I'm referring to the decisions made by the AFL admin that don't need to go to the Commission and seem to favour Carlton...

I know but you were pointing at Fitzpatrick with your reference and I think he is fair game. As chairman he has influence over all decisions made even if he is not directly involved. Not investigating Carlton over tanking and the AFL deal with the Homebush stadium are prime examples.

The only thing transparent about the AFL is their lack of integrity. It's there for all to see, unfortunately the media know who pays their bills and whilst they will kick up about some things this they won't touch with a barge pole. Isn't that right Grant Thomas?

Round 23 - Melbourne v GWS - Etihad Stadium, Sunday.

Anyone like to take a guess of the crowd number for this one? 8,000?

7999 actually. I'm not going

That is a terrible fixture for us in terms of income.

We have a home game against Collingwood.

We don't have a home game against Carlton, Richmond, Essendon, Hawthorn or Geelong.

I [censored] hate the AFL, and everything about it. I hate their transparent and unfair agenda to help certain clubs become successful at the expense of others. Once again we have the worst draw by a country mile, the dogs have home games against Carlton & Collingwood, saints get Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn, Richmond and Geelong FFS, they [censored] finished last. How the [censored] are we meant to build for the future.

If it wasn't for my emotional ties to the MFC I would have walked away from the sport years ago. The AFL can gagf, they are corrupt and continually influence the results to achieve their own agendas.

At the end of the day It depends on us Demon supporters to attend the game, we do have close to 40,000 members but how many go? Yes we can try to rely on other clubs to make up the numbers in attendance figures, but if our own supporters dont turn up then it doesnt really matter who we play

Round 23 - Melbourne v GWS - Etihad Stadium, Sunday.

Anyone like to take a guess of the crowd number for this one? 8,000?

42816

We will be playing for a spot in the finals!

Good one OD. Keep the faith!

At the end of the day It depends on us Demon supporters to attend the game, we do have close to 40,000 members but how many go? Yes we can try to rely on other clubs to make up the numbers in attendance figures, but if our own supporters dont turn up then it doesnt really matter who we play

A system that perpetually penalises the weaker teams. It doesn't exist any where else in the worlf

The MFC grew out of the MCG, we all know this.

But in 2015 we are the away team in most fixtures on that ground.

It is absolutely F$&@ked that this proud old Demon has been treated with absolute disdain and incompetance since the mid 60's.

We the hardcore supporter should be united in anger at what has transpired.

Look at all those Victorian clubs who host us at our own ground and walk off with the $$$$

The AFL has a new boss

Same as the old boss....

We forget that MFC have been financially bailed out by the AFL and they provided us with Jackson and Roos.

Those miserable bastards!

We forget that MFC have been financially bailed out by the AFL and they provided us with Jackson and Roos.

Those miserable bastards!

But still keep the Ball and chain locked 30

We forget that MFC have been financially bailed out by the AFL and they provided us with Jackson and Roos.

Those miserable bastards!

What, for the grand total of 1.4 million?

Port Adelaide were bailed out to the tune of 9 million at the end of 2011 - all because they couldn't make enough out of their home games at footy park.

GWS and the GCS are being subsided to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars - fact.

The AFL are not paying for Jackson & Roos - we are. If you believe the AFL are - prove it.

What, for the grand total of 1.4 million?

Port Adelaide were bailed out to the tune of 9 million at the end of 2011 - all because they couldn't make enough out of their home games at footy park.

GWS and the GCS are being subsided to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars - fact.

The AFL are not paying for Jackson & Roos - we are. If you believe the AFL are - prove it.

The AFL bailed us out of Neelds, Schwabs and a number of other executives contracts. Then they put Jackson in charge.

And you can believe what you like if you think we can mysteriously fund a million plus a year contract for Roos.

And the last time I looked GWS and GCS were development clubs that had agreed allocations

But still keep the Ball and chain locked

Here's an idea. Let's start winning some games so we're not a commercial embarrassment. If we don't get a better draw then start complaining.

Here's an idea. Let's start winning some games so we're not a commercial embarrassment. If we don't get a better draw then start complaining.

Doesn't matter, read 'Macca's' earlier posts. Explains it pretty well I reckon.

Here's an idea. Let's start winning some games so we're not a commercial embarrassment. If we don't get a better draw then start complaining.

Totally agree. But the opportunity to make some money on the way would also assist the situation.

I just do not follow the AFL logic. Sure keep us off friday nights, but to deny the gate against larger clubs is just plain evil.

The AFL bailed us out of Neelds, Schwabs and a number of other executives contracts. Then they put Jackson in charge.

And you can believe what you like if you think we can mysteriously fund a million plus a year contract for Roos.

And the last time I looked GWS and GCS were development clubs that had agreed allocations

We were given 1.4 million ... that's it. For proof do your own research - you'll find I'm right. You're making stuff up and making unfounded accusations to suit your own argument.

As for agreed allocations to the new clubs ... you've played that down. Hundreds of millions of dollars "allocated" and you want to bleat and moan about 1.4 million.

And what have you got to say about the 9 million that Port received? I noticed that you conveniently failed to address that in your reply.

You need to provide the proof for your accusations about the bailing out of the Neeld & Schwab contracts and the other "executive" contracts. Also, where's the proof that the AFL put Jackson in charge. Our board appointed him ... again, get your facts right.

Try reading the annual reports - all the info is there if you can be bothered.

1.4 million - that's all we got ... and the money we received came with no specific purpose other than to help us out ... unless you're calling Jackson a liar ... are you?

You strike me as just another supporter who wants the club to be punished further because you feel personally let down.

By the way, the clubs bottom line sits at $3,272,495 (in the black) That number is from the 2013 annual report. Take out the 1.4 million "grant" that we received from the AFL and that bottom line would sit at $1,872,495. Hardly panic stations, all things considered.

Our pokies venues provide very good income for the club and if we had a much more favourable fixture, we'd be posting excellent profits.

The fixture is stifling our growth.

By the way, the clubs bottom line sits at $3,272,495 (in the black) That number is from the 2013 annual report. Take out the 1.4 million "grant" that we received from the AFL and that bottom line would sit at $1,872,495. Hardly panic stations, all things considered.

Our pokies venues provide very good income for the club and if we had a much more favourable fixture, we'd be posting excellent profits.

The fixture is stifling our growth.

Those of us old enough to live through the late 80's, 90's and early 2000's know that a winning MFC brings people through the gates. We start winning again and we'll get some bigger games. I know money can bring success but we have no one to blame for our fixture but ourselves.

Those of us old enough to live through the late 80's, 90's and early 2000's know that a winning MFC brings people through the gates. We start winning again and we'll get some bigger games. I know money can bring success but we have no one to blame for our fixture but ourselves.

I can't be bothered arguing my point anymore other than to say that I don't agree with your take on things. I've posted my views previously on this thread.

Of course, you're entitled to your opinion - let's agree to disagree.

Agreed Macca.

I'll just say this and then I'll leave it alone. The AFL is ever evolving. Your stats show that we have been overlooked in the past for the big 4 regardless of results. If we start winning and generate excitement people will come and so to, will the big games. We'll never get Carlton's 7 Friday night games but 3 in 2016 after a much improved 2015 would help the bottom line no end.

Those of us old enough to live through the late 80's, 90's and early 2000's know that a winning MFC brings people through the gates. We start winning again and we'll get some bigger games. I know money can bring success but we have no one to blame for our fixture but ourselves.

Whether or not that is true is irrelevant to the point that we are being financially disadvantaged every single year by being fixtured as the away team to the other big Vic clubs. Whether we are fixtured as the home or away team against Essendon or Carlton makes absolutely no difference to the commercial aspect of the fixture as a whole to the AFL but it does have an impact on the commercial aspect of the fixture for the clubs involved.

There are two issues with the disadvantageous fixture - one is when the games are played which is relevant but not what is being discussed. The other is which club is scheduled as the home team and gets to keep the gate - this is the issue which is financially hamstringing us every single year and is really only an issue for the Vic clubs. There are two ways around this second issue - either have a rolling draw alternating home & away each time two clubs play regardless of whether the return match is this season or next and the other is for the two clubs to split the gate.

Edited November 1, 201410 yr by Dr. Gonzo

Whether or not that is true is irrelevant to the point that we are being financially disadvantaged every single year by being fixtured as the away team to the other big Vic clubs. Whether we are fixtured as the home or away team against Essendon or Carlton makes absolutely no difference to the commercial aspect of the fixture as a whole to the AFL but it does have an impact on the commercial aspect of the fixture for the clubs involved.

There are two issues with the disadvantageous fixture - one is when the games are played which is relevant but not what is being discussed. The other is which club is scheduled as the home team and gets to keep the gate - this is the issue which is financially hamstringing us every single year and is really only an issue for the Vic clubs. There are two ways around this second issue - either have a rolling draw alternating home & away each time two clubs play regardless of whether the return match is this season or next and the other is for the two clubs to split the gate.

I'm not sure what the answer is. But while the AFL keep lining our pockets the Carltons, Collingwoods, Richmonds and Essendons will feel entitled to the home gates in crowd drawing games. The only way that we can possibly overcome this is to win games of footy. We need to find a way.

We've got the weakest draw and save a lot on travel.

The money will only flow if we start to get on a roll.

By the way, the clubs bottom line sits at $3,272,495 (in the black) That number is from the 2013 annual report. Take out the 1.4 million "grant" that we received from the AFL and that bottom line would sit at $1,872,495. Hardly panic stations, all things considered.

Our pokies venues provide very good income for the club and if we had a much more favourable fixture, we'd be posting excellent profits.

The fixture is stifling our growth.

A decade of crappy football is stifling our growth, for which we, the MFC, not the AFL are responsible for.

Last year how many rounds were Melbourne involved in the best game of the round? second best game of the round? third?...

I happily missed games, why would the less committed bother, and why would the AFL schedule those to precious slots in the fixture?

the fixture will change when we play decent footy, and it's been a while.

No where else in the world does the governing body cook the books like the AFL. I've seen no argument by anyone that truly justifies what the AFL does.

It's an absolute disgrace

No where else in the world does the governing body cook the books like the AFL. I've seen no argument by anyone that truly justifies what the AFL does.

It's an absolute disgrace

Nowhere else in the world are struggling, unfinancial clubs propped up by the governing body. They either have their license taken from them or are relegated.