bennymacca wrote:Although Rucci is being deliberately provocative, I think there is one point he makes which does make a little bit of sense.
It is completely fair enough that a lot of people feel like their passion for the comp has been diminished because of the introduction of the Reserves teams, but complaining that crowds are down and will continue to go down and then not showing up yourself creates a self fulfilling prophecy.
SANFL teams arguably need their supporters more than ever, so I think a few of you are having a bet each way by complaining that crowds are going down, but yet not going yourself either, even to non reserves games.
Now a few of you probably arent reading this sentence because you are already frothing at the mouth, but I think there is also another reason why interest might be down. It has probably been mentioned before, but seeing how the crows players went at SANFL clubs was a reason for me to keep interested. I used to check the scores of the random norwood game just to see how the crows lads have went.
Now I only have to go and check the crows reserves score (along with the centrals score too).
Yes its a dilemma benny, one which appears as though you don't have to face with any real emotional investment. I suppose your posts are handy to demonstrate the disregard that so many of the AFL followers have for SANFL. The end of one of the oldest continuous surviving sport leagues, that some of us grew up in, participated in and now witness the demise of. This year on all levels, has been a farce. Rucci on the other hand sits in the winners seat, having watched his club not only betray the competition, but in the last couple of years, actively participate in its path to oblivion. This despite the fact that the SANFL bankrolled years of Ports losses. Its a very hard act to watch.
You're use the phrase "self fulfilling prophecy" incorrectly though. What many of the diehards are doing is more than a "cut your nose of to spite your face" act. Becoming a reserves competition to them is the end of the competition, its not the race for the premiership, and I totally understand and sympathise with their behaviour.