there is NO market...theres only a cheque

And it takes to long to get there, Tassie is less than 1 hr away, it's a money sponsorship that will be replaced if they ever start winning again.

The Hawks didn't go to Tasmania for anything else.

The membership flow-on effect was an afterthought.

And honestly, what else do they get out of going there?

Only memberships.

And how do they sell those?

By making it easier to ensure you get a seat at the matches with a "membership", rather than just a ticket, at pretty much the same cost.

All it really does is push the membership numbers up.

And success breeds success, so people see the boosted numbers and want to get involved themselves.

It might be artificially boosting membership numbers, but there is a flow on effect.

One that would be very handy for us.

With multiple games in Darwin in a season, we should be selling 2 game memberships at a slightly reduced rate in comparison to buying tickets to the 2 individual matches.

You lock the fans in for both games and get the numbers up.

The positive effects won't be as great as those in Tassie, but they will be there.

sorry mate, youre kidding yourself. There is no market there. Half the ppl who bother to turn up are given free tickets , well maybe not quite half , but you dont need to pay if you have half a brain...why buy a membership ?

even the Eels are only there for the money.

The NT is hemorrhaging tourists of late. Numbers are well down form say 10-15 years back. Cheaper flights to Asia see a lot of ppl see Darwin, they may wave at it from 20000 ft I reckon on way to somewhere else these days. The NT are giddy with desperation and thats why they're prepared to throw money at us or any other despot of a team.

sorry mate, youre kidding yourself. There is no market there. Half the ppl who bother to turn up are given free tickets , well maybe not quite half , but you dont need to pay if you have half a brain...why buy a membership ?

even the Eels are only there for the money.

The NT is hemorrhaging tourists of late. Numbers are well down form say 10-15 years back. Cheaper flights to Asia see a lot of ppl see Darwin, they may wave at it from 20000 ft I reckon on way to somewhere else these days. The NT are giddy with desperation and thats why they're prepared to throw money at us or any other despot of a team.

Rather negative analysis there bb!

Rather negative analysis there bb!

pot kettle sir..

from mr Negativity ?? hehehe

Its not negative OD..it just is what it is.

Tell me otherwise.. what else is there. and be realistic.

There is no other reason for being there other than to put out our hands and say thankee sire .

...The NT are giddy with desperation and thats why they're prepared to throw money at us or any other despot of a team.

It's stretching the language a bit, but I wouldn't mind it if we were a despot of a team.

It's stretching the language a bit, but I wouldn't mind it if we were a despot of a team.

hmm...you'd be right

maybe we're more akin to Despo's

hmm...you'd be right

maybe we're more akin to Despo's

On that we agree!

I did that very thing two years ago. Enjoyed the sights. Met the players. Drank plenty of booze with fellow tragics. Had a fantastic time away from cold Melbourne. Only problem was ths result. So I don't see a memorable weekend as "stupid".

I have been twice. First time 4 days took in the sites second time 3 days included a harbour cruise sectacular sunset

BTW the Demons cocktail party on the first trip was awfull but enjoyed the trip both times in particular seeing so many Demon fans out of their natural habitat

I went to the 2013 Darwin game. Went up for 4 days. Flew in the Thurs arvo and drove straight down to Kakadu, travelled around there Friday and half of Saturday and shot back up to Darwin just in time for the game Sat night and then half a day in Darwin b4 flying home early arvo. I would highly recommend it. You can get pretty cheap flights if you book ahead and it's a great excuse to see a part of Aus you wouldn't see otherwise.

I love seeing AFL games in small venues like the stadium up there. Has a real community footy feel. However, it was far from full. I reckon about 2/3rds full. So what is happening with NT promotion of the game. Can't see why it is worth their while. I doubt MFC will ever develop a big following up there. Talking to people in the crowd there is a very rampant anti Vic feeling amongst people I spoke to there. They will support any team as long as it isn't from Vic. So a lot of Brisbane, Adelaide and Port followers.

My negatives are relevant to this topic. I thought the Club's initiatives for members around this game were very, very disappointing. A very wasted opportunity. I contacted the Club at least 4-5 months b4 the game which is when you need to book to get cheap flights and accommodation. I wanted to find out who to book through as Webjet was a sponsor and I think Expedia were as well. They couldn't suggest anyone. All they could offer was that at some stage they were going to organise a two day fishing trip for over $3000. Great if you have the money. Otherwise there was a BBQ and drinks in a designated area at the game for $150. Again, great if you have the money. But as usual where are the initiatives for the majority of rank and file members who want to support the Club but can't afford those sort of charges. As is the case with so many Club functions.

I would have loved to have flown up with a plane full of all the other MFC members going up together. I would have loved to have stayed in a hotel with all the other MFC members and followers and the team. Would it be so hard for us to be able to stay with the team and mingle with them over the weekend. A pain in the butt for them but hey, these are die hard supporters flying all the way up to Darwin. And it's a once off. What about some MFC functions that are reasonably priced. Why couldn't they have had a designated area for MFC members without you having to pay for it. You could have bought alcohol and the BBQ and usual venue rates. No great amounts of work there for the Club but it would have made the whole weekend an MFC experience instead of me just flying up with a mate and only turning up to the game to sit on our own.

I went to the 2013 Darwin game. Went up for 4 days. Flew in the Thurs arvo and drove straight down to Kakadu, travelled around there Friday and half of Saturday and shot back up to Darwin just in time for the game Sat night and then half a day in Darwin b4 flying home early arvo. I would highly recommend it. You can get pretty cheap flights if you book ahead and it's a great excuse to see a part of Aus you wouldn't see otherwise.

I love seeing AFL games in small venues like the stadium up there. Has a real community footy feel. However, it was far from full. I reckon about 2/3rds full. So what is happening with NT promotion of the game. Can't see why it is worth their while. I doubt MFC will ever develop a big following up there. Talking to people in the crowd there is a very rampant anti Vic feeling amongst people I spoke to there. They will support any team as long as it isn't from Vic. So a lot of Brisbane, Adelaide and Port followers.

My negatives are relevant to this topic. I thought the Club's initiatives for members around this game were very, very disappointing. A very wasted opportunity. I contacted the Club at least 4-5 months b4 the game which is when you need to book to get cheap flights and accommodation. I wanted to find out who to book through as Webjet was a sponsor and I think Expedia were as well. They couldn't suggest anyone. All they could offer was that at some stage they were going to organise a two day fishing trip for over $3000. Great if you have the money. Otherwise there was a BBQ and drinks in a designated area at the game for $150. Again, great if you have the money. But as usual where are the initiatives for the majority of rank and file members who want to support the Club but can't afford those sort of charges. As is the case with so many Club functions.

I would have loved to have flown up with a plane full of all the other MFC members going up together. I would have loved to have stayed in a hotel with all the other MFC members and followers and the team. Would it be so hard for us to be able to stay with the team and mingle with them over the weekend. A pain in the butt for them but hey, these are die hard supporters flying all the way up to Darwin. And it's a once off. What about some MFC functions that are reasonably priced. Why couldn't they have had a designated area for MFC members without you having to pay for it. You could have bought alcohol and the BBQ and usual venue rates. No great amounts of work there for the Club but it would have made the whole weekend an MFC experience instead of me just flying up with a mate and only turning up to the game to sit on our own.

Spot on IT

Your comment is exactly what I have been complaining about for some time.

It appears to me that almost no planning goes into organizing a Darwin trip for supporters.

I would have thought with Web Jet last year it was a perfect opportunity.

It needs to be presented to members 4 - 6 months in advance so I guess we can forget the May trip

but there is still time for the July Game.

Spot on IT

Your comment is exactly what I have been complaining about for some time.

It appears to me that almost no planning goes into organizing a Darwin trip for supporters.

I would have thought with Web Jet last year it was a perfect opportunity.

It needs to be presented to members 4 - 6 months in advance so I guess we can forget the May trip

but there is still time for the July Game.

Following on this theme. This experience can be extended to the Club's membership intitiatives in general. Why not hold special info sessions with players and coaches and even Leading Teams and offer them to members only. Wouldn't this be a great enticement for people who are undecided about joining. All Club functions are very expensive. Around $150. I would suggest out of the reach of the majority of members taking families to games and already paying a lot of money. Why can't they have more members only functions that you can go to without having to pay extra.

Do we have a Dland member from NT who could liase with the club and get reimbursed for reasonable expenses get his hands on a BBQ and find a location where dlanders could meet near the ground. If numbers were known you wouldnt have to lose any money on the snags and onions.

I do love the Kakadu option and wonder how doable that would be to arrange and what numbers needed. again perhaps any Dlander member could advise a contact up there.

Yeah a great opportunity for promotion of the territory for some NT tour operator I would have thought.

Playing games in the NT is a cash grab to get out of debt. The above post goes a long way to backing this up.

I have no problems with a cash grab. I just wish the olayers didn't have to play in tropical conditions for premiership points.

But to say that we are building membership up there is fanciful.

Last years Darwin membership was about 40

I mean really.

I totally agree with Beezlebub on this one

(A BBQ for $150. Gee that is a huge incentive for supporters..)

Playing games in the NT is a cash grab to get out of debt. The above post goes a long way to backing this up.

I have no problems with a cash grab. I just wish the olayers didn't have to play in tropical conditions for premiership points.

But to say that we are building membership up there is fanciful.

Last years Darwin membership was about 40

I mean really.

I totally agree with Beezlebub on this one

(A BBQ for $150. Gee that is a huge incentive for supporters..)

We are never going to agree on Darwin wyl.

But you do raise a thought with me.

It would appear that the club sees it as a money making venture and does IMO little to promote it to members and supporters.

Might be a good question for the AGM?

Playing games in the NT is a cash grab to get out of debt. The above post goes a long way to backing this up.

I have no problems with a cash grab. I just wish the olayers didn't have to play in tropical conditions for premiership points.

But to say that we are building membership up there is fanciful.

Last years Darwin membership was about 40

I mean really.

I totally agree with Beezlebub on this one

(A BBQ for $150. Gee that is a huge incentive for supporters..)

Just because it has been done poorly in the past, does not mean it cannot be done well in the future.

Already ways of improving the experience have been pointed out, and if you turn the NT membership into essentially a seat-securing exercise like in Tasmania, the member numbers will increase.

It may take time, but it can be done.

Just like AFL in GWS.

I went to the 2013 Darwin game. Went up for 4 days. Flew in the Thurs arvo and drove straight down to Kakadu, travelled around there Friday and half of Saturday and shot back up to Darwin just in time for the game Sat night and then half a day in Darwin b4 flying home early arvo. I would highly recommend it. You can get pretty cheap flights if you book ahead and it's a great excuse to see a part of Aus you wouldn't see otherwise.

I love seeing AFL games in small venues like the stadium up there. Has a real community footy feel. However, it was far from full. I reckon about 2/3rds full. So what is happening with NT promotion of the game. Can't see why it is worth their while. I doubt MFC will ever develop a big following up there. Talking to people in the crowd there is a very rampant anti Vic feeling amongst people I spoke to there. They will support any team as long as it isn't from Vic. So a lot of Brisbane, Adelaide and Port followers.

My negatives are relevant to this topic. I thought the Club's initiatives for members around this game were very, very disappointing. A very wasted opportunity. I contacted the Club at least 4-5 months b4 the game which is when you need to book to get cheap flights and accommodation. I wanted to find out who to book through as Webjet was a sponsor and I think Expedia were as well. They couldn't suggest anyone. All they could offer was that at some stage they were going to organise a two day fishing trip for over $3000. Great if you have the money. Otherwise there was a BBQ and drinks in a designated area at the game for $150. Again, great if you have the money. But as usual where are the initiatives for the majority of rank and file members who want to support the Club but can't afford those sort of charges. As is the case with so many Club functions.

I would have loved to have flown up with a plane full of all the other MFC members going up together. I would have loved to have stayed in a hotel with all the other MFC members and followers and the team. Would it be so hard for us to be able to stay with the team and mingle with them over the weekend. A pain in the butt for them but hey, these are die hard supporters flying all the way up to Darwin. And it's a once off. What about some MFC functions that are reasonably priced. Why couldn't they have had a designated area for MFC members without you having to pay for it. You could have bought alcohol and the BBQ and usual venue rates. No great amounts of work there for the Club but it would have made the whole weekend an MFC experience instead of me just flying up with a mate and only turning up to the game to sit on our own.

cant understand why injured players are not part of this weekend

nice write up about your experience

but for the life of me ,players under contract are a valuable asset to the club

my daughter and i spent the day amongst a big crowd of 10,000 at the G one day

went up to the bar and waiters had glum looks on thier faces because of a boring game and no patrons to serve,i asked the doorman "been busy mate",your the 3rd person weve seen was the reply

my country attitude got the better of me and when i suggested what would business be like if an injured player or 2 gave a talk at half time and prematch,that would be wonderful and might even get people here he replied

my daughter wrote to the club and suggested on the bad crowd days ,"why arent injured and non playing personal maybe manning the front entrance and talking to the kids that do show up.no reply forthcoming at this stage

same with your darwin trip,wouldnt a BBQ be enjoyable with a senoir player on hand to explain a few myths away to supporters and generally give aspeech ,sign a few autos and make all the fly in fans feel welcome

just my thoughts

Because they are busy rehabbing their bodies so they are fit to play sooner, as opposed to going on a junket?

Just because it has been done poorly in the past, does not mean it cannot be done well in the future.

Already ways of improving the experience have been pointed out, and if you turn the NT membership into essentially a seat-securing exercise like in Tasmania, the member numbers will increase.

It may take time, but it can be done.

Just like AFL in GWS.

But it won't. We are up there to clear debt.

Otherwise the club would be pumping out 10 different supporter packages.

They do not want to spend money, they wish to collect

Because they are busy rehabbing their bodies so they are fit to play sooner, as opposed to going on a junket?

It Worked a treat the last two years!

Because they are busy rehabbing their bodies so they are fit to play sooner, as opposed to going on a junket?

not always

some get seen on match day regulary

doesnt have to be drastic for the whole list

there are times when blokes do a knee and have lots of time on hands

gary rohan made many appearances back at our local league last year and sydney let him

they didnt whinge and tell him to stay home and play xbox

But it won't. We are up there to clear debt.

Otherwise the club would be pumping out 10 different supporter packages.

They do not want to spend money, they wish to collect

Extremely short sighted approach IMO.

We are never going to agree on Darwin wyl.

But you do raise a thought with me.

It would appear that the club sees it as a money making venture and does IMO little to promote it to members and supporters.

Might be a good question for the AGM?

Excellent idea old dee. And the bonus is we might get a straight answer rather than Schwabb's spin.

Excellent idea old dee. And the bonus is we might get a straight answer rather than Schwabb's spin.

Hope springs eternal binman.

Extremely short sighted approach IMO.

Not if you are in debt with large interest payments.

We are never going to agree on Darwin wyl.

But you do raise a thought with me.

It would appear that the club sees it as a money making venture and does IMO little to promote it to members and supporters.

Might be a good question for the AGM?

Why do think the club sees this as a money making venture....other than a big bag of dosh for going up there?

Theres no other potential, none commercial that is. Anything people are proffering is penny any stuff.

it would cost the club MORe to get memberrs up there as an effort than they would make in memberships.

theres simply no logic to any of it....other than the agreed whoring of games.