Melbourne Football Club – The next South Sydney??

I watched in utter bewilderment the AFL Round 1 encounter between Port Adelaide Football Club and the Melbourne Football at the MCG in late March 2012. My dismay was not the result, but the way the result was garnered.

Hoping (against hope) that it was an aberration, I eagerly tuned in on digital TV to watch the Round 2 encounter between the ‘Dees and the Dons. To my utter amazement, the story was getting worse…..

I have often thought to myself about the glory years at MFC and how they relate to the modern day supporter. In essence, and in truth, there would be very few current supporters that have witnessed those glory days, particularly the 1950’s and the start of the 1960’s, that would have those memories in the forefront of their mind as a picture of what this old club actually stands for today. So in the absence of that period of success, it’s hard to know exactly what we do stand for, after all it been a pretty barren 50 odd years.

As far as I am aware (and I purposely did not research this in serious depth to avoid spending considerable and somewhat unnecessary time on this post when I feel as low as I do about this club), our period of success, the “golden years” of the MFC, were a product of a different era and a strategic alignment with one of the most significant sporting organizations in Victoria, if not Australia, the Melbourne Cricket Club. However we cut the story now, that alignment is vastly different (if really alive at all).

It’s fair to say the modern day supporter of Melbourne has gone through a period of serious stress and strain. While there have been moments of elation and pride, there have been some incredibly drawn out periods of despair and complete befuddlement. Where the club finds itself right now is of most concern to me however.

In coming to terms with a game they play up my way I was forced to try and understand the history and fabric of the National Rugby League. I stumbled on the story of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and saw many a parallel between it as a sporting organisation and the MFC. For those not in the know, Souths are the oldest club in the NRL. A sporting franchise with a tremendous pedigree of success in the 1950’s and then again in the 1960’s and 1970’s. But past this point, the historical glue that held them together, started to be strained by the professionalism of sport and the new found attitude that history means naught on match day, and history is no precursor to success without hard-work and constant adaption to the changing environment that is sport.

In 1999, Souths were excluded from the National Rugby League (post the super league debacle) on (mainly) grounds of financial incapacity and a sustained history of poor performance. What followed was an unbelievable story of determination and supporter passion. For two years the club rallied its supporters and fought tooth and nail to be readmitted to the league. A rally of over 100,000 ordinary supporters in the street of Redfern demonstrated how passionate this group of people were and after a protracted legal fight were re-admitted into the 2002 season.

So why do I see parallels between the Dees and the Bunnies? Both are the oldest clubs in their sports. Both had the benefit of successful eras which were the envy of their rivals. Both fell away after their glory periods ended and were slow to react to the new paradigm which was influencing Australian sport. Both over relied on their historical success and assumed it would be a pointer to future triumphs. Both team were under scrutiny about long term survival.

There are also some differentiating points to the two clubs. Souths were actually excluded from the national competition. Melbourne on the other hand has not (yet) been and has also survived a merger proposal with Hawthorn. South supporters appear passionate and they are well respected as supporters by opposition clubs. Melbourne supporters are marginalized and stereotyped as snow going band wagon fans. Rabbits possess one of the largest supporter bases in the league, however the Melbourne supporter base is seen as one of the smallest in the comp. Melbourne supporters are assumed to be well healed, Souths supporters are adjudged to be more ‘salt of the earth’.

Why does any of this matter?? Given our recent and present woes on and off field, I worry about the Demons. The Rabbits were a great example of the dangers of relying on the past. Unfortunately we walked down that same path. Thankfully for the Rabbits, they had enough people who cared, as well as an inspirational leader and fighter in George Piggins, that they boxed on with pride and passion to turn the ship around. The big take away for me was not that they raised the funds for legal battles and a war chest to fight, it was the way that inspirational club figureheads came together to rally the troops and to ensure the army was ready for war.

I fear that given the current supporter base and its ability to recognise what indeed Melbourne FC stands for, that in our hour of need (NOW), that we will not have the fire and passion that fought like the South Sydney Rabbits did. Who is that iconic leader, that talisman that inspiration to galvanise us as a group of people who do care immensely about the survival of our club. Where did they all go? With respect to Don, in the absence of Jimmy we are devoid of charisma, confidence, surety and above all else hope for better things. This is not Don's fault, it is is a by product of NO ONE in the ranks of this organization saying "it my turn to go".

I wonder where the passion can come from. I wonder indeed how our club will survive as a standalone entity based at the MCG.

On one hand I pray that we are not the next South Sydney, the Souths that were excluded from the competition that is, as I fear that unlike the Rabbits, there would be no return from that point. On the other hand, I want more than anything else for us to be the next South Sydney, the Souths that mobilised an army of passionate, intelligent, never say die and courageous stalwarts that would stop at nothing to protect their survival.

I hope that those with links to the MFC, (whatever that may be – ex-player, administrator, coach or supporter) those with the power, personality, influence, intelligence, passion and ability to change the direction of this club, stand up and put their courage to the test NOW. It’s all well and good to point finger and blame others, but we are at our lowest ebb, and there may not be another opportunity. Make no mistake, we are at a cross road, and our next move will either make or break this club. The time is now, not when it is too late. We will either be the next South Sydney for the right reasons, or for the wrong reasons…..

Worth a read again in light of the Rabbitoes premiership win last Sunday.

Worth a read again in light of the Rabbitoes premiership win last Sunday.

Yep and the post was right, we needed massive change and we've started to get it.

We would have been dead in the water otherwise.

I don't think anyone could have forecast that it would be Paul Roos and Peter Jackson to provide that level of stability and confidence so missing for many a year.

I hope we can look back in a few years am pinpoint this era that turned the tide.

I'm on board, that's for sure.

Worth a read again in light of the Rabbitoes premiership win last Sunday.

Yep and the post was right, we needed massive change and we've started to get it.

We would have been dead in the water otherwise.

the thing that saved the Rabbito's is their people power, the passion from that attachment they're supporters have with the club... enter the gladiator & friends. culture changes including ridding of the poker machines.

building up of the clubs self esteem, then to attract players gradually over a few seasons til finally some big names came onboard to play.

there is indeed some close similarities.

our club is divided & so the passion as well.

the rabbits I believe lacked the wealthy supporters, & we lack the grass roots supporters... they are shut out from true attachment. so they disappeared & no doubt their kids now follow different team colours... maybe hawks or pies or blues?

I would not underestimate the size of our latent supporter base. An untapped resource that will appear once we have some success. The Rabittoh's had an advantage though that we may not replicate. They had the ham fisted News Corp push to exterminate them. Energised the latent support and those who warm to underdogs.

Melbourne Football Club – The next South Sydney??

...

As far as I am aware (and I purposely did not research this in serious depth to avoid spending considerable and somewhat unnecessary time on this post when I feel as low as I do about this club), our period of success, the “golden years” of the MFC, were a product of a different era and a strategic alignment with one of the most significant sporting organizations in Victoria, if not Australia, the Melbourne Cricket Club. However we cut the story now, that alignment is vastly different (if really alive at all).

It probably should be pointed out that our demise was caused - in part, if not in full - by our alignment with the MCC in the late 60s and 70s. The MCC starved the football club of funds and refused to accept that football was becoming a professional business. When Barassi returned to the club in 1981 he demanded that the MFC be freed from the restrictions of the MCC. He got his way, but the damage had been done.

It's not the alignment per se that was the problem. Just the attitude of the 'old boys' at the MCC at that time who saw cricket as the club's primary purpose and football as something that generated a bit of cash during the winter.

how do we get russel crowe on board then?

how do we get russel crowe on board then?

Or the Abu Dhabi United Group.. Worked for City.

Yep and the post was right, we needed massive change and we've started to get it.

We would have been dead in the water otherwise.

I'd argue that the majority of modern day demon supporters are hard working middle class...

Sadly, the passion mentioned in the OP has yet to be demonstrated. Hawthorn seem to have already followed the path South Sydney are now on.
The demographics of the clubs are different as well. The earthy supporters of the Bunnies gave Abbott the hooting that he truly deserves. If he turned up at our games, I am sure that Robbie F, Ben Hur and their likes would attempt to force the game to stop so he is given the love and adulation from the ordinaries that is his god given right.
Daisycutter, I await your reply.

What a fascinating web of intrigue the NRL revenue and ownership tangles are.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/moneyball-how-is-your-club-placed-20130830-2swhv.html

Just thought I'd share, because NRL is such a bizarre, mashed up world.

Full of hate and rage and boredom. So much boredom.

Stupid, stupid game.

I'd argue that the majority of modern day demon supporters are hard working middle class...

On the one hand, Melbourne supporters really are (according to the market research) more likely to be educated, more like to prefer wine to beer, more likely to have a mid-range to high-mid-range income, all that stuff. Also more likely to have other major interests as well as football, and more likely to have other commitments on weekends.

But then, after all that, Melbourne supporters are also the most likely to actually turn up to a game or to take up a membership, including in the most miserable years.

We're a funny mob.

Pretty sure we're the best.

On the one hand, Melbourne supporters really are (according to the market research) more likely to be educated, more like to prefer wine to beer, more likely to have a mid-range to high-mid-range income, all that stuff. Also more likely to have other major interests as well as football, and more likely to have other commitments on weekends.

But then, after all that, Melbourne supporters are also the most likely to actually turn up to a game or to take up a membership, including in the most miserable years.

We're a funny mob.

Pretty sure we're the best.

pretty sure we need to stop the bleeding of one thousand cuts, & fill those voids of demography before we die out, go extinct.

getting other grass root supporters come onto our current demographic base would make us more sale-able to more sponsors & would make us more vibrant, more likely to get better fixtures & TV timeslots.

how do we get russel crowe on board then?

Do New Zealanders support Aussie Rules Football?

Do New Zealanders support Aussie Rules Football?

while he's a winner we count him as an aussie

rolfy we now count as a pom

west australians we count as asiatic poms

got it?

On the one hand, Melbourne supporters really are (according to the market research) more likely to be educated, more like to prefer wine to beer, more likely to have a mid-range to high-mid-range income, all that stuff. Also more likely to have other major interests as well as football, and more likely to have other commitments on weekends.

But then, after all that, Melbourne supporters are also the most likely to actually turn up to a game or to take up a membership, including in the most miserable years.

We're a funny mob.

Pretty sure we're the best.

On the one hand, Melbourne supporters really are (according to the market research) more likely to be educated, more like to prefer wine to beer, more likely to have a mid-range to high-mid-range income, all that stuff. Also more likely to have other major interests as well as football, and more likely to have other commitments on weekends.

But then, after all that, Melbourne supporters are also the most likely to actually turn up to a game or to take up a membership, including in the most miserable years.

We're a funny mob.

Pretty sure we're the best.

Well i can tell you, I'd rather a cold VB over a glass of wine any day.. Never been to the snow would rather the beach.. And bar a few years after high school been a paid up member for the last 4 Disgustingly horrible years..i reckon I've seen more changes of government than Finals in the last decade..

Why do I bother lol