The grey ball is hard to see on TV, particularly at the moment with Cats and Dockers jumpers being similarish colours.
The crowd seems very unenthused. Very little reaction even when a super goal is kicked. Maybe it’s just neither local team is playing in this game.
Very little in the way of contested marks, not a lot of tackling either. Two things which create the intensity in AFL, this game doesn’t feel like it has much intensity at all. Though you could argue the same thing about Rugby 7s or NRL 9s.
Which leads me to think that the main spectator appeal is seemingly going to be about kicking the ball long to get super goals.
Which for me , that alone isn’t going to be enough to carry this concept.
Personally, I think 7 players per side is too few, given the regular game is 18… It probably needs 10 a side. That would put some intensity back into it, I think this game needs that.
Unlike real AFL where we have so many handballs these days… AFLX is almost solely a kicking game… not just goals but passes…
As for the ball… it’s hard to see because of the size… it looks like its come straight from a toy shop… or an AFLW game…
Indeed… Rugby 7s tournaments benefit from the fact you have other nations (particularly Pacific Island) who add some music/culture regardless of who’s playing… but there’s great scope here for AFLX (maybe more a ‘festival’ than a comp?)
I think you’re right… 10 players could lead to more contested marks (and a more defensive game)…
What’s more important though? Winning over new fans or winning over AFL fans?
I’ve seen a little bit tonight (during I’m A Celebrity ads), I like the faster pace and atmosphere. It’s pretty exciting.
But the rules are a bit convoluted, needs more quality players and training. Definitely some tweaks. Not sure if I’m in the majority, minority or in-between/on the fence, but I don’t think it’s awful, at least from what I’ve seen.
As for you @bacco007 feel free to come back here if your wrong tomorrow (RE: ratings)
Well i have heard they were struggling to sell tickets to the game. Whereas Adelaide were expecting a healthy crowd. That’s my point. They were selling $10 tickets up until last night in Melbourne.
10,253 attended tonight’s AFLX at Hindmarsh Stadium. The venue can hold over 16,000 people so it was a good crowd. Adelaide beat Geelong in the final to claim the first trophy of the year.
Western Bulldogs will play in their first AFLW Grand Final, to be held at Melbourne’s Ikon Park next Saturday (March 24) at 1.10pm AEDT. Seven’s coverage begins at midday AEDT.
EDIT: The Bulldogs will face Brisbane Lions in the GF after Collingwood beat Adelaide by 21 points this afternoon, ending the Crows’ title defence.
One would assume that the AFLW GF will be on 73 across all markets on Saturday afternoon with the Golden Slipper meeting on the main channel. Game from Carlton is due to start at 1:10 EDST (12:10 in Qld), with Qld viewers having this game follow onto the Saints vs Lions men’s game straight after (which makes attending both for the fans impossible given the men’s game starts just after 3:30 and getting across town is near impossible to get to the start, not that they’ll be celebrating!)
