"My media manager said Thursday nights are really difficult. Most clubs are really struggling because kids have got to get up for school, it's Thursday night.
"I think you picked up on it, but yeah it's a challenging night (for people to attend). I'd say (we're) two of the lower drawing clubs in the competition.
"20,000 is decent I reckon for a Thursday night, I would think. Pretty good? What's acceptable (do) you reckon?"
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon made his feelings clear about Thursday night crowds as the Saints went down by 72 points to the Bulldogs on front of 20,502 fans at Marvel Stadium.
MORE: Why Hawthorn believes it gets an advantage out of Tasmania games | ‘As long as he wants’: Star Bulldog finally open to contract discussions
But is the sentiment correct?
Thursday night AFL crowds in 2025
- Richmond vs. Carlton (MCG) - 80,009
- Carlton vs. Hawthorn (MCG) - 62,735
- Essendon vs. Port Adelaide (Marvel Stadium) - 25,114
- Collingwood vs. Carlton (MCG) - 82,058
- Adelaide vs. Geelong (Adelaide Oval) - 50,073
- Brisbane vs. Collingwood (Gabba) - 34,802
- Melbourne vs. Richmond (MCG) - 71,635
- Essendon vs. North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) - 35,439
- Fremantle vs. Collingwood (Optus Stadium) - 47,780
- Gold Coast vs. Hawthorn (TIO Stadium) - 12,314
- Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs (GMHBA) - 32,641
- Brisbane vs. Essendon (Gabba) - 26,441
- Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium) - 35,725
- St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium) - 20,508
Average Thursday night AFL crowd in 2025 so far: 44,078
Analysis of the Thursday night AFL crowds in 2025 show the St Kilda-Bulldogs crowd was well short of the average fan attendance for the night.
It was also the Saints' lowest crowd for a game against the Bulldogs since 1999, with the club only averaging a little over 21,000 across their last four home matches at Marvel Stadium.
The drop off in crowds is reflective of a team that has lost seven of their last nine games, as Lyon struggles to get his young side functioning effectively week-in, week-out.
However, it is unfair to compare the crowd figure against the Thursday night average, with several blockbusters including the traditional round one match, Collingwood vs. Carlton and ANZAC eve inflating the average.
The Saints and Bulldogs would have been hoping for a crowd of around 25,000-30,000 pre-match and if both teams were flying 35,000-40,000 to see a match of high quality.
But as St Kilda continue to struggle, it will be interesting to see if their supporters keep voting with their feet around the matches against other low-drawing teams.
In the end, Lyon's comments on Thursday night football and defence of the Saints' crowd figures was probably a little biased, as there is no doubt the club would be hoping for bigger numbers than they are currently getting.
St Kilda home crowds in 2025
- St Kilda vs. Geelong (Marvel Stadium) - 36,663
- St Kilda vs. Richmond (Marvel Stadium) - 41,147
- St Kilda vs. Brisbane (Marvel Stadium) - 29,901
- St Kilda vs. Fremantle (Marvel Stadium) - 20,522
- St Kilda vs. Carlton (MCG) - 65,680
- St Kilda vs. Gold Coast (Marvel Stadium) - 13,486
- St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium) - 20,508