Aussie Rules
Jan 14th 2007 | 2:52 pm
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Aussie Rules
I agree soccer is on the up but I dont think it has anything to do with the A- League (its more like sund "A" y League)
The standard of the teams in the competition is dire, verging on embarrasing. People should not have to pay to go and watch it, im sure its probably ok when your winning, spectators will go, but if teams dont improve I cant see the majority of the teams managing to pull in more than 7 or 8 thousand.
It really is a poor standard, and I cant see how its going to improve, it needs major money to be pumped into it, to attract some decent players, and not just one or two old has-beens at the end of their careers.
I knew it was bad but got talked into going to the Glory game last night by some friends, the skill level was at best frustrating, the fans making all the noise in the "Shed" ( I think thats what it was called) we're basically scum, and from the sound of most of the songs we're bloody poms. 9 out of 10 songs were re worded barmy army songs....
The only excitement was once the teams were totally knackered in the last 20mins from playing in scorching sun (why start a game at 6pm in 30+ degree heat.....) and the game opened up a bit a few goals were scored (generally because of poor defending)
It was in a different league for buzz and excitement compared to a Western Force game, and there were probably about 5 leagues in between....
Certainly wont be paying $25 to go watch that rubbish again.
The standard of the teams in the competition is dire, verging on embarrasing. People should not have to pay to go and watch it, im sure its probably ok when your winning, spectators will go, but if teams dont improve I cant see the majority of the teams managing to pull in more than 7 or 8 thousand.
It really is a poor standard, and I cant see how its going to improve, it needs major money to be pumped into it, to attract some decent players, and not just one or two old has-beens at the end of their careers.
I knew it was bad but got talked into going to the Glory game last night by some friends, the skill level was at best frustrating, the fans making all the noise in the "Shed" ( I think thats what it was called) we're basically scum, and from the sound of most of the songs we're bloody poms. 9 out of 10 songs were re worded barmy army songs....
The only excitement was once the teams were totally knackered in the last 20mins from playing in scorching sun (why start a game at 6pm in 30+ degree heat.....) and the game opened up a bit a few goals were scored (generally because of poor defending)
It was in a different league for buzz and excitement compared to a Western Force game, and there were probably about 5 leagues in between....
Certainly wont be paying $25 to go watch that rubbish again.
Being mindful that this is supposed to be a thread about Aussie rules, but wanting to reply I'll try and meld the two together.
I'd say most of your points are valid, the A league is just not in the same ball park as the top two Divisions in England, and probably the Scottish Pleague. Knowing that it's a choice whether you continue to follow Football here, or take on AFL. For you I'd say AFL is your best option, as the skill levels shown there for most players on most teams is at a higher standard, if one can compare the two codes from a point of view of skill.
I will say one thing, there is nothing more alienating, distancing, frustrating and sad as following ones UK club from 12,500 miles away at unsocial hours, alone in front a cold flickering screen, trying to relive the feelings from the past. It really gets to you around about the 10th to 12th year and actually makes you feel worse, well it did me.
Following football here, if you love the game, in my opinion carries a mutual responsibility that if you go, you are really helping to grow the game. Bear in mind the A league is only 19 months old, and is so far in front of what we had before, that it's unrecognizable as the same code.
I'd be sticking to AFL, rather than trying to follow my team in the way I used to follow them in the UK, because after a while it starts to hurt. Like watching without one of the 5 senses.
Jan 14th 2007 | 3:32 pm
#47
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,336
From: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Re: Aussie Rules
I think this thread shows that we are all differant, some folk like you Ozzie prefer there soccer, some like me prefer the AFL others don't mind going to both.
I'm sure the majority of Melbourne supporters fall into the last category & once the soccer season is over they will go to there AFL games & nothing wrong with that at all.
I don't see soccer & AFL in direct competition as they are played in differant times of the year.
I'd rather be spoilt for choice than have nothing to go & see.
I'm sure the majority of Melbourne supporters fall into the last category & once the soccer season is over they will go to there AFL games & nothing wrong with that at all.
I don't see soccer & AFL in direct competition as they are played in differant times of the year.
I'd rather be spoilt for choice than have nothing to go & see.
Jan 14th 2007 | 4:44 pm
#48
Living in Perthection
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,868
From: Wickedy WA WA...
Re: Aussie Rules
I understand what your saying Ozzie, i've always followed Arsenal (and always will) I was never in a position in the UK to be able to actually attend matches more than a couple of times, so for me I probably get to see more Arsenal games on TV here than I did in the UK, but it sounds as though you were a different type of fan (physically travelling to watch etc) so I understand where your coming from having lost that element of enjoyment you had.
I'm fortunate with the Western Force that the competition is at an all time high, has the funding it needs to continue to grow ,is well suported in Perth (even though the team struggled in its first year) and I can easily get to the games. Even after one season I wouldnt want to now have to rely on tv coverage of the games if I moved overseas (of which I doubt there's any in the northern hemisphere)
Getting back to AFL, I do enjoy it and have probably watched less non Arsenal games than normal as i've started to get more into the AFL, from a fitness perspective they are probably head and shoulders above other codes, in my view it is a format worth expanding to other nations, I just think the northern hemisphere just views it as some stupid game played by mullet toting feral aussies because they cant play soccer at a decent level and probably dont want to risk getting into another sport that they'll get flogged at for 10years before they get anywhere near competitive.
I definitely prefer watching AFL on TV than at the ground, I find the game too expansive and fast paced that its very hard to follow without the benefit of the camera's.
Totally agree with Bordy, there's a place for all forms of sport in society, I watch pretty much anything, just have a preference for some over others, and I guess if im paying to watch something I expect the standard to be at the highest possible level to justify its cost, for me the A-League doesnt meet that standard which is why I gave it a bit of a bashing.
I'm fortunate with the Western Force that the competition is at an all time high, has the funding it needs to continue to grow ,is well suported in Perth (even though the team struggled in its first year) and I can easily get to the games. Even after one season I wouldnt want to now have to rely on tv coverage of the games if I moved overseas (of which I doubt there's any in the northern hemisphere)
Getting back to AFL, I do enjoy it and have probably watched less non Arsenal games than normal as i've started to get more into the AFL, from a fitness perspective they are probably head and shoulders above other codes, in my view it is a format worth expanding to other nations, I just think the northern hemisphere just views it as some stupid game played by mullet toting feral aussies because they cant play soccer at a decent level and probably dont want to risk getting into another sport that they'll get flogged at for 10years before they get anywhere near competitive.
I definitely prefer watching AFL on TV than at the ground, I find the game too expansive and fast paced that its very hard to follow without the benefit of the camera's.
Totally agree with Bordy, there's a place for all forms of sport in society, I watch pretty much anything, just have a preference for some over others, and I guess if im paying to watch something I expect the standard to be at the highest possible level to justify its cost, for me the A-League doesnt meet that standard which is why I gave it a bit of a bashing.
