I was concerned to hear Gill say that music works in the northern states. BS it does Gill. Get rid of it everywhere!!
Yes. He reckons it's wrong for the conservative city of Melbourne but "really adds to the vibe" (paraphrase rather than exact quote) in a place like Sydney. He specifically referenced Sweet Caroline and how this has become a part of the Swans match day experience.
I personally hate SC, and would love it if I never heard it again at the footy, but that's completely separate to the playing of songs after goals.
I suspect that his thoughts can be translated as something like: he became aware of a media storm about playing ear-splitting music at the MCG, therefore, rather than spending grand final week trying to justify pissing off so many fans, he decided to can the music. However, since the same media storm didn't appear to have been generated in the northern states, he was able to convince himself that the misguided marketing move was a great success; despite almost certainly receiving a large number of complaints, through match day experience surveys and letters to the clubs.
The SCG "match day experience" is the reason I no longer experience match day at the SCG.
I'd prefer to be at the game, but these marketing genius' have achieved what none of the dark years ever did - they've stopped me going.
As has been noted by others, I'm not the demographic they are aiming for, but at some point it'd be nice if the Swans/AFL/SCG finally noticed that they are shedding some rusted on supporters, in their drive to attract fair weather friends.
Strange that Jonathan Horn wrote something similar here:
Blue-collar Swans worthy victors over brave Magpies in yet another AFL classic
I wonder if this is some "Melbourne thing" that the media there have started saying, and everyone has started believing, in the absence of any evidence. There were certainly plenty of Twitter replies to the Guardian and the journalist, pointing out that his take on SCG music was wrong.They play music at the SCG too. But it works there. It suits the market. It suits the ground. Going to the football at the SCG is more of an event than a ritual.
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