On 22/01/2014 at 09:24, Bitter but optimistic said:

Thanks RL. I'm a starter. All you people who want meet me, look for the ruggedly handsome bloke with an athletic build, steely grey hair and piercing blue eyes. Probably surrounded by women. You can buy me a drink.

Mate if u look like your avatar doubt u will get past security !!!!!!!!!

Has the club ever had an event such as the '2014 season launch' event,as per email that members just got today?

This would potentially explain why the AGM no longer has the info night component, instead they can monetise it to the tune of $198 per head to hear pretty much the same thing ...

  On 31/01/2014 at 04:11, DemonDave said:

Has the club ever had an event such as the '2014 season launch' event,as per email that members just got today?

This would potentially explain why the AGM no longer has the info night component, instead they can monetise it to the tune of $198 per head to hear pretty much the same thing ...

I understand that the world keeps changing DD and we need to score as many dollars as possible.

However, at $198 I cannot afford this night and I would think 90% of members would not be able to go either. Smells of not being very inclusive to me.

Having said that if they win three of the first five games I will have totally forgotten about it by Easter Monday.

  On 31/01/2014 at 04:11, DemonDave said:

Has the club ever had an event such as the '2014 season launch' event,as per email that members just got today?

This would potentially explain why the AGM no longer has the info night component, instead they can monetise it to the tune of $198 per head to hear pretty much the same thing ...

Pretty sure they've done this the last 2-3 years.

  On 31/01/2014 at 15:02, Dr. Gonzo said:

Pretty sure they've done this the last 2-3 years.

I think so too. I went to a function two years ago with a player sponsor and they had a little mini function beforehand where you were introduced to the players.

You're right, the function used to be called the Commencement Dinner and was held at Crown. I note this year it's being held at the MCC dining room which I imagine is a cost cutting exercise and a sensible one too.

  On 31/01/2014 at 23:21, Baghdad Bob said:

You're right, the function used to be called the Commencement Dinner and was held at Crown. I note this year it's being held at the MCC dining room which I imagine is a cost cutting exercise and a sensible one too.

This type of function has been around for several years. Agree with your thoughts on the MCC. It would be cheaper and have more atmosphere.

I personally get a chill, every time I attend some event when the ground itself is not in use and look down on it. It is just a magnificent place.

Back to the AGM it's a shame it's on the night of the SuperBowl as again I won't be able to attend. Last year I had a heavily pregnant wife at home and the year before it was the same night as the Soundgarden concert. Bad timing all round.

  On 01/02/2014 at 04:59, Dr. Gonzo said:

Back to the AGM it's a shame it's on the night of the SuperBowl as again I won't be able to attend. Last year I had a heavily pregnant wife at home and the year before it was the same night as the Soundgarden concert. Bad timing all round.

Fair dinkum

You'd reckon they would know not to schedule these things to clash with the MFC AGM

  On 01/02/2014 at 04:59, Dr. Gonzo said:

Back to the AGM it's a shame it's on the night of the SuperBowl as again I won't be able to attend. Last year I had a heavily pregnant wife at home and the year before it was the same night as the Soundgarden concert. Bad timing all round.

Who cares about the Super Bowl if I want to watch pumped up steroid freaks I will watch this years Anzac Day Clash.

  On 01/02/2014 at 04:59, Dr. Gonzo said:

Back to the AGM it's a shame it's on the night of the SuperBowl as again I won't be able to attend. Last year I had a heavily pregnant wife at home and the year before it was the same night as the Soundgarden concert. Bad timing all round.

The Superbowl starts at 1030AM!

And thanks for the replies, the Commencement dinner sounds familiar now..I guess this is a subtle rebranding of the event...

I'm at the AGM and we've heard from Glen Bartlett and now Peter Jackson who is explaining the overall operating loss of $1.7m.

It's not exactly happy hour here!

Thanks for the update WJ. Keep us posted if anything interesting is said.

Just home from the AGM. I must say that Peter Jackson is most impressive and instills people with confidence in the way he is re-structuring the Club. It gives me quiet optimism. One nice bit of news is that there will be another major sponsor announced this month.

p.s. There is a practice match this coming Friday!

How did Roos speak. Did he speak like the past coaches did where you left feeling pumped. No outlandish comments like Neeld said with his toughest team to play against line?

  On 03/02/2014 at 08:56, CBDees said:

Just home from the AGM. I must say that Peter Jackson is most impressive and instills people with confidence in the way he is re-structuring the Club. It gives me quiet optimism. One nice bit of news is that there will be another major sponsor announced this month.

p.s. There is a practice match this coming Friday!

any hints on the sponsor

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:06, demonoid said:

any hints on the sponsor

No hints on the sponsor at all.

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:05, dees189227 said:

How did Roos speak. Did he speak like the past coaches did where you left feeling pumped. No outlandish comments like Neeld said with his toughest team to play against line?

I was not quite sure on Roos. He is certainly not the 'fire-and-brimstone' motivational speaker and he spoke mainly on his coaching staff and introduced the three main midfield trades, Cross, Vince and Tyson. No talk whatsoever about the list that he inherited nor about the draft choices and his impression of them. Both he and the three players all spoke however about how hard the players are training and thier 'hunger' for the ball and success of the Club. He did however exude a quiet optimism about the improvement we might expect whilst keeping a lid on it.

interesting observation by both Peter Jackson and Paul Roos about the number of members at the AGM being much more than at their previous Clubs (viz. Essendon 100, Swans 10). Personally i felt the numbers were down on previous AGMs.

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:35, CBDees said:

interesting observation by both Peter Jackson and Paul Roos about the number of members at the AGM being much more than at their previous Clubs (viz. Essendon 100, Swans 10). Personally i felt the numbers were down on previous AGMs.

100 and 10 people attended those ones?

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:35, CBDees said:

interesting observation by both Peter Jackson and Paul Roos about the number of members at the AGM being much more than at their previous Clubs (viz. Essendon 100, Swans 10). Personally i felt the numbers were down on previous AGMs.

Thanks for the info CB greatly appreciated especially cause I can't get there.

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:35, CBDees said:

interesting observation by both Peter Jackson and Paul Roos about the number of members at the AGM being much more than at their previous Clubs (viz. Essendon 100, Swans 10). Personally i felt the numbers were down on previous AGMs.

Agree CBD definitely less.

This is my take

- I was way more impressed than the two previous years

- Our new Chairman seems fairly quiet and I think he seems happy for PJ to be the up front guy

- Peter Jackson is the guts of our current Administration, leaves every other CEO at the MFC that I can remember in his dust. It is vital this guy stays beyond the end of 2014.

- If Roos cannot gets us back to respectability then no one can, IMO he was confident and seem to know exactly what he needs to do.

At the mention of another good sponsor this month my mind flew back a few years to the " Chinese who were a few days away"

But that was just me.

Overall I was impressed.

PS I forgot to mention for all those who complain about the Darwin Games, this year we will make $1.3 million from the deal.

Playing both at the MCG would be close to a loss. PJ said get over it, there is no big effect on the players.

  On 03/02/2014 at 09:43, Clint Bizkit said:

100 and 10 people attended those ones?

I actually thought he said less than a hundred at Essendon and PR said there would be 10 at the Swans and they quickly retire to the bar for question time.

I thought PJ was good, forthright and clear as he went through the financial reports. It's clear from what he said that we do have an advantage over some of the other "smaller" clubs in that we still have a healthy balance sheet in the black by $3.3m underpinned by land and buildings at historic values and some decently valued gaming licences. We are capable of servicing our debt and debt of itself should not prevent us from at least breaking even. The overriding factor is that the team needs to perform on the field for us to become healthy in these areas.

Paul Roos was, as always, impressive. He was laid back and conducted his brief session in much the same way as if he was sitting on the couch. He interviewed three of our midfield "imports" in Daniel Cross, Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson. There's no doubt that if he can't instill confidence into the playing group, then nobody else can. If at all possible (and I know the cost might be prohibitive for some) you must try to get to the 2014 Pre Season Launch if today's cameo is anything to go by.

Demons on right path but bumpy road awaits, says Paul Roos

Two highlights of the night for me:-

1. Dom Tyson, when responding to a question from Paul Roos about moving from Sydney where AFL isn't such a big deal to Melbourne where everybody's football mad, said, "but you came from the good part of Sydney"!

He won me over for what he said because it showed that he not only has a good sense of humour but he recognises the value of having a good coach and being able to ply his trade in football's heartland. All three of Roos' interviewees showed great character and will under doubtlessly add to the depth of leadership and good values at the club.

2. As I left the G (and what a wonderful stadium it is), I walked past the statues of two of the great footballers of my lifetime - Ron Barassi and Leigh Matthews. As I wandered past the former Hawthorn great, a bird crapped on his head but left RDB untouched: a great omen for the future.

One thing I missed from previous AGMs was not Schwab's bar charts but the fact that those present did not sing 'It's a Grand Old Flag' at the conclusion of the meeting. Some more players there might have been nice also.

... and yes, Roos did say that next Friday, it will be a practice match.