Supporters aligned with each of the AFL's 18 clubs have been surveyed on their experiences in the outer, with the data suggesting many are not at ease with rule changes and the ubiquity of gambling advertisements.
As explained within a statement released by the president of the AFL Fan's Association president, Cheryl Critchley, it was revealed that 860 fanatics between the ages of 18 and 75+ were quizzed on the state of play at the cessation of last season.
And although each club's communications throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic were praised, more than one in three of those polled believed punting adverts had become too pervasive within footy circles.
#AFL Fans have revealed what matters to them and praised their clubsโ pandemic communication in the first AFLFA survey. Key concerns included umpiring/rule changes, gambling ads, game access, scheduling, cost and Grand Final ticket access.
Read it here: https://t.co/2cNcwL1ubL— AFL Fans Association (@FansAFL) February 19, 2022
As stated by Critchley, 37 per cent of voters held a view that the league had failed in their duty of care towards younger supporters by allowing for gambling products and agencies to become attached to the code.
Still, with Monash University research conducted in 2020 claiming that the league stands to take in upwards of $10 million each season from bookies, it remains unlikely that such a lucrative revenue stream will be halted any time soon.
Critchley also expressed that of those surveyed, a marked amount of supporters were at odds with the 'Stand Rule' introduced ahead of the 2021 AFL Premiership Season.
Despite unenthusiastic views on the latest law, fans held an empathy towards the game's adjudicators by stating that introducing rules such as this on the fly only sought to make umpire's jobs on game day tougher than need be.
Critchley signed off with a promise that the association would be pressing league administrators for greater access for club members on grand final day given Victorian-based Richmond and Melbourne supporters were robbed of an opportunity to see the glories of 2020 and 2021 in person.
The Men's season is set to start next week, with each AFL team fixtured to play practice matches ahead of the AAMI Community Series' commencement on Thursday, March 3 when Carlton face Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.