Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

This unofficial St Kilda Saints fan forum is for people of all ages to chat Saints Footy and all posts must be respectful.

Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators

Post Reply
outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710385Post outside66 »

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?


User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30034
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 700 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710388Post saintsRrising »

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.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
parkeysainter
SS Life Member
Posts: 2696
Joined: Thu 20 Jul 2017 2:59am
Location: Brighton Beach Mansion
Has thanked: 84 times
Been thanked: 177 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710392Post parkeysainter »

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.


Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and the St Kilda FC
iwantmeseats
SS Life Member
Posts: 3303
Joined: Tue 23 May 2006 6:14pm
Location: East Oakleigh
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 40 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710396Post iwantmeseats »

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.


thejiggingsaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 9354
Joined: Wed 03 Aug 2005 10:01pm
Has thanked: 625 times
Been thanked: 471 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710401Post thejiggingsaint »

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!


St Kilda forever 🔴⚪️⚫️ ( God help me)
User avatar
Drake Huggins
Club Player
Posts: 906
Joined: Wed 04 Oct 2017 4:28pm
Location: The G.G. Huggins Stand
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710407Post Drake Huggins »

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.
Plus one. Success breeds numbers, enthusiasm, members and noise.


"Is this the right room for an argument?"
"I told you once."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"Listen, an argument isn't just the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says, it's a series of statements designed to support a particular conclusion."
"No, it isn't."
"Oh, I've had enough of this."
"No you haven't"
"Oh shut up."
User avatar
Enrico_Misso
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 11662
Joined: Tue 13 Jun 2006 12:11am
Location: Moorabbin Chapter of The Royal Society of Hagiographers
Has thanked: 315 times
Been thanked: 720 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710413Post Enrico_Misso »

... 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. 
They can even WATCH LIVE FOOTY!
chook23
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 7213
Joined: Tue 09 Mar 2004 9:31am
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 134 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710416Post chook23 »

Enrico_Misso wrote:... because we are drowned out by music, adds and kiss-cam?

and the blonde with the annoying voice


saint4life
User avatar
magnifisaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun 02 May 2004 2:52am
Has thanked: 187 times
Been thanked: 528 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710420Post magnifisaint »

Probably haven't had much to cheer about for the last 7 years


Posting 20 years of holey crap!
User avatar
WellardSaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 7863
Joined: Sat 26 May 2012 11:25am
Location: Perth- the best weather in Oz, but the worst rednecks.
Has thanked: 1681 times
Been thanked: 781 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710423Post WellardSaint »

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.


A real Sainter will pledge allegiance to the ❤🤍🖤 and despise the Pies, the Blues, and the Injectors.
Remember one of the 10 Commandments : Thou shalt have no other team before thee
saintspremiers
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 25303
Joined: Tue 01 Feb 2005 4:25pm
Location: Trump Tower
Has thanked: 142 times
Been thanked: 284 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710437Post saintspremiers »

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 am Melbourne Skies - sometimes Blue Skies, Grey Skies, even Partly Cloudy Skies.
Zed
SS Hall of Fame
Posts: 2141
Joined: Sun 28 Mar 2004 1:59pm
Location: by the seaside..
Has thanked: 34 times
Been thanked: 175 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710442Post Zed »

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.


Love is all you need
User avatar
magnifisaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun 02 May 2004 2:52am
Has thanked: 187 times
Been thanked: 528 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710443Post magnifisaint »

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.
This is a very strange post. Maybe you should do something to help them out.


Posting 20 years of holey crap!
outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710448Post outside66 »

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.
Very interesting and I reckon you're spot on.


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710449Post outside66 »

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.


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710451Post outside66 »

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.
Yeah that seems to be the case. How could we bring back the 'Moorabbin' atmosphere do you reckon?


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710452Post outside66 »

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!
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.


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710454Post outside66 »

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.
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?


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710455Post outside66 »

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.


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710456Post outside66 »

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.
Great insight there and I couldn't disagree with any of the above!


iwantmeseats
SS Life Member
Posts: 3303
Joined: Tue 23 May 2006 6:14pm
Location: East Oakleigh
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 40 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710457Post iwantmeseats »

outside66 wrote:
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.
Yeah that seems to be the case. How could we bring back the 'Moorabbin' atmosphere do you reckon?
Im not sure. I fear those days are gone, and are not coming back.
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.


saint64
Club Player
Posts: 601
Joined: Sat 13 Mar 2004 12:18am
Location: Perth,WA
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 29 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710458Post saint64 »

magnifisaint wrote:
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.
This is a very strange post. Maybe you should do something to help them out.
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.


iwantmeseats
SS Life Member
Posts: 3303
Joined: Tue 23 May 2006 6:14pm
Location: East Oakleigh
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 40 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710459Post iwantmeseats »

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.
Please, no silly chants, that has been tried and it was horrendously embarassing. Woo Woo Woo!
Seriously, people wont like this BUT...
There is far too many old people and kids in the CS.
So, you get what you get.


outside66
Club Player
Posts: 616
Joined: Tue 09 May 2017 5:39pm
Has thanked: 199 times
Been thanked: 248 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710460Post outside66 »

iwantmeseats wrote:
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.
Please, no silly chants, that has been tried and it was horrendously embarassing. Woo Woo Woo!
Seriously, people wont like this BUT...
There is far too many old people and kids in the CS.
So, you get what you get.
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.


User avatar
asiu
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 10190
Joined: Thu 08 Apr 2010 8:11pm
Has thanked: 1274 times
Been thanked: 899 times

Re: Why are Saints supporters so quiet at the footy?

Post: # 1710461Post asiu »

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


Image
.name the ways , thought manipulates the State of Presence away.

.tipara waranta kani nina-tu.
Post Reply