SANFL to consider night finals

[Jimmy]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21935333-21546,00.html

anyone seen this? initially id still like to keep the gf as is but im open to discussion.

[csbowes]

I think a night final, particular Friday night might be a real winner. I don't think the SANFL can really lose out based on the crowds we've had in recent years. No disrespect to the magnificent performance of Centrals and Torrens over the last 7 seasons, but both sides are not considered heavyweights when it comes to the numbers of supporters each side has. Certainly the Bulldogs have increased their support tremendously while dominating the league, but I can't help but think that if the last 7 grand finals had been contested by Port, Norwood, Sturt and Glenelg, you'd be more likely to see crowds of 35,000 - 50,000. If someone has the figures in front of them, it'd be worth posting the last 10-12 years of GF as part of the debate. A twilight game is not good though, as I think its just such an awkward time to have a game, you start and finish at odd times. A night final is best, take away on the way, a big game and then with any luck, you're partying that night back at the home ground.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Wouldn't like to see a night GF. The idea of trying a night final at Adelaide Oval is worth considering though. Generally night finals are only put up by TV networks to increase ratings. Do we really think that more people would attend just because it's at night?

[Dutchy]

Did you hear about the VFl thinking of putting there GF on the Firday night before the AFL GF at Telstra Dome? The main stumbling block seems to be the ABC as they wont change their normal programming but the solution could be the ABC2 digital channel

[Pseudo]

YES to night finals

but NO to a night GF.

If I was the SANFL supreme dictator, I would schedule the Preliminary final on the Friday night before the AFL Grand Final. The break from the semifinals might be short, but both teams involved in the PF would get the same rest. It could be replayed by the ABC in the usual timeslot, giving more incentive to turn out and watch it live. The SANFL Grand Final could then be played on Saturday afternoon, as the PF winner would not be disadvantaged with a short rest.

[westside]

Bring on the night finals. I don't understand why we don't have 'em already? The fans love night footy, sunday afternoon double headers at the SACA ground isn't exactly what i'd call sacred either.

A standalone night final involving central would pull over 10,000 at Elizabeth easily. I'll take that over a 8,000 double header crowd at the SACA ground, especially considering the money would a) go back to the footy clubs which can fund further ground improvements, facilities, salary cap etc, and b) not go to the SACA to spend on caviar and rugby union tournaments.

[Brad]

Sounds like a great idea.

Friday night would work providing it doens't clash with Crows/Power and would be a lot bigger than Sunday finals.

Doubt the SANFL would want the GF to be anywhere but AAMI.

[smac]

YES to night finals

but NO to a night GF.

If I was the SANFL supreme dictator, I would schedule the Preliminary final on the Friday night before the AFL Grand Final. The break from the semifinals might be short, but both teams involved in the PF would get the same rest. It could be replayed by the ABC in the usual timeslot, giving more incentive to turn out and watch it live. The SANFL Grand Final could then be played on Saturday afternoon, as the PF winner would not be disadvantaged with a short rest.

I have thought this a good idea for a while now (although as a Centrals supporter, I am curious what this Preliminary Final thing is that everyone talks about...). The telecast idea won't work though - it would be up against AFL GF if ABC played it in the normal timeslot. Perhaps a Sunday telecast would give those with a hangover something to watch on Sunday arvo.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

No disrespect to the magnificent performance of Centrals and Torrens over the last 7 seasons, but both sides are not considered heavyweights when it comes to the numbers of supporters each side has.

i think you will find that statement is very wrong in terms of Centrals, we get about 20,000 there every year, if we played a team that also pulled thos sort of numbers we would have a crowd of 40,000+
Also im certain if we played a team like Port or Norwood, we would probably have even more Centrals supporters go to the game, than if it was just against the Eagles again.

[Barto]

YES to night finals

but NO to a night GF.

If I was the SANFL supreme dictator, I would schedule the Preliminary final on the Friday night before the AFL Grand Final. The break from the semifinals might be short, but both teams involved in the PF would get the same rest. It could be replayed by the ABC in the usual timeslot, giving more incentive to turn out and watch it live. The SANFL Grand Final could then be played on Saturday afternoon, as the PF winner would not be disadvantaged with a short rest.

This is far too sensible, will never happen.

One of the things that stuffed the GF up was moving it to the Sunday.

[Booney]

Yes to night finals,an absolute and continual NO to a night GF.

[MightyEagles]

Yes to night finals,an absolute and continual NO to a night GF.

Same here.

[NFC]

Why don't the SANFL realise crowds are dropping because it's the SAME TEAMS every year, not because of the time-slot!

Keep it as is!

[mighty_tiger_79]

Why don't the SANFL realise crowds are dropping because it's the SAME TEAMS every year, not because of the time-slot!

Keep it as is!

maybe the teams that play finals and grand finals need to be handicapped for the following seasons.

anyway onto the topic

wouldnt mind a night final, what about a double header with the first game starting in twilight zone.

a twilight grand final would be ok, gives players/supporters an opportunity to celebrate the night away

[Aerie]

Wouldn't bother me if it was a night Final or Grand Final, but I can understand it would effect clubs after-match functions and for this reason alone, I don't think we'll see a night GF.

[Dog_ger]

I am a traditionalist.

We already have a night final don't we...?

Should that be played in the daylight now...?

May as well try best of 3..?

Please leave it the way it is.....

[Barto]

Advertiser Blog

http://blogs.news.com.au/adelaidenow/yo ... _up_sanfl/

[spell_check]

No disrespect to the magnificent performance of Centrals and Torrens over the last 7 seasons, but both sides are not considered heavyweights when it comes to the numbers of supporters each side has.

i think you will find that statement is very wrong in terms of Centrals, we get about 20,000 there every year, if we played a team that also pulled thos sort of numbers we would have a crowd of 40,000+
Also im certain if we played a team like Port or Norwood, we would probably have even more Centrals supporters go to the game, than if it was just against the Eagles again.

And I'm sure that there would be more Eagles supporters if it wasn't Central in the GF, too. And more neutral supporters if it wasn't the same match-up.

[Wedgie]

Finals is a no brainer, Ive said it for years.

1st week double header on Saturday
2nd week double header on Saturday
3rd week Fri night Prelim
4th week Sat arvo GF

90% of the times the Crows or Port won't clash with the Sat arvo finals in the first 2 weeks, it got moved one year when it did and it never got moved back.
ABC would be happier too as they could show all 4 weeks on a Saturday afternoon, their preferred timeslot with 3 weeks live and one delayed from the previous night.
Even if their was a Power/Crows clash on the sat arvo in the 1st 2 weeks, the short term pain would be more than made up with gain on the Fri and Sat prelim and GF.

[bayman]

it doesn't worry me one way or the other, i remember when the sanfl brought in sunday games & as it proved popuar the vics copied, so with the evolution of footy are we now the guinea pigs for the afl now ?

one step at a time though try a night preliminary final for a few years first

will it be a distinct advantage to central & norwood when they are in night grand finals ?