Let's look at this another way. Should closed training be open to member's only?

I'm all in favour of additional member benefits. So I support what GFC is doing.

(And this is not on topic, but all the best to Colin Carter, GFC's President, who had a heart attack about a week ago.)

you do realize some journos take out memberships to multiple clubs as a token form of assistance

do you want them to be able to attend closed sessions?

closed is closed for good reasons. they don't want members attending then splattering it all over some forum or blog site

crazy idea

you do realize some journos take out memberships to multiple clubs as a token form of assistance

do you want them to be able to attend closed sessions?

closed is closed for good reasons. they don't want members attending then splattering it all over some forum or blog site

crazy idea

Let me clarify. I accept that the moment anyone other than an employee of the club is attending the idea that something can be kept a secret goes out the window. The GFC proposal would recognise that and would be using the term "closed" to mean "not open to anyone unless they're invited" rather than "closed so we can keep secret what we are up to".

well if they go ahead with it, a pox on them

It may be a rather brainless attempt to screen out spotters and spies from other clubs ... Naturally it won't work, but there are those who probably think it would.

what about all the kids who don't have a membership for any number of reasons

if mfc did this i'd cancel my membership (seriously)

can't you remember when you were a kid bb?

yeah.. we're talking about Geelong DC..its their bat, their ball they can do what they f'n well like.. i really couldnt give a shlt mate.

They train at their prerogative. We train at open venues. i dont care what they or any other team does other than us.

Lets not forget the area is expecting 20% housing growth within 7 years.

They have been excellent at tailoring the city to their needs.

Frank Costa has done an amazing job for the Cats and we simply haven't had an off field leader with his power .

We need to be getting the City of Melbourne to promote us more to its residents.

We should be far more involved with the University campuses ,giving them cheap memberships, free games etc.

There is no point going to the MCG with only 20 thousand people in the stands.Give them away to the students if need be.

If we actively involved the CBD residents and students as "OURS" we may be able to develop a bigger base to rival the bigger clubs.

I would also like to see immigrants embraced by the club .

We should be hyping the hell out of the club under the Roos/Jackson tenure or we will blunder on forever.

As for charging to see training ,it is a stupid idea and will do nothing for the Cats .

Great work Biff

Agree with everything you say here

and that doesnt happen a lot

yeah.. we're talking about Geelong DC..its their bat, their ball they can do what they f'n well like.. i really couldnt give a shlt mate.

They train at their prerogative. We train at open venues. i dont care what they or any other team does other than us.

LOL, BB. must remember that in other threads

everything starts with a small seed.............and before you know.......................................

Well, truth be told, I've just found out its not just 2 specific sessions.

It will be all "open sessions", starting with 2 in January.

But still, Geelong have issues with converting their massive support into members, so they're trying something.

I don't believe it's a despicable as many seem to think. Reactions are OTT.

Lets not forget the area is expecting 20% housing growth within 7 years.

That might be down-rated these days. Workers move to where work is

Would anyone have a issue if it was a members only event and you couldn't come in unless you are a 2013 or 2014 member?

If other supporters want to go to training they can go to the non member events for free or become members of the club

Would anyone have a issue if it was a members only event and you couldn't come in unless you are a 2013 or 2014 member?

If other supporters want to go to training they can go to the non member events for free or become members of the club

see above post

there will be no free training sessions to non members including kids at geelong starting next year

That does change it a little to be honest as I think they should have it free to school age children but have no issue with them charging otherwise.

Football is a business regardless of what people believe, a football club costs money

people can watch training for free, watch football on free to air, the Internet or radio without providing a cent to the club. Is it that bad that if you want the entertainment then you can contribute to the club through a membership( there is no attendance membership for those that can't afford the full membership

Careful. I think you'll find there's quite a bit of taxpayer money going into both the MCG and, to a far lesser extent, Gosch's paddock.

Not the point at all LDvC.

The Geelong FC gets to profit from the redevelopment of its ground in ways no other club does. We get nothing from the money put in to Gosch's but every single spectator who goes to Kardinia Park now puts money into the GFC's accounts.

[quote name="Machsy" post="866827" timestamp="1387371437

It's about value-adding for members, creating incentive to get a membership where interest is waning for the cats.

They're actually not in the best position financially atm.

Not the point at all LDvC.

The Geelong FC gets to profit from the redevelopment of its ground in ways no other club does. We get nothing from the money put in to Gosch's but every single spectator who goes to Kardinia Park now puts money into the GFC's accounts.

Pitmaster, well put. On this point we agree.

the power of greed once again shows itself

utter disgrace

That surprises me that Geelong aren't in great shape financially.

Seven straight finals appearances and a dream gate revenue arrangement at Simmonds. You'd think they'd be flying.

Yes, well lets just say they should have made a lot more hay while the sun was shining, and they're aware that winter is coming.

No Game Of Thrones reference intended.

But having spent my school years in Geelong, maybe I have a different view of the cats training.

I played at the club which is located at West Kardinia oval just outside Simond's Stadium, part of the Kardinia Park precinct.

After school and before our own training, we'd often go across to watch the Cats train for free.

There was never anyone else there as a spectator, and we were there primarily to score a free footy when it went over the nets, and basically because we could.

I'm not sure if this is a uniquely Geelong thing, but opportunities to also watch the VFL Cats and the Geelong Falcons play, make the idea of watching a Cats training session seem like the red-headed-stepchild option (sorry Bleasey).

I really think it will have little to no impact on exisitng supporters, and is really a way of advertising open training sessions that for the Cats are currently virtually non-existent, and making it look like they are offering something extra to new members, when really existing members and non-members make no effort to take advantage of it.

Common sense has prevailed. Geelong back down. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-12-19/cats-backflip-on-training-fee

I dare say the negative reaction by non-members is also by those never have and never intend to attend training.

Much like the objectors in this thread.

I dare say the negative reaction by non-members is also by those never have and never intend to attend training.

Much like the objectors in this thread.

so you're all in favour of the AFL and the individual clubs just gouging your average punter for every cent they can

a generation from now only the very wealthy will even get to attend matches as they keep driving the price up and up, the demand is infinite and the product a monopoly, watch it happen

how much will a beer and a pie be in 10 years

I never said that.

I just didn't have an issue with the Geelong proposal, and I doubt many would that would have been affected by it.

What you predict may come to pass, but I don't think it has much relevance to this issue.

I never said that.

I just didn't have an issue with the Geelong proposal, and I doubt many would that would have been affected by it.

What you predict may come to pass, but I don't think it has much relevance to this issue.

of course it does, it is directly symptomatic of the point i was making

so you're all in favour of the AFL and the individual clubs just gouging your average punter for every cent they can

a generation from now only the very wealthy will even get to attend matches as they keep driving the price up and up, the demand is infinite and the product a monopoly, watch it happen

how much will a beer and a pie be in 10 years

As long as you get your pies and beer from the supermarket it will still be reasonably priced. But I shudder at the cost at the ground. The stadium food vendors are a monopoly much more than AFL clubs.

And luckily we've got the big sexy MCG with all it's seats to supply that should hopefully keep AFL prices cheap. Clubs with smaller stadiums will sell all seats to reserved seat members and for a price but luckily the MCG even for teams like Collingwood wont be sold out besides for massive blockbusters. We are lucky that way.

But I agree about this Geelong decision being wrong. I think they should put on a members BBQ at open trainings. $1 a sausage for members, $2 for non members. Then they get to reward members and make a buck and no one gets disadvantaged.

of course it does, it is directly symptomatic of the point i was making

It's an entirely separate issue.

The AFL will get into the act and set up a training fees working group with an aim to have a family friendly training fee structure in place by 2015.