Image over substance

[Guest]

With all this talk of a 'theme song' for the boys to run out too, it got me thinking of what was said by the players in the Andrews report. For those of you who don't know, the report outlined player concerns which involved being used as pawns in intra club politics to being involved in an organization that valued style over substance (this being what I will focus on).

To be honest, having a song at the start of the match doesn't grate on me all that much if it is looked at in isolation. What does annoy me is the bigger picture of how the club has marketed itself in the last 3 years. We (by we, I mean mostly Cameron Schwab) rabbit on and on about our history, the important numbers at the club and what it means to be a Melbourne supporter. We have gotten a pretty new logo that incorporates all the historical [censored] outlined above. We have a 'blood red and true navy' guernsey that makes us look like the teams of the 30's through the 60's. The team wears private school blazers to official functions and on match days (one wonders where the straw hats, shorts and knee high socks are that go with the blazer). We have a bloke dressed up like the third incarnation of Doctor Who who comes out onto the ground to blow his trombone to the delight of absolutely nobody. We had a frigging marching band leading us out on Round 1 2012. Now, we will have theme music to come onto the G. God help us when they finally reveal it is Brother Can You Spare A Dime? by Al Jolson.

It seems to me that some sections of the club have too greater a focus on our past and an implicit acceptance that the future will be rosy regardless of our effort or endeavor. Some may say that this is only marketing but I get the feel that this mindset might be more representative of the club than one may think. I get the feeling that the coaching staff and some of the players aren't buying into this attitude but the message from the top 'We HAD a great run in the '50's!' is depressing.

Fire away.

[PartyTimeJohnny 537]

The Media Team are required to create a certain amount of Visual and Audio entertainment before each game.

They are asking the fans to pick songs that they think would suit.

They are not asking the players to perform the song.

Jesus

[Bossdog 2,002]

The AFL has instucted that all clubs provide a song......I think that it just cheapens the game.......Too much like 'American Sports that have to have the razzamatazz to make their sports watchable........Col, take it up with the AFL not the MFC....

[stuie 7,374]

Gee you must think you're really important Colin. There is a thread discussing the theme songs concept, just because you want to post about it doesn't mean we need a new thread about it just based on your opinion and your OBVIOUS anti-Schwab agenda.

We are a business, not just a footy team, catch up mate you're rambling on about the focus on the past while you're mindset seems firmly stuck there yourself.

[beelzebub 23,383]

epic fail of a thread

[DeeZee 7,445]

All i see here is whinging.

I think the club has done a pretty good job in marketing our brand.

I love the new logo, the jumper, the First amd Forever campaign.

The Blazers I can give or take, but youve got to have some sort of marketing program to promote the club.

You camt please 100 % of the supporters 100% of the time.

After it was stated a couple of years ago that the MFC doesnt stand for anything, we are trying to dispel that myth, with some strong facts about our history, which we include in the marketing campaign.

Untill we can create some of our own modern history, of which im sure we will take advantage of when our time comes.

[DemonWA 3,936]

The AFL has instucted that all clubs provide a song......I think that it just cheapens the game.......Too much like 'American Sports that have to have the razzamatazz to make their sports watchable........Col, take it up with the AFL not the MFC....

Agreed, before long the AFL will start to have organs playing the baby elephant song and fans will chant D-fence when the ball is in defensive 50....

F#ck that!

[Left Field 313]

Ummm.

Would you prefer we build a marketing campaign based on the achievements of the last 48 years?

Maybe we could do that. How about we brand some red and blue havana's i.e. "not close and no cigar"!

Might have some historical value and surely that'll attract some new members???

[dee-luded 2,959]

With all this talk of a 'theme song' for the boys to run out too, it got me thinking of what was said by the players in the Andrews report. For those of you who don't know, the report outlined player concerns which involved being used as pawns in intra club politics to being involved in an organization that valued style over substance (this being what I will focus on).

To be honest, having a song at the start of the match doesn't grate on me all that much if it is looked at in isolation. What does annoy me is the bigger picture of how the club has marketed itself in the last 3 years. We (by we, I mean mostly Cameron Schwab) rabbit on and on about our history, the important numbers at the club and what it means to be a Melbourne supporter. We have gotten a pretty new logo that incorporates all the historical [censored] outlined above. We have a 'blood red and true navy' guernsey that makes us look like the teams of the 30's through the 60's. The team wears private school blazers to official functions and on match days (one wonders where the straw hats, shorts and knee high socks are that go with the blazer). We have a bloke dressed up like the third incarnation of Doctor Who who comes out onto the ground to blow his trombone to the delight of absolutely nobody. We had a frigging marching band leading us out on Round 1 2012. Now, we will have theme music to come onto the G. God help us when they finally reveal it is Brother Can You Spare A Dime? by Al Jolson.

It seems to me that some sections of the club have too greater a focus on our past and an implicit acceptance that the future will be rosy regardless of our effort or endeavor. Some may say that this is only marketing but I get the feel that this mindset might be more representative of the club than one may think. I get the feeling that the coaching staff and some of the players aren't buying into this attitude but the message from the top 'We HAD a great run in the '50's!' is depressing.

Fire away.

Vlad asked the question a year or 2 back, what does the MFC stand for. to me this was directed at us onfield, & off field.

the lack of passion exhibited.

I think the shield is fantastic, & I'm not a formality type, but this shield is classy & shows our long heritage, which is something to be proud of.

The Blazers, so what, its not a big deal as long as they don't wear them in public.

To me I like the things Cam has done by and large,,, except we must open the club up more to the supporters, as Jimma said remove the stuffiness.

An emotive Song/Music Pre Players entry to the Arena is good...

...just as long as they dont flood us at every empty moment of think time. I do not want to be audibly & mentally harassed by the AFL...

get rid of the bloody blazered bunggler...

[Guest]

Gee you must think you're really important Colin. There is a thread discussing the theme songs concept, just because you want to post about it doesn't mean we need a new thread about it just based on your opinion and your OBVIOUS anti-Schwab agenda.

We are a business, not just a footy team, catch up mate you're rambling on about the focus on the past while you're mindset seems firmly stuck there yourself.

Cameron should really be shaking in his boots because of this thread. Quite clearly a punter sitting behind his lap top brandishing his vicious agenda will surely bring him down.

By the way, I think CS has done a good job in getting sponsors and reducing debt. I don't like his history fetish when it comes to marketing the club. That is what this thread is about. Not just the theme song.

[Chook 15,022]

The only things I care about when it comes to Melbourne are 1) winning games, 2) having a good jumper, and 3) being called the Demons. Anything else is completely uninteresting to me.

[dpositive 1,684]

The diversity of opinions expressed reflects the value of the proposal

History is important. You learn from past experience. Dont repeat mistakes and replicate success.

Of course you must modify to adjust to changed circumstances.

The blazers are just a tool to indicate unity and can appear quite substantive and intimidatory (poerful) in a group presentation

the boater and sockds not adopted would diminish both these appearances as linked (historically) to school boy appearance.

The trombonist not universally acepted? Correct. The fact that supporters are being engaged to find an alternative is however a reflection of the above and a progressive move. We have learnt from this introduction and now trying to improve. This is an AFL directive??? so better to comply with something that is more universally accepted.

I like many do not like the US model and am uncertain of exactly what we should have. I have a very eclectic taste and have been personally inspired by some music I hesitate to impose my views on others though and wonder what the purpose of this is.

Personally I would love something like the anthemic "Treaty" (Yothu Yindi) as it has an intensity that is unique and inspirational. Wether this fits with the aim of the idea is unknown.

Music expression varies rapidly, Classic, traditional, popular. electronic, god even hip hop can be inspirational and emotive. As the club has some fantastic musicians in its supporter base I would like to hear their opinions and would be likely to support them. David Bridie has excellent credentials.

The purpose is important and I would prefer we identify this as entertainment, and allow some flexibility to be applied, perhaps we could even have a selection each week from a supporter and acknowl;edge this on the scoreboard. This provides and recognises our clubs diversity, involvement and transparency, while not weakening our marketing brand. our passion and our history.

Thanks Col and others for making me think.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I agree with you title intent, that 'Image', Should NOT be above substance!

We should stand for something! And we should be Inclusive, (less Stuffy & formal) as Jimma wanted.

But stuffiness isn't about a blazer worn to occasions. stuffiness is about being 'stayed', in the past glories & being snobby & elitist in incest-ual type attitudes of were right jack, you an bugger off.

The MCC gates closed, shutting out supporters from contact with the players on gameday, before or after the games is one such move away from inclusiveness.

having a long history & winning heritage isn't a problem, nor is proudly displaying these achievements, but letting arrogance grow out of them like a fungus on an Orange, is a big worry & is the start of the rot. & exclusiveness is a part of this. shutting the club off is an introverted protectionism. goes nowhere but down.

Jimma had a dream, an inclusive club. I also share the dream. Of a warm & welcoming club, a loving tolerant club, but fierce in its desire to defend its ways on the field of battle... fág an bealach.

[Freddy Fuschia 747]

With all this talk of a 'theme song' for the boys to run out too, it got me thinking of what was said by the players in the Andrews report. For those of you who don't know, the report outlined player concerns which involved being used as pawns in intra club politics to being involved in an organization that valued style over substance (this being what I will focus on).

Do you have a link to this Andrews Report?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I agree that there's too much glamorising and new material things trying to hide the fact that we are (or were) playing dreadful footy.

The players should be in control to drive a culture shift. The players aren't going to play any better wearing a different shade of red or blue, and I'm sure they aren't thinking about the 50s during final quarter fade outs.

[old dee 23,872]

I agree that there's too much glamorising and new material things trying to hide the fact that we are (or were) playing dreadful footy.

The players should be in control to drive a culture shift. The players aren't going to play any better wearing a different shade of red or blue, and I'm sure they aren't thinking about the 50s during final quarter fade outs.

I would have been happy in 2012 if we were having final quarter fad outs, the majority of last season's games were over at quarter time.

Just seems to me they were not good enough, so it would not have mattered what they were thinking.

[old dee 23,872]

All i see here is whinging.

I think the club has done a pretty good job in marketing our brand.

I love the new logo, the jumper, the First amd Forever campaign.

The Blazers I can give or take, but youve got to have some sort of marketing program to promote the club.

You camt please 100 % of the supporters 100% of the time.

After it was stated a couple of years ago that the MFC doesnt stand for anything, we are trying to dispel that myth, with some strong facts about our history, which we include in the marketing campaign.

Untill we can create some of our own modern history, of which im sure we will take advantage of when our time comes.

Freudian slip there DeeZee?

[monoccular 17,574]

The Media Team are required to create a certain amount of Visual and Audio entertainment before each game.

They are asking the fans to pick songs that they think would suit.

They are not asking the players to perform the song.

Jesus

Well have they ever thought of asking us mugs in the stands if we would maybe prefer to have a bit of peace and quiet, after the club songs as the teams run out of course, to just have a chance to talk and banter with those around us, old friends, new friends and "sparring partners"?

How boring do the powers that be think it is - it is not when one can converse; it is when one can't even hear oneself think.

If / when it turns into NBL or NFL with blaring crap and cheerleaders I will head back to VFL or VAFL to again enjoy the wonderful game of footy.

AFL - how about a plebicite?

Edited January 13, 2013 by monoccular

[Guest]

The thread itself isn't about theme music as such. It's about the club's focus on the past in marketing itself and the wankiness that brings. There is already a thread about the theme music.

[Guest José Mourinho]

Speaking of image and substance...

I saw a "decorated" recent Brownlow medallist out at 4am in Sorrento last night.

He didn't appear to be drinking, but also was in no state to hold a conversation.

Some would term it "white line fever".

The name "Ben Cousins" came to mind, and it looks like this bloke is quickly heading down a similar path.

It seems not everything Caro writes is wide of the mark...

[Biffen 12,947]

So Swan is a train wreck?

Good-let that simmer over the year.

Why do bogans want to go to the polo?That is the most disturbing thing.

Is it better to be drunk at 10pm or still charging at 4am?

Seems so wholesome to be at the cricket drinking beer on Boxing day now doesn't it?

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,909]

Is this thread cryptically and subliminally suggesting 'Swan Lake' as our song?

[DeeZee 7,445]

Freudian slip there DeeZee?

Well picked up Old Dee!

[old dee 23,872]

Well picked up Old Dee!

The brain has not totally failed yet mate!

[jnrmac 20,186]

the club has to do a range of marketing initiatives as outlined above in order to satisfy sponsors supporters and grow their brand in a competeive market. this is made incredibly more difficult when on and off field trou les are so bad.

the Andrews report highlights the joke in all of this and that is the players responsibily and performance. our club 'leaders' have performed abysmally in the past 3 yrs. from training habits to on field accountability. truly disgraceful. for them to stating their unease withe operations of the club shows that the lunatics were runni g the asylum.

thank God for Neeld. dont know whether he can coach or not but his ruthlessness about player expectations and elite habits isa breath of fresh air and desperately needed by our club. we wont die wondering under him and i am thrilled we appear to be finally developing a work ethic that is what we expect of professional athletes.