Interest in the SANFL on the rise

[Wedgie]

MEDIA RELEASE
INTEREST IN THE SANFL ON THE RISE
The SANFL has been delighted to record an increase in attendances for season 2006 with just under 310,000 people attending SANFL matches throughout the year.
Whilst over 25,000 patrons enjoyed all the live action of Sunday’s Grand Final at AAMI Stadium, over 170,000 viewers tuned into ABC TV’s telecast of the 2006 Premiership decider. Of television viewing in the SANFL Grand Final’s timeslot, one in five viewers were captured. These figures are indicative of the public’s ongoing support of the entertaining style of play the SANFL competition delivers.
The diversity of clubs involved in 2006 Grand Final campaigns resulted in four different clubs claiming premiership honours throughout the grades - a further indication of the strength of the SANFL competition.

Congratulations to the following clubs on their Premiership victories:
League Premiers Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Reserves Premiers North Adelaide Football Club
U19 Premiers Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club
U17 Premiers West Adelaide Football Club

This broad spread of top playing talent bodes well for the future of the competition, with League clashes in coming years sure to be filled with talent and fierce competition as players move through the grades and establish themselves against the powers of today.

[Ecky]

MEDIA RELEASE
INTEREST IN THE SANFL ON THE RISE
The SANFL has been delighted to record an increase in attendances for season 2006 with just under 310,000 people attending SANFL matches throughout the year.

How much was it up by? What factors caused this? What is the overall trend in the last 5 years? (much more relevant). Of course it should be up if Adelaide had the driest winter on record!

Whilst over 25,000 patrons enjoyed all the live action of Sunday’s Grand Final at AAMI Stadium, over 170,000 viewers tuned into ABC TV’s telecast of the 2006 Premiership decider. Of television viewing in the SANFL Grand Final’s timeslot, one in five viewers were captured. These figures are indicative of the public’s ongoing support of the entertaining style of play the SANFL competition delivers.

How does this figure compare to recent years? (I suspect it is down due to competition from Bathurst). How do you know that this figure is related to the "entertaining style of play"? Evidence?

The diversity of clubs involved in 2006 Grand Final campaigns resulted in four different clubs claiming premiership honours throughout the grades - a further indication of the strength of the SANFL competition.

Congratulations to the following clubs on their Premiership victories:
League Premiers Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Reserves Premiers North Adelaide Football Club
U19 Premiers Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club
U17 Premiers West Adelaide Football Club

This broad spread of top playing talent bodes well for the future of the competition, with League clashes in coming years sure to be filled with talent and fierce competition as players move through the grades and establish themselves against the powers of today.

I fail to see a strong correlation between 4 different premiers and an even League competition! Many other issues (such as the salary cap, financial strength of clubs etc...) are much more important in determining how even the competition is, than who won the Under 17s Premiership!

Seems very much like clutching at straws to me!

[Wedgie]

Ecky, I'd just like to make it clear that the whole initial post was a media release by the SANFL, not my words (or opinion).

[Ecky]

I realise that Wedgie - wasn't having a go at you!

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the sanfl are rightly promoting the figures to their advantage. However my opinion and common sense says interest is dropping and will continue to do so. Finals crowds are the best gauge for me. Prelim crowd really is ordinary.