Some reflections on Saturday's game:
- Obviously a really good game with lots of talking points that was decided in the last 2 minutes, and a final margin less than a goal. Thoroughly enjoyed the game as a spectacle. I watched the game with a Collingwood fan, so it wasn't great for him.
- However, the experience of watching the game was hampered by the fact that we had to watch via the terrestrial FTA coverage, and the FTA signal for Channel 7 at my place is not very good. This demonstrates how antiquated the viewing practices are in this country, and how embedded they are with existing broadcasters. Foxtel are not allowed to simulcast the game due to anti-siphoning legislation which says the Grand Final must be exclusively on FTA, and the digital rights are owned by Telstra, who are limited to 7-inch screens and are not allowed to Chromecast to larger TV's. I couldn't stream through the Freeview app, as that counts as a digital platform, and Channel 7 ran promos on repeat on their digital platforms during the game. I thought about buying a Watch AFL pass for the game and using the VPN to access it, but it was $30(!) for one game, and I wasn't going to pay that amount for it. I didn't think to see if the Freeview app that is built into the tuner in the TV would work. I'll have to try that tonight.
- I changed my bets slightly on the day, and went for West Coast to win by 1-19 (which paid about $6) and leading goal scorer Josh Kennedy (which paid about $3). I collected on both of those. I missed out on De Goey as first goal scorer, and Yeo as Norm Smith medalist, but still collected about $28 for a $20 outlay. The gambling experience was interesting - I don't do it any game except Grand Final day, and I don't know how much it adds to the experience. A little bit, especially as you have a few bets strung out over the fay, but could I go without it? I think so, but it's also part of my Grand Final day routine, so I don't know if I'm willing to say yet that AFL should eschew all forms of gambling...
- Even though I wasn't part of a huge AFL party this year, I still enjoyed watching it with Deedy. We had a BBQ before hand, and a kick of footy at half time. He also knows lots about the game and Collingwood in particular, and even though his team lost, he wasn't too shattered at the end (I don't know if I would have been the same!). We were able to go down to the pub at the end of the game, and I bought two rounds of drinks with the money I won on the bets!
- I know the game was close, but I'm not ready to jump in with those people who think we shouldn't change the rules. I'm still in favour of the rule changes I've posted about earlier, and I think to look at one game is a very small sample, and it was umpired differently to games during the regular season. Players are also trying everything possible to win on Grand final day, which might be slightly different to the home-and-away season. At this point, I'd say bring in the rules for the pre-season comp, saying they'll be in for the season proper, with a caveat that you might remove them if they don't work out during the pre-season (PS., I still think the pre-season comp should go altogether).
- What a perfect time to start the AFLW comp after the trade period. Instead, we've got to wait until December I think to see some elite competition. Having said that, I am looking forward to the trade period and draft, which has built up over the last few years somewhat. Still not a fan of free agency however.
- Big fan of the start time compared to the NRL start time of 7:20pm. I was asleep on the couch and distracted by other sports by the time the NRL grand final came on. AFL won the television ratings for this year compared to the NRL, although they are reportedly the lowest they've been in 10 years.
That's all I can think of for now.
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