2015 Fixture - What do we want for the Bulldogs

[Eastdog]

Someone or myself will most likely post up a new thread about the official 2015 AFL fixture when its released but was interested in what fellow woofers would like to get in terms of timeslots and difficulty in the opposition with this upcoming fixture.

[Pickenitup]

Would love 1 Friday Night game
Home game v Pies
At least 4 games On Saturday afternoon
More than 1 game at the MCG.

[boydogs]

In some ways the fixture is more even these days with an 18 team competition, as you only play 5 teams twice. There's also an argument for playing good teams twice being a good test and preparation for finals footy.

The main things teams look for are minimal 6 day breaks, interstate trips and poor timeslots

[anfo27]

What i want is an improvement from last season which shouldn't be difficult since we were given the worst fixture of all time. You could of sworn Ross Oakley put that fixture together on our behalf. Up yours Oakley!

I want a home game on a Friday night against a Melbourne based club. I would also like one on a Saturday night against a Melbourne based club, not like round one against the eagles. Would also like that game to be on free to air television since we didn't have one this year. This has to be a minimum requirement!

I will be very interested to see what fixture we get this year with Gilligan in charge now.

[mighty_west]

A game at the Gabba and Metricon, only got the Gold Coast game this year.

[LostDoggy]

A game at the Gabba and Metricon, only got the Gold Coast game this year.

Bugger that, let's just chip in to fly you down here ya selfish bugger! ;-P

[bulldogtragic]

Game times that sponsors would want to see before signing up. We'd be commercially more viable if we're allowed to be commercially viable.

[LostDoggy]

Less than 50 percent of our games on Sunday twilight...
2 Friday nights - yes Im greedy but we haven't had one for 2 years...
Saturday afternoon or evenings
That's what I want.

We will get >50 percent of our games on a Sunday though :(

[Bulldog Joe]

We will get a minimum of 2 of our repeat 5 from 2014 bottom six.
This means we should have 2 games against St Kilda and Brisbane. We will probably also get a return match against GWS given the player movements.

It would be good to get a Friday nighter but can't see it happening.

Hopefully a home game against Collingwood/Richmond on a Saturday Night on free to air could be our best hope.

[Danny the snakeman]

From a selfish POV I would love 2 perth games.

[Flamethrower]

A game at the Gabba and Metricon, only got the Gold Coast game this year.

We'll get a home game in Cairns again I assume, that's only 5 minutes up the road isn't it?

And make that game at Metricon during the school hols, so I can kill 2 birds with one stone.

[boydogs]

We'll get a home game in Cairns again I assume, that's only 5 minutes up the road isn't it?

And make that game at Metricon during the school hols, so I can kill 2 birds with one stone.

Melbourne is closer to Brisbane than Cairns is

[Eastdog]

Melbourne is closer to Brisbane than Cairns is

Im from Victoria. Cairns is in Far North Queensland. How far is it drive from Brisbane?

[GVGjr]

Im from Victoria. Cairns is in Far North Queensland. How far is it drive from Brisbane?

Google maps is your friend

[Jam Donuts]

Google maps is your friend
By road about 1800ks, about 20 hours drive too easy, cant wait

[Ozza]

3 games at the MCG (Melbourne, Collingwood, hawthorn)
At least 1 Friday night
2-3 Saturday nights in Melbourne.

[boydogs]

Im from Victoria. Cairns is in Far North Queensland. How far is it drive from Brisbane?

1705km Melbourne to Brisbane, 1793km Cairns to Brisbane. Quicker for you to drive there than for me :)

[mighty_west]

We'll get a home game in Cairns again I assume, that's only 5 minutes up the road isn't it?

And make that game at Metricon during the school hols, so I can kill 2 birds with one stone.

As you know Flamechucker it is closer for you to travel up here to Brissy from Melbourne than it is from Brisbane to Cairns.

[Remi Moses]

No more Sunday twighlight zone games.
More Saturday games. Like a Friday night game ( might be due since we haven't had one since 2011)

[Eastdog]

According Caroline Wilson it's pretty much a 95% chance will be playing Richmond in round 2 at the MCG.

[boydogs]

According Caroline Wilson it's pretty much a 95% chance will be playing Richmond in round 2 at the MCG.

Good to get an MCG game against a big Melbourne club, even though it will be an away game. Probably not the sort of game you put on at 4:40pm Sunday either

[Eastdog]

Good to get an MCG game against a big Melbourne club, even though it will be an away game. Probably not the sort of game you put on at 4:40pm Sunday either

Yep hopefully it's not our only one for 2015. It would be good to get 1-2 home games at the MCG.

[Eastdog]

Announced today on the AFL website will be playing Hawthorn in Round 3 down in Tasmania.

[boydogs]

Announced today on the AFL website will be playing Hawthorn in Round 3 down in Tasmania.

Not a good result in isolation, they have really built up a home ground advantage down there. Less local exposure for the club and access to the game for supporters, and another interstate trip for the players

[KT31]

Not a good result in isolation, they have really built up a home ground advantage down there. Less local exposure for the club and access to the game for supporters, and another interstate trip for the players

It least it should be televised and it may be better than being outnumbered by 30,000 of their fans and copping a hiding at Etihad or the MCG.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

1 Sunday twilight game!!!!! 1!!! Woohoo!!!

but sadly again no friday nights. We do get 5 saturday night games though.

Play WC, Brisbane, Port, Saints and Melbourne twice

All in all not a bad fixture but clearly equalisation has been given no consideration again

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Fixture here:

http://media.foxsports.com.au/images/2015AFLFixtureByClub.pdf

[Axe Man]

From my quick perusal of the fixture:

Play the following teams twice:
West Coast
St Kilda
Melbourne
Port
Brisbane

Interstate games against:
West Coast
Hawthorn (Tassie)
Sydney
Port
Brisbane
Gold Coast (Cairns)

[GVGjr]

Good allocation of games. Should appease the majority of the supporters.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Good allocation of games. Should appease the majority of the supporters.

Its a good draw when comparing to what we are used to. However still miles off having any sort of equality in the draw

Carlton finish 1/2 a game ahead of us yet receive 6 friday night games and a thursday night to ZERO for us.

Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood all get 13-15 games on FTA vs 8 to us.

[bornadog]

RD
DATE
OPPONENT
VENUE
HOME/AWAY
LOCAL TIME
HOST TV NETWORK


1
Saturday, April 4
West Coast Eagles
Etihad Stadium
Home
7.20pm
Foxtel


2
Saturday, April 11
Richmond
MCG
Away
1.45pm
Seven


3
Sunday, April 19
Hawthorn
Aurora Stadium
Away
1.10pm
Foxtel


4
Sunday, April 26
Adelaide Crows
Etihad Stadium
Home
4.40pm
Foxtel


5
Saturday, May 2
Sydney Swans
SCG
Away
2.10pm
Foxtel


6
Saturday, May 9
St Kilda
Etihad Stadium
Home
2.10pm
Foxtel


7
Sunday, May 17
Fremantle
Etihad Stadium
Home
1.10pm
Foxtel


8
Sunday, May 24
Melbourne
MCG
Away
3.20pm
Seven


9
Saturday, May 30
GWS GIANTS
Etihad Stadium
Home
4.35pm
Foxtel


10
Saturday, June 6
Port Adelaide
Adelaide Oval
Away
7.10pm
Foxtel


11
Bye







12
Saturday, June 20
Brisbane Lions
Etihad Stadium
Home
7.20pm
Seven


13
Saturday, June 27
St Kilda
Etihad Stadium
Away
7.20pm
Seven


14
Saturday, July 4
Carlton
Etihad Stadium
Home
7.20pm
Seven


15
Saturday, July 11
Gold Coast SUNS
Cazalys Stadium
Home
4.35pm
Foxtel


16
Saturday, July 18
Geelong Cats
Simonds Stadium
Away
1.45pm
Seven


17
Sunday, July 26
Collingwood
Etihad Stadium
Home
1.10pm
Foxtel


18
Sunday, August 2
Essendon
Etihad Stadium
Away
3.20pm
Seven


19
Saturday, August 8
Port Adelaide
Etihad Stadium
Home
2.10pm
Foxtel


20
Sunday, August 16
Melbourne
Etihad Stadium
Home
3.20pm
Seven


21
Sunday, August 23
West Coast Eagles
Patersons Stadium
Away
2.40pm
Foxtel


22
Saturday, August 29
North Melbourne
Etihad Stadium
Away
4.35pm
Foxtel


23
TBC
Brisbane Lions
The Gabba
Away
TBC
TBC

[LostDoggy]

Home game against Collingwood Sunday and Carlton Saturday night is OK. Other than that our home games will struggle to draw decent crowds.

[Axe Man]

Ground Breakdown:

Etihad 13
MCG 2
Subiaco 1
Adelaide Oval 1
Launceston 1
SCG 1
Cairns 1
Geelong 1
Gabba 1

[bornadog]

TIMESLOT

HOME MATCHES

AWAY MATCHES

TOTAL MATCHES



Saturday afternoon

2
3
5


Sunday early

2
1
3


Sunday afternoon

1
2
3


Monday afternoon

0
0
0


DAY

5
6
11


Saturday twilight

2
1
3


Sunday twilight

1
1
2


TWILIGHT

3
2
5


Thursday night

0
0
0


Friday night

0
0
0


Saturday night

3
2
5


NIGHT

3
2
5


TBC (Round 23)0

1
1

[Axe Man]

Even St Kilda and Melbourne get a Friday night game!:mad:

[bornadog]

VENUE

HOME MATCHES

AWAY MATCHES

TOTAL MATCHES



Etihad Stadium

10
3
13


MCG

0
2
2


Simonds Stadium

0
1
1


Matches in Victoria

10
6
16


Adelaide Oval

0
1
1


ANZ Stadium

0
0
0


Aurora Stadium

0
1
1


Blundstone Arena

0
0
0


Cazalys Stadium

1
0
1


Metricon Stadium

0
0
0


Patersons Stadium

0
1
1


SCG

0
1
1


Spotless Stadium

0
0
0


StarTrack Oval

0
0
0


The Gabba

0
1
1


TIO Stadium

0
0
0


TIO Traeger Park

0
0
0


Westpac Stadium

0
0
0


Matches outside Victoria

1
5
6

[Sedat]

13 Foxtel games is a negative, 13 Saturday games is a positive, no Thursday or Friday night games is a big negative.

[bornadog]

Even St Kilda and Melbourne get a Friday night game!:mad:

That is a *!*!*!*!en joke

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I'll say it again. Equalisation is still nothing but a myth

[bornadog]

I'll say it again. Equalisation is still nothing but a myth

Agree. True equalisation is a fair draw, fair share of TV timelsots, fair share of stadium deals, fair share of any blockbuster, timeslots, home games, etc.

Equalisation is not splitting up the money, its the ability to generate the money and membership and build the club up by being fair with above..

[LostDoggy]

The sad, but true, fact is that we likely receive a larger slice of the equalisation pot by not headlining the gate.

[bornadog]

How the hell does Carlton get 7 Friday night games

[bulldogsthru&thru]

How the hell does Carlton get 7 Friday night games

Yep half a game in front of us yet 6 friday nights to our 0. Also get 14 FTA games vs our 8. As do Pies and Bombers. Its a joke really. Equalisation is not just giving handouts. Its equalising the opportunity to market our brand and the fixture is still nowhere near this. Sad fact is that the longer we have to continue to rely on handouts from the big clubs the longer we are just existing in the competition for the sake of the heavyweights.

[Doc26]

It is not until round 14 that we have a home game against a team that will draw a crowd, and then not until round 17.

Our Home Games to Round 17:

Round 1 Eagles
Round 4 Crows
Round 6 Saints
Round 7 Dockers
Round 9 Giants
Round 12 Lions
Round 14 Blues
Round 15 Suns (@ Cazaly Stadium)
Round 17 Magpies

[westdog54]

Definitely an improvement on last season but certainly further work to be done.

[bornadog]

It is not until round 14 that we have a home game against a team that will draw a crowd, and then not until round 17.

Our Home Games to Round 17:

Round 1 Eagles
Round 4 Crows
Round 6 Saints
Round 7 Dockers
Round 9 Giants
Round 12 Lions
Round 14 Blues
Round 15 Suns (@ Cazaly Stadium)
Round 17 Magpies

25,000 for the Saints game and the rest around 20,000 for the first 5 home games- thank you AFL

[always right]

The positive is a significant reduction in Sunday twilight games. Even two of the three are at 3:20pm. Happy with Saturday twilight games. If we perform okay there is no reason for our supporters not to attend this year.

The downside is the lack of crowd drawing matches and a Friday match.

[Axe Man]

The CEO has pointed out all the positives and ignored all the negatives. I would have liked Garlick to at least highlight some of the inequities that we still face in this fixture.

Dogs fixture accomodates Club's request (http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2014-10-30/clubs-response-to-fixture)

Western Bulldogs Chief Executive Simon Garlick has made the following comments in relation to the release of the 2015 fixture:

“We believe it is a positive fixture for our Club and acknowledge the AFL’s attempt to accommodate some of our key requests.

“As a Club, we wanted to ensure our games were in family friendly slots after having excessive Sunday twilight games last year — this year we were able to secure 13 Saturday games, eight of which will be played in the afternoon.

“We look forward to some challenges early in the year, facing grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney, and are pleased to open our account home at Etihad Stadium on a Saturday night.

“We will play at our home ground Etihad Stadium 13 times next season, and retain a home multicultural round match which we see as an important vehicle in highlighting our community efforts.

“We will head up to Cairns again this year after a positive experience and some great feedback from our fans who thoroughly enjoyed travelling to Cazalys Stadium.

“The fixture provides some improved revenue and exposure opportunities for our Club, and we believe the AFL have taken some steps forward in ensuring decisions have been in the spirit of competitive balance and equalisation.

“We look forward to receiving more primetime exposure as our exciting, young list continue to improve — and feel overall that most our priorities have been met in this fixture.”

[Greystache]

Carlton finish half a game in front of us and get 7 Friday night and we get zero.

Collingwood misses the finals and gets punished by only getting 8 Friday night games.

The AFL continues to be more out of touch with reality every year. They don't even have a basis to justify why they prioritise a handful of teams above all others besides maxmising the next TV rights deal. In 10 years time their TV rights will be worth a fraction of what they've got now. They just don't get it.

[bulldogtragic]

No Friday night games for over 1,400 days. So out pitch to sponsors about exposure is what again? Empty stadiums and Foxtel coverage. It's not helping us.

[Daughter of the West]

No Friday night games for over 1,400 days.

That. Right there. That sums up "equalisation".

And that's before you stick the knife in with Carlton and all their Friday night games.

[Greystache]

So 7 of 11 home games against interstate clubs

By coincidence;

Collingwood get 3
Essendon get 3

Yet I'm sure the AFL will tell us we'll get a better fixture when we pull bigger crowds, while systematically making it impossible to do so.

[bulldogtragic]

Yet I'm sure the AFL will tell us we'll get a better fixture when we pull bigger crowds, while systematically making it impossible to do so.

This is the thing. The AFL can throw cash at us and the bigger clubs chip in for a few years. Then when we are unable to bigger crowds we will be called unsustainable and the big clubs will stop the money and pressure the AFL to do something else. It's like referring a starving person to a food shelter which is closed, and then saying but there's food there so be happy. If we can't access equalisation or fairness even, then our days are numbered again.

This systemic abuse of our ability to operate effectively and draw sponsors and crowds keeps bringing me back to Tassie.

"You'll get nothing and like it".

[LostDoggy]

Perhaps if we broke our 'battler' tag and actually achieved something in our existence then the AFL and sponsors would schedule us at time that would allow us more exposure.

This constant pissing and moaning about the AFL not giving us Friday night games, or family friendly attendance timeslots really is tiresome.

There hasn't been an 'even' fixture for decades. Get over it. It's simple marketing economics as to why the big teams play in the key timeslots.

The AFL will support us by drip feed, but it's up to the club to achieve something BY ITSELF! Look at what Hawthorn have done since the mid 90’s. Almost merged FGS! We’ve done zero in that time as an organisation as a whole.

[bulldogtragic]

Perhaps if we broke our 'battler' tag and actually achieved something in our existence then the AFL and sponsors would schedule us at time that would allow us more exposure.

This constant pissing and moaning about the AFL not giving us Friday night games, or family friendly attendance timeslots really is tiresome.

There hasn't been an 'even' fixture for decades. Get over it. It's simple marketing economics as to why the big teams play in the key timeslots.

The AFL will support us by drip feed, but it's up to the club to achieve something BY ITSELF! Look at what Hawthorn have done since the mid 90’s. Almost merged FGS! We’ve done zero in that time as an organisation as a whole.

Hawthorn went to Tassie. Good point.

[Eastdog]

Pretty good to hear that we are getting a lot of Saturday games. The Sunday games the majority are 1:10pm/3:20pm so that's good. Only 2 Sunday twilights so happy with that. Would of liked 1 Friday night match and 3-4 games at the MCG but as they say you can't have it all.

[G-Mo77]

The CEO has pointed out all the positives and ignored all the negatives. I would have liked Garlick to at least highlight some of the inequities that we still face in this fixture.


Agree with this, not one single Friday night game for 24 months. Not one!

We only manage to get 8 FTA games for the entire season.

Highlight those glaring holes in our fixture. Are we that unattractive?

[angelopetraglia]

The AFL has given us no chance. The fixture is an absolute disgrace. Give our draw to Colingwood for the next decade and we will see how big they are then. Can't even comprehend how bad it is.

- 6 of our first 7 games are on Pay TV
- 5 of our fist 6 home games are against interstate teams
- zero Friday night games
- zero Thursday night games
- 14 games on Pay TV
- 5 prime time games
- 3 prime time games on Seven

How do you build a brand?

How do you get atmosphere at your games?

Why should we bother to get reserved seats when we will be playing in empty stadiums?

Why would you sponsor the club?

[Eastdog]

But playing on Saturday will make a bit of a difference as it is a better time for a lot of us to go to the footy. I agree though with the sentiment that no Friday night games for us sucks.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Perhaps if we broke our 'battler' tag and actually achieved something in our existence then the AFL and sponsors would schedule us at time that would allow us more exposure.

This constant pissing and moaning about the AFL not giving us Friday night games, or family friendly attendance timeslots really is tiresome.

There hasn't been an 'even' fixture for decades. Get over it. It's simple marketing economics as to why the big teams play in the key timeslots.

The AFL will support us by drip feed, but it's up to the club to achieve something BY ITSELF! Look at what Hawthorn have done since the mid 90’s. Almost merged FGS! We’ve done zero in that time as an organisation as a whole.

The anomaly here is Carlton getting 6 friday night games.....we've had more success than them for the last decade.

[Eastdog]

The anomaly here is Carlton getting 6 friday night games.....we've had more success than them for the last decade.

Agree it doesn't make sense. What's the logic in that.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

The AFL has given us no chance. The fixture is an absolute disgrace. Give our draw to Colingwood for the next decade and we will see how big they are then. Can't even comprehend how bad it is.

- 6 of our first 7 games are on Pay TV
- 5 of our fist 6 home games are against interstate teams
- zero Friday night games
- zero Thursday night games
- 14 games on Pay TV
- 5 prime time games
- 3 prime time games on Seven

How do you build a brand?

How do you get atmosphere at your games?

Why should we bother to get reserved seats when we will be playing in empty stadiums?

Why would you sponsor the club?

I seem to recall Eddie having the biggest whinge about being given a sunday twilight slot against Port this season. Amusing. The AFL will have egg on its face in 10-20 years. Fans will turn off when you have the same clubs at the top over and over and over and over.....the A-League is getting stronger

[The Bulldogs Bite]

The only way we will find ourselves in prime time slots and with regular TV exposure is through finishing top four.

[Murphy'sLore]

What is Carlton's membership? Maybe that's their logic.

[GVGjr]

Are the concerns of no Friday night games more about what our fans want or what it could bring in via sponsorship etc?

I'd like us to have a Friday night game or two but Saturday nights work for me as well. Once our supporters get as passionate about attending games and as soon as our team starts a few 3 game winning streaks each year we will get added back into it.

[Eastdog]

The only way we will find ourselves in prime time slots and with regular TV exposure is through finishing top four.

But that shouldn't be the litmus test. Every club regardless of ladder position should at least play once on that prime time Friday night timeslot. From what I can remember of Friday night last year there were a lot of one sided games.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

But that shouldn't be the litmus test. Every club regardless of ladder position should at least play once on that prime time Friday night timeslot. From what I can remember of Friday night last year there were a lot of one sided games.
Absolutely. There were plenty of friday night beltings. 23 friday night games should allow all teams at least 1 shot at it

[The Bulldogs Bite]

But that shouldn't be the litmus test. Every club regardless of ladder position should at least play once on that prime time Friday night timeslot. From what I can remember of Friday night last year there were a lot of one sided games.

It shouldn't be but it is (for us). Reality is we are a very poor club in terms of attracting decent crowds while we're an average side. Melbourne are AFL's love child and without looking at the stats I'd say St. Kilda still average higher crowds than us.

It's not fair, but that's why it's called a fixture and not a draw.

[bornadog]

It shouldn't be but it is (for us). Reality is we are a very poor club in terms of attracting decent crowds while we're an average side. Melbourne are AFL's love child and without looking at the stats I'd say St. Kilda still average higher crowds than us.

It's not fair, but that's why it's called a fixture and not a draw.

They averaged 27k to our 24k this season.

[G-Mo77]

Are the concerns of no Friday night games more about what our fans want or what it could bring in via sponsorship etc?

I'd like us to have a Friday night game or two but Saturday nights work for me as well. Once our supporters get as passionate about attending games and as soon as our team starts a few 3 game winning streaks each year we will get added back into it.

For me personally a Saturday afternoon game suits best or early Sunday.

It's about getting some decent exposure though. The gap widens every year this happens and we're left playing catch up.

[Eastdog]

But if we did play on Friday night there is a very good chance we would pull in a decent crowd say if we were playing a Victorian team.

[G-Mo77]

Absolutely. There were plenty of friday night beltings. 23 friday night games should allow all teams at least 1 shot at it

46 have gone through without drawing one. Maybe if we finish on top we'll play Brisbane at the Gabba. :)

[Dry Rot]

Dogs v Swans in Sydney. Excellent.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

They averaged 27k to our 24k this season.

Shows how fixed the AFL is.

My point is that we don't have much of a leg to stand on, other than to point at Melbourne/St. Kilda and ask why they get privileges over us. It's a fair question, but our performances and our crowd attendances will always be highlighted. I'd bank my house on us being aggressive re: not so many Sunday games, so this is likely the AFL's idea of 'satisfying' us by adding more time friendly Saturday matches.

[LostDoggy]

The anomaly here is Carlton getting 6 friday night games.....we've had more success than them for the last decade.

It's an anomaly if you only read the last line.

Carlton are a club with a large traditional following. We're a club that gets mid 30's to games when we're flying. This is also one of the reasons PG tore apart the cheer squad. We literally look like shit on TV.

[Eastdog]

It's a start with the AFL being more accommodating to us by having more Saturday games.

[Murphy'sLore]

I guess now it's up to all of us to respond by actually turning up and showing that it does make a difference when we don't have a crappy Sunday twilight slot.

[Axe Man]

Agree with this, not one single Friday night game for 24 months. Not one!


46 have gone through without drawing one. Maybe if we finish on top we'll play Brisbane at the Gabba. :)

We haven't played a Friday night game since Round 9, 25th May 2012. 2015 will be the third consecutive year without a Friday night game. There is every possibility that we will not get a Friday night game in 2016 either given we are unlikely to improve much next season. We could be looking at a 5 year gap between Friday night matches!

[boydogs]

Far more negative on here than I expected. Sunday twilight was the biggest beef on here last year and that's been well and truly addressed. 2 games at the MCG too, don't think we played there at all this year. 3 Saturday night home games, home games against Collingwood & Carlton.

Player wise, there are only 6 interstate trips including the Cairns home game and the Hawthorn Tassie game, and no Friday games means no consecutive 6 day breaks. 3 of the 5 teams we play twice finished in the bottom 4 last year.

The lack of free to air games and the low drawing teams we play twice mean it's not the best fixture for exposure, but it's much better for supporters with 16 Melbourne games to attend and only 1 Sunday twilight, and great for the players too with limited interstate travel, no consecutive 6 day breaks and repeat games against poor opposition

[Greystache]

Perhaps if we broke our 'battler' tag and actually achieved something in our existence then the AFL and sponsors would schedule us at time that would allow us more exposure.

This constant pissing and moaning about the AFL not giving us Friday night games, or family friendly attendance timeslots really is tiresome.

There hasn't been an 'even' fixture for decades. Get over it. It's simple marketing economics as to why the big teams play in the key timeslots.

The AFL will support us by drip feed, but it's up to the club to achieve something BY ITSELF! Look at what Hawthorn have done since the mid 90’s. Almost merged FGS! We’ve done zero in that time as an organisation as a whole.

You've missed nearly every point on the entire subject.

Collingwood has won 2 flags in 50 years, Essendon 4 in 50 years and haven't won a final in over a decade. Their supporter base is derived from ancient historical success. We could win 2 flags in the next 5 years and it wouldn't change our situation in the short term.

It's not simple economics, it's short term economics, otherwise known as boganomics. I'm staggered how many people can't understand it. The AFL is systematically driving supporters to only a handful of clubs for short term return. Sure they may get 20% more immediate return, but in doing so they're driving away established fans from clubs that have been de-prioritized, while ensuring the future marketing opportunities are limited to 30% of the competition. It's just a matter of time before a big portion of their product offering is toxic from a commercial prospective, and potential buyers refuse to pay for it, meaning they get less long term because they cashed out everything for a small immediate return years earlier.

The fixture since the new TV rights came in has been exponentially more uneven, and it's clear that it will continue. In fact it will continue because the AFL product will be damaged to the point where there's no other option.

As for "get over it", that may as well be the slogan tattooed on every bogan in Australia.

[Remi Moses]

Better than last season without a doubt .
But the AFL edict of teams " earning" Friday night games is a complete load of b/s

[LostDoggy]

As far as an easy draw is concerned we have been pretty lucky, Bris, Melbourne, Aint's, West Coast & Port our double ups. Think the AFL missed a trick not doubling up our games with GWS considering, also nearly think it's a lock that we should play North twice a year, usually good matches, and draw decent crowds....comparatively!

[boydogs]

Why should we bother to get reserved seats when we will be playing in empty stadiums?

Whilst this is a negative for club revenue, it's good for our supporters not having to do this. Booking online, paying a surcharge for a category A game or turning up early to get in and get a good seat turns people off.

Ironically it could make us an attractive club to follow - bugger fighting the crowds at Collingwood games, go and watch the Bulldogs instead. Less time in the carpark or in queues for the toilets or food & drink

[bulldogsthru&thru]

It's an anomaly if you only read the last line.

Carlton are a club with a large traditional following. We're a club that gets mid 30's to games when we're flying. This is also one of the reasons PG tore apart the cheer squad. We literally look like shit on TV.
and how exactly are the clubs with no "traditional following" meant to attract a larger following with minimal FTA coverage and poorer time slots, whilst the clubs with bigger "traditional followings" still reap the rewards of plenty of FTA coverage and favourable time slots? You cant just say "show up" and everything will turn around. We haven't the fans to do so and this becomes a self fulfilling prophecy when teams with less fans have all the options of attracting new fans given to the teams with plenty of fans. I get the TV networks dont want to televise games no-one watches but if we are letting the TV rights dictate this competition we are in for a world of hurt. Its killing the smaller clubs and it will bite the AFL on the ass in 10-20 years.

[GVGjr]

But if we did play on Friday night there is a very good chance we would pull in a decent crowd say if we were playing a Victorian team.

I'm not sure this is correct. What does a Friday night game consistently have over a Saturday night game for attendance of our supporters?

Friday night games have a better TV exposure but if we want our supporters at games I fail to see why it's easier or more convenient for most to attend a Friday night game over a Saturday night one.

[Greystache]

Whilst this is a negative for club revenue, it's good for our supporters not having to do this. Booking online, paying a surcharge for a category A game or turning up early to get in and get a good seat turns people off.

Ironically it could make us an attractive club to follow - bugger fighting the crowds at Collingwood games, go and watch the Bulldogs instead. Less time in the carpark or in queues for the toilets or food & drink

But you're assuming potential swing supporters even know the Bulldogs are in the competition. If you're a casual observer and don't have Foxtel, it's entirely possible you'd have never seen or heard of us in a 3-4 year period.

[Eastdog]

I'm not sure this is correct. What does a Friday night game consistently have over a Saturday night game for attendance of our supporters?

Friday night games have a better TV exposure but if we want our supporters at games I fail to see why it's easier or more convenient for most to attend a Friday night game over a Saturday night one.

I think Friday night would give us prime time TV exposure to a large viewing audience but you do have a point as well.

[GVGjr]

I think Friday night would give us prime time TV exposure to a large viewing audience but you do have a point as well.

Our passion about getting Friday night games is more around TV exposure and sponsors. I just want us to have a crowd attendance average of 30,000 a game next year.

[Webby]

This is a vast improvement on last year. With this and the Ballarat announcement, some good work has clearly been put in behind the scenes by our admin.

The fixture alone should kick us along towards 35,000 plus members. I think it makes that much of a difference.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Our passion about getting Friday night games is more around TV exposure and sponsors. I just want us to have a crowd attendance average of 30,000 a game next year.

This is what we need to make our immediate priority. It'll then give us leverage when we're negotiating for a better fixture.

[boydogs]

But you're assuming potential swing supporters even know the Bulldogs are in the competition. If you're a casual observer and don't have Foxtel, it's entirely possible you'd have never seen or heard of us in a 3-4 year period.

Put it this way, with what you know about the AFL, is this better or worse than you expected?

Just for contrast, this is a comment from a Port supporter on their draw. There's always a negative side to things.


Port have a terrible draw. Better for TV viewership but to play hawks freo and sydney twice and only get one game at the MCG this year despite that we're a genuine contender to push deep into finals is ridiculous.

[GVGjr]

This is what we need to make our immediate priority. It'll then give us leverage when we're negotiating for a better fixture.

If we were to get a couple of 3 games winning steaks through the year we would be in a better position to demand Friday night games.

[boydogs]

Our passion about getting Friday night games is more around TV exposure and sponsors. I just want us to have a crowd attendance average of 30,000 a game next year.

The other point regarding this is only having 8 free to air games is going to make people more inclined to go to games than if we had 14.

[LostDoggy]

You've missed nearly every point on the entire subject.

Collingwood has won 2 flags in 50 years, Essendon 4 in 50 years and haven't won a final in over a decade. Their supporter base is derived from ancient historical success. We could win 2 flags in the next 5 years and it wouldn't change our situation in the short term.

It's not simple economics, it's short term economics, otherwise known as boganomics. I'm staggered how many people can't understand it. The AFL is systematically driving supporters to only a handful of clubs for short term return. Sure they may get 20% more immediate return, but in doing so they're driving away established fans from clubs that have been de-prioritized, while ensuring the future marketing opportunities are limited to 30% of the competition. It's just a matter of time before a big portion of their product offering is toxic from a commercial prospective, and potential buyers refuse to pay for it, meaning they get less long term because they cashed out everything for a small immediate return years earlier.

The fixture since the new TV rights came in has been exponentially more uneven, and it's clear that it will continue. In fact it will continue because the AFL product will be damaged to the point where there's no other option.

As for "get over it", that may as well be the slogan tattooed on every bogan in Australia.

You sure do love dropping the bogan line.

If the system is driving supporters to only a number of clubs, then why were GWS and GC bought in? – So people can have a long distance relationship with the TV? Why would the AFL want a league of 8 teams for example? How do you know our situation wouldn’t change if we won 2 flags in 5 years? You’re saying supporters wouldn’t flock to buy memberships, that kids wouldn’t tell Mummy and Daddy they want to support the Bulldogs? That Foxtel wouldn’t take notice of viewer ratings? What boganist logic!

Where are the numbers to say that established fans are being driven away from these clubs? Ours is a team that has always had a low membership base. Is this currently the AFL’s fault because they didn’t dictate more free to air games fro Ch7 during the 90’s?

The TV rights purchasers want viewers. The advertisers want viewers. People want entertainment. Giving free handouts via key timeslots on TV to clubs that consistently lack these qualities will see money inflow into the game fall considerably.

That’s why it’s up to this bloody club to prove them wrong. Give them a product, a spectacle, a hope, not just vacant promises.

[westdog54]

I'm not sure this is correct. What does a Friday night game consistently have over a Saturday night game for attendance of our supporters?


People heading straight across to Docklands after their Friday afternoon office drinks.

Don't laugh. It happens. Plenty of neutrals go to Friday night games at Etihad straight from work.

[Greystache]

You sure do love dropping the bogan line.

If the system is driving supporters to only a number of clubs, then why were GWS and GC bought in? – So people can have a long distance relationship with the TV? Why would the AFL want a league of 8 teams for example? How do you know our situation wouldn’t change if we won 2 flags in 5 years? You’re saying supporters wouldn’t flock to buy memberships, that kids wouldn’t tell Mummy and Daddy they want to support the Bulldogs? That Foxtel wouldn’t take notice of viewer ratings? What boganist logic!

Where are the numbers to say that established fans are being driven away from these clubs? Ours is a team that has always had a low membership base. Is this currently the AFL’s fault because they didn’t dictate more free to air games fro Ch7 during the 90’s?

The TV rights purchasers want viewers. The advertisers want viewers. People want entertainment. Giving free handouts via key timeslots on TV to clubs that consistently lack these qualities will see money inflow into the game fall considerably.

That’s why it’s up to this bloody club to prove them wrong. Give them a product, a spectacle, a hope, not just vacant promises.

To be honest I can't follow any point you're trying to make. Short term goals are good, nothing else is worth considering? Is that it?

As for proving them wrong, prove who wrong? If we're at the top of the ladder during our up cycle we'll get below average exposure, if we're middle of the road or worse during our down cycle, we'll get none at all. Meanwhile the same clubs will get maximum exposure regardless of how they are going.

[Greystache]

Put it this way, with what you know about the AFL, is this better or worse than you expected?

Just for contrast, this is a comment from a Port supporter on their draw. There's always a negative side to things.

I guess it depends on what your focus is. If an extra win or maybe two in the next year is the be all and end all, then all you'll care about is who you play. If you're interested in the long term sustainability and potential for success of your club, then there's more important things to focus on.

For me, who we play twice is not a major consideration.

[westdog54]

The TV rights purchasers want viewers. The advertisers want viewers. People want entertainment. Giving free handouts via key timeslots on TV to clubs that consistently lack these qualities will see money inflow into the game fall considerably.

That’s why it’s up to this bloody club to prove them wrong. Give them a product, a spectacle, a hope, not just vacant promises.

What spectacle have Carlton offered to deserve 7 Friday night games? What product have StKilda offered to justify more exposure than us? What 'Hope' have Melbourne offered up in the last 3 years? Why do we get left out in the cold at the expense of these clubs?

Your argument is bollocks.

[LostDoggy]

To be honest I can't follow any point you're trying to make. Short term goals are good, nothing else is worth considering? Is that it?

As for proving them wrong, prove who wrong? If we're at the top of the ladder during our up cycle we'll get below average exposure, if we're middle of the road or worse during our down cycle, we'll get none at all. Meanwhile the same clubs will get maximum exposure regardless of how they are going.

Okay, I’ll attempt to clarify:

Bulldogs supporters year after year are unhappy with the AFL fixture. They want more Friday night games, key timeslot games which is believed will expand our brand, as well as give them a chance to put the feet up and watch the Dogs on a Friday night.

The AFL and Foxtel in fixturing management, advertiser exposure and brand growth will not hand out these timeslots on a 'fairness' basis. They will provide them to teams that have large attending and tuning-in supporter bases

The idea that our brand will grow via TV exposure to those easily influenced is illogical. This is because our current desirable characteristics do not fit what the person, the AFL, Foxtel or the advertiser want. Once we have had success, once we present a consistent product, that’s when these offerings will change, but it’s not the AFL’s fault, it’s ours. If we were given Friday night games, and 20% of the crowd were ours, we got belted by 9-10 goals, and the viewer ratings were 25% less than the average, would this affect future TV rights? It would. The TV rights is once every five years, the fixture is once a year. We change, the fixture will change.

Handing out Friday night games and having an equal draw reeks of lifeboat ethics. Eventually people (the stakeholders) want a return, and much like our supporter base, they get sick of waiting for it to happen.

[LostDoggy]

What spectacle have Carlton offered to deserve 7 Friday night games? What product have StKilda offered to justify more exposure than us? What 'Hope' have Melbourne offered up in the last 3 years? Why do we get left out in the cold at the expense of these clubs?

Your argument is bollocks.

Conversely your argument is bollocks. You've taken one element of what I’ve said and dismissed the others. Would I love a Friday night game? Hell yes, do Melbourne and Saints deserve one? Not that I can see, but there has to be a reason why based on the factors you've conveniently overlooked.

[Greystache]

Okay, I’ll attempt to clarify:

Bulldogs supporters year after year are unhappy with the AFL fixture. They want more Friday night games, key timeslot games which is believed will expand our brand, as well as give them a chance to put the feet up and watch the Dogs on a Friday night.

The AFL and Foxtel in fixturing management, advertiser exposure and brand growth will not hand out these timeslots on a 'fairness' basis. They will provide them to teams that have large attending and tuning-in supporter bases

The idea that our brand will grow via TV exposure to those easily influenced is illogical. This is because our current desirable characteristics do not fit what the person, the AFL, Foxtel or the advertiser want. Once we have had success, once we present a consistent product, that’s when these offerings will change, but it’s not the AFL’s fault, it’s ours. If we were given Friday night games, and 20% of the crowd were ours, we got belted by 9-10 goals, and the viewer ratings were 25% less than the average, would this affect future TV rights? It would. The TV rights is once every five years, the fixture is once a year. We change, the fixture will change.

Handing out Friday night games and having an equal draw reeks of lifeboat ethics. Eventually people (the stakeholders) want a return, and much like our supporter base, they get sick of waiting for it to happen.

Honestly this is just going in circles, so I'll make this my last post on the subject.

I get all of that, but again everything in your post is living in the short term. No consideration of strategic goals, or even flow on consequences of decisions being made currently, just dealing with what's in our face right at this very moment, nothing else. Not even what has occured in the past to make it this way, just what will happen tomorrow if the AFL does X rather than Y.

If the AFL had strong management with a clear strategic vision for the future they wouldn't be a) driving this approach, or b) allowing the TV companies to demand something that will ultimately hurt the AFL. Unfortunately the AFL doesn't, they have Gillon, who's Demetriou light, and a revolving door of other hangers on. Gillon won't be around long, so he wouldn't care about what the AFL will look like in 10-20 years, he wants to maximise returns on the next TV rights deal, and the damage of that will be someone else's problem.

The fall out will be a competition that has a handful or huge clubs, and a stack of slot filling clubs, and a far more imbalanced competition than even it is now. One that the TV networks won't be willing to stump up big money to cover because half the matches will be irrelevant.

You've even said if exposure had have been more evenly allocated in the 90's things might be more balanced now, so you're almost there, but instead the AFL is taking an even more extreme approach to short termism and you're not seeing why it's a huge mistake.

[boydogs]

I guess it depends on what your focus is. If an extra win or maybe two in the next year is the be all and end all, then all you'll care about is who you play. If you're interested in the long term sustainability and potential for success of your club, then there's more important things to focus on.

For me, who we play twice is not a major consideration.

Getting a few more wins has to be good for getting supporters on board. No point playing Hawthorn on a Friday night and losing by 10 goals, better to win a couple on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

I get your point, but when I saw the fixture I was pleasantly surprised. The Sunday twilight every other home game is gone. There's a long way to go for it to be equal in terms of exposure, but it's better than I expected. Is it better than you expected?

[bornadog]

I agree with Stache on this subject, its all short term gain and *!*!*!*! the rest of the clubs.

The point is not what our draw looks like it is what the other teams get and the exposure they get out of it. 15 years of watching Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG on ANZAC day has grown Collingwood into an even bigger power house than what they were. Let alone all the times they play Friday, FTA, blockbusters etc etc.

No one looks at the bigger picture and the harm it is doing to the smaller clubs. The AFL is happy to let us play interstate teams twice and Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond play each other twice at the MCG.

When is the last time Collingwood played Hawthorn at Aurora or Skilled Stadium or ventured to Canberra.

The whole contrived fixturing is just one big joke.

[LostDoggy]

I agree with Stache on this subject, its all short term gain and *!*!*!*! the rest of the clubs.

The point is not what our draw looks like it is what the other teams get and the exposure they get out of it. 15 years of watching Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG on ANZAC day has grown Collingwood into an even bigger power house than what they were. Let alone all the times they play Friday, FTA, blockbusters etc etc.

No one looks at the bigger picture and the harm it is doing to the smaller clubs. The AFL is happy to let us play interstate teams twice and Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond play each other twice at the MCG.

When is the last time Collingwood played Hawthorn at Aurora or Skilled Stadium or ventured to Canberra.

The whole contrived fixturing is just one big joke.

What should happen?

[bornadog]

What should happen?

Just make it a straight out draw for the 5 games that you play a team twice and spread the exposure evenly.

Too bad if Collingwood have to go to Aurora or Skilled, tough titties.

Don't let the TV networks dictate the game as there is plenty of competition to get the TV rights.

[bornadog]

What do WOOFers think of this:


Ex-Western Bulldogs and Richmond Coach Terry Wallace has suggested the AFL be the bigger person & move the Bulldogs vs. Fremantle game at Etihad Stadium to Whitten Oval and make way for the A-League Grand Final (Should Melbourne Victory or City Make it)

[G-Mo77]

Certainly no problems from me.

[LostDoggy]

Generally happy with the fixture, its a hard first 3 weeks. WCE are generally up and about at the start of the season. Richmond then Hawks. We could be sitting 0 and 3. A good result would to be win one of those games. I think we have an element of surprise early next year. New coach, altered gameplan, difficult for other teams to plan against.

I think there is scope for every team to have 1 Friday night game. I understand however that the AFL has to capitalise on exposure, this is a business after all.

[GVGjr]

No from me despite the heart wanting it
It's not an AFL standard venue.

[bornadog]

No from me despite the heart wanting it
It's not an AFL standard venue.

Yes that is the issue

[GVGjr]

Yes that is the issue

I wonder what the minimum requirement for a one off effort would be?

[bornadog]

I wonder what the minimum requirement for a one off effort would be?

The other thing is Skilled available?

[bulldogtragic]

I wonder what the minimum requirement for a one off effort would be?

I've lost the email I got from the club a while back. But from memory it was public toilets, food and drink stadiums, fencing, car parking, scoreboards, coaches box as per the coaches assoc minimum std, technology to the boxes, then rooms big enough as per the players assoc stds, showers etc to the rooms as required, interchange as per requirements, technology set up for sirens eye (now videos too), security, ground condition, there were so many it wasn't funny. I don't think unless it's where they want games (ie Darwin, Cairns etc) they won't allow the minimum conditions waived. So you're earlier post was apt, the old gal just ain't up to it yet.

[chef]

I see we get screwed again. Don't even care anymore about equalisation as its never going to happen.


Thank you AFL

[Webby]

Having said all of that stuff about "AFL standard" grounds, are Darwin, Cairns and Alice Springs' grounds considered "AFL standard" by the same criteria?

With the WO upgraded, we could accommodate a decent crowd.

All this aside, a Melbourne team would have to win the right to host a GF, so it's far from a certainty. Beyond that, if it did happen, would it not be an opportunity to start the Ballarat alignment off with a bang? Their stadium is good enough to fit as many patrons as the Cairns or Darwin grounds...

Being the first club to take AFL to Ballarat would be a decent claim to fame..

[LostDoggy]

Well once again we have failed to acquire a friday night game, yet I find that I'm am quite happy with the fixture for next year.
In reality equalization isn't going to turn the most aweful fixture of what we had this year to one that is equal to or better than what a team like Collingwood gets. Football is a buisness and at the moment we just can't achieve the same revenue that the bigger clubs can. With a better fixture we may eventually, but that isnt going to happen within a year so I see this as a step forward towards equalization. Let's just be happy we only have to turn up to a hollow Etihad Stadium on a freezing Melbourne Sunday afternoon only twice next year :)

[Maddog37]

Better fixture without the dreaded 4:40 Sunday games.

I don't care about us not getting Friday night games so much but I hate watching Carlton and Richmond all the bloody time. I wish they would mix it up a bit more. I hope both teams are crap and it backfires horribly but their fans will turn up anyway!

I agree that the league should put the integrity of the draw above TV rights but that horse has bolted. We need to play attractive footy and under Macca that was not happening so hopefully our next coach will encourage a more instinctual, attacking style and win or lose we will at least be good to watch. Many of our games in the last year or two have been plain old boring.

[Twodogs]

But that shouldn't be the litmus test. Every club regardless of ladder position should at least play once on that prime time Friday night timeslot. From what I can remember of Friday night last year there were a lot of one sided games.

You're right Easty. Last seasons Friday night games were a disaster a lot of times. Friday night should be shared around a bit.

[boydogs]

I don't think unless it's where they want games (ie Darwin, Cairns etc) they won't allow the minimum conditions waived.

I think Cairns would be pretty close to WO. Food & drink were mobile vans and car parking was mainly in local streets (same as for the local show). Toilets were there but a bit light on. Rooms a bit small. Fencing, scoreboard, ground & security fine

[FrediKanoute]

It is not until round 14 that we have a home game against a team that will draw a crowd, and then not until round 17.

Our Home Games to Round 17:

Round 1 Eagles
Round 4 Crows
Round 6 Saints
Round 7 Dockers
Round 9 Giants
Round 12 Lions
Round 14 Blues
Round 15 Suns (@ Cazaly Stadium)
Round 17 Magpies

Reckon ROund 9 will be a sell out.........the GWS Retirement Club versus the Up and Coming pups

[Twodogs]

Having said all of that stuff about "AFL standard" grounds, are Darwin, Cairns and Alice Springs' grounds considered "AFL standard" by the same criteria?

With the WO upgraded, we could accommodate a decent crowd..


The ground in Darwin is a fair bit like Whitten Oval in its size and layout. It's got a long grassy slope around one side and a members area along the other wing. The entrances are in different places though.

[Eastdog]

You're right Easty. Last seasons Friday night games were a disaster a lot of times. Friday night should be shared around a bit.

I think will get it back and if we can improve that will become more likely but agree it doesn't make sense for teams like St. Kilda and Carlton getting it which annoys me.

[F'scary]

We just got to win some games, get the bandwagon rolling.

Think of our FF line: Stringer, Boyd, Dahlhaus. We have the potential to wow the public

[boydogs]

http://images.theage.com.au/2014/10/30/5935972/3110rohans_draw.jpg?rand=1414650969268

[LostDoggy]

Everyone has to agree we got a pretty easy draw. Last year everyone whinges about Sundays, we have since gone from 15 down to 8 or 9 potentially with last round and now everyone is finding more to whine about. We do have 5 Saturday night games which is a great result.

I don't want our club to be seen as perennial sooks, and this draw definitely is an improvement. If we can somehow snag the Good Friday game in 2016 with a similar draw to this year I would be chuffed.

[w3design]

I live 3 hrs away making Sunday night games impossible.Looking fwd to more Saturday games next year

[Eastdog]

I live 3 hrs away making Sunday night games impossible.Looking fwd to more Saturday games next year

I live fairly close to the city and I even think Sunday twilight is bad. Imagine for those that live far away. It must be bad but hopefully now a lot of those Dogs supporters will come to the games.

[F'scary]

I live fairly close to the city and I even think Sunday twilight is bad. Imagine for those that live far away. It must be bad but hopefully now a lot of those Dogs supporters will come to the games.

Yeah, crap time to hold a match. Has cost us dearly over the past x number of years.

[KT31]

Yeah, crap time to hold a match. Has cost us dearly over the past x number of years.

You are not wrong it is a totally crap time for a game to be played and we have had the majority over the last few years.
We should be exempt for ever from Sunday arvo's, look at the sqealing Collingwood did when they copped just one game in the time slot.

[GVGjr]

I wonder how the VFL fixture will work now. Last year we got a few chances to watch Footscray games before the seniors played.
I hope our VFL fixture helps us get to a lot of Footscray games rather than having them playing at roughly the same time.

[jeemak]

You are not wrong it is a totally crap time for a game to be played and we have had the majority over the last few years.
We should be exempt for ever from Sunday arvo's, look at the sqealing Collingwood did when they copped just one game in the time slot.

That was both disgusting and beautiful.

[Bulldog4life]

I wonder how the VFL fixture will work now. Last year we got a few chances to watch Footscray games before the seniors played.
I hope our VFL fixture helps us get to a lot of Footscray games rather than having them playing at roughly the same time.

Yes good point GVG. Not sure when the VFL draw comes out.

[KT31]

That was both disgusting and beautiful.

Thank's jeemak your post made me chuckle, i just re-read my original post and I have to admit I am not the best with spelling or grammar and at the best of times.
I will use a poor education, spending the day working on BAS, next years itineraries and spending the week with 40 Italians as an excuse.:)

[Eastdog]

Yeah, crap time to hold a match. Has cost us dearly over the past x number of years.

If crowds are down and the weather is ok at 4:40pm on Sunday imagine if its raining, our team aren't doing well and we play Sunday 4:40pm - it's bad for everyone then. So happy the AFL have listened a bit and given us lots of Saturday games which I much prefer over Sunday although eariler Sunday games are ok.

[Eastdog]

How many home games will our Footscray VFL side play at WO next year. I believe we are playing a bit more there.

[azabob]

I wonder how the VFL fixture will work now. Last year we got a few chances to watch Footscray games before the seniors played.
I hope our VFL fixture helps us get to a lot of Footscray games rather than having them playing at roughly the same time.


Yes good point GVG. Not sure when the VFL draw comes out.


How many home games will our Footscray VFL side play at WO next year. I believe we are playing a bit more there.

I don't think we no yet, as the fixture has not been released.

[jeemak]

Thank's jeemak your post made me chuckle, i just re-read my original post and I have to admit I am not the best with spelling or grammar and at the best of times.
I will use a poor education, spending the day working on BAS, next years itineraries and spending the week with 40 Italians as an excuse.:)

Hey Mate, I was referring to the situation not the spelling or structure of your post! Eddie getting filthy at having to live like us bottom feeders was what I was on about!

[KT31]

Hey Mate, I was referring to the situation not the spelling or structure of your post! Eddie getting filthy at having to live like us bottom feeders was what I was on about!

No worries at all, as I said I had fried my brain yesterday with paperwork and wasn't really with it.

[GVGjr]

It would appear that Rohan Connolly has been having a read of WOOF.

He appears to agree pretty much with Greystache. Worth a read
The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/defining-an-afl-clubs-success-is-it-about-wins-on-or-off-the-field-20141101-11f6rt.touch.html)

[Twodogs]

Any Mark of Cain fan is alright with me.

Welcome aboard Rohan. Thanks for sharing.

[angelopetraglia]

See this article http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-has-ruled-out-a-flexible-fixture-in-2016-that-would-allow-friday-night-blockbusters-to-be-selected-in-season-based-on-form/story-fni5f5nx-1227334716901

Absolute disgrace. How can Carlton who have been an absolute basket case get so much prime time exposure yet we get absolutely zero. I still can't believe that this is possible. Why have a draft or salary cap and then hand out exposure (Which is basically currency) in this manner?

The AFL has egg on its face and will get a poor result but they will not change their ways.

[Greystache]

Good to see Jay has been reading WOOF from 6 months ago.

[boydogs]

The AFL has egg on its face and will get a poor result but they will not change their ways.

I'm not so sure. If there is anyone the AFL will listen to it's the media. Changing this year's already decided fixture and the floating fixture concept may be impractical but expect them to think twice before scheduling a bottom 6 side for too many Friday nights next year, the message has been sent that you need to appeal to neutrals on Friday nights not just pick a side with a big following

That's still not equalisation, but it might help us in the medium term with a side on the rise playing an attractive game style

[bornadog]

See this article http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-has-ruled-out-a-flexible-fixture-in-2016-that-would-allow-friday-night-blockbusters-to-be-selected-in-season-based-on-form/story-fni5f5nx-1227334716901

Absolute disgrace. How can Carlton who have been an absolute basket case get so much prime time exposure yet we get absolutely zero. I still can't believe that this is possible. Why have a draft or salary cap and then hand out exposure (Which is basically currency) in this manner?

The AFL has egg on its face and will get a poor result but they will not change their ways.

On SEN this afternoon there was a barrage of complaints about the number of Friday nights Carlton have and the rubbish football they play.

[Maddog37]

L
Better fixture without the dreaded 4:40 Sunday games.

I don't care about us not getting Friday night games so much but I hate watching Carlton and Richmond all the bloody time. I wish they would mix it up a bit more. I hope both teams are crap and it backfires horribly but their fans will turn up anyway!

I agree that the league should put the integrity of the draw above TV rights but that horse has bolted. We need to play attractive footy and under Macca that was not happening so hopefully our next coach will encourage a more instinctual, attacking style and win or lose we will at least be good to watch. Many of our games in the last year or two have been plain old boring.

This is Nostradamus stuff if I do say so myself!

[bornadog]

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This is Nostradamus stuff if I do say so myself!

Well done.