Expansion Thread

[patjennings]

Mariners are an interesting case. I agree that them winning has been great for the spirit of the league, but I am disappointed that their attendances haven't risen anywhere near where it should've. It's probably been the biggest disappointment for me.

Victory and Roar have had their excuses for down crowds, and they need to get a move on now. But Mariners have won everything and it's barely nudged the regular attendances. It's a worry IMO. Another few years and Macarthur might actually catch them!

Mariners attendances are up 70% over the past two seasons. They are also up 14.5% from last season at the same stage of the season. Last season the only Australian teams with better home crowds were Sydney, Victory, Wanderers and Adelaide.

 

[HappyGuus]

Mariners attendances are up 109% over the past two seasons. They are also up 14.5% from last season at the same stage of the season. Last season the only Australian teams with better home crowds (excluding finals) were Sydney, Victory, Wanderers and Adelaide.

They were up 9% last season. Up 3% over the past two seasons. Which isn't much at all considering they peaked by winning.

The Mariners best regular season (excluding finals) average is 12,738. After winning everything recently, they are currently averaging 6,839. Excluding the COVID years, it's their third LOWEST attendance. An ill feeling I get. Even last season during their winning, it was also their fourth lowest.

Their overall pre-COVID average, with all their highs and lows of that time, is 8,659. They are currently 21% DOWN on just their own pre-COVID average. What's their excuse?

Of course I'll wait for the season to conclude before judging them again, but they have a lot of road to catch up. There are other clubs with worse drop-offs, but those clubs haven't had the best run/success like the Mariners.

Current averages vs pre-COVID averages:


Those bottom four have excuses but still need a good run just to break back to average. Brisbane had no success and bad owners. Perth had no success and no owner. Newcastle had no success and no owner. Victory self inflicted but have only hosted Perth, Brisbane and Macarthur so far. Mariners have already hosted Victory and Sydney FC and don't host them again this season. It's troubling.

 

[patjennings]

They were up 9% last season. Up 3% over the past two seasons. Which isn't much at all considering they peaked by winning.

The Mariners best regular season (excluding finals) average is 12,738. After winning everything recently, they are currently averaging 6,839. Excluding the COVID years, it's their third LOWEST attendance. An ill feeling I get. Even last season during their winning, it was also their fourth lowest.

Their overall pre-COVID average, with all their highs and lows of that time, is 8,659. They are currently 21% DOWN on just their own pre-COVID average. What's their excuse?

Of course I'll wait for the season to conclude before judging them again, but they have a lot of road to catch up. There are other clubs with worse drop-offs, but those clubs haven't had the best run/success like the Mariners.

Current averages vs pre-COVID averages:

View attachment 553
Those bottom four have excuses but still need a good run just to break back to average. Brisbane had no success and bad owners. Perth had no success and no owner. Newcastle had no success and no owner. Victory self inflicted but have only hosted Perth, Brisbane and Macarthur so far. Mariners have already hosted Victory and Sydney FC and don't host them again this season. It's troubling.

I did have it wrong = it was 80% over the last 2 seasons. 4316 - 7314.

After 4 home games last season 5989. This season 6839 up 14%. With a decent run this season we can probably approach pre-covid levels this season. You also have to understand a lot of coast people lost faith during 5 lean years. Two good years is making inroads but 5 very lean years really hurt.

 

[SouthernMariner]

They were up 9% last season. Up 3% over the past two seasons. Which isn't much at all considering they peaked by winning.

The Mariners best regular season (excluding finals) average is 12,738. After winning everything recently, they are currently averaging 6,839. Excluding the COVID years, it's their third LOWEST attendance. An ill feeling I get. Even last season during their winning, it was also their fourth lowest.

Their overall pre-COVID average, with all their highs and lows of that time, is 8,659. They are currently 21% DOWN on just their own pre-COVID average. What's their excuse?

Of course I'll wait for the season to conclude before judging them again, but they have a lot of road to catch up. There are other clubs with worse drop-offs, but those clubs haven't had the best run/success like the Mariners.

Current averages vs pre-COVID averages:

View attachment 553
Those bottom four have excuses but still need a good run just to break back to average. Brisbane had no success and bad owners. Perth had no success and no owner. Newcastle had no success and no owner. Victory self inflicted but have only hosted Perth, Brisbane and Macarthur so far. Mariners have already hosted Victory and Sydney FC and don't host them again this season. It's troubling.

I feel like this is taking club attendances out of context, in pure numbers yes the Mariners have a relatively disappointing attedance. But is that taking in to account the market size of each club?

Comparing the Central Coast with a population of 349,173, to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with populations of 5.2, 5.2 and 2.7 million is comparing apples and oranges.

 

[grazorblade]

how does melbourne victory get back to their pre bucketman days?

 

[HappyGuus]

I feel like this is taking club attendances out of context, in pure numbers yes the Mariners have a relatively disappointing attedance. But is that taking in to account the market size of each club?

Comparing the Central Coast with a population of 349,173, to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with populations of 5.2, 5.2 and 2.7 million is comparing apples and oranges.

It's comparing Mariners with Mariners, and as a percentage. So, market size is irrelevant here.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Well why doesn't the npl get good attendance/viewership now then and do you think honestly think If they were the number one competition they would do better?

But it does mate.... Aleague fans bemoan any lack of media coverage... NPL gets 5% of what Aleague gets if they are lucky ..... and then it usually only come FA cup time.

 

[TheSelectFew]

how does melbourne victory get back to their pre bucketman days?

You mean the Sydney Decision days.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Yeah I did a comparison of NPL YouTube (and the others) ratings a year or so ago. What surprised me was how much better the midweek matches rated.

I wonder if it's worthwhile playing the cold and lowly-attended winter matches on work nights for better online viewership? A bit like how BBL is on every night. More viewers, better sponsorships? Might be worth a trial.

Thats the dilemma a semi pro, non advertised league will always have in my opinion.. Its hard enough getting people to the grounds in a dead end league, making it easy to stream on the coach means less incentive to get up off it.... What comes first the chicken or the egg... Bigger crowds att he match make for more eyeballs watching it at home?????

 

[FeedTheBrox]

You mean the Sydney Decision days.

One unique thing about is Vucktorians is that most of the rest of the country don't underrated our psyche. Many of them really do think people walked away because of what bucketman did. that's pretty funny.

 

[TheSelectFew]

One unique thing about is Vucktorians is that most of the rest of the country don't underrated our psyche. Many of them really do think people walked away because of what bucketman did. that's pretty funny.

Ignorance is bliss though. Unfortunately it gave them scope to wriggle out of their atrocious decision making.

"Omg, why aren't they coming back? We fixed our mistake, and now we have Unite Round." This is absolute comedy. No one cares about Bucket Man.

 

[TheSelectFew]

Thats the dilemma a semi pro, non advertised league will always have in my opinion.. Its hard enough getting people to the grounds in a dead end league, making it easy to stream on the coach means less incentive to get up off it.... What comes first the chicken or the egg... Bigger crowds att he match make for more eyeballs watching it at home?????

Can I also just make a small mention? I may or may not have shared the YouTube links in a lot of Asian gambling forums (FYI I never gamble myself) and it seemed to really push the viewership afterwards. Not saying there was always a link but they were watching. I mean, how many really believe 1,000 people are seriously watching NPL Tas on a Saturday arvo? Be real.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Can I also just make a small mention? I may or may not have shared the YouTube links in a lot of Asian gambling forums (FYI I never gamble myself) and it seemed to really push the viewership afterwards. Not saying there was always a link but they were watching. I mean, how many really believe 1,000 people are seriously watching NPL Tas on a Saturday arvo? Be real.

For sure, any "views" are still views and judging by the comments (when they are allowed) its a lot of bored, lonely ,degenerates complaining about the result.... I NEVER gamble either to be fair, just cant seem to find any enjoyment out if it but no criticism for thsoe that have the illness.

But my point was that a Friday night fixture, in the backwater outer western suburbs on a 5 degree rainy night becomes alot more tolerable when you can sit on the couch and watch for free.... I go to pretty much every fixture btw just saying I can understand why many dont.

 

[TheSelectFew]

For sure, any "views" are still views and judging by the comments (when they are allowed) its a lot of bored, lonely ,degenerates complaining about the result.... I NEVER gamble either to be fair, just cant seem to find any enjoyment out if it but no criticism for thsoe that have the illness.

But my point was that a Friday night fixture, in the backwater outer western suburbs on a 5 degree rainy night becomes alot more tolerable when you can sit on the couch and watch for free.... I go to pretty much every fixture btw just saying I can understand why many dont.

Aww yeah. Don't get me wrong. IDGAF about why they are watching, just watch. But what I was saying was it's not people deciding not to come because it's on YouTube. Me, personally, I go. I try and get my numbers up on Futbology.

It's just some Persian dude on a VPN betting his life away because there are no regulations or support services. Not my problem my guy.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Aww yeah. Don't get me wrong. IDGAF about why they are watching, just watch. But what I was saying was it's not people deciding not to come because it's on YouTube. Me, personally, I go. I try and get my numbers up on Futbology.

It's just some Persian dude on a VPN betting his life away because there are no regulations or support services. Not my problem my guy.

HAhahahahha I love trying to distract the "dodgy Asian Betting" guy and his tablet of doom at every match

 

[TheSelectFew]

HAhahahahha I love trying to distract the "dodgy Asian Betting" guy and his tablet of doom at every match

"Don't give up, bro, I have seen them do this before! Keep watching." "I have seen this team and I reckon it will be 2.5+, watch until the end."

Even at the grounds, one out-of-place dude is always on their phone, and we all know.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

"Don't give up, bro, I have seen them do this before! Keep watching." "I have seen this team and I reckon it will be 2.5+, watch until the end."

Even at the grounds, one out-of-place dude is always on their phone, and we all know.

I like to sit behind him and throw little tidbits "Hmm I wonder why South Melbourne forfeited the game today and St Albans is playing Knights at Lakeside?" or when the dude looks away for a few seconds -- "can't believe the ref dished out two yellows so quickly" hahahahah

 

[Sutherlandbear]

You

I like to sit behind him and throw little tidbits "Hmm I wonder why South Melbourne forfeited the game today and St Albans is playing Knights at Lakeside?" or when the dude looks away for a few seconds -- "can't believe the ref dished out two yellows so quickly" hahahahah

Your games must be really interesting then.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

You

Your games must be really interesting then.

Hahaha nah just taking the piss out of the gambling guy....

 

[The Flying Bat]

Well why doesn't the npl get good attendance/viewership now then and do you think honestly think If they were the number one competition they would do better?

Probably not but with one or two exceptions the A League franchises aren't setting the world on fire either.....

We're close to 2 decades of the A League franchise competition and its barely made any inroads into the hearts and minds of Australia's sporting public. And therefore I'd bet that most, if not all in the A League franchise competition is losing bundles of money running these franchises.

So a more community based state competitions with proper functioning football clubs might well prove a better option. I'd prefer it to the current model which let's be honest going nowhere......

It hardly produces any decent players let alone a fully integrated sports competition with fans that want to follow it!!



Great theme tune for the A League franchise competition!