A few thoughts - Cameron Schwab

[1858 224]

It's genuinely encouraging to hear how well the FD is gelling - one club is pivotal going forward.

Thanks both to Cam Schwab for his time and to Demonland for providing us this platform to connect with the club and each other.

[H_T 2,941]

It's genuinely encouraging to hear how well the FD is gelling - one club is pivotal going forward.

Thanks both to Cam Schwab for his time and to Demonland for providing us this platform to connect with the club and each other.

Well said. I echo those sentiments.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Completly off topic and most likely won't get read but I remember a few years back one of our very own demonland posters came up with a fashion range as part of a uni assignment from memory I thought the designs and concept was fantastic, from memory the person was going to take them too the club? Any how my querie being the fashion line, it's gotten better over the years but there is so much more that can be done I for one and recall many others would love to purchase more fashion MFC branded gear but it's very limited and basic. Food for thought.

[sylvias dukes 9]

Thanks for the comments Cam. I rarely comment on Demonland rather casually browse through whilst at uni. I enjoy the corporate side of the work you have done for the club. Energy Watch and this apparent new looming sponsorship has demonstrated that the club now seems to have created an efficient business module. This is your job and kudos for being successful. However, what is not your job is becoming involved in football matters. This is for the football department.

Last year it was widely reported that there had been a rift between you and the players, in particularly the leadership group. Prior to the Geelong debacle esteemed football writer Caroline Wilson said you were to be sacked and the decision was essentially complete.

We all know what happened that day and the bullet that was heading your way found its way towards Bailey, which in my opinion was long overdue. I don’t confess to know all that goes on behind the scenes but this kind of rubbish does not occur at other clubs.

I assume the leadership group who petitioned to remove you for what they deemed was excessive interference contained our top two finishers in the b n f (Moloney and Rivers), Green, and Davey who were all dumped from the leadership group recently. I say this because I read that the selection of the leadership group included the coaching group, the players, and the administration. Did you therefore have any input into the leadership of the club which is widely perceived as a joke?

[dee-luded 2,958]

Re: blazers

When I first saw them I wasn't sold. I instantly thought that it reaffirmed all those negative stereotypes regarding our club.

Then I watched John Beckwith, Hassa Mann and RDB.

It contextualised the blazer they gave it meaning they brought it to life. Particularly John Beckwith and his association with Harold Ball.

The emotion, reverance and respect these guys showed the blazer it simply illustrated why it's so important this be a rekindled tradition.

We are so lucky to have these heroes. I now know the reverance and respect the blazer deserves thanks very much.

Can we please interview them more I find their stories to be utterly fascinating.

Thanks to DeeTV when I watch those interviews I want the world to know this is why I'm a demon.

True Heroes are Humble.

Not Pompous..... Being Pompous is Not what Our club is about. It's a stench that can creep in when your not watching for it. And it's decaying & degrading of Our culture.

IMO our culture should be, and would be like the characters of past Eras players & recent Heroes like Jimma, Norm Smith, Robbie Flower, Jim Cardwell (sec), Sean Wight, Stuart Spencer, Stan Alves, Ray Biffen, Checker Hughes, Hassa Mann, Bluey Adams etc...

And so it seems to be that Young Grimes & TrenGove, are the natural ones to take Us forward with a quiet power, determined by self belief & Hard work ethic. And a BrotherHood that some cannot match up to.

Edited March 19, 2012 by dee-luded

[Go the Biff 3,194]

Completly off topic and most likely won't get read but I remember a few years back one of our very own demonland posters came up with a fashion range as part of a uni assignment from memory I thought the designs and concept was fantastic, from memory the person was going to take them too the club? Any how my querie being the fashion line, it's gotten better over the years but there is so much more that can be done I for one and recall many others would love to purchase more fashion MFC branded gear but it's very limited and basic. Food for thought.

That was Jaded. She came up with some really good stuff

[Jaded No More 58,821]

That was Jaded. She came up with some really good stuff

Thanks.

I met with the club and gave them a folder full of design and development ideas.

I'm not sure what took place since, but I have noticed a vast improvement in our range and a much bigger selection of 'heritage' inspired sportswear.

If the club ever needed more help in expending the merchandising range, I'd be more than happy to land a hand. God knows I could use an occasional break from living, breathing and dreaming about womenswear.

[Flemo56 383]

Thanks Cam & please keep up the great work.

And to all of us on dland, it's great to no we are heard ain't it, thanks Andy & helpers, keep up the good work!

[Robbie57 1,995]

Watched all the videos on DeeTV last night.

Now whether you like history, Cams style or think its corny one thing came through very strongly, our Board, staff and footy department are one eyed and committed to making it great.

They are building an elite culture through the club "with elite compiance" and I reckon we as supporters might adopt a bit of that elite compliance.

Thanks to Cam, Don and Mark.

[Dinosaur Rover 197]

More strength to your arm and thanks for contributing to this forum.

I love the passion on display here but sometimes it gets out of hand.

[Little Goffy 12,764]

Thanks Cameron for taking the time to give us a personal update.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

thanks for the updates cam is there any chance you can make sure Sam Blease plays every week? I have a slab on him winning the B&F with a mate.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

thanks for the updates cam is there any chance you can make sure Sam Blease plays every week? I have a slab on him winning the B&F with a mate.

You must've dranken a slab before making that bet!

[nutbean 8,837]

Thanks.

I met with the club and gave them a folder full of design and development ideas.

I'm not sure what took place since, but I have noticed a vast improvement in our range and a much bigger selection of 'heritage' inspired sportswear.

If the club ever needed more help in expending the merchandising range, I'd be more than happy to land a hand. God knows I could use an occasional break from living, breathing and dreaming about womenswear.

I'm in ragtrade and understand the limitations in the range and the expensive price tags on what is on offer. With the limited market it is difficult to get volume across a wide expanse of styles.

[Arrow 1,257]

thanks for the updates cam is there any chance you can make sure Sam Blease plays every week? I have a slab on him winning the B&F with a mate.

Pay him now and cover you're losses Cowboy. I'll buy you 5 if he wins.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

You must've dranken a slab before making that bet!

Yes drinks were consumed before the bet that's for sure.

Pay him now and cover you're losses Cowboy. I'll buy you 5 if he wins.

I still have some faith that blease will be ok we haven't seen the best of him. I have another slab on St.Kilda finishing lower then us with the same mate so I might be dead even at the end of the year.

[Guest Thomo]

Second Major Sponsor: One thing I can say - I'm glad some of you guys aren't negotiating contracts on our behalf! We have explained the strategic importance of the sponsorship 'property' and we will do a deal when the deal is right, and by strategic we mean long term and having a significance beyond the revenue itself. We have locked away some very important deals over the last few years (in particular EnergyWatch) that now underpin our sponsorship revenue, and we have a number of contingencies from both a revenue and cost perspective in the event that we don't achieve our preferred outcome. We will not compromise the value by agreeing to a sub-optimal long term deal because of external or perceived time pressures. In the meantime, we proudly wear the Reach Logo on our jumpers.

Thanks Cam for taking the time to address these issues.

In regard to the FOJ sponsor, all you have said is that MFC don't have one and do not want to give the space away cheaply. You also made a crack about being glad that some on here are not negotiating on behalf of the club.

None of this addresses the fact that we do not have a sponsor, and the reasons why 16 other clubs (I believe Port are in the same boat) have their sponsorship arrangements locked away, but MFC are lagging behind. Why are other clubs able to do what MFC is not? There is also a poor recent history of gaining and retaining sponsors at MFC. What actions have been taken to address this weakness within the organisation? Maybe you should be looking elsewhere for someone to negotiate with potential sponsors on behalf of the club, because clearly there is currently a problem in that area.

You mention "we have a number of contingencies from both a revenue and cost perspective in the event that we don't achieve our preferred outcome". This is concerning to me, what areas of spending are you looking to cut back in? I think you have done a fantastic job at pumping more funding into the football department, it is noticeable in the number of coaches the club has, I would hate to see this stripped away with the potential cost cutting.

Again, Thanks for the feedback.

[Swooper 251]

To Biff and Jaded,

I have a custom made shirt business and have at times thought of the idea of having various styles of red & blue themed shirts for those who don't want the full MFC branded apparel at games, but rather something subtle that shows ones allegiance.

Name each style after some great of the recent era - like the Duursma et al. All proceeds to go the the Foundation or some similar Footy Dept initiative. Anyway, just a thought and certainly not wanting to peddle my own wares. Interested in what others might think.

[dpositive 1,557]

Great post

Thanks Cam and excellent contributions by all

Very positive

Go Dees

[praha 10,329]

OP lacks major sponsor announcement. I am not going to repeat what Thomo said above. He pretty much summed up any queries I had.

Regarding the dinner, I thought it sounded and looked great. I wasn't there, but loved the look of the blazers. Really love them.

[demon3165 2,025]

Thanks Cam for taking the time to address these issues.

In regard to the FOJ sponsor, all you have said is that MFC don't have one and do not want to give the space away cheaply. You also made a crack about being glad that some on here are not negotiating on behalf of the club.

None of this addresses the fact that we do not have a sponsor, and the reasons why 16 other clubs (I believe Port are in the same boat) have their sponsorship arrangements locked away, but MFC are lagging behind. Why are other clubs able to do what MFC is not? There is also a poor recent history of gaining and retaining sponsors at MFC. What actions have been taken to address this weakness within the organisation? Maybe you should be looking elsewhere for someone to negotiate with potential sponsors on behalf of the club, because clearly there is currently a problem in that area.

You mention "we have a number of contingencies from both a revenue and cost perspective in the event that we don't achieve our preferred outcome". This is concerning to me, what areas of spending are you looking to cut back in? I think you have done a fantastic job at pumping more funding into the football department, it is noticeable in the number of coaches the club has, I would hate to see this stripped away with the potential cost cutting.

Again, Thanks for the feedback.

Ever thought you have no idea what you are talking about, the man has come on here and explained the position of the club, ever so simply , you are stating to become the Andrew Bolt of the MFC just going on and on with the same thing.

[praha 10,329]

Ever thought you have no idea what you are talking about, the man has come on here and explained the position of the club, ever so simply , you are stating to become the Andrew Bolt of the MFC just going on and on with the same thing.

I think he raises some legitimate questions. I don't think he is attacking Cam in any capacity, and I am sure what Thomo has put forward is nothing compared to what Cameron deals with on a daily basis.

I do appreciate Cam coming forward with this post though. I truly am grateful for that, that he at least provided some commentary.

[Arrow 1,257]

Ever thought you have no idea what you are talking about, the man has come on here and explained the position of the club, ever so simply , you are stating to become the Andrew Bolt of the MFC just going on and on with the same thing.

Demon31 just because you choose to disagree doesn't make Thomo's points wrong.

I'm not as critical as him but I too am confused about the sponsorship.

We're not exactly packed full of money and can afford to sit back with no sponsor. I really like Cam and I trust he is doing the right thing for the club but his comment didn't really answer any questions. He just said we're waiting for the right one.. Well I've been waiting for the Jessica Alba to knock on my front door doing a naked crab walk for 20 years, sometimes you just need to take what you can get.

[demon3165 2,025]

What is confusing about what he Cam said, he has explained the clubs position and that is it, what are you or any other supporter are going to do to change it, I will tell you nothing, so what is the point of going on and on about it. When the balance sheet come in then one can go to the AGM and vent their spleen until then we have to trust the club.

[bing181 8,208]

sometimes you just need to take what you can get.

That's exactly the attitude we're trying to change around the club I believe.

Hold the line Cam, don't settle for "close enough is good enough". As was explained in the OP, it's not about getting a FOJ sponsor. It's about getting the RIGHT FOJ sponsor.

Not an issue.