crowd numbers

[westside]

I think the only way we can be sure is of somebody actually counts the people at the game. Then they can compare the number they have counted with the actual figure released by the SANFL.
Spelly? Not asking too much this time am I?

You may be joking, but I actually did count the spectators at a west game last year. It was freezing, pissing down, and I just generally didn't give a shit. So yeah, I started counting. Was in utter disbelief with myself for even going to the match.

I counted 350 people around the ground, no bullshit. The crowd figure given was something like 1,100. Dreaming.

[spell_check]

I think the only way we can be sure is of somebody actually counts the people at the game. Then they can compare the number they have counted with the actual figure released by the SANFL.
Spelly? Not asking too much this time am I?

The idea itself is good, but unfortunately, due to spectators moving around, buying food, going to the toilet, in the bar, etc, it would be a hard exercise. Unless if a few people took a picture of each section of the ground at the same time. But that wouldn't show the people who are out of view of the camera.

[therisingblues]

I think the only way we can be sure is of somebody actually counts the people at the game. Then they can compare the number they have counted with the actual figure released by the SANFL.
Spelly? Not asking too much this time am I?

You may be joking, but I actually did count the spectators at a west game last year. It was freezing, pissing down, and I just generally didn't give a shit. So yeah, I started counting. Was in utter disbelief with myself for even going to the match.

I counted 350 people around the ground, no bullshit. The crowd figure given was something like 1,100. Dreaming.

That's interesting, maybe the SANFL boosts attendance figures for games like that to spare the SANFL from mockery, then they deduct a few from other, larger crowds so that everything balances itself out for the taxman at the end of the year?
Or maybe the other 750 spectators were all huddled in the club rooms out of the freezing cold?

[therisingblues]

I think the only way we can be sure is of somebody actually counts the people at the game. Then they can compare the number they have counted with the actual figure released by the SANFL.
Spelly? Not asking too much this time am I?

The idea itself is good, but unfortunately, due to spectators moving around, buying food, going to the toilet, in the bar, etc, it would be a hard exercise. Unless if a few people took a picture of each section of the ground at the same time. But that wouldn't show the people who are out of view of the camera.

Thanks for considering it Spelly.
Just to confer on the possible problems you suggested, maybe we could have a team of "counters" each assigned a different area of the ground that they must each count at exactly the same time. You could have somebody on "toilet duty", "bar duty" etc. Of course the "counters" will have to be extremely intelligent, or autistic, so that they are able to hold large amounts of information inside their heads at any one time, that way they'd be able to keep track of who has left their assigned area and who has arrived within it during the time that elapses between the initial starting time and however long it takes to count everybody.
Or we could use your picture idea, but ensure that we have photographers in the toilets, at the bar etc. to ensure that EVERYBODY gets their picture taken at the specific time.
What do you think?

[spell_check]

In fact, I've thought of an even better idea. Just place video cameras at each entry point of the ground and count the number of people that walk in. There might be a few that go out and come back in, but there wouldn't be too many, we'll count them again, anyway.

I don't think some people would be impressed with the toilet idea, but for the sake of crowd counting it's necessary.

[therisingblues]

I knew I could count on you Spelly! I'm glad I am not alone in this quest. We'll get to the bottom of this crowd dilemma no matter what depths we need to sink to!

[Punk Rooster]

I'm sure Spelly & Ecky would be up* for it! Only problem would be trying to convince those in the toilets, that your not taking photos for "prurient interests"! Wouldn't it be easier to just microchip everyone that goes to the footy???

[topsywaldron]

For what it's worth I thought there were considerably more there than the quoted figure. Mind you I thought that last week at Unley as well.

[PhilH]

By my understanding EVERYONE who walks in the gate is counted (or used to be)

ie gate staff, security, media, players, coaches, trainers, canteen, police etc

ie not just the ones who paid.