214Four wrote:The Suns should have expected some drop in averages from the first year. 33% is quite high but i think the amount of media attention and promotion for the Suns by the AFL leading into and during their first season helped get more 'casuals' through the gates, which ultimately encouraged the inflated % dropoff. Now that the 'noviety factor' for the Suns has worn off so too perhaps alot of the part time fans. i think their 2013 attendance figures will be simular to 2012's, but with a slight drop off a about two-three thousand on the average, this is because i can see some supporters getting tired of attending a team that is loosing.
The Titans had an average year in 2012 on the field and a bad year off the field. they have bought well for 2013 and i see them being a bottom 8 chance. their averages for 2013 should be slightly up on 2012, again by two or three thousand.
Every new team has had a bigger initial year for crowds and then dropped a percentage in the following years. Problem with the GC is the local economy is struggling leading to a dip in sports attendance overall. That combined with the Suns expected drop and their on field performances has seen a bigger than normal drop.
But as Drac says, 2 figures doesnt make a trend, and expansion markets are fickle. Their crowds will fluctuate significantly with on field performance, just like the Lions has.