Two worrying articles today -

Dees get lifeline but MCC wavers

and

$2 million black hole

I am glad the AFL has decided to fund us but I worry about our situation with the MCC.

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully the differences can be quickly resolved in our favour.

Couldn't agree more. Hopefully the differences can be quickly resolved in our favour.

or not

This doesn't sound like good news at all.

In fact, this sounds like it could be the end.

This doesn't sound like good news at all.

In fact, this sounds like it could be the end.

ahh well

ahh well

All politics and we are the football getting kicked around.

The MCC will have a revolution on its hands if it doesn't resolve the matter, not to mention the fact that it risks the AFL reallocating funds from the doomed West Sydney project to fund the cosntruction of a boutique stadium at Casey Fields that might house up to a dozen games a year when the less popular interstate clubs play local clubs in Melbourne.

All I can say is if you or anyone you know who cares for the future of our club don't yet have a membership, please buy one

This doesn't sound like good news at all.

In fact, this sounds like it could be the end.

No need to panic. This is a break down in talks between the AFL and MCC and in reality is only partly to do with the MFC. A resolution will be found.

ahh well

It's people like you that put this club here. What are you going to do when the club is thriving again?

No need to panic. This is a break down in talks between the AFL and MCC and in reality is only partly to do with the MFC. A resolution will be found.

I agree totally, were just the small kid inbetween the two big roosters in the play ground. I'm sure an arrangement will be made, if it is the 2m we are chaising who knows. Really a major sponsor is what we need, and I suspect this payment is an admission by the club that they are unable to attain one. Do any other clubs recieve payments from the MCC?

He's probably just a kid Roost. Hopefully he will mature a bit and stop trolling.

While these articles never make good reading, I honestly don't think we will go to the wall because of it. The AFL and MCC are playing ducks and drakes with each other and have done for years. Unfortunately we are the pawns in this one.

Neither the AFL or the MCC will want to be seen as the ones who closed us down over a lovers' tiff - it's just a case of negotiators circling each other trying to get an upper hand on a range of issues such as stadium deals and we have got caught up in it.

It happens all the time. This one got out and as Cameron Schwab said on SEN, the media has caught this story at a certain point on the timeline and run with it. It is not the end point, just somewhere in the middle of the negotiating process.

I really don't think this will bring down the curtain on the MFC!

On a positive - great to see the membership way ahead of where it has ever been and should show the AFL and MCC as well as our own leaders that supporters are believing in what is being done and that after two shocking seasons, much better times are ahead and can be seen to be ahead.

After re reading the article $2 million black hole, maybe a long shot, but I get the feeling that it may possibly be laying the media groundwork to justify a greater presence in Casey. To what level, if so, will be revealed by time

which would include rent relief for use of offices at the MCG and possibly beneficial clauses attached to the club's contract to move to a base within the Olympic Park precinct.

"Melbourne needs to quickly build a future that is not reliant on this funding," he said.

Through the MCC deal that remains unsigned, the Demons planned to base their administration and marketing staff in offices at the MCG, and their football department at Olympic Park.

Can anyone think of a way that I, as an MCC member, and others like me can find a way to influence the MCC in this decision?

Short of voicing my opinion at the AGM, that is.

I was just wondering. Does the AFL contribute cash to Western Sydney yet to get it up and running. If so I am going to murder that ringworm Andrew Demetriou. Now Tassie has the funds to make a start and sponsorship on an AFL club and also a rich tradition of football in the state yet the [censored] at the AFL still want Western Sydney.

Surely to god if the AFL is giving west sydney money they should pick Tasmania first and hence we might get some more cash off of the AFL to help us back on our own two feet.

Does anyone else liken this to two parents fighting obsessively whilst their neglected child watches on? The only problem is, rather than looking at the child and seeing sense, the 'parents' will look at us and think what an ugly duckling we are, with no obvious signs of blossoming into the proverbial swan. We can be fairly confident that there are those in the AFL that would like to see us boned, but I doubt the MCC is any better.

They will most likely come through for us this time around, but if things haven't improved dramatically in the next 12 months, and we are in a similar position next year, the situation will be a very hairy one for this club. Which is not to be taken lightly, given that the position we are currently in isn't particularly savoury.

Was surprised when Schwabb said that thus far we haven't had a business plan to make us financially viable. I hope he is speaking in relative terms, otherwise previous administrations should be fustigated. And I'm not talking about your standard, bread and butter, 'win footy games and you'll build membership and make money' strategy - that is a given. I'm talking about a proper business model to support the club's 'football business'.

Totally agree with you there Diablo.

Especially with the ugly duckling scenario.

One thing that the MFC needs desparately is SPONSORS get off your asses Melbourne and find some and do it quickly.

Does anyone else liken this to two parents fighting obsessively whilst their neglected child watches on? The only problem is, rather than looking at the child and seeing sense, the 'parents' will look at us and think what an ugly duckling we are, with no obvious signs of blossoming into the proverbial swan. We can be fairly confident that there are those in the AFL that would like to see us boned, but I doubt the MCC is any better.

They will most likely come through for us this time around, but if things haven't improved dramatically in the next 12 months, and we are in a similar position next year, the situation will be a very hairy one for this club. Which is not to be taken lightly, given that the position we are currently in isn't particularly savoury.

Was surprised when Schwabb said that thus far we haven't had a business plan to make us financially viable. I hope he is speaking in relative terms, otherwise previous administrations should be fustigated. And I'm not talking about your standard, bread and butter, 'win footy games and you'll build membership and make money' strategy - that is a given. I'm talking about a proper business model to support the club's 'football business'.

Is a bit like two parents and a hungry child waiting for a feed doesn't it. They'll sort it out, its probably over some important finer details regarding the other tennants, in that the AFL wants other clubs to have a better deal too.

Schwab is on the money regarding the business model. The Dees haven't had a successful business model. At the SUMMIT we saw his model in summary which is a model not just for today but the future and for future administrations. Wish I had a photographic memory for you......

Can anyone think of a way that I, as an MCC member, and others like me can find a way to influence the MCC in this decision?

Short of voicing my opinion at the AGM, that is.

Be patient. Discussion continues.

No need to panic. This is a break down in talks between the AFL and MCC and in reality is only partly to do with the MFC. A resolution will be found.

Totally agree. The annual pistols at 10 paces occurs between the MCC and AFL always around this time of the year.

The old saying that good news does not sell papers, applies in this case. Guys, we will get wacked again over the coming months, by those who want to tell us we're a basket case, but this will get resolved. As Schwaby said in the same article, in the long term, we will need to seek our own equity and not be so reliant on such relationships.

By the way, has anyone seen the poll on who should be MFC captain in the Hun? Asks the question and then gives the only options for answers as yes/no. Very strange

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/poll/1,,661-5037425,00.html

By the way, has anyone seen the poll on who should be MFC captain in the Hun? Asks the question and then gives the only options for answers as yes/no. Very strange

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/poll/1,,661-5037425,00.html

By the way, has anyone seen the poll on who should be MFC captain in the Hun? Asks the question and then gives the only options for answers as yes/no. Very strange

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/poll/1,,661-5037425,00.html

Hahaha. Journalism at its finest from the HUN.

Hahaha. Journalism at its finest from the HUN.

i think yes will make a better captain than no

what a stupid mistake, and quite a few people have actually voted

What an absolute stuff up by the Herald Sun!! There is nothing to gain by that poll. The amount of people who voted are virtually guessing Yes or No to find out a result. (A sign of things to come perhaps - I hope not).

I believe our poll here on Demonland is a very accurate indicator towards Melbourne supporters/members opinions on WHO should be Captain of the Mfc, as a whole.

Rumour on Demonology saying that according to 3AW supposedly this afternoon that the MCC has agreed to 500k and another 500k contra, contra meaning for other expenses such as rent/marketing etc.

Take it for what its worth at this stage in time.