Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
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Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Now I'm sure this may be an AFL-wide topic but my observational experience is obviously on the Saints.
The footy to me seems like a sterile place where supporters seem more content to sit and whinge or remain mute rather than support vocally. I know that getting loud isn't everyone's cup of tea but aside from a few spot-fires around the ground or when the intensity lifts abit, the footy seems to lack a continuous atmosphere.
I know the cheer squad try hard but even the supporters who choose to sit directly behind and around the cheer squad remain quiet and uninvolved throughout most of the games.
The easy response would be that 'Saints haven't played too well lately' but if you look at the Tigers who have been perennially awful (before last year), they have always maintained a loud and passionate supporter based.
That said, I'm interested to hear other peoples thoughts and also any ideas on how the perceived lack of fanfare could be addressed?
The footy to me seems like a sterile place where supporters seem more content to sit and whinge or remain mute rather than support vocally. I know that getting loud isn't everyone's cup of tea but aside from a few spot-fires around the ground or when the intensity lifts abit, the footy seems to lack a continuous atmosphere.
I know the cheer squad try hard but even the supporters who choose to sit directly behind and around the cheer squad remain quiet and uninvolved throughout most of the games.
The easy response would be that 'Saints haven't played too well lately' but if you look at the Tigers who have been perennially awful (before last year), they have always maintained a loud and passionate supporter based.
That said, I'm interested to hear other peoples thoughts and also any ideas on how the perceived lack of fanfare could be addressed?
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
We have a lot of pessimists, who even when we are playing well fear it will collapse.
We have a lack of arrogant supporters.
We also and importantly have a lack of supporters generally. Eras of regular Premiership Success breeds lots of new fans.
-- The Tigers Flags in 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980 attracted a lot of new fans some of whom were re-awoken by this year's form.
-- All those recent Flags is why the Hawks have now gained such a huge following. I know many, many Hawks fans but I do not know any whose parents and or older family members are also Hawks fans.
The St Kilda era of limited success in the 60's and early 70's attracted new fans but not like teams who have had a run of premierships have built who attracted large numbers of extra fans.
We have a lack of arrogant supporters.
We also and importantly have a lack of supporters generally. Eras of regular Premiership Success breeds lots of new fans.
-- The Tigers Flags in 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980 attracted a lot of new fans some of whom were re-awoken by this year's form.
-- All those recent Flags is why the Hawks have now gained such a huge following. I know many, many Hawks fans but I do not know any whose parents and or older family members are also Hawks fans.
The St Kilda era of limited success in the 60's and early 70's attracted new fans but not like teams who have had a run of premierships have built who attracted large numbers of extra fans.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
I just think AFL fans in general are fairly quiet during the game compared to other sports around the world like soccer and the NFL for example. Mainly because there is always something happening in an AFL game, its very free flowing, there are scant breaks and scoring is often.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
It has become a bit theatre like in general. I dont think its just a saints thing necessarily.
Its a big part of the lack of enthusiasm I feel for the game these days.
Compare Moorabbin days to Etihad on any given game. Enough said.
Its a big part of the lack of enthusiasm I feel for the game these days.
Compare Moorabbin days to Etihad on any given game. Enough said.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
The atmosphere generated by the Cheer Squad in the Goal Zone area at the Lockett end at Home games last season was (IMHO) BRILLIANT at times!
Go the Cheer Squad! GO!
Go the Cheer Squad! GO!
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Plus one. Success breeds numbers, enthusiasm, members and noise.parkeysainter wrote:I just think AFL fans in general are fairly quiet during the game compared to other sports around the world like soccer and the NFL for example. Mainly because there is always something happening in an AFL game, its very free flowing, there are scant breaks and scoring is often.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
... because we are drowned out by music, adds and kiss-cam?
The rest of Australia can wander mask-free, socialise, eat out, no curfews, no zoning, no police rings of steel, no illogical inconsistent rules.Â
They can even WATCH LIVE FOOTY!
They can even WATCH LIVE FOOTY!
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Enrico_Misso wrote:... because we are drowned out by music, adds and kiss-cam?
and the blonde with the annoying voice
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Probably haven't had much to cheer about for the last 7 years
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Come to Perth...the 'Western Saints' organise a pub in Perth CBD to show the game on a big screen,
but nobody ever turns up.
They might get 4 men and a dog twice a year, or there's one guy who turns up at half-time because 'I don't wanna pay for parking and free parking is only 2 hours' he used to tell me.
It's not an 'interstate supporters club' more like some random interested observers who check the scores on the net but don't know ANY players' numbers or names.
A goal is kicked and the name flashes on the screen and they say 'who's that player again?'
Apathetic moronic losers.
but nobody ever turns up.
They might get 4 men and a dog twice a year, or there's one guy who turns up at half-time because 'I don't wanna pay for parking and free parking is only 2 hours' he used to tell me.
It's not an 'interstate supporters club' more like some random interested observers who check the scores on the net but don't know ANY players' numbers or names.
A goal is kicked and the name flashes on the screen and they say 'who's that player again?'
Apathetic moronic losers.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
True but that’s a couple of percent of the crowd. Compared to the A league version - the active areas - it’s fairly tame.thejiggingsaint wrote:The atmosphere generated by the Cheer Squad in the Goal Zone area at the Lockett end at Home games last season was (IMHO) BRILLIANT at times!
Go the Cheer Squad! GO!
Maybe we need an active area type cheer squad where everyone is standing and making almost constant noise.
The active areas noise seems to encourage the members area nearby to be noisy also at the A league.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
As mentioned already by others, success goes a long long way - and its 80% of the equation. The other 20% relies on how good your off field (marketing admin etc) is to take advantage of those successful periods.
We had a relatively strong run from 2004 - 2011 that should have seen us grow our membership base but unfortunately we were a shambles off field during that period. Weve never portrayed a brand thats associated with success (or a club on the rise) for as long as Ive supported the club.
Combine that with the fact the media see us as soft targets because we have no influential power brokers to smooth things over and then run a media whitewashing like happens at most of the power clubs. Compare these
> The sustained media assassination of GT's character when he took on the coaching position vs Malthouse being exited out of Collingwood for Eddie's man crush
> The GT and RB fallout debacle vs Kennett wanting to move on Clarkson
> The Ross Lyon bubble and dour footy image vs how quickly Sydney shook off the ugly footy and tag given by Andrew Demetriou for flooding
Having said all that, I think we are in the best shape off field that I can recall for a long time. We covered losing Ameet with a strong administrator in Lethlean. Social media presence is good. Tying to become a lot more inclusive as a club is great - but how do you convert that to memberships ?. If we can get our act together on field in the next 2 years and retain our off field team then we may have shot at finally becoming a power club - with noisy supporters.
We had a relatively strong run from 2004 - 2011 that should have seen us grow our membership base but unfortunately we were a shambles off field during that period. Weve never portrayed a brand thats associated with success (or a club on the rise) for as long as Ive supported the club.
Combine that with the fact the media see us as soft targets because we have no influential power brokers to smooth things over and then run a media whitewashing like happens at most of the power clubs. Compare these
> The sustained media assassination of GT's character when he took on the coaching position vs Malthouse being exited out of Collingwood for Eddie's man crush
> The GT and RB fallout debacle vs Kennett wanting to move on Clarkson
> The Ross Lyon bubble and dour footy image vs how quickly Sydney shook off the ugly footy and tag given by Andrew Demetriou for flooding
Having said all that, I think we are in the best shape off field that I can recall for a long time. We covered losing Ameet with a strong administrator in Lethlean. Social media presence is good. Tying to become a lot more inclusive as a club is great - but how do you convert that to memberships ?. If we can get our act together on field in the next 2 years and retain our off field team then we may have shot at finally becoming a power club - with noisy supporters.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
This is a very strange post. Maybe you should do something to help them out.WellardSaint wrote:Come to Perth...the 'Western Saints' organise a pub in Perth CBD to show the game on a big screen,
but nobody ever turns up.
They might get 4 men and a dog twice a year, or there's one guy who turns up at half-time because 'I don't wanna pay for parking and free parking is only 2 hours' he used to tell me.
It's not an 'interstate supporters club' more like some random interested observers who check the scores on the net but don't know ANY players' numbers or names.
A goal is kicked and the name flashes on the screen and they say 'who's that player again?'
Apathetic moronic losers.
Posting 20 years of holey crap!
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Very interesting and I reckon you're spot on.saintsRrising wrote:We have a lot of pessimists, who even when we are playing well fear it will collapse.
We have a lack of arrogant supporters.
We also and importantly have a lack of supporters generally. Eras of regular Premiership Success breeds lots of new fans.
-- The Tigers Flags in 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980 attracted a lot of new fans some of whom were re-awoken by this year's form.
-- All those recent Flags is why the Hawks have now gained such a huge following. I know many, many Hawks fans but I do not know any whose parents and or older family members are also Hawks fans.
The St Kilda era of limited success in the 60's and early 70's attracted new fans but not like teams who have had a run of premierships have built who attracted large numbers of extra fans.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
parkeysainter wrote:I just think AFL fans in general are fairly quiet during the game compared to other sports around the world like soccer and the NFL for example. Mainly because there is always something happening in an AFL game, its very free flowing, there are scant breaks and scoring is often.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
That's true but I think the time after a goal is kicked is a good time to come in with something.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Yeah that seems to be the case. How could we bring back the 'Moorabbin' atmosphere do you reckon?iwantmeseats wrote:It has become a bit theatre like in general. I dont think its just a saints thing necessarily.
Its a big part of the lack of enthusiasm I feel for the game these days.
Compare Moorabbin days to Etihad on any given game. Enough said.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
The cheer squad is great no doubt, but the atmosphere in the goal zone area is close to rubbish in my opinion. I sat in the goal zone area regularly and the amount of mute supporters directly behind the cheer squad and to the left and right, for the entire game was astonishing - most of those games (about 8 in total) were home and we were playing well.thejiggingsaint wrote:The atmosphere generated by the Cheer Squad in the Goal Zone area at the Lockett end at Home games last season was (IMHO) BRILLIANT at times!
Go the Cheer Squad! GO!
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Perhaps the 'Western Saints' need some fresh blood in their line up and get a bit more presence happening on FB or something like that?WellardSaint wrote:Come to Perth...the 'Western Saints' organise a pub in Perth CBD to show the game on a big screen,
but nobody ever turns up.
They might get 4 men and a dog twice a year, or there's one guy who turns up at half-time because 'I don't wanna pay for parking and free parking is only 2 hours' he used to tell me.
It's not an 'interstate supporters club' more like some random interested observers who check the scores on the net but don't know ANY players' numbers or names.
A goal is kicked and the name flashes on the screen and they say 'who's that player again?'
Apathetic moronic losers.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
saintspremiers wrote:thejiggingsaint wrote:The atmosphere generated by the Cheer Squad in the Goal Zone area at the Lockett end at Home games last season was (IMHO) BRILLIANT at times!
Go the Cheer Squad! GO!True but that’s a couple of percent of the crowd. Compared to the A league version - the active areas - it’s fairly tame.
Maybe we need an active area type cheer squad where everyone is standing and making almost constant noise.
The active areas noise seems to encourage the members area nearby to be noisy also at the A league.
I reckon that's a brilliant idea - if the section directly behind the cheer squad was a standing area then that would generate the feel of how footy was spectated in the 'old days' and how people watch local footy.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Great insight there and I couldn't disagree with any of the above!Zed wrote:As mentioned already by others, success goes a long long way - and its 80% of the equation. The other 20% relies on how good your off field (marketing admin etc) is to take advantage of those successful periods.
We had a relatively strong run from 2004 - 2011 that should have seen us grow our membership base but unfortunately we were a shambles off field during that period. Weve never portrayed a brand thats associated with success (or a club on the rise) for as long as Ive supported the club.
Combine that with the fact the media see us as soft targets because we have no influential power brokers to smooth things over and then run a media whitewashing like happens at most of the power clubs. Compare these
> The sustained media assassination of GT's character when he took on the coaching position vs Malthouse being exited out of Collingwood for Eddie's man crush
> The GT and RB fallout debacle vs Kennett wanting to move on Clarkson
> The Ross Lyon bubble and dour footy image vs how quickly Sydney shook off the ugly footy and tag given by Andrew Demetriou for flooding
Having said all that, I think we are in the best shape off field that I can recall for a long time. We covered losing Ameet with a strong administrator in Lethlean. Social media presence is good. Tying to become a lot more inclusive as a club is great - but how do you convert that to memberships ?. If we can get our act together on field in the next 2 years and retain our off field team then we may have shot at finally becoming a power club - with noisy supporters.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Im not sure. I fear those days are gone, and are not coming back.outside66 wrote:Yeah that seems to be the case. How could we bring back the 'Moorabbin' atmosphere do you reckon?iwantmeseats wrote:It has become a bit theatre like in general. I dont think its just a saints thing necessarily.
Its a big part of the lack of enthusiasm I feel for the game these days.
Compare Moorabbin days to Etihad on any given game. Enough said.
Its just the general nature of people these days I think, much more passive, totally scared of offending anyone. And I mean by just being loud, not with abuse or language or anything...YES people get upset at the football for other people simply being LOUD.
25 years ago, youd get thrown out of the ground for even thinking such a concept.
Dosent help Etihad is avery cold sterile stadium....with great views but thats about it.
Last edited by iwantmeseats on Tue 23 Jan 2018 12:11pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Exactly thanks magnifisaint. Its actually highly insulting to a group of dedicated Western Saints members who do a fantastic job year in and year out. The Western Saints consistently vies with the Launceston supporters group as the most successful Saints supporter group outside Melbourne. They put on a weekly get together at the Game Sports Bar as well as pre game events when the team travels to Perth. Perhaps Wellard Saint you should become a little more aware and engaged.magnifisaint wrote:This is a very strange post. Maybe you should do something to help them out.WellardSaint wrote:Come to Perth...the 'Western Saints' organise a pub in Perth CBD to show the game on a big screen,
but nobody ever turns up.
They might get 4 men and a dog twice a year, or there's one guy who turns up at half-time because 'I don't wanna pay for parking and free parking is only 2 hours' he used to tell me.
It's not an 'interstate supporters club' more like some random interested observers who check the scores on the net but don't know ANY players' numbers or names.
A goal is kicked and the name flashes on the screen and they say 'who's that player again?'
Apathetic moronic losers.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
Please, no silly chants, that has been tried and it was horrendously embarassing. Woo Woo Woo!outside66 wrote:parkeysainter wrote:I just think AFL fans in general are fairly quiet during the game compared to other sports around the world like soccer and the NFL for example. Mainly because there is always something happening in an AFL game, its very free flowing, there are scant breaks and scoring is often.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
That's true but I think the time after a goal is kicked is a good time to come in with something.
Seriously, people wont like this BUT...
There is far too many old people and kids in the CS.
So, you get what you get.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
What would non-silly chants look like? Or do you think footy isn't the right environment for chants period? Yeah I agree that the demographic could be improved as I believe that the Saints are missing out on the key target group here - 18+ people and blokes that are loud.iwantmeseats wrote:Please, no silly chants, that has been tried and it was horrendously embarassing. Woo Woo Woo!outside66 wrote:parkeysainter wrote:I just think AFL fans in general are fairly quiet during the game compared to other sports around the world like soccer and the NFL for example. Mainly because there is always something happening in an AFL game, its very free flowing, there are scant breaks and scoring is often.
When the Saints are up and running, then we do have a good supporter base that can get into it.
That's true but I think the time after a goal is kicked is a good time to come in with something.
Seriously, people wont like this BUT...
There is far too many old people and kids in the CS.
So, you get what you get.
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Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?
we fished Shark Bay one year
(getting to the most westerly part of the country was our actual aim)
... which was lucky coz the wind blew like a demon and the fish were off the bite
anyways
my crew and i made it to the pub (where ever it was at the time)
and watched a game with the Western Saints
... the place was rocking
(getting to the most westerly part of the country was our actual aim)
... which was lucky coz the wind blew like a demon and the fish were off the bite
anyways
my crew and i made it to the pub (where ever it was at the time)
and watched a game with the Western Saints
... the place was rocking
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