Member appreciation

[HardBallGet 127]

Howdy All

I've been lurking here for a few years but thought I'd sign up to share my match day experience at the G yesterday.

My wife and I were registered to participate in the walk around the ground which was opened up to members who attended all home games. Whilst waiting we got chatting to a a young guy and young women who were working for the club. The woman got a phone call and seemed a little flustered. Upon hanging up she turned and to us and asked if I'd be interested receiving a jumper from one of the players on the ground instead of doing the walk. Naturally I hastily agreed. She rushed me down just in time to see the boys jog up the race for their first warm up.

Next thing I know I was on the ground with 22 other supporters standing in front of Dom Tyson's jumper. Dom and the team jogged over. He said g'day , asked my name, shook my hand and handed me his jumper. I wished him luck for the game and gave him a pat on the back and he was on is way.

Now I know according to a few on here he butchers the ball but I absolutely love Dom and think he is crucial to our success. He's tough around the contests and wins the tough footy. So I was wrapped to get his jumper. The whole experience was amazing. Thanks to the club for making things like this happen.

Now I'm not usually a track watcher but I thought I might head into training to get the Jumper signed by Dom. I'm assuming the main session this week will be Thursday morning. Does anyone know any details. eg start time.  

[Melbournepotter 264]

I'm not sure what time training finishes, but I do know that the players in the past have been very engaging after training when my sons and I asked for autographs on the boys guernseys.  They all took the time to talk a bit and JKH was especially good to them.  Certainly helps when trying to keep them supporting in trying times..

[Moonshadow 16,161]

Great experience HBG. Good on you and the missus. Stories like this make me look forward watching the club succeed over the next few years.

[ShaneJ 88]

I had a different experience via Member Appreciation.

Email said to be at Gate 1 at 11.40 so I was there at 11.30 and got my wrist band - clearly it seemed plenty had been there much earlier than that. Jack Watts was in the foyer area inside gate 1 for a couple of minutes taking photos with the fans, but then he was gone. We stood there until around 12.15 which we were then directed to go down a lot of steps to underground where the players run up. We were all behind a chain separating us from the main runway. We were there from 12.20 to 12.55. 

During that time the Demon officials said to step back away from the chain and not to speak to any of the players. Way to get our hopes up - but alas it is the BRISBANE LIONS team that runs up the ramp by us with a lot of awkwardness from everyone. We wait till they've warmed up, run back down and then right about the time our legs are falling asleep it's time for our lap of honor around the ground.

Except it was really only walking around half the ground. We all sort of walked up, some of us with our flags, waving sheepishly, not really knowing what was going on. The OP was probably getting handed Tyson's jumper at this point but it was hard to tell what was going on because there was no explanation and the ceremony and introductions already had begun before we were even on the ground.

Five minutes later and without any handshakes or thank yous or any signs of any players we are herded into the absolutely packed level 1 seating behind the goals. I raced through that lot and rushed out of gate 5 at 1pm with ten minutes till game time. Our usual seats are Gate 1, level three so by the time I get there I'm out of breath and only a couple of minutes before the bounce.

Strange experience. 

 

[praha 10,270]

4 minutes ago, ShaneJ said:

I had a different experience via Member Appreciation.

Email said to be at Gate 1 at 11.40 so I was there at 11.30 and got my wrist band - clearly it seemed plenty had been there much earlier than that. Jack Watts was in the foyer area inside gate 1 for a couple of minutes taking photos with the fans, but then he was gone. We stood there until around 12.15 which we were then directed to go down a lot of steps to underground where the players run up. We were all behind a chain separating us from the main runway. We were there from 12.20 to 12.55. 

During that time the Demon officials said to step back away from the chain and not to speak to any of the players. Way to get our hopes up - but alas it is the BRISBANE LIONS team that runs up the ramp by us with a lot of awkwardness from everyone. We wait till they've warmed up, run back down and then right about the time our legs are falling asleep it's time for our lap of honor around the ground.

Except it was really only walking around half the ground. We all sort of walked up, some of us with our flags, waving sheepishly, not really knowing what was going on. The OP was probably getting handed Tyson's jumper at this point but it was hard to tell what was going on because there was no explanation and the ceremony and introductions already had begun before we were even on the ground.

Five minutes later and without any handshakes or thank yous or any signs of any players we are herded into the absolutely packed level 1 seating behind the goals. I raced through that lot and rushed out of gate 5 at 1pm with ten minutes till game time. Our usual seats are Gate 1, level three so by the time I get there I'm out of breath and only a couple of minutes before the bounce.

Strange experience. 

 

Gee, lots of stairs and getting their only moments before the first bounce. What a horrific experience. You should ask for a full membership refund

[ShaneJ 88]

Just now, praha said:

Gee, lots of stairs and getting their only moments before the first bounce. What a horrific experience. You should ask for a full membership refund

I personally didn't find it horrific and was proud to get involved in member activities, but it certainly could have been handled better.

[layzie 28,698]

Great to hear HBG. That's an awesome experience! And I agree Dom is a pivotal player for us, yes he can be wasteful but he always fronts up and gets busy. 

My experience of the walk was almost identical to ShaneJ's. The walk starting at 12.55 and all of us worried if we can get to our seats before the bounce. Exiting through the crowd level 1 in the Southern stand, and then pretty much being Left to your own devices without a word haha. Luckily my seat is level 2 N13 so it wasn't too hard to get to but I felt for others who needed to get to other areas.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,154]

Here seems as good a place as any to post this question / observation...

I've been living overseas for the last four years and can generally only get back to Melbourne for one match a year (this year being the Melbourne v Port Adelaide triumph).

Something that struck me at the end of this match was that the players only ran to acknowledge the fans in half the ground.  When  I expressed my surprise, my dad said 'yeah, they don't come over here anymore.'

I have great memories of high fiving players, congratulating them up close and carrying my little sister down to the fence to see the players who came over our way.  Must say I was a little disappointed that only half the ground was acknowledged.

 

Does anyone know if this is the new norm and what possible reason there could be for this decision if it wasn't a simple oversight...?

[Call Me What You Will 693]

Great stuff HardBallGet and thanks for sharing with us when you got back to your seats! Now you know who I am on DL!!!

[Zoiikgarden 134]

2 hours ago, Melbournepotter said:

I'm not sure what time training finishes, but I do know that the players in the past have been very engaging after training when my sons and I asked for autographs on the boys guernseys.  They all took the time to talk a bit and JKH was especially good to them.  Certainly helps when trying to keep them supporting in trying times..

In the 1980s I used to take my three kids to training.  The players were generous with photos, autographs etc.  This made my kids Demons for life.  They have stayed dedicated and fanatical all through the lean years - so now for the good times!!  They deserve it (and so do I!!!)

[HardBallGet 127]

hey Shane J. Yeah I remember waiting a fair while for the walk on the ground in 2016. Overall though I felt like it was a good experience. I liked the novelty and excitement of being on the ground before the match. I also struggled to get to my seat by first bounce but I felt like it was worth it.

[HardBallGet 127]

A small world on demonland cmwyw. see ya at the footy in 2018. Go easy on the green squirts next week