I suppose you have to look at the bigger picture. Footy as a metaphor for society. And how is society going? Well in some ways, just like footy. We are richer, healthier and live longer than ever before, and footy players are faster, stronger and more skillful than ever before.
And yet, rich as we are, some bits just don't seem to be working well. Its hard to put your finger on it, but perhaps its just the relentless pace of change that leaves us feeling as though something is not quite right. A vague fear that it is all just a house of cards ready to collapse with one stray gust of wind. And as individuals, we have every reason to feel less secure, like underpaid casual tightrope walkers with a dodgy looking safety net.
And footy suffers from too much change. The players change clubs too often. And the AFL thinks its a good idea for there to be an opportunity to change clubs mid-season. Why not have a weekly draft? Some of us loved a bit of spite or ill-feeling in a game. But these days its mainly for show. The players all know each other and know that they may be at a different club next season, so there is little genuine animosity. Footy is supposed to be tribal. Its stylized warfare. But just shake an imaginary spear these days and people are all upset.
The rules change officially every year, and unofficially several times a week. The tribunal doesn't accept precedent, so its decisions seem a bit random at times. And the club administrators, restless at their desks, decide on a regular basis to review the jumper, the song, the game day experience. And hanging over all this is money. Everything is designed to make money. One can't help but feel that the AFL, if asked to decide between running a fair competition or maximising money, would take the money.
Fewer games are shown on TV, and random 3 hour delays are inserted - thanks Foxtel. The less footy you see on TV, the less likely you are to know the players from other clubs, until you only know your own players and the stars. Its moving from being an important sport to being a bit of light entertainment to compete with Survivor #35. And speaking of reality TV, do you ever wonder if its rigged?
