Victim Mentality or Reality

[Redleg 40,150]

There are those on here who rail against others for a perceived victim mentality. We are treated the same as everyone else they say. Toughen up.

I beg to differ.

It seems to me that the media and other clubs delight in bagging us at every opportunity. We are perceived as weak and incapable of fighting back.

If I just recall some typical examples to illustrate my point.

Matlhouse nabs Buttifant and goes after Thomas, media reaction, he is a smart operator. Wellman is taken from us during an existing contract, Essendon smart operators. Roos approaches assistants who are uncontracted, he is a $1.5m AFL planted vulture and is out of line.

We ask for a PP after the worst 7 years in modern footy history, all hell breaks out, though they have been given freely before, for 2 and even 1 poor year, to teams that were in the finals shortly before.

Excuse given by the other clubs and the media, you wasted earlier picks and you have Roos.

Other teams get advantages in the salary cap, 3rd party deals or with fixturing, the media report that as necessary and for us, that's what you get for being no good.

We have been pilloried over the tanking saga, investigated for 6 months and clearly been disrupted, even though found not guilty and then even had it used as an argument against us getting a PP. On the other hand, other teams that did the same, have been dobbed in by former players and officials yet have been protected and not investigated by the AFL and escaped any media criticism.

Our only number 1 PP we ever got, is poached/stolen from us, half way through his contract, with a sneaky rule created by the AFL and funded by AFL money. Result, we are derided for losing him and picking a person who would leave, albeit for the highest amount of money ever given to a young player. This player never even told the truth to us and obviously failed to give value in the second year of his contract, because his head was elsewhere.

We get arguably the best Coach available in Roos and are attacked for destroying the game, for paying him $1.5m, even though Worsfold and Malthouse are believed to be on only slightly less and Roos will pay for himself easily, with increased memberships and sponsorship.

All through the last few years our brand has been trashed by the media because of our poor on field performances. we have been called disgraceful and yet when we try and do something about it, we again cop it unfairly from that same media.

Need I go on, there are countless other examples.

IMO we toughen up and get as dirty and ruthless as possible, without breaking AFL rules and TO HELL WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I want success, I don't want to be a nice guy.

[Whispering_Jack 29,191]

You sound like this -

Howard Beale: I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!

[Machsy 2,858]

I think we are portrayed that way in the media because the vast majority of the football publics aren't us - MFC supporters.

I care not.

I just want the best coaches, the best players and a bloody priority pick or 2.

And if we get them, I don't care how anyone else feels.

They can yell at the ocean all they want.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

In the last words of Ned Kelly, forever ruined by Ben Cousins; "Such is life"

No point looking back on this and getting angry. Reality is that we are the worst club and the easiest target.

The only way this will change is through an improvement on the field... until then wear it but remember it

Edited September 21, 2013 by PJ_12345

[Deeoldfart 7,993]

Your point is extremely well made Redleg. There is no doubt that we, along with a few other Melbourne based clubs, are victims of a very uneven playing field. The point is that for years we have suffered our plight far too graciously, and for ages being 'pushovers' has been meekly accepted as 'part of the territory' by the Melbourne Football Club and many its loyal supporters. Thank god that we are belatedly starting to develop a new pair of those things that gave Rod Grinter his nickname. Long may they continue to develop and flourish!

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I'm not surprised that we get [censored] canned, we probably deserve it, we've behaved like a bunch of Amateurs for such a long time now, but I agree with Red it's disproportionate to what has happened at other cubs.

If we get some compensation now we deserve it, we've put up with a heap of inequity, with a poor draw, poor treatment at the tribunal and poor treatment with regard to third party payments. I don't care what the other clubs say about us, it can't be any worse that what they've already said.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

We are DEMONS the hotter the heat the stronger the steel.

[old dee 23,491]

I'm not surprised that we get [censored] canned, we probably deserve it, we've behaved like a bunch of Amateurs for such a long time now, but I agree with Red it's disproportionate to what has happened at other cubs.

If we get some compensation now we deserve it, we've put up with a heap of inequity, with a poor draw, poor treatment at the tribunal and poor treatment with regard to third party payments. I don't care what the other clubs say about us, it can't be any worse that what they've already said.

I agree with you Robbie.

I would add I look forwarded to being hated.

If this is the start because they fear we will no longer be the easy beats then bring it on.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I agree with you Robbie.

I would add I look forwarded to being hated.

If this is the start because they fear we will no longer be the easy beats then bring it on.

I think it be a long while before they hate us od, there will be the residual contempt for a while and if we start to win a few we will probably get the Bullies treatment, every one wants them to win unless they're playing them.

I don't want the sort of hatred that most club's supporters have of North, I'd rather they have a healthy respect for us and know that it they play us it will be a real contest.

I'd love to see them boo some of our players because that shows they take them seriously and know we will hurt them if they get in the way.

[Chook 14,997]

WAH WAH WAH!!!

[Hannibal 5,814]

IMO we toughen up and get as dirty and ruthless as possible, without breaking AFL rules and TO HELL WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I want success, I don't want to be a nice guy.

I agree with your last sentence, but don't have much sympathy with anything else.

When you're a crap-kicker you get crap thrown on you. Stop being crap and the crap will stop getting flung.

As Leigh Matthews says, never complain, never explain. Just get on with fixing our mess. Stop bleating like a pig (sow).

[Redleg 40,150]

I agree with your last sentence, but don't have much sympathy with anything else.

When you're a crap-kicker you get crap thrown on you. Stop being crap and the crap will stop getting flung.

As Leigh Matthews says, never complain, never explain. Just get on with fixing our mess. Stop bleating like a pig (sow).

I hope you are not referring to me as a pig (sow).

The thread is not to seek sympathy, but rather to discuss whether what we cop from the media and the other clubs is fair and balanced.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I hope you are not referring to me as a pig (sow).

Not you per se.

I just get sick of Melbourne supporters spending their lives crying like little babies about the unfairness of it all.

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Clubs are whinging so we won't get pick 1.

That is ok, we will receive our PP after the first round - and in an EVEN draft that is a fairly good result.

Clubs will still complain, but it's a fair result.

People bag Andy D at the drop of a hat, but this is the sh*t he has to contend with day in day out, sides whinging 24/7 about other sides, etc.

I guess that is even a good day for the bloated one, no wonder he was laughing about midgets.

[Whispering_Jack 29,191]

The thread is not to seek sympathy, but rather to discuss whether what we cop from the media and the other clubs is fair and balanced.

"Fair and balanced" is what the conservatives on Fox News Channel use to give legitimacy to their often unbalanced views of the world.

I think in a way Ben Hur has it right but I don't believe that it's wrong to point to inequities as long as you're prepared to go out and do something about it.

Unfortunately, for way too long, the people in control of the club have always tried to be far too nice. Neale Daniher once said we should become ruthless but he stayed nice. We kept him on as coach for 2 or 3 years too long. And don't get me started on Dean Bailey or Mark Neeld.

Are we being treated fairly by the AFL, the media, the other clubs and the public? Probably not but let's do something about it. I think Roos has started off on the right foot. Let's keep stepping on the toes of others and eventually, when we're winning like Hawthorn and the Swans we'll get respect, not because we ask nicely for it but because we demand it by our actions and achievements.

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

C'mon get started on Dean Bailey or Mark Neeld. Jack

[dee-luded 2,959]

In the last words of Ned Kelly, forever ruined by Ben Cousins; "Such is life"

No point looking back on this and getting angry. Reality is that we are the worst club and the easiest target.

The only way this will change is through an improvement on the field... until then wear it but remember it

Rrrruthless, is the way to overcome the victim status, & a PP to shove it up Em all... rub all their noses in their own moist misery Roosy

[dee-luded 2,959]

We are DEMONS the hotter the heat the stronger the steel.

now that sounds like the Ol' Checker spirit.

[Moonshadow 17,505]

It's easy for the media, et al to have a go at us. We have so few supporters we are soft targets. Sustained success, that's what is needed to grow our supporter base and increase our influence on the competition.

[Courtney_Fish 183]

..............I don't want to be a nice guy. ............

Bugr respect - I want them to absolutely hate us. I want to be introduced to people and when I tell'm which team I support see them simmer inside. Not like now when they feel sorry for me.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I agree with your last sentence, but don't have much sympathy with anything else.

When you're a crap-kicker you get crap thrown on you. Stop being crap and the crap will stop getting flung.

As Leigh Matthews says, never complain, never explain. Just get on with fixing our mess. Stop bleating .....

Absolutely spot on.

We are making the right steps but its early days.

[Sir Why You Little 36,629]

If this club had a victim mentality i hope the last CEO & President took it with them when they were shown the door.

The only way to win respect in this comp from where we sit is to STFU and work bloody hard & then do it again.

I don't want to ever read or hear another excuse again.

When the team loses it is not good enough. Learn why and fix it. Somebody is injured, a new soldier is promoted.

We learn to win wherever we play & not crap ourselves away from the 'G.

No more bleating. Get stronger and dish it out.

[Redleg 40,150]

REALITY.

[Whispering_Jack 29,191]

REALITY.

"Reality" means being at Etihad Stadium in Round 23 watching the Western Bulldogs kick 8 goals 2 behinds to nothing against us in 15 minutes in the latter part of the second quarter.

I wonder how many AFL Commissioners bothered to turn up to watch Melbourne play that day or even the replay of the game?

Their decision today wasn't based on anything to do with "reality".

"Victimhood" means wasting your time dwelling on those shonks for too long.

We move on planning our revival but we should never forget.

[Redleg 40,150]

"Reality" means being at Etihad Stadium in Round 23 watching the Western Bulldogs kick 8 goals 2 behinds to nothing against us in 15 minutes in the latter part of the second quarter.

I wonder how many AFL Commissioners bothered to turn up to watch Melbourne play that day or even the replay of the game?

Their decision today wasn't based on anything to do with "reality".

"Victimhood" means wasting your time dwelling on those shonks for too long.

We move on planning our revival but we should never forget.

We never acted on Daniher's call to be ruthless. Now is the time.