NEAFL

**Mug Punter** · 31st May 2014, 07:05 PM

Sydney Uni tried hard but were clearly outclassed today at Drummoyne Oval by the Aspley Hornets.

It wasn't a bad match actually, certainly Aspley were a cut above but the really interesting thing for mine was the atmosphere I experienced...

I was not aware of ANY active support for the students. Sure there may have been a few GFs sitting around and I think there were a couple of old boys but seriously, except for the players and coaching staff I reckon there would have been lucky to be 20 supporters there. It was just a bit hollow but then again I guess their fellow players were spread all over Sydney

And a quiet tips students, if you want to sell raffle tickets to strangers as you were during the Swans game I think you would have a better chance of success if you sold them for $5 as opposed to $50, to genuinely think it is reasonable to ask a stranger to donate $50 to your club is quite presumptuous IMO.....

**unconfuseme** · 31st May 2014, 10:53 PM

Not exactly sure what you were expecting MP, but so far as Sydney grass roots football is concerned, rather than the well supported stepping stone and showcase for locla talent, the Sydney based NEAFL teams are no more than a massive inconvenience and waste of money and resources!

The Eagles NEAFL match at BP went way over time today ... no idea how many were there to watch them get their collective backsides smacked, and like 99% of SAFL fans, I frankly couldn't give a rats!

... and all that it really meant was the u/19's who had a hugely "convenient", "scheduled" 4:30pm game, had a 2 hour "warm up" and were struggling to get their match completed, showered and home, before their bed time!

Until the AFL or the NEAFL or who ever the light weights are who make these imbecilic decisions get it right, and make the teams representative of and relevant to ALL Sydney AFL stakeholders, nothing will change ...

**The Student** · 31st May 2014, 11:49 PM

As you probably know, NEAFL games are scheduled early for travel purposes. Never thought it mattered much on a Saturday but that has been the case since Day 1. Why the following game was scheduled so much later, who knows?

**The Student** · 31st May 2014, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Mug Punter

Sydney Uni tried hard but were clearly outclassed today at Drummoyne Oval by the Aspley Hornets.

It wasn't a bad match actually, certainly Aspley were a cut above but the really interesting thing for mine was the atmosphere I experienced...

I was not aware of ANY active support for the students. Sure there may have been a few GFs sitting around and I think there were a couple of old boys but seriously, except for the players and coaching staff I reckon there would have been lucky to be 20 supporters there. It was just a bit hollow but then again I guess their fellow players were spread all over Sydney

And a quiet tips students, if you want to sell raffle tickets to strangers as you were during the Swans game I think you would have a better chance of success if you sold them for $5 as opposed to $50, to genuinely think it is reasonable to ask a stranger to donate $50 to your club is quite presumptuous IMO.....

The gap between the Qld club sides and the NSW/ACT club sides is stark. If we can finish on top of the other NSW/ACT clubs we would consider that a success I'd imagine. Maybe sneak into the top six at best.

As you mentioned, yes we had all of our other teams playing elsewhere which makes it a bit difficult to have anyone come along and watch. We don't have much community support - don't think that's a big secret. Hopefully next week at Henson we will have a decent crowd.

I'd be interested to know how many $5 raffle tickets you'd need to sell to cover flights, accommodation and trips to the Super Bowl, along with the other prizes. And make profit on top of that. 10,000? For what it's worth we sold nearly 500 tickets at $75 last year, so I think we will sell a pretty fair amount at $50.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the day, I'm glad you came down for a look.

**justabaraker** · 1st June 2014, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by The Student

The gap between the Qld club sides and the NSW/ACT club sides is stark. If we can finish on top of the other NSW/ACT clubs we would consider that a success I'd imagine. Maybe sneak into the top six at best.

As you mentioned, yes we had all of our other teams playing elsewhere which makes it a bit difficult to have anyone come along and watch. We don't have much community support - don't think that's a big secret. Hopefully next week at Henson we will have a decent crowd.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the day, I'm glad you came down for a look.

We Sydneysiders only got to see stunning footy like today's (and at no cost to us) because your guys put in the effort. Ok, so you're a bit off the pace for now but you really do the work to get involved onto the dancefloor and I acknowledge that.
And I acknowledge that the Uni has an educational role to play in helping guys to get a second chance at education....Barton, Winmar, the Canberra guys and the WA guys - probably others too.
Forget all the bagging out - I'm no barracker but I like your work anyway.

**chatovadafloor** · 1st June 2014, 12:18 AM

Unfortunately neafl syd afl sides pawns for the big machine

**Mug Punter** · 1st June 2014, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by chatovadafloor

Unfortunately neafl syd afl sides pawns for the big machine

Aint that the truth.....

It was actually a great day out - I'm sure the students did their bit so fair play for that.

I'd go as far to say that they should be scheduling double headers all the time (Sydney Uni at Drummoyne and GWS at Purser) and just have the firsts playing at the SCG. Sydney Uni and Baulko should have the full catering rights and also be allowed to charge a modest entry fee. They should also be scheduled on a Friday night when no other matches are on in Sydney

I know this will be a bit controversial due to Swans fans not seeing the twos before the main game but will allow the following advantages
* It will provide a genuine additional income stream to Sydney Uni and Baulko
* It will provide some relevance and support for the local clubs and raise their profile
* Greater commercial opportunities for both Sydney NEAFL Clubs

My disdain of the NEAFL is well known but if we are going to go down this track then maybe we need the Swans and GWS to make some sacrifices too

**Jupiter** · 2nd June 2014, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mug Punter

Aint that the truth.....

It was actually a great day out - I'm sure the students did their bit so fair play for that.

I'd go as far to say that they should be scheduling double headers all the time (Sydney Uni at Drummoyne and GWS at Purser) and just have the firsts playing at the SCG. Sydney Uni and Baulko should have the full catering rights and also be allowed to charge a modest entry fee. They should also be scheduled on a Friday night when no other matches are on in Sydney

I know this will be a bit controversial due to Swans fans not seeing the twos before the main game but will allow the following advantages

* It will provide a genuine additional income stream to Sydney Uni and Baulko
* It will provide some relevance and support for the local clubs and raise their profile
* Greater commercial opportunities for both Sydney NEAFL Clubs

My disdain of the NEAFL is well known but if we are going to go down this track then maybe we need the Swans and GWS to make some sacrifices too

This is an excellent post and idea with great merit. Essentially, use NEAFL as a vehicle to get some crowds to the footy besides just Swans (+ a couple to GWS games...) and hopefully help it support itself. Including AFL Sydney games (definately Penrith ones) on those fixtures where possible might also be positive.

**Mug Punter** · 2nd June 2014, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Jupiter

This is an excellent post and idea with great merit. Essentially, use NEAFL as a vehicle to get some crowds to the footy besides just Swans (+ a couple to GWS games...) and hopefully help it support itself. Including AFL Sydney games (definately Penrith ones) on those fixtures where possible might also be positive.

If we are going to have the NEAFL then we may as well use for its proper purpose which should be to provide some local focus on the local footy.

OK, so the Sydney Uni and Baulko games will be like Third Grade matches (warming up for the reserves) but even the standard of the Students was waaaay better than that of the current SFL which has quite frankly descended to old SFA level.

It would be unrealistic and impractical to get all Swans games at Drummoyne as a double header with the Students. It also wouldn't be fair to the Swans fans that enjoy getting to the SCG early.

I do think it would be realistic, however, to get 5-6 games there, and likewise for Baulko. Market it properly as Friday Night Football, I mean really market it (advertise on Fox Footy, in local press) get the AFL to throw some clout behind the concept.

Maybe if these become showcase type games with decent crowds turning up then NEAFL could become a showpiece for the local sport rather than just a vehicle for AFL clubs to run their ressies in. Hey even Sydney Uni could get some crowd support if their 300 players are able to support their ones rather than having to go and play themselves.

Financially it should be a no-brainer of a success. Even I would be happy to donate $10 entry fee to Sydney Uni if I got a free programme, sausage sambo and a drink. Run a decent raffle, have some pre-match functions, try and get some decent money into the local game.

The current NEAFL is a joke but I saw something I liked on Saturday and I reckon a lot of people like me would be regulars at Friday night football in Balmain, followed by a few beers at The London. Granted, most of it centred on the Swans but if Baulko and the Students can coat-tail them then why not?