With mid-season reviews looking into every aspect of 2011 Toyota AFL Premiership season, I thought I’d look at the whole thing from a travelling fans perspective. So here goes!
The "New Kid" has a ready made fan base
The introduction of the Gold Coast Suns has done more for the game than just adding a 17th team. The new Metricon Stadium (check out this amazing time lapse!) only 15 minutes from The Esplanade and the colour and lights the Gold Coast, epitomizes what going to the footy on the GC is about. Bright colours, perfect turf and blue skies complement a stable of gun young players that are having a crack for all they’re worth! As their fan base grows, so too will the importance of the game in traditionally NRL territory. This will lead to better accommodation and ticket deals for fans from other states heading up to take advantage of the warm weather and sunshine not to mention the fantastic attractions on offer. Sportsnet Holidays have already sent clients up there to watch their club take on the Suns and so far the length of stay is noticeably longer than those trips to Adelaide, Sydney or Perth. If you’ve done it, let me know what you thought. Will you go again and what aside from footy will you see whilst there?
Still stunning, Adelaide Oval
South Australia’s 2 AFL clubs are struggling badly. The GREAT news is that the decrepit AAMI Stadium will soon be a thing of the past and the stunning and central Adelaide Oval will be home for the Power and Crows, apparently from 2014. What does this mean for the travelling fan? Well, no more huge cab fares or crowded buses to West Lakes. It means lunch/dinner at one of Adelaide’s hidden restaurant gems (try Rigoni’s for dinner…incredible!) or countless ‘real’ pubs, then walk 20 minutes along the Torrens River to the game. It means you can actually have an Adelaide experience with your footy. Many who go over currently don’t have time to really see the city as it’s a ‘cut lunch and water-bag trip’ to AAMI, thus have misguided opinions of the City of Churches. The teams themselves are a different story but that’s for another day.
Perth, well some things never change. Great if you can get a ticket to a Dockers or Eagles game, but that’s easier said than done. On the flip side, our friends from the west make up a huge number of our Toyota AFL Grand Final travelers each and every year. They LOVE it and I expect to see the same this year.
Then of course there’s GWS and the discussion of a Tasmanian side? Now that would be interesting. Tassie is a stunning spot in summer, especially Hobart (anyone seen the end of Syd-Hob Yacht Race?) but winter looks a little extreme for me. As for GWS, I am unsure as to how many fans will actually travel there.
AFL player, businessman & chef Jason Johnson. But model??
My highlight in the first half of the year? Without doubt the trip to Gallipoli with Sportsnet and Essendon FC. Sure it’s a loose connection to AFL but we DID have guest host Jason Johnson, DID watch the game in our colours on the web in Cannakale and certainly represented Australia AND the AFL with pride abroad. A little birdy also told me the Pies and Bombers may in fact play in Turkey in 2015. Insane, bring it on! (I’ll keep you posted)
What’s been your travel highlight so far this AFL season? And what’s your dream AFL trip? I would love to hear about it!
YOUR say about OUR say!