Huh?
Try arguing against what I actually said instead of extrapolating some bizarre notion.

The argument against playing on Good Friday is almost purely a religious one, in that it's the most significant day on the Christian calendar. I'm non-religious so I have no problem with footy being played on this day.
What that has to do with how I spend my day I have no idea.

I'd happily work on Good Friday, I often work on other public holidays.

_________________
"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

Public holidays are the best day to work if you can get a day in lieu.

No traffic, no annoying workmates and the day you have off in lieu shops are open for a good old spot of capitalism...

_________________
Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Wojee you say you have no problem with it and that is fine but what are the benefits of playing on a day when many fans won't attend?

_________________
"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Play the game and let the fans decide Game.

If thousands stay away as you predict the concept will die and all will be back to normal.

Just quietly, I reckon it will take off and be as big if not bigger than the ANZAC day clash.

_________________
Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

You're just guessing though, you have no idea how many will or won't go. Whose to say that people like myself, who aren't able to get to many games, especially Friday night games, won't go when they otherwise wouldn't or couldn't?

_________________
"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

I'm with Deano, I think this game would be a huge seller and TV ratings would be huge. But we won't know untill the AFL give it a shot and the time has come.

We played a game in 2001 against the scum on the Thursday night Good Friday eve. We only got 60k when they expected 75k+ against the reigning premiers. I know many catholic fans missed that game because of their mass that night. The club knows that match was a failure (crowd wise the result was great) and it got canned.

_________________
"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Firstly, the 'you shouldn't take the holiday if you don't celebrate the event' theory is completely full of holes.

Does it mean that you shouldn't take Anzac day off if you aren't going to the parade? Or Australia Day off if you're not draped in an Aussie flag eating a lamb chop? Or The Queens Birthday off if you're not singing happy birthday to the old girl while admiring your Silver Jubilee teaspoon set?

Course not. Ludicrous notion.

Secondly, things like no trading/football/anything on Good Friday stemmed from the times when a significant majority of our population were active Christians. When people went to church on a Sunday and all that stuff.

Now (if I remember correctly) less than 10% of the population are regular churchgoers and, in my opinion, if you can't even be arsed going to church regularly, then you can't really expect anyone to respect your opinion on what place the church's teachings should hold in society.

So we're talking about a significant minority here. And keeping in mind the fact that there are many different religions, none of which really get much of a say historically in legislation on trading hours, etc... then we're really talking about a genuine minority here. The six-games-on-a-Saturday that many of us grew up with is a direct snub at those who strictly adhere to the Jewish faith (Friday night games too).

So, aside from the historical fact that our society was based on Christian values, what arguments are there for not playing a game of football on Good Friday?

As far as the crowds are concerned, I'll make the following wager with anyone who thinks that the game wouldn't pull the punters, on behalf of some newfound desire on the part of the average Australian to forgoe sport for the church:

If Carlton vs Richmond was held every Good Friday at the MGC, if the crowd is under 60,000 I'll pay you $1.00 for every person under 60,000 who shows up, and if the crowd is over 60,000 you pay me $1.00 for every person over 60,000.

I suspect I'll make between $10,000 and $20,000 per year per bet.

The Boxing Day test:
Jam-packed, despite Boxing Day supposedly being the 'day of rest' post Christmas where we're meant to spend time with our families.

The New Year's Day test:
Jam-packed, despite the entire nation supposedly nursing hangovers, or away down at the beach or something.

Anzac Day:
Jam-packed, despite the fact that we're all supposed to be cheering on the old diggers, and lining the streets and playing two-up.

I can tell you John that on Good Friday churches are packed to the brim. All the half arsed Christians are there too, to remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ which is the reason why we have the holiday.

Some days just don't work like mothers day where crowds are always down because many people spend it with their mums.

Anyway another point is if we did it this year and it somehow was a huge success you can guarantee the AFL would replace us in the fixture next year with the filth or the scum.

_________________
"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

John, I was being facitious, hence the Deano took it as such by the response he gave.

Yes..yes.. and yes.

_________________
No ones listening till you make a mistake.

That's because it usually starts on the 2nd.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

Stuff you and your irrelevant facts, camelboy

Here's one back at you:

Melbourne Cup Day:
Over 100,000 people turn up to watch a horse race on this annual holiday. Face it people - everyone loves sport on holidays!

Actually, looking back on how much I wrote, I think it probably looks like I care about the issue more than I really do.

It's just that if they're going to play football on Good Friday night, I want it to be us. Because (a) attendances would be good (not all of melbourne's at church on Friday night) and (b) it'd rate through the roof (nothing else on then).

Anything with a religious flavour stirs up the posters!

God knows why.....

_________________
No ones listening till you make a mistake.

I'm with you John … I just wanted to be a smart arse (for a change!).

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

americans play nba on christmas day...!!! that amazes me.....that in mind i dont think playing footy on good friday is that bad....most christian holidays have lost their proper meaning these days anyway. if you are truly chrisitan you would despise these people, but the majority wouldnt care.....but thats not for me to decide..!

_________________
R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S

Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm

"All in all is all we are..."

But is there a chance some of the players might be religious and should not be forced to play footy???

And yes.. if you dont think it should be a holiday for footballers noone should have it...

Got nothing to do with the Melbourne Cup...

_________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We were in Boston one Easter and were staggered to find everything completely normal.....banks/post offices in fact everything open on Good Friday.

OK; at Easter weekend they hold the Boston Marathon which is a huge event and brings in hundreds of thousands of tourists but....I asked around and nobody had time off at Easter....it's celebrated sure; but not with holidays.

_________________
No ones listening till you make a mistake.

But I don't work on Sundays, or Saturdays. And most Friday nights, I'm either out or having a relax in front of the telly. Does that mean that footballer's shouldn't have to work on those days either? Look, I really don't think too many footballers would have a problem playing on Friday. At least it keeps the rest of their Easter free for egg hunts and other stuff.

I think most Australians would see Anzac Day as a more significant day than Good Friday, and we (well Essendon* and Collingwood) play football on that day. I am with John M; lets get together with the Tigers and start a new tradition!