(*I know caronavirus is about more than football, but that's what this blog is for...)
Firstly, the AFL looks like it is shortening the season to 17 games and will possibly introduce mid-week games. Quarters are shortened to 16 minutes in anticipation of games being playes with shorter day breaks.
It's also going to play games behind closed doors with no crowds, to try and shield players from exposure to the virus.
The change in fixturing will massively throw out the free-to-air total numbers coverage per club for my data this year, but I'm still happy the footy is going ahead. It structures my week, gives me a sense of community and identity, and gives me something to cheer about.
However, some people think the AFL should have cancelled the season altogether, over safety concerns, and because they see it as a cash grab.
I understand these criticisms, but I think the benefits to playing outweigh the negatives. For example, cancelling the season would put literally thousands of people out of a job. Furthermore, clubs need the game to go ahead. Many of them are already anticipating taking a hit because of there being no crowds, but they can continue to engage their fans and sponsors while the game continues.
The broadcasters also need the games to help them attract audiences. without this content, the broadcasters will suffer, and an unhealthy broadcaster is not good for the sport. Interestingly, the news this morning is the AFL rated the highest it has for about 10 years I think!
Finally, I think people stuck at home need sport to improve their overall health and well-being. So I posted the following tweet last night while watching the game:
From a community football perspective, our season has been shut down until at least June as well. This has really left me a bit rudderless as far as what to do on the weekends, and what to look forward to as far as other things like the Chop and Bones show goes. We did get one game in, but that was all.Ok, a bit weird watching the @AFL without a crowd, but you know what? 1) The footy is still ok, and 2) at the end of this season, I think we'll look back and see how important it was to get these games in when we did.— Ed Reddin (@ed_reddin) March 19, 2020
Hopefully the season gets back on track - not just for the Hornets, but also for the National Carnival in September. There's a bunch of things working against it - the issues with air travel, people losing their jobs and not being able to afford it, the fact its an older age bracket...
Finally, it's also interesting that Kayo are offering heavily discounted subscriptions to AFL members, as low as $5 a week I think. They are desperate to try and capture this market while crowds are not allowed to attend. It's a good idea I think, and hopefully they can turn many of those subscribers into longer term customers after the virus is over.
Strange days.
