Free-to-air television AFL broadcaster Channel 7 are set to introduce a background crowd noise when the game returns on June 11th.
The decision has been met with a mixed reaction from the public, but the idea is to cover up the uncomfortable of silence we dealt with in Round 1 without fans in the stadium.
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon believes the piped in noise “sounds fine”, but posed the question to SEN Breakfast co-host and Channel 7 AFL expert Tim Watson whether their will be different types of noise used depending on the game situation.
“Are you going to have level one through to 10 in terms of goals? A level one, just an average 20 metres out directly in front … or a level 10 with the Whisp jumping over a pack where it goes off its nut?” Lyon asked.
ICYMI: here is a side-by-side of games with and without artificial crowd noise.
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 19, 2020
What do you think, crowd noise or no crowd noise? pic.twitter.com/26BtsDPtA6
While Watson couldn’t answer, he believes the crowd sounds will add to the atmosphere of the game.
“I can’t confirm or deny what might be played when the season is started, but that’s the starting point, the background sound,” he said.
“I think people will feel comfortable in their lounge chairs watching that. I don’t think it’s overbearing in any way … I think it adds to the atmosphere of the game.”