We need a members Hub thats not tucked away in a backstreet. and not in the bowels of the MCG.

A place we can visit after games, & before team announcements, for draftees/recruits introductions, for watching away games, for dinner, to play, & to entertain.

This is where our affiliation with the 'G' makes us lazy, as some already have these things and most don't.

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Now the Saints are waking up, they need an Inclusive members facility.

They'll make it work via being the home of many footy related organisations facilities.

Saints ponder 're-engaging' Moorabbin

ST KILDA has taken another step towards re-engaging Moorabbin, appointing strategic sports marketing consultants the Gemba Group to develop a feasibility study for their former home ground.

The Saints have secured the support of the City of Kingston for what they describe as a "broad vision for a community sporting hub at Moorabbin Reserve".

As part of this, the Saints have turned to Gemba - the company formerly part-owned by Essendon coach James Hird - to develop a presentation to the Baillieu Government on the "community infrastructure needs."

If given the go-ahead, this multi-million development could mean the Saints would split their training sessions between their new Linen House facility at Seaford and their old ground.

Saints president Greg Westaway said the club was working to redevelop Moorabbin.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/saints-ponder-reengaging-moorabbin-20121205-2auk7.html#ixzz2E8bYp060

I do agree we need a social club. I've been to the Bentleigh Club a couple times and IMO It's a run down pile of crap. You may as well just rock around to my place and watch the footy out on the deck while I cook the barbie & serve up some cold cans it would be a much better experience.

The Club has been working towards this, but rightly has been throwing any excess money at the Footy Dept.

They put on functions at the G all the time

Surely you are not suggesting now we are debt free that we look at purchasing a facility in the inner city, even leasing is costly for a minor example ring one of the bigger pubs in Rchmond, Collingwood etc and ask about leasing a room for the night, you will find out the cost

If you have a viable suggestion send it to the Club, they are always willing to listen

I do agree we need a social club. I've been to the Bentleigh Club a couple times and IMO It's a run down pile of crap. You may as well just rock around to my place and watch the footy out on the deck while I cook the barbie & serve up some cold cans it would be a much better experience.

Whens the first away game Matt?

Yes DL as long as you don't suggest the Elsternwick Hotel. Nobody goes there & there is no parking.

The club is better off hiring out rooms for such events at this stage.

Pubs are going under more now. Licenses and security costs have sky rocketed.

There really should be a place provided bythe club, where supporters could meet have coffee, buy merchandise etc..

It would be ideal if situated close to cbd and training.

Would also be a great marketing tool for the club.

The only ideal spot of a 'Hub' other than the current functions held at the G, IMO would be the AAMI Park Centre. But is it feasible or even possible? I don't know.

Isn't there a facility at AAMI Park which we share with other codes? I thought that we shared facilities there with Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory & Melbourne Rebels? Don't tell me that it does not incorporate social facilities for members of the various clubs in a brand new stadium?

The facilities at AAMi are similar to those at the G, so can't see the difference, assume that the G is used because the Public Liability insurance, security, facilities, food etc are already in place and you don't have to duplicate or source.

Yes but the G does not remain open to MFC members after the match unless they are also MCC members and even then it is only for a short time. Surely something at AAMI would be better than the current alternative of the Hilton?

Whens the first away game Matt?

Haha Your always welcome Jordie

I agree we need somewhere to call home socially.

There is a great pub in the city that we could use as a club and the owners are Melbourne supporters, hey the are even a bronze partner on our sponsors page on the website.

http://wharfhotel.com.au/

The Wharf Hotel sits on the Yarra River opposite the Exhibition Centre just down from crown.

Imagine having a Demon Boat Shuttle Service along the Yarra from the Wharf Hotel to the MCG and back again on game day. On the wharf hotel web page they even offer discounts to MFC members, with a bit of work between the club and the owners I am sure it could be turned into a great location to watch interstate games and a good spot for a beer before and after another Demon victory!

Whilst not located close to the MCG or AAMI park it certainly is more appealing than the Bentleigh Club.

I was in there a few months ago having a beer and they even have Demon pictures up on the walls.

Just a thought!

The facilities at AAMi are similar to those at the G, so can't see the difference, assume that the G is used because the Public Liability insurance, security, facilities, food etc are already in place and you don't have to duplicate or source.

But if there's interstate games (away games) and you want a 'hub' to go to, you can't go to the G if there's another game on.

The idea centres around a Westpac like hub. AAMI is close to training, close to the G, it's central - but like I said I'm not sure if it's feasible or even possible given the other tennants or what is available in the Park centre. I only see it as an idea because it appears convenient in terms of locality, I have no idea of the cost and I assume it would cost in the millions - capital this club doesn't have.

Perhaps there is something planned in the way of a hub with the Docklands project...?

I'm guessing.

The Club has been working towards this, but rightly has been throwing any excess money at the Footy Dept.

They put on functions at the G all the time

Surely you are not suggesting now we are debt free that we look at purchasing a facility in the inner city, even leasing is costly for a minor example ring one of the bigger pubs in Rchmond, Collingwood etc and ask about leasing a room for the night, you will find out the cost

If you have a viable suggestion send it to the Club, they are always willing to listen

I'm suggesting that one of the major reasons we have become a backwater club over the last 40 years, is because we don't look after our supporters in this fashion, with a supporter hub/training complex, as other clubs did like the Carltons & the Bombers, Hawks & the Pies, etc.

Look at the Cats now with their setup they're building. and the Tiges are building.

Just catching up to where we are now isn't enough, as other clubs are bringing the rank & file back supporter back in.

When the world recession hits, & big money is hard to come by, it'll be the ordinary supporter going down to the club who'll make it flourish. And keep the turnstiles clicking.

Grass Roots is everything.

IMO the reason we've struggled to maintain our supporters & grow new, is for this reason, and now its worse since the new Northern stand has taken the club further away & out of touch with supporters.

We have a chance to fix this whilst we're overhauling this termite eaten club.

Lets not stop at the footy dept, because I can tell you, it won't last long when the supporters are getting they're share of consideration.

It's 'OK' for MCC members to think, 'what are they talking about', but there's the problem. It's not OK.

We either need somewhere opposite the Richmond station outside AAMI stadium, or south/east of the MCG. And One place for all. not this place with 3 players visit for 15 minutes. Or that bar over there, where 5 players visit for 20 minutes.

Thats not a club. Thats an organisation.

I agree we need somewhere to call home socially.

There is a great pub in the city that we could use as a club and the owners are Melbourne supporters, hey the are even a bronze partner on our sponsors page on the website.

http://wharfhotel.com.au/

The Wharf Hotel sits on the Yarra River opposite the Exhibition Centre just down from crown.

Imagine having a Demon Boat Shuttle Service along the Yarra from the Wharf Hotel to the MCG and back again on game day. On the wharf hotel web page they even offer discounts to MFC members, with a bit of work between the club and the owners I am sure it could be turned into a great location to watch interstate games and a good spot for a beer before and after another Demon victory!

Whilst not located close to the MCG or AAMI park it certainly is more appealing than the Bentleigh Club.

I was in there a few months ago having a beer and they even have Demon pictures up on the walls.

Just a thought!

We don't need a pub, we need a club.

We don't need a pub, we need a club.

That sells cheap beer ,like a dirty pub .

That sells cheap beer ,like a dirty pub .

doesn't have to be too cheap.

But we need a central hub right next to trains & trams, preferably on a central transport route that gets people there & home with ease. and no drink driving.

It needs, like Windy Hill or Glenferrie had, the training facilities & footy dept offices, & social club.

Watch the guys go thru there paces on training days/nights, see the team announced, be there for special occaisions - recruits or retirements, Lunch after training, etc. should be close to the 'G',,,, or South or South/East.... NOT West.

We are of Eastern Melbourne. Don't relinquish the east end. Or the Tiges, Pies & Hawks will rejoice.

I'm suggesting that one of the major reasons we have become a backwater club over the last 40 years, is because we don't look after our supporters in this fashion, with a supporter hub/training complex, as other clubs did like the Carltons & the Bombers, Hawks & the Pies, etc.

Look at the Cats now with their setup they're building. and the Tiges are building.

Nice point about the Tigers facilities: We let them share our mighty home ground (the MCG) decades ago when we were still the MCC Football Club. I don't know why they cannot return the favour and let us build a smashing Blue and Red club building on the opposite side of their oval? after all > Fair's Fair!

Nice point about the Tigers facilities: We let them share our mighty home ground (the MCG) decades ago when we were still the MCC Football Club. I don't know why they cannot return the favour and let us build a smashing Blue and Red club building on the opposite side of their oval? after all > Fair's Fair!

HaHaHa, would that be nice, to have that piece of footy real estate. They have the prime position for all facilities.

We must build something over @ Swan Rd, outside the (AAMI centre) across from the station. To me its the only hope. Don't listen to Rob Doyle & go west. we'll be paired up with the Doggies or Roos. Doyle is just going down one station at a time. He'll go Open Misère, soon enough.

Our spiritual home is the MCG. We well know that other clubs grew to of suburbs while we grew out of our ground. Any social club should be built into the MCG, accessible from outside the ground outside of game time.

Nice point about the Tigers facilities: We let them share our mighty home ground (the MCG) decades ago when we were still the MCC Football Club. I don't know why they cannot return the favour and let us build a smashing Blue and Red club building on the opposite side of their oval? after all > Fair's Fair!

Might buy a tigers membership if that gets me in.

Good spot for after the G games

Can you imagine fronting up with your red and blue scarf after we thrash them next year!

Our spiritual home is the MCG. We well know that other clubs grew to of suburbs while we grew out of our ground. Any social club should be built into the MCG, accessible from outside the ground outside of game time.

Will not happen mate.

I think you will find it is against the regulations the MCC operates under.

The big mistake the MFC made was years ago not buying the Pub next to the Now Hilton.

Was going for very little.

But like a lot at the MFC that is ancient history

Watch this space...........

Was just sitting next to Matthew Green – Chief Operations Officer, Ben Groom - General Manager - Strategy, Tom Parker - Strategic Relationship Manager on my flight back from Sydney, fancy that.

A Dees social club is high on the priority list and it was talked about most of the flight with some ideas of places. Unfortunately my lips are sealed as to where but the club is being active in this area.

They are up here to also do the Kakadu Trek with some business partners.

Watch this space...........

Was just sitting next to Matthew Green – Chief Operations Officer, Ben Groom - General Manager - Strategy, Tom Parker - Strategic Relationship Manager on my flight back from Sydney, fancy that.

A Dees social club is high on the priority list and it was talked about most of the flight with some ideas of places. Unfortunately my lips are sealed as to where but the club is being active in this area.

They are up here to also do the Kakadu Trek with some business partners.

I reckon the Wharf Hotel suggestion above is a good one if you happen to discuss it any further with the MFC dudes.

I reckon the Wharf Hotel suggestion above is a good one if you happen to discuss it any further with the MFC dudes.

Having been to the Wharf twice i will say this.

It is a cold place if you are outside by the river even in summer.

It is hard to get a taxi from there, i had to walk to the casino to find one.

Personally i feel we can find a better place.

I would not use it regularly...