WITH media interest dwindling and TV viewership down, Monday night football could give the A-League Men a facelift in the summer as it desperately tries to win back lapsed fans.<\/p>\n
A crowd of 4893 were present for a recent Macarthur’s 3-0 home loss to Wellington Phoenix at Campbelltown Sports Stadium played on a Monday and while that might not be a groundbreaking figure, it is a considerable feat for the Bulls.<\/p>\n
Macarthur were admitted into the competition in 2020 and their ability to attract and maintain home support as an expansion franchise in a traditional rugby league heartland has been severely impacted by COVID-19.<\/p>\n
“It’s school holidays and we were playing on a Monday and it was good to have a big crowd here tonight,” said Macarthur manager Mile Sterjovski.<\/p>\n
“I’m disappointed with the way we played, it would have been nice to put on a good performance for them and get the win.”<\/p>\n
Despite the entertaining style Sterjovski has quickly implemented, the conversion of new fans – something the club is often hammered for – is slightly slower.<\/p>\n
Afternoon kick-offs in baking summer heat in Sydney’s south-west also haven’t helped the Bulls build a stronger core of fans.<\/p>\n
And the few times their crowds have got anywhere near breaking the five-figure mark has been when one of their local rivals, Sydney FC or Western Sydney Wanderers, have rolled into Campbelltown.<\/p>\n
But the Monday game, rearranged due to Macarthur’s AFC Cup commitments, appeared a hit with fans still making their way into the ground well after kick-off as temperatures cooled.<\/p>\n
“I think it was a good atmosphere and Macarthur deserve it because they’ve got some really exciting players,” said Wellington boss Giancarlo Italiano.<\/p>\n
“I think the A-League is nothing without the fans and, for me, the more turnout we get, the better the product.<\/p>\n
“On a summer night like this, I was worried it might have been too humid, but it was actually perfect.”<\/p>\n
Monday night football has been a hit for broadcasters overseas with Sky Sports’ English Premier League broadcasts often among the pay TV giant’s most-watched programs.<\/p>\n
Fans often tune in for analysis of the weekend’s results before attention switches to that evening’s game.<\/p>\n
Wellington’s 3-0 win, which sent them top of the ALM ladder, was only broadcast on the league’s streaming platform Paramount+, with scant dissection in pre or post-game coverage.<\/p>\n
As part of the league’s TV deal with Network Ten the Saturday 7.45pm and the Sunday 3pm kick-offs are the only games shown live on free-to-air.<\/p>\n
But supporters, such as Macarthur fan Paul Zielinski who attends home games with 11-year-old son Riley, said that’s the only way to ensure the league is relevant once more.<\/p>\n
“It’s not widely televised but if it was people would probably get behind it more,” Zielinski said.<\/p>\n
“There could be more fans, the ones that do come get behind their team and are very passionate.”<\/p>\n