Marvel Stadium is set to trial revolutionary 'optical tracking' technology that could transform how Australian families watch AFL matches, with children potentially viewing games through cartoon universes within 3-4 years.
What is optical tracking?
7SPORT expert Tom Morris has revealed that Telstra, Champion Data and the AFL are launching the trial of optical tracking technology this year. This system will automatically track players during matches and assist umpires, the ARC, and injury assessments.
But, arguably, the technology's most exciting application could be its entertainment potential, mirroring a system already used in the NFL that broadcasts games through animated alternate universes.
How it works
Morris said that optical tracking — which uses high speed cameras — can improve fan engagement, coaching innovation, support for umpires, and medical assistance.
"Let's get ready for a shift in how you can watch football at Marvel Stadium," Morris said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. "It's early days, but Telstra, Champion Data and the AFL are about to begin a trial called optical tracking."
"Now it's about automatically tracking players and it helps umpires and the ARC and injuries as well. It will also be the beginning of a journey where kids can view the game via an alternate cartoon universe just like this in the NFL (he showed vision of Simpsons cartoon NFL game)."
Telstra's head of sport of technology, Ricky Cahn, told Morris recently: "You'll have parents sitting on the couch watching the game on TV and kids on their iPads in the next room watching on simulcast. It might not be the Simpsons, it might not be Monsters, Inc., it might be Shrek. You name it, this is coming to the AFL potentially as soon as three or four years' time."
Telstra's role
Cahn said on SEN that Telstra — which holds hosting rights of the AFL's website — was "on a journey". "This year is all about getting about 40 cameras inside Marvel Stadium, up in the gantry towards the roof. They will be tracking everything on the field," Cahn said. "This includes ball movement and player movement. And once we collect all this data, we believe we will be able to determine in real time when the ball is out of bounds and how far a player runs before they bounce it, to use two examples."
Reactions
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said he liked the idea and wondered what character Channel 7's chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary would be in the alternate universe when he was covering games on Seven. "I like it. We can see Mitchie boy on the sideline. He'd be Smithers from the Simpsons ... Who would Tom be, you reckon?" Riewoldt said. Cleary suggested Ned Flanders while Morris thought Milhouse — "minus the blue hair" — might be an option. "Just happy to have any hair at all," Morris joked.
