AFL Sux part II

[Clemo]

This is a continuation of the "AFL Sux" topic I posted under "Team" forum.

I have done as promised. I personally delivered a transcript of the "AFL Sux" topic to Eddie McGuire at the Collingwood Social Club information night last Monday, 26th of July. I explained to him the situation of grass roots Magpie supporters who live in Melbourne, Interstate and even Overseas being disadvantaged buy not being able to hear Pie games over the internet (especially when it is not on radio or tv), and how ridiculous the "AFL Live" text commentary was. Eddie said that he would have a read of it. I also delivered to Eddie a letter from "Pie No Sauce" that was sent to the "Hot Pies" fanzine. Which reads...

"Great job guys just got wind of your site via Nick's web page and yes, I'd love to enroll for the mag. Can you reply to this email and advise re payment, cheque or visa?
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OK on to the first bounce.
We overseas Aussies who support the great game of footy are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to receiving live commentary each week. Going to the game is of course the ultimate way to experience a game but that wasn't always possible, even when living in good old Oz. A second option was the opportunity to tune in to the radio. Or, if we were really lucky, to turn on the TV and watch the game, trying to keep the in-laws, visitors, hosts and other-like impediments happy with a few sub-human grunts while we could soak up all the action. Interestingly enough these occasions promoted the usefulness of advertisements to a new level of strategic benefit. But I digress from the good old radio transmissions, the major thrust of my ex-pat driven polemic. It's amazing how even the most arduous of chores like painting or gardening could be compared to peaceful meditation when listening to the mantras of : so and so's "in the van", do you mind umpire?, yibbedy yibbeda and all the other dialectical delectables. Strange also how it was a right of passage thing, expected to happen and not perceived to be anything like a privilege. Even if the great Pies weren't on direct there would be round the ground updates.
All that has suddenly evaporated for us ex-pats. We huddle around screens emailing each other while waiting for the electronic scoreboard to be updated. WHY. At one stage Triple M managed to broadcast over the net but apparently it was quashed by the AFL. WHY. The internet broadcasts of other programmes and events is common so what’s the problem?
I just wish the AFL would address this issue and realise how much benefit they would provide (and potentially receive) from nurturing this sector of under privileged non-listening supporters. I have already shown (legitimate) tapes of the game to Chinese friends in Hong Kong and they have watched, enthralled at the speed and skill involved. A few of them are already “converted” to the black and white and would also like to be able to “meditate” on the week-end.
There comes a point in time when revenue isn’t the only consideration. The purpose of this letter is to ask the simple question “why are overseas listeners not able to enjoy net-cast broadcasts?” I hope it opens up some discussion on the issue and leads to a more community based policy. If not, I would at least expect to know WHY we have to miss out on such a valued component of our contact with the game we love."

Eddie said that the Web is part of the Pies strategy and they are doing all they can to get the AFL to come to terms. Eddie also advised me that their official web page is set for a huge revamp.

Has any one got more ideas to stick it up the AFL.




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Tony_Clemente@hotmail.com
www.netspace.net.au/~clemo

[Pie no sauce]

Thanks Clemo, well let's see if there's some dulcit tones of Daics et al come outa this foray.
BTW, on the web page, I hope they realise it isn't a case of just "ideas" being needed. The technical skills and knowledge to implement good ideas in a workable and supporter friendly way is what's needed first. Two sites [Age(Nick) and Truth(Hotty)] both have sufficient feedback to verify this.
Secondly, a dedicated administrative support role to maintain the information is critical for interest, value and the resultant (directly proportional) number of hits. [this is a major part of Nick and Hotty's success, they "manage" their sites.]

Hey Clemo, seeing as you and Eddie are now on first name terms maybe you could mention these points as well because it'll save em a bundle in the long run. ,,,,,and I'd rather see the money for the last re-vamp have gone to the players.

[Damien]

Net membership is a joke....I pay my $100 for a season ticket every year so why should I pay extra to access a web site that isn't as good as this one anyway, I have emailed the club regarding this issue (as we are encouraged to do) but did not receive a reply. Its like a porn site (so I'm told) they'll give you a tease for free but if you wanna see the good stuff ya gotta pay extra.

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Damien

[TonyM]

And you all must not forget time differenece. Living in Greece i would have to come on at something like 6am for the scoreboard at Nick's site.


Isn't there an alternative option overseas fans like us can use???