Another exciting season of football has come to an end in Australia and I'm not referring to any of the oval ball codes. The 2013-14 A-League season was one filled with excitement, cracking goals and a few very noteworthy retirements in Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell. From the cracking goal of Melbourne Heart's Orlando Engelaar to the fiery exchange between Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau and journalist Val Migliaccio, the 2013-14 A-League season had it all. It came as no surprise then that this year's minor premier and Grand final winners were Brisbane Roar. Their season of dominance was rewarded with yet another Grand final showcase in their hometown and, as always, the Grand final match delivered. Trailing from a goal behind, as always seems to happen in a Brisbane Roar final, the Roar clawed their way back in to the game through a Besart Berisha headed goal in the 84th minute followed by the winning goal in extra time through Brazilian playmaker Henrique. The atmosphere inside Suncorp stadium during the match was electric thanks to another sellout crowd of over 52,000 people. The atmosphere was also heightened by the rival Western Sydney Wanderers fans who, as always, turned up the intensity with their non stop singing and chanting. When the final whistle eventually sounded it brought an end to yet another A-League season with the Brisbane Roar taking out the Grand final trophy.
The Roar's success over the past four years has been richly deserved thanks to the exciting display of football and the influence and legacy left behind by former Roar coach Ange Postecoglou. What has been a dominant four years on the park for the Roar is a reflection of their success with three Grand final trophies from the last four seasons. Sadly though, these figures do not reflect the crowd attendance figures seen at Suncorp Stadium during the last four years of the Roar's reign. The following figures are the average crowd attendances over the last four seasons (regular season) for Brisbane Roar matches at Suncorp Stadium. Average crowd attendance for 2010-11: 15,500; Average crowd attendance for 2011-12: 11,800 Average crowd attendance for 2012/13: 14,800; Average crowd attendance for 2013-14: 13,400. Come Grand final day and the number of spectators skyrockets to 52,000 fans, with the match usually selling out after a couple of days. It is safe to say that Brisbane quite possibly has the best fair-weather supporters when it comes to football. While there are a plethora of football codes in Australia, the clash of seasons can hardly be blamed for poor season attendances at the football as the Rugby seasons are not aligned with the A-League season.
It's all well and good for Brisbanites to turn out on Grand final day in droves; but are these fans supporting the game of Football or are they instead supporting the team?
It seems a bit unfair that the genuine Football fan in Brisbane has to miss out on a ticket to the Grand final game thanks to a sudden surge in popularity amongst fair-weather Brisbane supporters. While the atmosphere on Grand final day is positive and the game of football is being celebrated, the party only lasts for one night and then it's back to square one the following week for Australian football. If the game of football is ever going to go forward in Australia, it needs to show in each club's fan base. Some clubs and even stadiums shoot themselves in the foot by raising membership prices which then becomes a deterrent for any would-be fan of the club. If you take in to account parents taking their young kids to the game then the price then becomes ridiculous and the parents may as well take the family out to an amusement park for the day. When it comes to football fanfare in Australia, there is still quite a way to go before we can match the same fanfare and intensity as other continents such as Europe. The football supporters in England turn out week in and week out for their club no matter the result. Rain, hail or shine, the average football supporter in England wears his heart on his sleeve for his club and football and their club is a way of life. We're yet to see that passion in Australia and we'll probably never see the day where the true intensity of football passion (as seen in England) becomes a staple of Australian culture.
So as the World Cup approaches, don't be surprised if these same fans (the fair-weather ones mentioned above) are the ones getting in to the sudden World Cup spirit of Brazil 2014. Even if they can't properly spell the name Pele, they'll no doubt be the ones watching the game at a bar and placing the odd bet on one of the World Cup matches. But when it's all over and the dust settles, these fans will disappear quicker than a Scotsman in a pay toilet. Having taken all this in to account, it's not hard to see why the Socceroos will get smashed at this World Cup (the group might have something to do with it too). But if these Brisbane Roar attendance figures remain the same or get worse, it will be a great pity for the game of football in Australia, particularly Brisbane. I can't even begin to imagine what the attendance figures would be like if the Brisbane Roar were coming last on the A-League ladder. You'd probably be giving tickets away at a third of the price. Anyone got any plans to see the Brisbane Lions play this weekend.........?
Written by Alex Stilianos.
