however they seem to have lost all meaning and seem to be more about the sponsor. Any thoughts????

***Note : I am in no way alluding that the cheer squads don't do a fantastic job week in week out. But all the work they put in, the camera doesn't really show it and I can't remember the last person (media or mate) who mentioned something about a banner. Happy to be corrected.

[SonofScray]

Re: Pre Game Banners

I think they've run their race. Would opt for a special occasion type of banner in stead: rivalry games, milestones, themed rounds.

The players' entrance to the field of play should be a jubilant, celebratory affair though so I would there to be no element of ritual. Fan's guard of honour, some sort of fan chant, general build up of anticipation and raucousness. Something.

I like the idea of having two giant Bulldogs either side of the away side's race, legs cocked spray the opposition's path with pyro. Likewise, at our end a mechanical Bulldog head to open its jaws and our warriors in [I]bleu blanc et rouge/I] to burst onto the ground.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Pre Game Banners

I like the idea of having two giant Bulldogs either side of the away side's race, legs cocked spray the opposition's path with pyro. Likewise, at our end a mechanical Bulldog head to open its jaws and our warriors in [I]bleu blanc et rouge[I] to burst onto the ground.

I'd pretty much show up just to see this. Of course this would be the week to week pre game entry, and would have to be stepped up for milestone occasions.

[GVGjr]

Re: Pre Game Banners

I think they've run their race. Would opt for a special occasion type of banner in stead: rivalry games, milestones, themed rounds.

It's a dated thing now that I don't think many supporters appreciate. Agree that there might be certain games where it could be featured but the majority of games it's adding no value.

[Bornadog]

Re: Pre Game Banners



The banners have certainly changed over the years. At one stage they became very political until the clubs stepped in and asked the cheer squad to get approval for any slogans on them.

I loved watching the players burst through the banners, its something unique to Aussie rules, but as HM says, the players just go underneath them these days.

I would still like to keep them as they are now part of our football tradition.

[1eyedog]

Re: Pre Game Banners

The banners have certainly changed over the years. At one stage they became very political until the clubs stepped in and asked the cheer squad to get approval for any slogans on them.

I loved watching the players burst through the banners, its something unique to Aussie rules, but as HM says, the players just go underneath them these days.

I would still like to keep them as they are now part of our football tradition.

I think the issue with banners is that they are no longer made out of paper and players have been told to go under them because it is nearly impossible to break them now. Who wants a player trying to break through a banner and getting a neck injury before the game

I was watching on the website Griff helping out the cheer squad a week ago and ours are (I think) the only banners in the AFL that still use paper.

It's all about getting the sponsor name up now and recognising milestone games.

[GVGjr]

Re: Pre Game Banners

As great as the picture is, it looks to me like it's in the race not on the field. Perhaps that is where the banners should be.

[Bornadog]

Re: Pre Game Banners

As great as the picture is, it looks to me like it's in the race not on the field. Perhaps that is where the banners should be.

That is where they started, as the players ran on the ground, they burst through the streamers.

I like the tradition of the banners.

[GVGjr]

Re: Pre Game Banners

That is where they started, as the players ran on the ground, they burst through the streamers.

I like the tradition of the banners.

To me this is an example of where tradition isn't offering much and has become irrelevant. It's become tiresome and I doubt too many fans get excited about it. I barely give it much more than a passing glance. I agree with SOS, that perhaps milestone and important games might lift the interests of fans but at the moment the players look for ways to avoid running through it.

If the players aren't interested in it and the vast majority of the fans don't get excited about it then tradition isn't working.

Give me a traditional looking jumper for the whole 100 minutes rather than a banner for 5 minutes.

[SonofScray]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Agree with GVGjr and want to acknowledge that bornadog makes a very pertinent point about the shift in ownership of the tradition. They essentially lost their value as a tradition at the same point the content was managed according to AFL and Club rules, and the primary focus became an opportunity to emblazen a sponsors logo all over it.


That being said, full credit to the fans who do make the effort to get them up and made. The actual participation aspect to he banner is a fantastic element of the sport that has endured, albeit in a most diluted and disempowered manner.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Look at it through the eyes of the children who support the club. We as adults don't see the value, but I think there is value there.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Look at it through the eyes of the children who support the club. We as adults don't see the value, but I think there is value there.

"Why won't anyone think of the children"

[LostDoggy]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Even the cheer squad seems to struggle to get the numbers to hold it up.

Agree with you guys, special occasions only.

[GVGjr]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Look at it through the eyes of the children who support the club. We as adults don't see the value, but I think there is value there.

That is what Woofa and a few other pre-game entertainment is all about.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Pre Game Banners

Look at it through the eyes of the children who support the club. We as adults don't see the value, but I think there is value there.

This is one of my main points of the thread.
If you ever watch kids footy when they run through a banner, they RUN through a banner. They really destroy the thing. The little kid inside me really loses interest in them when the front players lift it up and duck under.