Pello, even with the CBF this year we're going to lose at least half a million. We are in trouble and we cannot afford to rely on the AFL to continue to bail us out.

What concerns me about Melbourne fans is the fact that even after everything that's happened to this club we still have the attitude that 'we'll be right, the afl won't let us die.' Well there will come a day when the AFL will bend to the wishes of the non-victorian clubs and actively reduce the number of teams in Victoria.

Jarka, I'm not suggesting we aren't in trouble. I just don't believe the AFL will pull the CBF funding. Vlad has said that any good business needs to grow to survive. Expanding the competition out to 18 teams and then back to 16 by losing 2 Victorian teams may expand the game geographically but will not increase revenue or grow the business.

The key to all of this is TV rights. Put on 9 games a weekend and you negotiate more money for the AFL coffers. Whether that translates into more money for clubs remains to be seen but my point is that the AFL will want to retain the integrity of an 18 team competition to support their television contracts and increased revenue.

As far as the MFC is concerned times are going to be tough for us over the next 5 years. We have a weak list, big debt and will be limited in our ability to rebuild via the draft. There are tough times ahead no doubt.

Jarka, I'm not suggesting we aren't in trouble. I just don't believe the AFL will pull the CBF funding. Vlad has said that any good business needs to grow to survive. Expanding the competition out to 18 teams and then back to 16 by losing 2 Victorian teams may expand the game geographically but will not increase revenue or grow the business.

Good call. The CBF will stay as long as McNamee and Co. can implement and grow a strong business plan. I believe this is fervently beginning to happen and I can't see anyone getting complacent from here on in. There is a perception that the CBF is synonomous with the supposed 'ineptitude' of clubs to make money and have a successful business plan. Melbourne does need to improve in this area but the CBF is here to stay to level out the numerous inequities involved, namely TV and fixturing.

A cheap swipe from someone as arrogant as Jeff will be just the catalyst we need to get things going for the dees.

I agree, I think Jeff's done us a favour - he's not an idiot. So far this year - our 150th - we've flown beneath the radar. No one been doing anything.

A fire cracker like this will fire up the supporters, get people talking about our club (any publicity is good publicity) & put pressure on the board. I wonder how many extra people will now go to the football on Sunday?

I agree, I think Jeff's done us a favour - he's not an idiot. So far this year - our 150th - we've flown beneath the radar. No one been doing anything.

A fire cracker like this will fire up the supporters, get people talking about our club (any publicity is good publicity) & put pressure on the board. I wonder how many extra people will now go to the football on Sunday?

I was staggered that we got 20,000 against Fremantle, I honestly didn't think we would get more than 12,000. Sucks to those who say this club has no passion. Hawthorn are flying and evey Hawks supporter and his dog are turning up at the moment and I don't blame them, there playing bloody awesome football. Went to the game they played against Collingwood this year when they ripped them to shreds. The Bureau of Meterology says that it will be 19 an Fine on Sunday so if that holds true I reckon that there will be at least 50,000, maybe even creeping up towards 55,000.

Jarka, I'm not suggesting we aren't in trouble. I just don't believe the AFL will pull the CBF funding. Vlad has said that any good business needs to grow to survive. Expanding the competition out to 18 teams and then back to 16 by losing 2 Victorian teams may expand the game geographically but will not increase revenue or grow the business.

The key to all of this is TV rights. Put on 9 games a weekend and you negotiate more money for the AFL coffers. Whether that translates into more money for clubs remains to be seen but my point is that the AFL will want to retain the integrity of an 18 team competition to support their television contracts and increased revenue.

As far as the MFC is concerned times are going to be tough for us over the next 5 years. We have a weak list, big debt and will be limited in our ability to rebuild via the draft. There are tough times ahead no doubt.

Having 18 teams isn't going to make much more money for the AFL than 16, that's because there's already a limited times for the games to be televised. An extra game would have to be fit into an already very compressed weekend. For the AFL it would make more sense to reduce the number of clubs in an already overcrowded market and throw money and a growing area.

Make no mistake, the majority of the other clubs don't want us to survive.

Jeff doesn't want Melbourne to develop a presence in Casey. He wants to hog that area for Hawthorn.

I've always hated that arrogant slime-ball when he was Premier and now I hate Kennett even more!

GET STUFFED JEFF!!! :angry:

The Melbourne Demons will STAY in MELBOURNE!!!!

MELBOURNE DEMONS FOREVER!!!!

Don't anyone get sucked in to thinking this is Jeff just having a crack at us. The AFL have outlined to the club in recent times that they are concerned about our lack of a presence in the public, our lack of a brand and the financial state of the club.

There are major issues that require the footy club as a whole, board, players, staff, past players, members and supporters to come together and solve.

We can talk all day about how by R1 2009 Hawthorn will be the only Victorian club to sell home games interstate, but that won't do anything at all to help secure our position in Melbourne.

Whether Jeff Kennett says it, or Andrew Demetriou says it, or Jim Stynes says it, it doesn't matter - the truth is there are major problems to be fixed, and the danger of our club dying is greater now than it ever has been.

Having 18 teams isn't going to make much more money for the AFL than 16, that's because there's already a limited times for the games to be televised. An extra game would have to be fit into an already very compressed weekend. For the AFL it would make more sense to reduce the number of clubs in an already overcrowded market and throw money and a growing area.

Make no mistake, the majority of the other clubs don't want us to survive.

i wouldnt be supprised to see the afl moving towards online access online similar to a big brother setup.. pay per view in your own time or with the emergence of hd tv something similar to what foxtel are planning in regards to you choose what you want to watch when you want... or maybe they are planning on foxtel bringing back the footy channel for afl only...boy i miss that...

i dont have any facts lol just ideas

Kennett is a tool

Don't anyone get sucked in to thinking this is Jeff just having a crack at us. The AFL have outlined to the club in recent times that they are concerned about our lack of a presence in the public, our lack of a brand and the financial state of the club.

There are major issues that require the footy club as a whole, board, players, staff, past players, members and supporters to come together and solve.

We can talk all day about how by R1 2009 Hawthorn will be the only Victorian club to sell home games interstate, but that won't do anything at all to help secure our position in Melbourne.

Whether Jeff Kennett says it, or Andrew Demetriou says it, or Jim Stynes says it, it doesn't matter - the truth is there are major problems to be fixed, and the danger of our club dying is greater now than it ever has been.

Spot on Hards..........it's a long standing problem.......nothing new........the need to sort things out is getting more and more urgent.

This comment from the [censored] whose arrogance lost the unlosable election. Hasn't learnt anything from those days and should just but out.

By the way Andrew Demetriou said this morning we're in a worse position than North were in late last year, when they were told Gold Coast or die.

Ouch.

It is typical though when his team is doing well both on and off the field he takes pot shots at the weaker teams. We all know we have severe problems and having this [censored] sinking the boot in does himself a disservice but also the AFL in general. He should be building the product up not crapping on it!!

Having 18 teams isn't going to make much more money for the AFL than 16, that's because there's already a limited times for the games to be televised. An extra game would have to be fit into an already very compressed weekend. For the AFL it would make more sense to reduce the number of clubs in an already overcrowded market and throw money and a growing area.

Make no mistake, the majority of the other clubs don't want us to survive.

The AFL reckons that 18 teams will get them $1billion in the next deal. The AFL will help us but they don't want to be our buttress and we don't want them to be either.

We will sign our new deals with the AFL and MCC soon, but the AFL is just trying to do what any good business does and that is look at all alternatives before throwing money at the problem.

The AFL will get our back, when we get our act together.

Gardner Reply

Tasmanian Hawks is the best line of the article.

i reckon jeff kennett should shut up and stop making riduclous comments about the Melbourne Footy club moving to the gold coast, cos im telling ya now everyone we are not moving to the gold coast and be named as the gold coast demons. good on ya Paul gardiner for firing back at Jeff " i want melbourne to move to the gold coast " Kennett

Without doubt we have our problems..shock ..horror..isnt that NEWS !! we know this.. so does the AFL. Paul Mac knows it too and he understands he inherited a semi basket case that had a dubious helmsman in the past !! The AFL knows this and is happy to have someone more realistic like PM in charge. We ARE doings things. Its not going to happen overight but changes and progress are afoot !! These will take a little time to permeate their way through to being seen.

Full credit to Poo &Wee land for getting its act together. We're endeavouring to do the same. It serves no purpose whatso ever for bucket mouth Kennet to spout off. Its a cheap shot and it will come back to haunt him !! As they say..let he without mistakes throw the first stone huh Jeff !!

Is easy to be cocky when you're up Jeff.. I seem to remember your visionary capabilities need something to be desired !!

We should also mention that Hawthorn's rosy picture includes the money from Tassie that will cease because they reckon they can get a franchise going down there.

Pretty sure it's $2m a year, that's alot of coin to lose in a couple of years...

At least the AFL will be there to help them out....

If we are in Trouble, i want to hear it from our board. Jeff Kennett knows nothing about Melbourne so he should shut it. He said he was going to say very little when he became Dawks president, but like a true poitician has gone back on his word. Thanks for selling off all those State assetts to overseas investors Jeff "Good for Victoria" My Arse

The best thing we can all do, be it members, supporters and occasional followers is get behind the club we love. We need to show how passionate we are.

How? I'll tell you how!

Purchase a membership - Sure, sounds easy enough. BUT there are so many supporters out there who are either not paid up (not , a MCC member with no affiliate membership, or don't think they need to. This club needs its members. The success of a club evolves around this.

Go to the games - Once again, sounds easy enough but we need more. Every match I go to (With exception to the ones against Interstate teams) we are easily out numbered. I know there are a lot more supporters out there that just don't go.

Simple things that can effect the outlook of the club.

Things that will help the clubs direction will be our New Training/admin/social base.

I'm just stating the obvious, but things have to change.

Very true, however us members and supporters haven't been told how to help. Apart from buying a membership and going to as many games as possible, what else can i do?

I have no facts to back this up - but I dare say MFC has the most educated and wealthy supporter base of the AFL. Hence, MFC should be asking supporters to provide free/discounted services and products rather then paying for it. I for one, am more then happy to donate my time towards the club - to do volunteer work - just have no idea how or who to offer assistance.

Those of you with young kids probably know the Wiggles song "Wake up Jeff".

Now, whenever I hear it, it will be "Get Stuffed Jeff".

Dork guernsey suits Jeff to a tee, sunshine followed by sh!te.

No surprise that that [censored] dog Kennett is trying to kick us while were down he has been doing it his entire life and it's why he isn't premier of Victoria anymore. He's a pig of a man and his day will come. The bloke who bashed him last year should get a medal of honor.