The AFL are a "non profitable" organization we are told. That means they have to transfer $$$ somewhere.

Gold Coast $un$ may yet become a trainwreck as nothing seems to last up there, but so far they have shown some fight.

GW$ are going backwards....fast.

Huh? Where has this been said? I've never read/heard that before in my life. The AFL is a business isn't it?

Sydney is the battle. The Greater Western bit was just an excuse to keep them separate from Sydney and hopefully get a little traction in the West but really it's about having 2 Sydney teams and growing the sport in Sydney.

The AFL can't get any bigger unless it cracks Sydney. It can't crack Sydney just with the swans. 1 team alone is destined to always be a niche market that gets largely ignored until finals.

2 teams hopefully means the sport grows and kids start playing the game and it starts getting much more media attention.

I realise Sydney is the goal, but Western Sydney is NEVER the place. it just isnt. Anyone whos lived there or knows it will agree. Its AFL-phobic practically.

Canberra was always imho a better subject for time and money. Theres some history and foundation there....unlike the deserts beyond Parramatta !! lol

DL its got F$&@@k all to do with having a social club.

Will you ever learn???

The Coach of the club sets the Agenda.

The rest follows in line.

.... its not about just a social club WYL; its about connection for the people & love from that. Ours will always be divided as it is now it seems.

The first thing to do would be to change the MFC Team rooms to those adjacent to the Ponsford Stand. That would be a small gesture. Better would be the Southern Stand rooms.

Then the MFC could start to Own the Northern Stand & all around to the Ponsford (the melbourne end), thru to the AFL enclosure.

then, we can start to grow the normal part of our fanbase.

Whilst it is not THE reason don't underplay the importance of the social club especially in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. Whilst others were prospering from the "home ground" and social club, we were homeless and soulless

... this is right, 'nutbean', & the soul of the club, from which the clubs "Character/Cultural fabric", grows from these foundations.

This is where we would lose the choir boy side of our old culture. It would give our fabric the 'Balance'. Instead of just 'lace', we would get some 'denim' in our veins. This is where 'the nature of our spirit grows from', & the culture planks are built ontop of this 'social fabric'.

all other clubs have both denim & lace

I realise Sydney is the goal, but Western Sydney is NEVER the place. it just isnt. Anyone whos lived there or knows it will agree. Its AFL-phobic practically.

Canberra was always imho a better subject for time and money. Theres some history and foundation there....unlike the deserts beyond Parramatta !! lol

you have little faith in our game BlzB.

again there is a parallel to our situation.

they have to bring in & incorporate the locals, treat them well & make them feel at home. the rest will grow. even if slowly initially.

Sydney is the battle. The Greater Western bit was just an excuse to keep them separate from Sydney and hopefully get a little traction in the West but really it's about having 2 Sydney teams and growing the sport in Sydney.

The AFL can't get any bigger unless it cracks Sydney. It can't crack Sydney just with the swans. 1 team alone is destined to always be a niche market that gets largely ignored until finals.

2 teams hopefully means the sport grows and kids start playing the game and it starts getting much more media attention.

I reckon you are right there

I think the nature of the Sydney market is that they dont attend games in large numbers and not sure wether they watch TV games in large numbers. Too many distractions with beaches and babes

Sydney (Swans) were an economic drain until they won and they have a hard won supporter base including the reborn Sth Melb cohortwho give them some respectability GWS have no history and will not have until they win a flag

Thay are built around the next generation and are mostly young so their results will fluctuate until they have a core of hardened experienced players. They are coming and so will success if they can keep all they have.

I think someone said they need an experienced coach and I think thats probably right

The AFL are determined to make this work they will plough whatever $ are required to make it work

Lets just hope they want to entrench Melbourne for those interstate battles and provide us with a flag first.

you have little faith in our game BlzB.

again there is a parallel to our situation.

they have to bring in & incorporate the locals, treat them well & make them feel at home. the rest will grow. even if slowly initially.

I have every faith in our game DL...I also know the western suburbs( of Syd ) a bit. I also understand the nature of how ppl watch and attend games in sydney is almost at a diamatrical opposite to the Vic/Sa/wa/tas and to a point Qld experience.. Once you get out of under age sports in sydney ...no one goes. Well not in numbers that mean anything.

The AFL has simply fukked up here. They simply think its a game of throwing money over time. They never heed lesson of others . They ignored money pit theorem. They puffed out their chest and swaggered in and they are sinking in sand.

Brer rabbit would be laughing at the clowns in the tar pit !!

This isnt even so much about OUR game, though we start from the back markers.....way back ...in the west. Its about the fundamentals of bums on seats and they just dont do it anymore up there. Its used to be about the sports ( Leagues ) clubs. But as they have hit hard times also , and with mergers and closures they arent what they were either.

League FFS struggles..AFL has no fn chance long term other than a token presence in Sydney.

They didn't pay him 1 million a season for "leadership".

They sure as hell didn't pay him $6m to average 8 kicks a game either tee hee..

Huh? Where has this been said? I've never read/heard that before in my life. The AFL is a business isn't it?

well i certainly have heard Vlad and co say it many times.

Doesn't mean i believe it.

.... its not about just a social club WYL; its about connection for the people & love from that. Ours will always be divided as it is now it seems.

The first thing to do would be to change the MFC Team rooms to those adjacent to the Ponsford Stand. That would be a small gesture. Better would be the Southern Stand rooms.

Then the MFC could start to Own the Northern Stand & all around to the Ponsford (the melbourne end), thru to the AFL enclosure.

then, we can start to grow the normal part of our fanbase.

Aah it's all about the location of the rooms. Yeah right.

I think winning is more important myself.

Kelly is going to be an absolute star. There are no flaws in his game.

Considering the culture problem up the GWS, Kelly will prove to be their most important player in the future.

Kelly is a leader and GWS future captain.

Yes we appear to of won the trade, but I won't be running down Josh Kelly, I think he suits GWS needs, they need a professional young kid, they get that in Kelly.

Hyperbole or near-sightedness? Every player has flaws.

I think it is more worrying for GWS that they seen Scully as a leader in the first place.

Tom Scully had done nothing to suggest he'd be a great leader.

I think Scully set training and preparation standards, in a similar way that Grimes and Trengove did. He's a little [censored], but I don't think anyone has ever accused Scully of not being professional. He is an ordinary footballer though. However, under a good coach, he could become a solid contributor. But, as everyone has said, you don't pay a bloke $6 mill for that. On the flip side though, they had to pay someone and at the time, he was a highly touted former number one draft pick. His signing was considered a coup. How lovely it is that he's turned out to be a vanilla footballer. The culture and coaching up there hasn't helped though. But schadenfreude, indeed.

GWS appear to have embodied Tom Scully's attitude - one of getting ahead of yourself before you get there.

If I was a GWS player, watching Dom Tyson have an impact and be part of a club that represents something - I'd be requesting trade at years end.

Let's hope Shiel comes to Demonland.

I think the other issue for GWS is that there's no soul at that football club. It was just created out of nowhere. It'd be easier to talk even the most loyal blokes into leaving, because there's no tradition or history to honour.

Absolutely.

Does anyone despise Ablett for taking the money and the challenge? no, because he didnt go about it in a manner that deceives everybody around him

I don't know about that.

well i certainly have heard Vlad and co say it many times.

Doesn't mean i believe it.

Really? Got a link or something, cos I've never heard that before. Ever.

In fact:

"The AFL will announce a $15 million profit this week from record revenue of about $440 million for 2013."

http://www.afr.com/p/business/sunday/afl_doubles_profit_despite_controversies_nrvwCSKgoSmNVq9BwlTwuI

Not sure where you get your "information" WYL.

Really? Got a link or something, cos I've never heard that before. Ever.

In fact:

"The AFL will announce a $15 million profit this week from record revenue of about $440 million for 2013."

http://www.afr.com/p/business/sunday/afl_doubles_profit_despite_controversies_nrvwCSKgoSmNVq9BwlTwuI

Not sure where you get your "information" WYL.

do some research and get back to me

Princess park still has the bones to be a good 'smaller' ground

It's an absolute hole. We used to go to all the MFC games there, but we hated going there. I'd prefer to go to Etihad and that's saying something. Geelong's a hole though too. One of those dumps is enough.

I'm glad we play in big stadiums these days, though I've grown up with that, so I'm biased.

It's an absolute hole. We used to go to all the MFC games there, but we hated going there. I'd prefer to go to Etihad and that's saying something. Geelong's a hole though too. One of those dumps is enough.

I'm glad we play in big stadiums these days, though I've grown up with that, so I'm biased.

Adam...think beyond. pls

Not as what it was , but if brought up to current standards of ameneties and able to hold say 30000 ppl

Its a good size, it has scope and its in the right location ( of sorts )

And

As for Scully it must be difficult for him to walk around the club with head held high

I don't think he would have a problem with it as he knows his shite don't stink!

I thought u new fndee

Adam...think beyond. pls

Not as what it was , but if brought up to current standards of ameneties and able to hold say 30000 ppl

Its a good size, it has scope and its in the right location ( of sorts )

That's the problem though, BB. It's a rubbish location. I already have to drive 40 to 60 minutes every time I go north side for meetings (bloody creative industries), I don't want to have to navigate it on the weekend for the footy as well. I'd much prefer to just get the train in or drive into Richmond and walk. As soon as you go north side, for me, it's painful.

Aah it's all about the location of the rooms. Yeah right.

I think winning is more important myself.

I think building this club into the place you want to be, is the biggest issue this club has always had. especially since the 60's finished.

now that, wanting to be at the MFC was true for players before the 60's, now its applicable to the supporters. I will never expect those regulars, who have their needs met via their contacts up in the Northern stand to fully understand this. but there are a lot more people around than those.

we are not doing the most for these type supporters. those who jump on in the good times, can tend to jump off just as quick.

That's the problem though, BB. It's a rubbish location. I already have to drive 40 to 60 minutes every time I go north side for meetings (bloody creative industries), I don't want to have to navigate it on the weekend for the footy as well. I'd much prefer to just get the train in or drive into Richmond and walk. As soon as you go north side, for me, it's painful.

Concede not everyones ideal. I'd just train and tram ( or walk it ) It that other mob were to build a tunnel metro there was to be a station near by I think. Still all pipedream stuff

Concede not everyones ideal. I'd just train and tram ( or walk it ) It that other mob were to build a tunnel metro there was to be a station near by I think. Still all pipedream stuff

Yeah. And I guess that's the one thing Etihad has going for it. You step off a train at Southern Cross and you're practically in the ground. It's then buying a ticket at that ground that becomes a joke. It's probably just as bad at the 'G though. I'm very fortunate to be an MCC member, so I just walk straight in.

couldnt pay me to attend the Dome..

do some research and get back to me

I just posted a link from the Financial Review where the AFL announced their profit. That's my research.

Now show me your info to back up your claims the AFL have said they are a non profit organization. Not that I'd ever expect any actual facts from you.

That's the problem though, BB. It's a rubbish location. I already have to drive 40 to 60 minutes every time I go north side for meetings (bloody creative industries), I don't want to have to navigate it on the weekend for the footy as well. I'd much prefer to just get the train in or drive into Richmond and walk. As soon as you go north side, for me, it's painful.

Agree, the lack of good public transport (train) and parking makes it a no go. It's just in a difficult place.

I just posted a link from the Financial Review where the AFL announced their profit. That's my research.

Now show me your info to back up your claims the AFL have said they are a non profit organization. Not that I'd ever expect any actual facts from you.

Lift your game Stuie - I don't have to raise a sweat anymore.

"We are also a not for profit, community and cultural organization that must take a leadership role in the community" Andrew Demetriou, AMSA 2013 Sports Leadership Awards.

being not for profit doesnt stop you making one