a crowded issue.

The media has been bringing the crowds issue in Sydney to a head in recent weeks, simply because they're tired of worrying about clubs that constantly fail to draw a crowd.
North Melbourne is a famous topic of the matter, after their average crowds of 20,000 is a laughing matter to some, and puzzling to others.

To me, I think that although these crowds are indeed below standard and really NOT good enough, I believe that it's not entirely the fault of the supporters or the club itself. In fact, it's the AFL that put North Melbourne at an absolute disadvantage.

Here were North's 2010 home games, the opponents and the crowds. (the 2011 season is yet to be completed)

Round 3 vs WCE: 18,394
Round 4 vs Sydney: 23,646
Round 6 vs Melbourne: 26,763
Round 8 vs Adelaide: 16,479
Round 9 vs Bulldogs: 30,794
Round 11 vs Lions: 19,100
Round 12 vs Carlton: 43,732
Round 13 vs Port Adelaide: 15,109
Round 17 vs Essendon: 30,330
Round 19 vs Fremantle: 14,891
Round 20 vs St Kilda: 23,118

now break down the facts:
- North played all 6 interstate clubs in Melbourne. They were successful against all, besides Sydney. However the average crowd drawn at interstate matches was just under 18,000. That's shocking.
- Round 9's thrashing to the Bulldogs and Round 12's Friday night win against Carlton were the only home matches to draw crowds larger than 30,000 before the bye.
- Round 17's 3-point loss to the Bombers was the only home match in the second half of the season to draw over 30,000 people.
- I have just openly expressed that I believe the draw is rigged, and the AFL would rather benefit Collingwood and Carlton, than spread the matches evenly.

Etihad Stadium, where North plays their homes matches, has a break-even of approx 30,000. (for those who don't know, the 'break-even' is the attendance required, in order to make a profit from the match).
North's average home attendance in 2010 was nearly 22,000, and only made a profit in 3 matches (Bulldogs, Carlton, Essendon: Carlton being the only substantial profit). The draw given to us by the AFL (not just based on last season), does not allow North to make substantial profits from many of their home matches.

Two time slots that allow the largest crowds are Friday Night matches, and Sunday 2.10pm matches (Saturday and Saturday Nights, too, draw crowds, but the two time slots mentioned are the two which North are rarely scheduled). In season 2011, North have been scheduled 2 Sunday 2.10 matches, and 1 Friday Night match. The two main reasons for this is:
1: Channel 7 (who holds TV rights to both time slots) request the least North possible, because apparently they stuff up their ratings.
2: Unless playing a club with a larger support base, North fails to draw a large crowd: both at the match or in front of the TV. The AFL would rather give time slot priorities to the powerhouse clubs, such as Collingwood or Essendon.

Channel 7 does my head in, because they want the rating, and, half the time (especially on Friday Night matches) they don't get the ratings they may want.
My classic example are Bulldog/Saints matches. The two clubs were top 4 certainties over the past few years, so their matches sound mouth-watering. AWKS THEY'RE SO BORING. Actually most Saints matches on Friday Nights are fairly dull. They only get 6 a year because they draw the crowds and the ratings. With St Kilda's 'lock down' approach to sides at an equal or higher level to them, there are only about 10 goals scored in the entire match.. which interrupts 7's ability to schedule adds. Rather put a North/Carlton match on a Friday night: they always exceed expectations and everyone can enjoy them: not just the supporters of the team who is up by 1 point after kicking 6 goals in a match.

Another issue is the situations with Geelong and Hawthorn. Since round 11, 2008, North and Geelong have met 4 times during a home and away season, and twice in the NAB cup competition (2010 & 2011). In the past 6 encounters, they have only played once at Etihad Stadium. Unhelpfully, this came in North's round 1 NAB cup shock victory over the reigning premiers. The issue being, that the pre season competition often attracts a weaker crowd than a home and away season. With North having the lowest supporter base in Melbourne, Geelong can easily manipulate the AFL into having NM/Geelong matches played at Skilled Stadium.
Skilled Stadium, Geelong's home ground, is too large to host matches involving teams such as Hawthorn, Collingwood or Essendon, and the AFL makes no money from those matches being played at Skilled. Geelong will demand to the AFL for more matches at Skilled, rather than the two or three they'll get a year, against interstate clubs. This forces the AFL to re schedule North Melbourne and Western Bulldog matches, as they aren't large crowd drawing clubs, and allowing the Cats an extreme advantage (you know... in case they need an extra advantage).

The Hawks have had a long standing partnership with the government and the city of Tasmania, as they play a handful of home matches at Aurora, in Launceston. Like Geelong, Hawthorn has managed to build a fortress down in Launceston, having played home matches there since 2001, and have managed to grow their supporter base down there. Playing matches against interstate clubs and lower crowd drawing clubs, North has played Hawthorn in their past 2 encounters, and meet again in round 20. These matches, too, give Hawthorn (like Geelong) the advantage, with having played a fare few matches down there, and having an extremely reasonable win-loss record.

I believe the AFL draw is biased, and I have said it for quite a few years. The number of 'free to air' NM matches a year is rapidly decreasing, dropping to 8 matches in 2011. My family and I have refused to have FOXTEL installed in our house, but because the AFL will not schedule our matches on TV. This also encourages us to go to the matches and support our team. It's one thing for supporters to buy memberships, but it's another thing for supporters to go the matches and support the team. Attending all the matches you can is something so important, because you being there, shows the team you care, and shows them you are behind them, which can give them winning confidence. (maybe that's why Collingwood is so successful...) I really encourage you to go to all the matches you can get too, or at least make sure you're ticket is being used! Every bar code swiped is another North Melbourne advantage.

What do you think about North's crowd and TV situation? Have your say now! email into nmopinion@hotmail.com , tweet in @NMOpinion , or simply comment below.
I hope everyone gets down to a game (or five) before the seasons end to support the boys!
Go Roos,
- Marnie.

why.

There is a question i get asked a lot, and it bugs me. Why North Melbourne?
My first response: Why not?
My second response: Ask dad.
My third response: Because it's in my blood.

I have a theory that 'you don't choose your club, your club chooses you'. Almost like that weird hat thing in Harry Potter. And it would make sense if that was the case...
Collingwood supporters need dental work, St Kilda supporters believe they are better than they actually are and Melbourne supporters are just there.

So how did North Melbourne choose me?
Well maybe they just liked the look of me.. However I think there is one thing that makes North Melbourne supporters stand out from the rest, and that something is pride.

When it comes to my year level at school, I am the single North Melbourne supporter. And you know what? I am probably the proudest too. I wear my scarf too school after a great win, and defend the clubs actions after a tough defeat. I'm a proud person, too, and am proud of my club and what they achieved over time.

I was never really a big supporter growing up, however there were two real defining moments for me, when it all clicked.

The first one came in round 19, 2003, when we lost by 1 point to Freo. I was a kid of 9, and I had never been to a North Melbourne win. I sat on the steps of The MCG and cried my eyes out. I remember my dad coming over to me and saying "The boys can all hear your crying right now, and they just called me, and they told me to let you know that you need to keep cheering. They promised me , that the next time we come and watch them play, they will win the game for you."
Now, that's a big thing to promise a kid of 9, however I didn't know that the next game I'd be at, was in round 22, against a very weak Carlton, in 'Spider' Burton's farewell to football. We demolished them by 124 points. Since that day, I have seen many wins, however, that win, is still the biggest I have ever seen. That win restored my faith in the club, and allowed me to continue going to games, understanding that there will be some disappointment, but there will also be something special every once in a while.

The second came after Glenn Archer's last game, the 2007 Prelim Final against Port Adelaide. Pre-Season, the push for North to relocate to the Gold Coast had erupted, and was, eventually put to rest. However, once put to sleep, there was immediate pressure for North to respond. And boy... did they respond! Jumping from 14th in 2006, to 4th in 2007, North had an outstanding season. To sit back and reflect on that season, it's a scary to thought I nearly lost one of the most important things to me, my football club. It really dawned on me that I needed to get behind the club if I wanted to see them survive.

And now here I am. Creating a blog for the North Melbourne family, as a token of my love and appreciation for the club, all it has done for me, and all it will do for me in the future. I feel like I owe them  one, and, this is how I'll repay them. I hope too see many of you jumping on board with the NORTH MELBOURNE OPINION, as we write and fight for our beloved club.

Have you got a NMFC supporter story you'd like to share? send in an email! nmopinion@hotmail.com , I'd love to hear them!

It's great to have you on board, and to have your support!