It seems we are drawn to open the season with an early fixture on the day of the Grand Prix - a Sunday.

I'm happy with that.

North skipper Adam Simpson had some unkind words to say about Melbourne after our last clash.

Time to stick it up him and his team.

on the day of the Grand Prix

You've got to be kidding me.

Edit: Not that I go to the grand prix, but a clash against a 'major' event is never good.

It seems we are drawn to open the season with an early fixture on the day of the Grand Prix - a Sunday.

I'm happy with that.

North skipper Adam Simpson had some unkind words to say about Melbourne after our last clash.

Time to stick it up him and his team.

Absolute joke if true. Not a Grand Prix fan either.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And you watch Vlad comment on how neither team draws a big crowd.

What a joke.

I hope it's a North home game.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And you watch Vlad comment on how neither team draws a big crowd.

What a joke.

I hope it's a North home game.

The fact is neither team do draw crowds...period. And I hope it is a North home game.

For the AFL at best the game would pull 25,000 without distractions. They would prefer to "sacrifice" a few at low drawing game than a few more between one or two higher drawing clubs.

Cant stand the Grand Prix either.

+1 to 'hope it's a North home game'.

I always thouth the Grand Prix was really early? Like end of Feb early March... is the season really starting this early?

I don't even think that a date has been confirmed for the Grand Prix yet? This year is the first year it's under lights yeah?

Grand Prix is being held later in an attempt to keep it's spot as a Formula One venue. It's being held 26-29th of March next year, 5pm start on the Sunday. One can only hope we don't get another contract after 2010

Grand Prix is being held later in an attempt to keep it's spot as a Formula One venue. It's being held 26-29th of March next year, 5pm start on the Sunday. One can only hope we don't get another contract after 2010

Pretty sure it is our "home" game and I don't mind it being against North Melbourne.

The first game of the season usually draws better numbers because supporters want to see the new players and how the younger players are developing. There's usually a fair amount of optimism around the place and the people usually turn up.

North don't draw crowds even when they're doing well so imagine if we were drawn to play North in our home game in Round 10 and they were 2-7?

the thing with north and the mfc, is that the small crowds usually consist of the quality fans - the ones who come to many matches not just one or two. these fans are not likely to be affected by the GP, because they like to watch their footy team. A club with lots of fans also has a larger increase in less committed fans who may be more swayed by other events.

i would think that we would only lose a few thousand at most (2-3 maybe) while a big game say hawthorn collingwood, could lose 10K

The Grand Prix doesn't start until 5pm next year.

Gee Thanks AFL Another quiet kick in the Guts to the MFC. I am a fan of Grand Prix Racing Myself as my father raced cars back in the '50's so its in the Blood. Thanks for scheduling the MFC to play against a major sporting event. Low crowds, Low TV Ratings. Thanks so much. What a brilliant selling point for a new sponasor this is-AFL Bastards

... One can only hope we don't get another contract after 2010

We've got the grand prix until 2015. THere is another major event on the same day - the international air show which comes to Melbourne every 2 years.

We've got the grand prix until 2015. THere is another major event on the same day - the international air show which comes to Melbourne every 2 years.

Is that correct-The Air show is on that day aswell??? The AFL certainly do not care whether the MFC lives or dies do they. T he air show is fantastic & always draws huge crowds, as it is a rare event i shall be attending. If that is also the day of our first round game AFL i shall blame YOU entirely for me not being able to attend.

North skipper Adam Simpson had some unkind words to say about Melbourne after our last clash.

Time to stick it up him and his team.

Wasn't it Harvey who made comments about us (And in particular Dunny) post-match?

We've got the grand prix until 2015. THere is another major event on the same day - the international air show which comes to Melbourne every 2 years.

Ah yes, you're quite right. Sorry, i could only find articles before the new contract was signed. Bugger.

Airshow is 10-15th of March though

Pretty sure it is our "home" game and I don't mind it being against North Melbourne.

The first game of the season usually draws better numbers because supporters want to see the new players and how the younger players are developing. There's usually a fair amount of optimism around the place and the people usually turn up.

North don't draw crowds even when they're doing well so imagine if we were drawn to play North in our home game in Round 10 and they were 2-7?

Agree WJ. Best to play them early when we are both undefeated and everyone is chomping at the bit for the new season to start.

Forget about the Grand Prix if we don't get a good turnout for our first game at home we are in for another rocky season. There is no excuse for the fans of either side not to front up.

How is the GC17 looking from your vantage point up north? Have you discovered anything yet? How was the mountain climbing, you must have enjoyed the view of the peaks? Have you run into Barry from Beach Road on your northern sojurn?

Given that the match is scheduled for 1pm and the grand prix doesn't start til 5, it's not too much of a stretch to make both if you're a motor racing fan.

Albert Park's not that far......

Airshow is 10-15th of March though

Yes you are right - sorry. Original GP date coincided with Airshow - but has since moved to 29 March. Looks like I'll have to miss GP now.

Is that correct-The Air show is on that day aswell??? The AFL certainly do not care whether the MFC lives or dies do they. T he air show is fantastic & always draws huge crowds, as it is a rare event i shall be attending. If that is also the day of our first round game AFL i shall blame YOU entirely for me not being able to attend.

But it goes for more than one day, and being every two years, it has not exactly what you would call "rare." If you were that concerned about things like this leading to the death of the MFC, i'm pretty sure you could make it to the 'G.

Yes you are right - sorry. Original GP date coincided with Airshow - but has since moved to 29 March. Looks like I'll have to miss GP now.

This is becoming a bit of a love in!

Given that the match is scheduled for 1pm and the grand prix doesn't start til 5, it's not too much of a stretch to make both if you're a motor racing fan.

Albert Park's not that far......

I imagine many who are going to the grand prix will think that's enough excitement for them in one day <_<

I think the cost would be the biggest part.

Not many families would be able to afford going to the airshow, then the next week/week after going to the footy then the GP. GP is fine though, they'll probably just get free tickets.

1 pm game will finish at about 345, thats an hour and a quarter. Storm in a teacup people

I think the cost would be the biggest part.

Not many families would be able to afford going to the airshow, then the next week/week after going to the footy then the GP. GP is fine though, they'll probably just get free tickets.

1 pm game will finish at about 345, thats an hour and a quarter. Storm in a teacup people

Completely agree.

I'd be surprised if there were significant numbers dragged from MFC vs NM anyway.

Yeah its cost rather than timing.

Being Round 1 we'd get a better crowd than normal anyway, just because its a new season. Better to play big drawing teams later when it won't matter as much that our supporters have dropped off.