What’s in a name?
Plenty according to footy fans after the AFL announced its additional round in Adelaide next year would be called “Gather round…a festival of footy”.
While the AFL is following in the footsteps of the NRL’s successful “Magic Round” concept, it clearly wanted a name that was different to its rival code.
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Grand Final
The many fan ideas for the round included United Round, AFL Roadshow, Footy Fiesta, The Big Show, Family Round, Connection Round, Roving Round, Premiers Round, The Grape Escape, Hanger Round, Round Five!, AFL Mega, Celebration Round, All-in Round, Magnetic Round, Destination Round, Fanatics Round and Festival of Footy. The AFL rejected options proposed by an agency. But it’s safe to say the Gather Round moniker has fallen flat with fans, with many arguing the AFL would have been better off just blatantly copying the NRL’s Magic Round. Sports reporter Michael Atkinson tweeted: “Gather Round, people. I’ll tell you a story. “A story about how to ‘copy’ an idea and butcher it at the naming phase. “ The name choice comes days after the AFL was widely criticised for announcing its Round 1 fixture during the Socceroos’ World Cup clash with Argentina in the early hours of Sunday morning. The AFL defended its choice of Gather Round, saying it had strong public support. “We had a lot of momentum around ‘Gather Round’ with many fans suggesting it,” an AFL spokesperson told News Corp. “We think it’s perfect as we all — clubs, players and fans — gather in South Australia, bringing a footy festival to the city.” Adelaide Oval will host six of the nine games, while a venue for the other three matches has yet to be confirmed. Venues in the Barossa Valley and Norwood have been flagged as potential options. The addition of Gather Round to the AFL fixture will extend the home and way season to 24 rounds and reduce the number of pre-season games from two to one.
