Time for the AFL to hand GF ticketing back to the clubs

[Enrico_Misso]

The problem at the moment is that the AFL/Ticketek manage the process.
It is completely INFLEXIBLE.

It only caters for two types of memberships.
- Social Club
- Sept Saints
And two seat options
- best available seat
- best available ticket (incl standing)
There is NO flexibility
And NO accountability.

Current Problems
1) Foundation SC members have to be treated the same as new SC members and therefore run the risk of getting standing room despite the clear expectation they were given when they first joined that when/if StKFC made a GF they were guaranteed a SEAT repeat S E A T.
2) No choice on seat type, so a family on a budget might be allocated Premium seats and have to find $1000 when they would prefer get Standard or vice versa for our wealthier supporters.
3) No choice of stand.
Some prefer to be behind the goals behind the cheer squad.
Some prefer the Southern stand wing.
Some prefer the Northern stand where they won't be looking into the sun.
Some prefer to be under cover.
4) Because the club doesn't manage the process it has no way of determining which members have either given their barcode(s) away or scalped their tickets.
That is why we all wound up with random Collingwood scum sitting in OUR bays.

If the club managed the process they could instigate a system whereby each member could give a series of priorities for
- what type of seat
- which stand
That is not too hard.
Maybe a dozen choices for fans to prioritise.
Could be done via an internet registration.
Simple piece of coding.

Seats would then be allocated to "booking groups" (up to 8 barcodes) based on the membership seniority of the most senior member.
That also means that Foundation members that have since had children, new partners etc. can still sit as a group.
ie the group with foundation member #1 would get the first allocation
group with #2 the next and so on.

Result?
- ALL Foundation members and their families are guaranteed their seats of choice.
That is reward for loyalty.
- Then progressively most of the more senior SC members get their desired preference
- more recent SC members might get a lower preference
- at some point the seats will run out and the SC members that miss out will be the most recent ones.
That is bad luck for them but gives them incentive to stay on board as they will slowly move up the list.
- Sept Saints (as per now) pick up the dregs (standing room)

Enemies in our midst!
The club should also instigate a rule where SC/SS members who give their barcodes/tickets away to opposition supporters at a GF are put to the bottom of the waiting list for next year.
So if you found a Collingwood supporter in your bay you would just have to get the seat numbers (and a few other witnesses) and advise the club who could then take action - but hopefully just the threat of this would pretty much stamp out this behaviour.


So in summary if the club managed the process we then have total control and can instigate as many prioritisation layers as we see fit rather than the totally inflexible two layers that Ticketek impose.

[oh when]

Based on the number of Pies fans in the AFL members and the way they were grouped in other areas of the ground and the number they had at the ground considering tickets were sold on a first in first served basis I smell a deal was done with Eddie and Ticketek. Who owns ticketek? Rest my case.

[perfectionist]

I think PBL owns Ticketek. They no longer control Channel 9 though, having sold down their share..

There is a problem with the AFL members area though, but not one that is easily solved. Because Collingwood play home games at the MCG, they (like Hawthorn) have a very high AFL Club Support membership. Ours, because we play at Docklands, would be very low (perhaps someone has the actual figures). So of the 12,000 or so tickets that went to AFL Club Support members, I reckon more than 11,000 would have gone to Collingwood supporters. This meant that any Saints supporter was surrounded by Collingwood supporters. Now, not all Collingwood supporters are moronic, aggressive, alcohol fueled, brainless, fat, ugly, inconsiderate neanderthals. I'm sure there are at least two who aren't. But the rest are not happy unless they spoil the whole occasion for other supporters. In the first PF, I witnessed Collingwood fans make life unbearable for two Geelong female supporters who did nothing more than wear the Cats colours. The same happened on Saturday with me.

The only solution is to set aside a caged area for them and have someone throw in raw beef laced with valium every now and then to keep them mollified.

[saintspremiers]

The major problem is that the non competing clubs get 14,000 tickets in total to scalp off at a grand or two each.

IF the AFL and State Government bought out these seats (ie propped up the clubs by an extra million bucks each), then club member availability wouldn't be such a big issue, just like the Grand Final Replay.

Simple!

[missgez]

I think PBL owns Ticketek. They no longer control Channel 9 though, having sold down their share..

There is a problem with the AFL members area though, but not one that is easily solved. Because Collingwood play home games at the MCG, they (like Hawthorn) have a very high AFL Club Support membership. Ours, because we play at Docklands, would be very low (perhaps someone has the actual figures). So of the 12,000 or so tickets that went to AFL Club Support members, I reckon more than 11,000 would have gone to Collingwood supporters. This meant that any Saints supporter was surrounded by Collingwood supporters. Now, not all Collingwood supporters are moronic, aggressive, alcohol fueled, brainless, fat, ugly, inconsiderate neanderthals. I'm sure there are at least two who aren't. But the rest are not happy unless they spoil the whole occasion for other supporters. In the first PF, I witnessed Collingwood fans make life unbearable for two Geelong female supporters who did nothing more than wear the Cats colours. The same happened on Saturday with me.

The only solution is to set aside a caged area for them and have someone throw in raw beef laced with valium every now and then to keep them mollified.

LOL

but

Confused at how the games at G versus games at Etihad impacts AFL membership numbers?

[#1GILL]

I think PBL owns Ticketek. They no longer control Channel 9 though, having sold down their share..

There is a problem with the AFL members area though, but not one that is easily solved. Because Collingwood play home games at the MCG, they (like Hawthorn) have a very high AFL Club Support membership. Ours, because we play at Docklands, would be very low (perhaps someone has the actual figures). So of the 12,000 or so tickets that went to AFL Club Support members, I reckon more than 11,000 would have gone to Collingwood supporters. This meant that any Saints supporter was surrounded by Collingwood supporters. Now, not all Collingwood supporters are moronic, aggressive, alcohol fueled, brainless, fat, ugly, inconsiderate neanderthals. I'm sure there are at least two who aren't. But the rest are not happy unless they spoil the whole occasion for other supporters. In the first PF, I witnessed Collingwood fans make life unbearable for two Geelong female supporters who did nothing more than wear the Cats colours. The same happened on Saturday with me.

The only solution is to set aside a caged area for them and have someone throw in raw beef laced with valium every now and then to keep them mollified.

LOL

but

Confused at how the games at G versus games at Etihad impacts AFL membership numbers?

It is much more benificial as an AFL Member for your club to play at the MCG.
The AFL Reserve is around 22,000 seats reserved specifically for AFL Members, these can be booked or obtained through walk-up on the day. First level, second level, third level and forth level are all available for free by using your membership card as entry.
At Etihad if you want to sit first level you have to pay, and if you scan in it is third level GA only, so it's not as good value as at the MCG.

[plugger66]

I think PBL owns Ticketek. They no longer control Channel 9 though, having sold down their share..

There is a problem with the AFL members area though, but not one that is easily solved. Because Collingwood play home games at the MCG, they (like Hawthorn) have a very high AFL Club Support membership. Ours, because we play at Docklands, would be very low (perhaps someone has the actual figures). So of the 12,000 or so tickets that went to AFL Club Support members, I reckon more than 11,000 would have gone to Collingwood supporters. This meant that any Saints supporter was surrounded by Collingwood supporters. Now, not all Collingwood supporters are moronic, aggressive, alcohol fueled, brainless, fat, ugly, inconsiderate neanderthals. I'm sure there are at least two who aren't. But the rest are not happy unless they spoil the whole occasion for other supporters. In the first PF, I witnessed Collingwood fans make life unbearable for two Geelong female supporters who did nothing more than wear the Cats colours. The same happened on Saturday with me.

The only solution is to set aside a caged area for them and have someone throw in raw beef laced with valium every now and then to keep them mollified.

LOL

but

Confused at how the games at G versus games at Etihad impacts AFL membership numbers?

Me to. Just as easy to get into Etihad as it is the G for an AFL member.

[snowdelisaint]

[deleted]

[saintspremiers]

Allowing the 14 other clubs to onsell their allocations at a massive premium whilst simultaneously stating it is illegal for unauthorised people to onsell is the height of hypocrisy.

GF ticketing CLEARLY needs a COMPREHENSIVE overhaul. Who could, by calling for it, bring it about?? State government?

yes but you have brains, and you are 100% on the money.

This whole argument is too complex for Merino/Merlino (whatever he is called) or Brumby to understand/comprehend.

[perfectionist]

...Just as easy to get into Etihad as it is the G for an AFL member.

Not sure what that has got to do with the issue, and in any event your assertion is plainly wrong, as any AFL member attending a fully ticketed game at Docklands will have found out. It's 5000 spaces as against 20,000 at the MCG. But back to the issue, it's got to do with the number of home games at the venue. For instance, VFL/AFL membership amongst St Kilda and Hawthorn supporters increased dramatically when their home games moved to VFL/AFL Park. There were few Collingwood supporters to be seen in the AFL member area, until AFL Park was closed. The number has increased dramatically over the years. What would be the alternative explanation anyway? Relative membership levels don't account for the scale of the discrepancy.

[#1GILL]

AFL Membership breakdown from September 2009:

[ausfatcat]

One solution that is doable right now on the club side is to reestablish the "foundation members".


This will anoy a few people but when it comes to guareenteed tickets to the GF the saints almost have the cheapest option in the AFL.

The saints could and I mean could re-create the foundation club (with current foundation members getting first preferance) at a extra200 or 250 dollars on top of the normal membership (instead of the 120 or what it is now) and cap it at 4000 or 5000 members each year (with it being temporarily larger to accomodate all current foundatiuon members if they wish to join) then extend the social club to say 15,000 giving them a 50/50 chance of getting a ticket (probably more depending on turn out).

This creates more revenue for the club allows more people easier access/understanding of GF tickets.


notes costs for guarenteed tickets from other clubs

collingwood $795 (legends)
$510 (captain's club opportunity for a ticket only)

Essendon $510.00

Melbourne $360.00

Bulldogs $480.00

Note this is for home match entry as well, other melbourne clubs I couldn't find due to the 2010 prices being removed off their websites

[plugger66]

...Just as easy to get into Etihad as it is the G for an AFL member.

Not sure what that has got to do with the issue, and in any event your assertion is plainly wrong, as any AFL member attending a fully ticketed game at Docklands will have found out. It's 5000 spaces as against 20,000 at the MCG. But back to the issue, it's got to do with the number of home games at the venue. For instance, VFL/AFL membership amongst St Kilda and Hawthorn supporters increased dramatically when their home games moved to VFL/AFL Park. There were few Collingwood supporters to be seen in the AFL member area, until AFL Park was closed. The number has increased dramatically over the years. What would be the alternative explanation anyway? Relative membership levels don't account for the scale of the discrepancy.

That statement about collingwood having few AFL members when AFL was open is plainly wrong because it has only been shut for 11 years and there is about a 9 year waiting list for full AFL membership. Are you saying they all joined in 2 years. Doubt that very much.

[perfectionist]

They joined when Collingwood switched their home games to the MCG, gradually from 1993(a few) to 2000(all).

[plugger66]

They joined when Collingwood switched all of their home games to the MCG, gradually from 1997 to 2000.

So last year they didnt have half those members. Doubt that very much.

[perfectionist]

Shut up you idiot.

[plugger66]

Shut up you idiot.

So you admit you are wrong. By the way didnt you leave this site?

[St Michele]

One solution that is doable right now on the club side is to reestablish the "foundation members".


This will anoy a few people but when it comes to guareenteed tickets to the GF the saints almost have the cheapest option in the AFL.

The saints could and I mean could re-create the foundation club (with current foundation members getting first preferance) at a extra200 or 250 dollars on top of the normal membership (instead of the 120 or what it is now) and cap it at 4000 or 5000 members each year (with it being temporarily larger to accomodate all current foundatiuon members if they wish to join) then extend the social club to say 15,000 giving them a 50/50 chance of getting a ticket (probably more depending on turn out).

This creates more revenue for the club allows more people easier access/understanding of GF tickets.


notes costs for guarenteed tickets from other clubs

collingwood $795 (legends)
$510 (captain's club opportunity for a ticket only)

Essendon $510.00

Melbourne $360.00

Bulldogs $480.00

Note this is for home match entry as well, other melbourne clubs I couldn't find due to the 2010 prices being removed off their websites

I actually like the way our club has the Social Club membership. It is fair to all it is not overly expensive so not cost prohibitive to those on lower incomes. I also like the way the tickets have been allocated although I do have a concern about those who during the GF onsold their tickets especially for a profit. I think that anyone who knows this happened should send the club the seat numbers concerned and those member should not be eligible for seating in the future.

WEst Coast have a system that they onsell member's seats if they can;t make a game for whatever reason and they give the member vouchers to use at the team store. Maybe somthing similar could be looked at for people who get GF tickets and then find for whatever reason they can;t attend and the September Saints can get first option then general members.

[snowdelisaint]

West Coast have a system that they onsell member's seats if they can;t make a game for whatever reason and they give the member vouchers to use at the team store.

That's a great idea!

[saintspremiers]

It's obvious our GF Guarantee system (called Social Club membership) is too cheap, I agree.

It's a big money spinner.

Considering we have filled our SC and made the last 2 GF's, we should look at bumping it up by around $50 per person, which would add $600,000 to the bottom line (provided we fill our SC allocation of 12,000)

[stinger]

the clubs would only scalp the tickets as they have always done....

[matrix]

if it went up near 200 id have to start reconsidering getting it
unless my pay goes up accordingly lol

[sunsaint]

can anyone with more precise memories remember what happened in '97
I seem to recall getting my GF tickets direct from the club.
Either way, whatever the method was back then, it was stark contrast to now.

[oh when]

In 1997 the number of tickets to members of the competing Clubs was pro rata, based on memberships sold - that is why Adelaide had more supporters there than us.

The allocation for Club members is now equal between the competing Clubs - allocated by Club's based on different membership levels, except for a replay where Collingwood get the lot.

[Enrico_Misso]

And that was in the good old days when it was all counter sales.

I still remember lining up at about 3am and the queue was already out to the lane, down along the back of the bowling club. It soon spilled out on to Linton St.

The sad part was, whilst as SC members we were guaranteed a seat (despite getting something like number 1900 in the line ticket I picked up at 1am after the Prelim), but there was all these FC members who would have next to no hope of a ticket.
By the time the ticket sales opened attendents were going along the lines advising the non SC members (apart from the ones right up the front) that they would not get a ticket.
Many left in tears.

So I guess the process these days is a little less cruel.