I don't think that Demetriou will ever 'kill' clubs off - hence the funds that are available to struggling clubs. He is well aware of the cultural and spiritual loss that happened with the demise of Fitzroy.

Having said that, I think he's happy for some club/s to relocate.

Yes, but if a club does not agree to relocate what happens then?

North were given a chance. Now they are going to stay out in the cold. Brayshaw has tried but ultimately not achieved much apart from setting up Hobart games. (moving out of Victoria)

Yes, but if a club does not agree to relocate what happens then?

North were given a chance. Now they are going to stay out in the cold. Brayshaw has tried but ultimately not achieved much apart from setting up Hobart games. (moving out of Victoria)

I suppose they'll rely on hand outs and the draft.....this process will take a long time and if Demetriou doesn't stay, several lowly clubs will be nervous.

I suppose they'll rely on hand outs and the draft.....this process will take a long time and if Demetriou doesn't stay, several lowly clubs will be nervous.

Relying on handouts & the draft will not help the small clubs...We should know that. How active are the Nought spporters...really??

I hear a lot whinge on the radio, but how far do they open their wallets?

I will be watching them closely this year. Foxtel & 7 will be doing the same. Selling advertising during a Kangaroo broadcast will not be easy.

I bring this up every time we regurgitate our feelings about The Merger © - Those against the merger wanted to ensure the future of the MFC, those for the merger wanted to eat Hawthorn whole (as Mike Sheahan once wrote) and ensure the future of the MFC.

Both sides of this mess were righteous and doing what they thought was best for the long term survival of the MFC.

Fin.

I bring this up every time we regurgitate our feelings about The Merger © - Those against the merger wanted to ensure the future of the MFC, those for the merger wanted to eat Hawthorn whole (as Mike Sheahan once wrote) and ensure the future of the MFC.

Both sides of this mess were righteous and doing what they thought was best for the long term survival of the MFC.

Fin.

But a Merger/take over of Hawthorn would mean the death of the MFC as we know it. There is no hiding from that. If Ridley & Guest had engaged the supporters in the same wayJimma did the whole mess would have been averted.

Who would still be supporting a Melbourne Hawks in 2012? Bugger all people i suspect.

Opposition supporters & the media would still be firing pot shots of disdain at the "new" club. After '87 & '88 i could never even look at Brown & Gold on my Jumper. What were they thinking??

Relying on handouts & the draft will not help the small clubs...We should know that. How active are the Nought spporters...really??

I hear a lot whinge on the radio, but how far do they open their wallets?

I will be watching them closely this year. Foxtel & 7 will be doing the same. Selling advertising during a Kangaroo broadcast will not be easy.

I actually believe they've got some magnificent players - having said that, historically, they haven't had a big following even in their premiership years.

If a new CEO happens soon, the agenda may change, thus I fear the worst for a couple of Victorian clubs.

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by jumbo returns

I bring this up every time we regurgitate our feelings about The Merger © - Those against the merger wanted to ensure the future of the MFC, those for the merger wanted to eat Hawthorn whole (as Mike Sheahan once wrote) and ensure the future of the MFC.

Both sides of this mess were righteous and doing what they thought was best for the long term survival of the MFC.

Fin.

But it was the "process" ( for want of a better word ) that was the real issue . Most people I know have/had no idea about the 'proxy' vote situation .

And the sad bit is that a lot of Demon fans believe that the 'rank and file' members voted for the merger .

Just ask anyone whether our club voted itself out of existence . There's an excellent chance they will come back with the answer of 'Yes' . But .......there's an almost equal chance that there will be no mention of 'proxy votes'

Sheahan is there to sell newspapers . As you no doubt know , often the truth gets lost when this endeavor is embarked upon .

Fin ? not yet .

Cheers .

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by Macca

I don't think that Demetriou will ever 'kill' clubs off - hence the funds that are available to struggling clubs. He is well aware of the cultural and spiritual loss that happened with the demise of Fitzroy.

Having said that, I think he's happy for some club/s to relocate.

That being the case, why do think he tried hard to sell his own club - North - up the river to Queensland ? Demetriou doesn't care about Melbourne clubs rather he cares about himself and his salary package, first class pr1ck !

I don't know alot of the politics with the Lions gsmith, but I too have a friend who loved Fitzroy, was a member, went every week right to the their death. Watching them being slaughtered each week was better than not watching them at all. She now follows Richmond buf isn't bothered too much by AFL

The fact with the Roos is they are here to stay for the next 5 yrs. The TV rights dictate that. The Dees are not out of the woods as our turn over is around 30 million less than The Pies. Yes the current board and admin dept are doing well, but generating income is still a struggle in comparison to the rich clubs.

I wouldn't get too cocky just yet. We now have a 1.8 million dollar debt. It took 30 years to get rid of the last debt. Footy clubs can't rely on fundraising to pay the bills too much. If at all

" She now follows Richmond" Poor choice but I sympathise with her and wish her well.

That being the case, why do think he tried hard to sell his own club - North - up the river to Queensland ? Demetriou doesn't care about Melbourne clubs rather he cares about himself and his salary package, first class pr1ck !

My feelings towards Demetriou are quite ambivalent - I did say that he was happy to relocate. That, I think, is better than a grand old club like Fitzroy that was swallowed up.

" She now follows Richmond" Poor choice but I sympathise with her and wish her well.

It's funny , nearly all the Fitzroy fans I know , now follow Brisbane . And in most cases they get to see their team on tele every week . Seeing them live is a different story of course .

I view it as I view all our fans/members who live permanently interstate or overseas . Many are on this site . Good luck to them .

There are millions of fanatical fans of various sporting clubs around the world who never get to see their team 'live' . Many fork out the dosh for memberships .

But .......it must be a gut wrenching thing to come to terms with your club relocating 'interstate' . I hope North get to stay in Victoria forever .

Cheers

Fin ? not yet .

It's over.

Whatever someone thinks about Ridley/Gutnick/Dixon/Whoever.

It is over.

Are we still fractured from it - yes, if people still think it isn't over.

Moving on.

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by rpfc

It's over.

Whatever someone thinks about Ridley/Gutnick/Dixon/Whoever.

It is over.

Are we still fractured from it - yes, if people still think it isn't over.

Moving on.

You and I are talking about different issues surrounding the same subject matter .

You're talking about the stance that each side took . I'm talking about the process of getting the vote through .

Happy to move on by the way , but not on how our fans were made to look disloyal .

Cheers

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by Macca

" She now follows Richmond" Poor choice but I sympathise with her and wish her well.

YEP, sad choice. But her hubby and son barracked for the toigs. I tried to lead her to the light, but she turned to the dark side.

It's over.

Whatever someone thinks about Ridley/Gutnick/Dixon/Whoever.

It is over.

Are we still fractured from it - yes, if people still think it isn't over.

Moving on.

No i must disagree. We supporters & club are not fractured at all over this old issue. If the merger had gone ahead then there would have still been deep fractures, that i don't think would ever have healed.

Jom Stynes was able to unite the club and attract record membership along with debt demolition.

Having a view on the 96 merger does not equate to it still existing.