Melbourne biggest issue (from an outsider)

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

I watched the GWS with my brother, a north supporter, last week.

At one point we saw a Melbourne player in the back line kick the ball directly to Hoskin-Elliot, who just turned around and kicked an easy goal.

He said "right there is your biggest problem."

I said "what, turnovers?"

He said "no, your supporters' REACTION to turnovers and lack of understanding of how bad you are."

He then rewound the footage and paused just after the footy went through the sticks. There were a few MFC supports sitting there applauding.

He went on to say that any supporter can and probably should applaud an opposition goal when it shows guts or skill etc. However when it's an easy goal as a result of a direct turnover, fans shouldn't be sitting there saying "well done". They should be outraged. They should be baying for blood. There was no skill in what Hoskin-Elliot did. That was an own goal.

The implication was that the lack of passion from fans, combined with misunderstandings and tolerance of our glaring flaws means that we don't hold the players accountable.

I thought the fans at the end of that game telling the players exactly what we thought of him undermined this point, but that image of those MFC people applauding that goal has stuck with me.

Maybe there's some truth to what he's saying and I don't want to admit it.

Are we just weak supporters?

[Sir Why You Little 34,958]

I have never applauded an opposition goal.

Who are these F$&@wits??

[sue 8,477]

Before getting stuck into our supporters, isn't the most obvious interpretation that it was ironic clapping from some disgruntled supporters.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Before getting stuck into our supporters, isn't the most obvious interpretation that it was ironic clapping from some disgruntled supporters.

Didn't look ironic to me, although yes that's a possibility.

[stuie 7,374]

Our supporters are our biggest issue?!

Wow.

[Cards13 9,117]

That's our biggest problem?!

[daisycutter 28,694]

is your bro dr who?

[rpfc 27,646]

Here we go again.

Yeah, we are weak because we are not as feral as Tiger or Blues supporters?

Dees supporters are pretty bloody strong in my opinion. Weak isn't a word I would use to describe the resilient people that still support this team.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

is your bro dr who?

lol Because he lives in space?

I'll send him this link and see if he wants to defend his position. I doubt he will though.

I was just curious to see what others thought. This is what an outsider thinks of us. I thought it was interesting.

[Scipio 5,868]

It's only because of supporters like the fanatics and nutjobs on this site that the club is still alive.

[KingDingAling 3,622]

I think our biggest issue is lack of talent.

Not only do we need more talent, but the talent we have needs to lift.

Much rests on the shoulders of Jimmy Toumpas coming into 2015.

He is one player that desperately needs to lift.

Taken at pick 2, we expect much more from him.

Trengove another player that will need to lift.

I know he will be coming off a bad injury, but pre-injury he was too slow for AFL.

Another high draft pick who hasn't been up to AFL standard the past few years.

I expect further improvements from Salem, JKH and Viney - all showing great signs.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Here we go again.

Yeah, we are weak because we are not as feral as Tiger or Blues supporters?

Dees supporters are pretty bloody strong in my opinion. Weak isn't a word I would use to describe the resilient people that still support this team.

I think his contention is that we are less knowledgeable and therefore hold our players to account over the wrong things or not at all.

I'm guessing he bases his views on my family who are mostly dees supporters.

There are a lot of threads on here that would prove his contention false, but the fact that he (and maybe lots of others) have this view of us may be something worth considering.

[daisycutter 28,694]

lol Because he lives in space?

I'll send him this link and see if he wants to defend his position. I doubt he will though.

I was just curious to see what others thought. This is what an outsider thinks of us. I thought it was interesting.

you don't remember the ex poster dr who?

he blamed the supporters for what was wrong

[stuie 7,374]

I think his contention is that we are less knowledgeable and therefore hold our players to account over the wrong things or not at all.

I'm guessing he bases his views on my family who are mostly dees supporters.

There are a lot of threads on here that would prove his contention false, but the fact that he (and maybe lots of others) have this view of us may be something worth considering.

I have a view that this is a rubbish thread. Just something worth considering...

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

you don't remember the ex poster dr who?

he blamed the supporters for what was wrong

Don't remember him sorry

[Deez 298]

I watched the GWS with my brother, a north supporter, last week.

At one point we saw a Melbourne player in the back line kick the ball directly to Hoskin-Elliot, who just turned around and kicked an easy goal.

He said "right there is your biggest problem."

I said "what, turnovers?"

He said "no, your supporters' REACTION to turnovers and lack of understanding of how bad you are."

He then rewound the footage and paused just after the footy went through the sticks. There were a few MFC supports sitting there applauding.

He went on to say that any supporter can and probably should applaud an opposition goal when it shows guts or skill etc. However when it's an easy goal as a result of a direct turnover, fans shouldn't be sitting there saying "well done". They should be outraged. They should be baying for blood. There was no skill in what Hoskin-Elliot did. That was an own goal.

The implication was that the lack of passion from fans, combined with misunderstandings and tolerance of our glaring flaws means that we don't hold the players accountable.

I thought the fans at the end of that game telling the players exactly what we thought of him undermined this point, but that image of those MFC people applauding that goal has stuck with me.

Maybe there's some truth to what he's saying and I don't want to admit it.

Are we just weak supporters?

I cbf reading through all the posts, but at a guess, I would have thought the cheers from melbourne supporters after a west cot goal would have been a result of deep frustration displayed by sarcasm, treating the team like a joke. Hardly clapping opposition scoring.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Our supporters are our biggest issue?!

Wow.

Right, easy fix; everyone stop cheering and clapping for bad stuff and we are sure to play finals next year!

[pantaloons 2,019]

Are we just weak supporters?

I'm actually not sure what sort of response you want here. You're asking a bunch of freaks who are still here after 8 of the most insipid years in the history of organised team sport if we are weak. Do what a good brother should do and give him a fierce dead leg while singing It's a Grand Old Flag.

Edited August 25, 2014 by pantaloons

[praha 10,369]

I get really angry at games where the club plays obviously bad.

vs Brisbane, I was livid. I had an older woman in front of me having a go at me because I was being "negative".

At the Hawthorn game, I was grounded: they gave a crack.

At the GWS game, I was infuriated: why was I there when the players didn't want to be?

I think some of our fans are just used to seeing this, and go to games casually as "fans".

But a majority of us are downright sick of it.

[Coq au vin 754]

Delist the whole team

[Deez 298]

Btw I don't think theres anything wrong with quietly acknowledging a quality goal from the opposition. Certainly not when its the result of a horrible skill error then turnover on our behalf.
Its somewhat childish to not even acknowledge a quality scoring shot, no matter who scored it.
That doesn't mean i get up n wave my scarf n shout, but i will be respectful and might even mention to a fellow spectator that it was a good goal.

Doesn't mean I support my team any less.
I think the fact that we still turn up is evidence enough of our strength and tolerance.
I personally have 3/4 of my extended family that have give up on melbourne and are supporting other teams.

not me or my father.

[P-man 13,277]

Who applauds opposition goals? I'm not sure I've ever done that in my life.

But saying that's our BIGGEST problem is...well..insane. No offence to your bro, but it is.

Firstly, his point is completely negated by the boos that echoed around the MCG that day.

Secondly, the problems have very little to do with the mentality of supporters and everything to do with what happens inside the four walls.

And thirdly, he can impart his advice when his ageing side actually does something of note.

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

And thirdly, he can impart his advice when his ageing side actually does something of note.

Lol I'll tell him that :D

[Earl Hood 5,822]

I get really angry at games where the club plays obviously bad.

vs Brisbane, I was livid. I had an older woman in front of me having a go at me because I was being "negative".

At the Hawthorn game, I was grounded: they gave a crack.

At the GWS game, I was infuriated: why was I there when the players didn't want to be?

I think some of our fans are just used to seeing this, and go to games casually as "fans".

But a majority of us are downright sick of it.

I used to get animated at the footy and angry but not these days. I am more like a stunned mullett, shaking my head at the skill errors and turnovers hoping for a sign of some talent and teamwork. Come to think of it I have been this way since sitting through 186 to the bitter end! It is probably some form of post traumatic stress disorder. For some reason I still go whenever I can; shock therapy perhaps?

[beelzebub 22,369]

our biggest issue ?

Lazy

Individuals

Sans

Talent