flavze wrote:don't agree tbh, Australia has the 3rd or 4th highest number of travelling fans the the WC in South Africa, soccer has the biggest number of participants in junior levels. Sure the A-League is struggling in areas at the moment but when looking at the MLS in the US and the J-League in japan they had similar struggles when getting started yet are now starting to thrive and build quality leagues.
The MLS in the US will never match the heights or levels of the NFL just like its highly unlikley that the A-League will never match the NRL and AFL in Australia regardless of junior levels, traveling fans, etc. There's enough interest in both the AFL and NRL for it to remain this way in a country the size of Australia.
flavze wrote:And i like to watch AFL for the same reason, but i also like seeing Aussies play overseas in soccer especially ones that have come through the a-league and especially AUFC in the future.
I agree also, it's great watching Aussies play in the Premier League and the other first tier Europeans Leagues (Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, etc).
flavze wrote:I agree that it's a disgrace that AFL being a winter competition isn't played in a stadium that has complete covering for the spectators, especially for the cost of a ticket nowdays. But i don't agree the pitch needs to be covered, it is part an parcel of the game that at times it's a quagmire and teams need to play wet weather footy during the season. The MCG will never be covered and if ya get a wet grand final than the teams that only play in perfect conditions all season are instantly disadvantaged, plus it gives the teams that do play in open wet stadiums during the season an extra advantage all season.
Regardless of the MCG which is in a city of nearly 4 million people that is regarded as one of the Sporting capitals of the world, Adelaide people and Adelaide crowds are fickle and different. People do not want to pay good money as you put it, to sit outside in the rain, weather and cold winds to watch a game of football as evident yesterday at the Port game. The Huge near 100,000 seat capactiy stadium of the MCG has rightlfully left the field open but has provided a relatively covered seated venue. Melbourne and the AFL addressed the weather issue for AFL by constructing a medium sized covered stadium, which is what I believe would be more than suitable for a city with a popultion a third the size of Sydney and Melbourne.
Its also interesting to note that in Sydney they are considering covering ANZ Stadium with a retractable roof.
http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=417
flavze wrote:Teams just need to remember to how to play wet weather footy.
Professional Football teams do know how to play Wet weather footy, some teams better than others but that's not my point. I'm interested in a stadium that will provide maximum comfort for its spectators. I do not believe any Major Revelopment at the Adelaide Oval will provide that, without destroying what makes the ground one of the most picturesque Cricket venues in the world. Not to mention in a city that can have hot and dry Summers and cold, wet and windy Winters.