The crowd

[Brettmcg 24]

I never really understood the whole "Melbourne supporters don't like the Dome" theory until the weekend- it's just a terrible, terrible place to watch the football. The seating on the bottom level is too low to the ground so you don't get a good idea of the space around the play, the seating on the second level is off limits to non-medallion club members (and dare say, away team club members) and you can't see the near boundary line from the top level.

Not quite true. Second level is accessible to MCC Members through AxcessOne, however, after Saturday I will never purchase tickets into that section EVER again. They were atrocious and the only pocket/bay in the entire ground bathed in sun from the first bounce until the last. Why should I pay $32 for that rubbish? Left just before the end as I was going to have a coronary if the umpiring became any worse, only to be yelled at by a security guard and a ground attendant for running to try and beat the hoardes. Promptly told them to shove it and that I would never be coming back to their effing disgraceful stadium again anyway. What an absolutely foul place to watch anything. Sell it off to Melbourne Victory and Storm and let their fans "enjoy" the experience.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Brettmcg

[Demonic Ascent 0]

The bottom line is whether North Melbourne can pull a crowd down in melbourne or pay their bills. I don't think they can on either front going forward, so they should have taken the AFL's carrot and gone up to the Gold Coast.

Why do we need North Melbourne in the AFL anyway when Melbourne was around since 1858. The is no North Essendon or North Collingwood, so why should our great name be diluted?

I have never liked North..End of My Rant B) Go Demons B)

Because if North go who do you think will be next on the AFL's hitlist?

North are a good buffer for us.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

Because if North go who do you think will be next on the AFL's hitlist?

North are a good buffer for us.

No they are not-It is this type of attitude that keeps us down. We should be aiming to be a Power Club in Victoria-We represent the city.

North are a Pimple compared to what the MFC should be

I will not buy that wimp attitude.

[titan_uranus 24,917]

They are struggling badly.

We pulled 10,000 more against an interstate club.

They should have expected at least 30,000. I'd be worried if I was them.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Because if North go who do you think will be next on the AFL's hitlist?

North are a good buffer for us.

A near extinct animal?

[Felix 92]

lets see melbourne crowds after a few bad losses in a row. They will not be as bad as North but they will decline. BTW 36,000 for the Brisbane game, minus the 5,000 free tickets to international students and add a few more for friends who decided to turn up with their international mates. Good turn out regardless, but should have been better factoring form and 2 consecutive wins & a 1 point loss.

I remember last year playing either Freo or Adelaide, the fans were not allowed upto the top levels... they actually shut over half the stadium down, and made everyone sit on the lower decks.

[Harry Manback 2]

Not quite true. Second level is accessible to MCC Members through AxcessOne, however, after Saturday I will never purchase tickets into that section EVER again. They were atrocious and the only pocket/bay in the entire ground bathed in sun from the first bounce until the last. Why should I pay $32 for that rubbish?

Now that you mention it I do recall hearing something about that. Might be worth a look next time we are forced to play at that hell of a stadium, here's hoping the roof is shut

[Felix 92]

Now that you mention it I do recall hearing something about that. Might be worth a look next time we are forced to play at that hell of a stadium, here's hoping the roof is shut

Round 14 v St Kilda 4.40pm kick off.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

lets see melbourne crowds after a few bad losses in a row. They will not be as bad as North but they will decline. BTW 36,000 for the Brisbane game, minus the 5,000 free tickets to international students and add a few more for friends who decided to turn up with their international mates. Good turn out regardless, but should have been better factoring form and 2 consecutive wins & a 1 point loss.

I remember last year playing either Freo or Adelaide, the fans were not allowed upto the top levels... they actually shut over half the stadium down, and made everyone sit on the lower decks.

Why should we go backwards? Why think that way? So many MFC supporters are happy this club is small. Lets think with the Glass Half Full and Growing Shall we....Why must we expect small crowds, the reason that has happened is because of sustained sub standard results over the last 46 odd years-But this will Change-This list is the most exciting i have seen.

We were a basket case, but enough people cared and took responsibility & so far we are climbing upwards.

We are going to pull big crowds.

Lets see the attendances of hawthorn games over the next to years, all supporters are Fickle not just Demon Supporters.

Edited May 3, 2010 by why you little

[Felix 92]

Why should we go backwards? Why think that way? So many MFC supporters are happy this club is small. Lets think with the Glass Half Full and Growing Shall we....Why must we expect small crowds, the reason that has happened is because of sustained sub standard results over the last 46 odd years-But this will Change-This list is the most exciting i have seen.

We were a basket case, but enough people cared and took responsibility & so far we are climbing upwards.

We are going to pull big crowds.

Lets see the attendances of hawthorn games over the next to years, all supporters are Fickle not just Demon Supporters.

as much as I would love to see the crowds stay strong, they most likely will not (hoping the opposite). I wish every MFC supporter were like you, then we would have 50,000 to each game they play.

PS- agree about the list, minus 2-3 player.

Edited May 3, 2010 by Sturmmann

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

as much as I would love to see the crowds stay strong, they most likely will not (hoping the opposite). I wish every MFC supporter were like you, then we would have 50,000 to each game they play.

PS- agree about the list, minus 2-3 player.

If our list plays good Footy People will watch it-I have no doubt. Jim Stynes and his team have woken this place up....no doubt

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

What have i missed that will make them an on going concern in Melbourne RR.?? Can North Generate $40-50 mill a year to compete with other clubs?

With their Membership & attendance figures i seriously doubt it.

Go and re read what you quoted me saying and ask how that relates to your change of topic? It does not.

So many MFC supporters are happy this club is small.

Surely you jest.

We were a basket case, but enough people cared and took responsibility & so far we are climbing upwards.

We are going to pull big crowds.

Lets see the attendances of hawthorn games over the next to years, all supporters are Fickle not just Demon Supporters.

Financially we still are a basket case. And we are yet to pull big crowds.

Hawthorn at its most dire would still embarrass MFC.

MFC supporters do take fickleness to a new level.

[jacey 333]

And we are yet to pull big crowds.

Hawthorn at its most dire would still embarrass MFC.

MFC supporters do take fickleness to a new level.

I think MFC fans are fickle but i do believe that there are a lot of closet MFC fans who will jump on the bandwagon in the next few years and i expect a bump up in crowds and i think you are seeing that this year.

41,000 at Richmonds home game. Matched them or had more supporters. 36,000 for a Brissie Match, mostly MFC. 23,000 odd for Crows, mostly MFC. Slight bump up.

2004 Hawthorn

Round 16 v Port Adelaide. MCG. 11682

Round 20 v Brisbane. MCG. 17159

Carlton dragged in sub 15,000 once too at the G. All fans are fickle.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

You clearly have not read the history of the North Melbourne football club.

But why would i want to read the History of the North Melbourne Football Club? I would rather watch concrete dry to be honest.

I do not see your point RR.

We were a basket case, but having cleared $4 mill approx of debt in the past 2 years i think we can say we are at least "well on the way now"

In 1958 over 99,000 people set an attendance record for home and away that still stands between Melbourne & Collingwood. There are a lot of dormant supporters still out there, and a huge potential to sign more if on field success is reached by the MFC. I don't think North Melbourne have that same capability.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

But why would i want to read the History of the North Melbourne Football Club? I would rather watch concrete dry to be honest.

You made the uninformed statement that I quote in Post 23. North outside a couple of years in the 1970s were always a battling club for battlers.

We were a basket case, but having cleared $4 mill approx of debt in the past 2 years i think we can say we are at least "well on the way now"

We only cleared that debt by a tin rattle...not through normal operations. We are still a basket case just that the situation is not as dire as 3 years ago

In 1958 over 99,000 people set an attendance record for home and away that still stands between Melbourne & Collingwood. There are a lot of dormant supporters still out there, and a huge potential to sign more if on field success is reached by the MFC.

Some of them are even dead by now.......

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

You made the uninformed statement that I quote in Post 23. North outside a couple of years in the 1970s were always a battling club for battlers.

We only cleared that debt by a tin rattle...not through normal operations. We are still a basket case just that the situation is not as dire as 3 years ago

Some of them are even dead by now.......

That is exactly why north are going to struggle going forward, they have outlasted their ability to compete in the corporate world-I don't think they can survive going forward past 5-10 years.

Nothing wrong with a tin rattle if it helps clear debt. It's all cash. Putting up a good performance in games like this Friday night are just as important to help our on going growth. I am not sure what you mean by "normal operations" as all ways of collecting revenue are ok by me as long as they are above board.

To call the club a "Basket Case" now is stretching it a little, although i do concede we have a long way to go, and my reference to 1958 is just to remind all of us how populiar we were, & it is possible to get there again if we can have sustained september action.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Nothing wrong with a tin rattle if it helps clear debt. It's all cash.

Its a finite process and eventually unless you have a sustained profitable business model it does not go far.

To call the club a "Basket Case" now is stretching it a little, although i do concede we have a long way to go, and my reference to 1958 is just to remind all of us how populiar we were, & it is possible to get there again if we can have sustained september action.

We are in debt and we dont make a profit. Its stretching it to say otherwise.

And your reference to 1958 was irrelevant and silly to the present. FFS it 52 years ago.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

Its a finite process and eventually unless you have a sustained profitable business model it does not go far.

We are in debt and we dont make a profit. Its stretching it to say otherwise.

And your reference to 1958 was irrelevant and silly to the present. FFS it 52 years ago.

Do you think we have not any business plan in place since 2008? I cannot answer that directly but i would be very suprised. And it may only be a small insight but after following Cameron Schwabs "whiteboard Wednesday" video presentations each week it looks to me that the club is very much looking towards long term sustainability.

who cares if its 52 years ago, it is part of our history and it is attainable to get there again. It is the reason our QB fixture still exists so it is far from irrelevant RR

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Do you think we have not any business plan in place since 2008? I cannot answer that directly but i would be very suprised. And it may only be a small insight but after following Cameron Schwabs "whiteboard Wednesday" video presentations each week it looks to me that the club is very much looking towards long term sustainability.

Do you think we did not have a business plan in place prior to then?

A business plan does not make you immune from financial failure. We are heading in the right direction but we are in very early days.

who cares if its 52 years ago, it is part of our history and it is attainable to get there again. It is the reason our QB fixture still exists so it is far from irrelevant RR

The reason for the QB fixture is Vlad and Eddie. We have only been playing the QBW for about 10 years. You do carp on.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

Do you think we did not have a business plan in place prior to then?

A business plan does not make you immune from financial failure. We are heading in the right direction but we are in very early days.

The reason for the QB fixture is Vlad and Eddie. We have only been playing the QBW for about 10 years. You do carp on.

I am well aware of business practise, and i will say losing the Pokie base about 8 years ago was a major kick we didn't need. I think our major problem back then was that the B & C plans were not ready. So this is what i hope is being addressed now. Many different small plans will get this club firing again.

Yes Vlad & Eddie helped get QB up and running, but the reason they agreed was because of that record attendance in 58 so i don't consider it carp at all!!!!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I am well aware of business practise, and i will say losing the Pokie base about 8 years ago was a major kick we didn't need. I think our major problem back then was that the B & C plans were not ready. So this is what i hope is being addressed now. Many different small plans will get this club firing again.

Yes Vlad & Eddie helped get QB up and running, but the reason they agreed was because of that record attendance in 58 so i don't consider it carp at all!!!!

Pretence without substance.

You dont have a clue what the club had with business plans then or now.

You do remind me of Basil Fawlty. You put your foot in your mouth and then work you darnedest to shove the other foot in as soon as possible.

[Sir Why You Little 36,747]

Pretence without substance.

You dont have a clue what the club had with business plans then or now.

You do remind me of Basil Fawlty. You put your foot in your mouth and then work you darnedest to shove the other foot in as soon as possible.

and you possess more knowledge of MFC business plans RR? I really do not understand why this conversation has gone off track from the Fragility of North Melbourne, Oh that's right you wished that i read the History of such club. Sorry not really interested to be honest. The Red Fox is far more my style.

[Old Gregg 1]

Thank god we're only playing 2 games at Etihad, went there on Saturday and really disliked it. I feel sorry for Essendon, Saints etc

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

and you possess more knowledge of MFC business plans RR? I really do not understand why this conversation has gone off track from the Fragility of North Melbourne, Oh that's right you wished that i read the History of such club. Sorry not really interested to be honest. The Red Fox is far more my style.

I am not the one who raised the business plans. You did and did so incorrectly. Firstly as an argument why we are not a basket case? Secondly you then made a comment about business practice which shows you dont know..you guess. You spout a number of "facts" about things or bring up issues in discussion that are no more than your own imagination getting hold of your own better(?) judgement. I didn't think Red Fox would have enough pictures.

[jnrmac 19,940]

Last year we played Adelaide at the G on a freezing (14deg) Subday afternoon at 4:40pm. We got bagged widely in the media cos we only had 14,400ish.

The previous day at 2pm Sat afternoon in bright sunshine, Geelong played Richmond at Kardinia Park and only had 15,000. Not a word spoken.

The whole crowd thing makes me scream. Perception is reality people and we have to stop the perception we draw small crowds. We may not be able to get 90k (altho we did for the 2000 GF) but we regularly get 60k for QB - a home game against a big drawing team. The draw is stuffed but we cannot let media stereotypes about crowd numbers to flourish.

Edited May 4, 2010 by jnrmac