A-League: Footy fans lash out over grim photos of match featuring two of Australia’s biggest teams
- A-League is dying a slow death in Australia
- Woeful crowd at midweek game in Melbourne
- Supporters on X agreed footy code is in dire straits
Disgruntled fans have questioned the relevance of the A-League after a paltry crowd turned up on Wednesday night to watch Melbourne City tackle the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park.
While players were called off the pitch after just 14 minutes for more than an hour due to lightning strikes in the area, the clash was eventually completed in front of a near empty stadium.
The away side won 1-0 thanks to a Lachie Rose strike – but the grim pictures on Paramount’s streamed coverage told the story.
Disgruntled fans have questioned the relevance of the A-League after a paltry crowd turned up on Wednesday night to watch Melbourne City tackle the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park (pictured, striker Harry Politidis)
While players were called off the pitch after just 14 minutes for more than an hour due to lightning strikes in the area, the clash was eventually completed in front of a near empty stadium (pictured right, Jets defender Mark Natta)
The midweek fixture at AAMI Park was a poor advertisement for the embattled A-League (pictured, Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich)
Former soccer journalist Ray Gatt spoke for many supporters when he tweeted on X:
‘This is a shocking look for the A-League. ‘OK, it’s a midweek game so people have work and kids have school but, gee….also why is it being played tonight?
In the same tweet, Gatt posted four images from during the match showing the lack of atmosphere – and while the official crowd was yet to be confirmed at the time of publication, a figure above 3000 would surprise.
‘I watched MAFS instead of going to the game,’ said one fan in response to Gatt’s post.
‘I didn’t even know it was on until my phone pinged for kick-off,’ said another.
Former football journalist Ray Gatt tweeted images of the woeful crowd at AAMI Park (pictured)
The shots showed row after row of empty seats for the clash
One supporter said in response they watched Married At First Sight instead of heading to the game
Another bluntly stated the A-League never learns and midweek games are a ‘dead loss’
A third revealed they weren’t even aware the game was on until receiving a notification on their phone at kick-off
A third weighed in with: ‘When will the A-League learn? Midweek games are a dead loss.’
It also comes after respected commentator Simon Hill confirmed earlier this week the weekly show he co-hosted with ex-Socceroo striker Alex Brosque on SEN Radio in Sydney will be pulled off the airwaves.
‘Some news for those who have asked….sadly, The Global Game won’t be returning, at least for now,’ Hill confirmed on X.
‘I believe the show has been unable to secure sponsors. ‘This is where [football] is in Australia, unfortunately.’
Poor crowds have haunted the A-League all season – the worst attendance was on January 29, when John Aloisi’s Western United hosted the Central Coast Mariners before just 2476 spectators.
Admittedly, Western United have provided a possible blueprint for smaller A-League clubs to follow, with the ground capacity at Ironbark Fields catering for roughly 5000 fans.
And as many will attest to, a half-filled stadium sure beats a near vacant AAMI Park or Suncorp Stadium, home of the Brisbane Roar, who have also struggled to get fans through the gates this campaign.
