AFL: Clock, '5 minute warning', counting UP, have your say?

Question

How do they decide when and when not to make it a count down or count up?

I think it is more exciting when you know the time!!!! Do you?

Who makes it count up or count down?

Answer 1

It's definitely not more exciting when you know the time, although at times annoying it is very exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I've notice sometimes it counts up and sometimes down, so I have no idea how it works.

Answer 2

This is a really interesting question! I notice that on one network they astoundingly know exactly when the game will finish, yet on another they count the time up and continue to do so until the siren sounds.

My only knowledge about the "5 minute warning" and counting up from there is that they are continuing on with time that was lost during the game. However, this is something I have struggled to understand for some time, given the fact that the timekeepers are supposed to stop the clock when play is held up.

My thoughts are that perhaps this whole "5 minute warning, time on thing" is just a gimic that they use to make the game more interesting on television!

Answer 3

im pretty sure Channel 7 counts it down, while channel 10 counts it up. its exciting when it happens, gets you as emotional as any fan in the crowd. because for them, the times going up aswell

Answer 4

Neither up nor down.

No minutes warning.

As someone else said - it is far more exciting not knowing how long there is to go before the final siren is sounded. Especially this year - the timekeepers themselves don't always know!