Will attempt to do a FTA coverage predictor for the rest of the season.
Up until today we have had 3 out of 7 games on FTA.
R8 vs Geelong - YES, Friday night Home game
R9 vs Melbourne - YES (apparently) Farewell Optus Oval game - call me cynical but I thought Pies v WCE game at the MCG would have got preference.
R10 vs Adelaide - YES (Ch9 Sunday arvo game 1:10pm start in Adelaide)
R11 vs Sydney (TD) - Unknown - Richmond v West Coast at MCG at the same time. Will put it down as a Yes given the Sydney market.
R12 vs Brisbane (TD at night) - YES
R13 vs Doggies (Darwin at night) - Unknown - Richmond v Crows at TD at the same time. Will put it down as a NO given Ch10 dont often cover games on Sat night outside of Melbourne.
R14 vs Weagles at Subi - NO
R15 vs Saints at TD (Sunday) - YES (4:00 highlights package)
R16 vs Freo at MCG (Sunday) - NO (Hawks vs Kangas)
R17 vs Hawks at MCG (Saturday) - Unknown (Doggies v Cats) will put down a YES
R18 vs Richmond (TD Sunday) - Unknown (Pies v Freo at MCG) will put down a no given it Ch9 and Collingwood
R19 vs Port (MCG Sunday) - NO (Pies vs Kangas)
R20 vs Collingwood (Sat night) - YES
R21 vs Essendon* (Sun MCG) - YES
R22 vs Kangas (Sun TD) - NO (Essendon* v Melbourne)
Thats 7 definites, 4 unknowns, and 4 definite NO.
That ensures we get at least 10 (potentially up to 14) games on FTA for the season with 2 more Home night games to come. Last year I think we had 7. What hurt us last year though was that we only had 2 FTA games in our first 11. Could be a reason on why we stuggled to attract sponsors last year.
As far as crowds go in relation to our home games against interstate sides. I would be dissapointed if we couldnt get the following figures (given that we dont fall in a heap and go back to our 2002 and 2003 form)
Sydney - TD Sat arvo, 32000-34000
Brisbane - TD Sat night, 34000-36000
Freo - MCG Sun arvo, 25000-27000 (weather permitting)
Port - MCG Sun arvo, 26000-28000 (weather permitting
Whats hurting us there is that we play Port and Freo instead of the more glamourous and more supported Crows and West Coast. Could have topped 30000 in those games. A good idea though playing those 2 sides at the MCG, given that the break even figure is lower that at the Dome.