There isn't necessarily anything wrong with the AFL trying to maximise crowds, but the argument should then be to share gameday revenues.

The AFL can either give equal fixtures and let teams stand on their own feet, or continue with gifting better fixtures to the powerful teams and share the revenue.

There isn't necessarily anything wrong with the AFL trying to maximise crowds, but the argument should then be to share gameday revenues.

The AFL can either give equal fixtures and let teams stand on their own feet, or continue with gifting better fixtures to the powerful teams and share the revenue.

Yes, but unfortunately it is then seen as begging or even worse taking money we are not entitled to.

...and on top of this when you are trying to draw players to the club the attraction of playing to big crowds is a positive that can't be underestimated.

Those who believe that we'll get a fairer fixture in terms of revenue if we become successful on the field are ignoring history.

Right through the Daniher years when we played finals in 6 different years, we continued to get rubbish fixtures, year in, year out. For proof, go back and have a look at our homes games in those years.

We've constantly been locked in as a team to play our home games against the "interstate" teams whilst the bigger drawing clubs like Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond, Geelong, Hawthorn and Essendon have been constantly "drawn" to play each other "home & away", year in, year out. The advantages that these teams have had over a prolonged period of time is enormous.

2007 was a classic example (remembering that we'd played in the finals in the 3 preceding years and had played finals in 6 of the 9 preceding years)

1) Our home games in 2007 were against 5 interstate teams as well as home games against North, the Dogs and St.Kilda. That's 8 home games where it's hard to turn a dollar.

2) This season, on the back of 7 fruitless years, we received 7 home games against interstate teams as well as home games against North & the Dogs. That's 9 home games where it's hard to turn a dollar.

Not much difference hey?

Not on point - but the highlighted comment reminds me of one of my favourite seasons - 2002 - the one in which we were absolutely cruelled by injury in the semi final against the Crows at the MCG. Geez that was a heart-breaking loss.

Despite the draw, we had some great come-from-behind wins that year, even in away games. The Dees had a quick, exciting midfield - TJ and Yze finished in the top 4 in the Brownlow - and then Daniher unwittingly stuffed it up at the end of the season by trading Woey and not giving Powell the additional year he wanted, only for both of them to become top tier players at the Pies and the Saints respectively for the next couple of seasons. We've never recovered from that trade period IMO.

Anyway - round 19 of that year - an away game at Subiaco playing West Coast. We won by a goal. TJ had about 58 svelte possessions. One of the truly great wins. Vardy apparently got so hammered on the flight back, he went missing at the baggage carousel at Melbourne Airport. Everyone went looking for him. About 5 minutes later he emerged out of the hole in the wall where the bags come out, lying flat out on his back, completely passed out on the conveyor belt. But everyone was pumped because we were set to play finals.

The come from behind victory at the Gabba against a dominant Lions was also sensational that year.

Thinking of those games nearly brings a tear to the eye. Roos should show the player group those games in the pre-season.

In fact, I think I might watch those games in the pre-season too. There's absolutely no levity in being an MFC supporter anymore - it's like running in mud, day in, day out, in wet, windy conditions with dark grey skies in every direction. It's emotionally draining.

I want some blue sky. We bloody well deserve some.

Yes, but unfortunately it is then seen as begging or even worse taking money we are not entitled to.

...and on top of this when you are trying to draw players to the club the attraction of playing to big crowds is a positive that can't be underestimated.

Yep, the better way would be if we got the opportunity to stand on our own 2 feet. However, given the way the fixture has been "arranged" previously, can we realistically expect to get that opportunity in the future?

JJ's solution is more practical but for the reasons you've pointed out, 'rjay', it comes at a price (at least, initially) As time goes on though, if more revenue sharing came into practise, that practise could well become just part of the ways things are done. We already have revenue sharing to a certain degree but not to a great extent.

People can take the following article with a grain of salt but I believe it's quite an accurate portrayal of how things work with regards to revenue sharing in Professional sports in the States ... Revenue Sharing and North America's Major Pro Sports Leagues (the link takes you to part 2 of the article where the focus is on the NFL ... the NBA is part 1, MLB part 3 and the NHL is part 4)

By the way, I don't believe that any of the pro teams in the States are disadvantaged by biased fixturing (at least, not to any great extent) Yet, especially in the case of the NFL, revenue sharing is practised)

Yep, the better way would be if we got the opportunity to stand on our own 2 feet. However, given the way the fixture has been "arranged" previously, can we realistically expect to get that opportunity in the future?

JJ's solution is more practical but for the reasons you've pointed out, 'rjay', it comes at a price (at least, initially) As time goes on though, if more revenue sharing came into practise, that practise could well become just part of the ways things are done. We already have revenue sharing to a certain degree but not to a great extent.

People can take the following article with a grain of salt but I believe it's quite an accurate portrayal of how things work with regards to revenue sharing in Professional sports in the States ... Revenue Sharing and North America's Major Pro Sports Leagues (the link takes you to part 2 of the article where the focus is on the NFL ... the NBA is part 1, MLB part 3 and the NHL is part 4)

By the way, I don't believe that any of the pro teams in the States are disadvantaged by biased fixturing (at least, not to any great extent) Yet, especially in the case of the NFL, revenue sharing is practised)

I think revenue sharing is probably the way it is heading but it should be here now. There is to much procrastination from HQ and this will continue whilst Gil want's to be seen as a man of the people instead of the leader who is charged with making decisions for the betterment of the competition. With lap dog Evans along for the ride I don't see a fair system of revenue sharing being adopted for a while now.

The AFL commission was put in place to make decisions for the betterment of the game, Evans screws up on the jumpers then asks Eddie if its ok for Port to use their traditional jumper. What a joke.

I think revenue sharing is probably the way it is heading but it should be here now. There is to much procrastination from HQ and this will continue whilst Gil want's to be seen as a man of the people instead of the leader who is charged with making decisions for the betterment of the competition. With lap dog Evans along for the ride I don't see a fair system of revenue sharing being adopted for a while now.

The AFL commission was put in place to make decisions for the betterment of the game, Evans screws up on the jumpers then asks Eddie if its ok for Port to use their traditional jumper. What a joke.

I'd be arguing the same way if we were one of the big, powerful clubs.

All the teams deserve a fair go. There has to be scope for growth with the clubs though ... otherwise all incentive is taken away. This is where good governance and top management should come to the fore. Are the AFL competent enough to know what the right decisions are for a sustainable league? I've got plenty of doubts.

The right system can be found where every club is given a decent chance. As an aside, if we'd have been handed the dream fixtures that a few other clubs have had over 20+ years, we'd be a much more powerful club (in theory!)

Thank god the NFL season is about to kick-off, a league where parity and fairness are taken seriously and all teams are given equality of opportunity despite the fact they are all (bar one) privately owned for-profit teams.