Jump to content

What Makes a De$tination Club?

pewpewpew
pewpewpew
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

Posted

Dollars?

Premiership Window?

Chance to help develop and build a list?

Are we no longer a Destination club because we don't have the $$$ or the picks to throw around?

There are some big names bandied about, (Gaff, Shiel) but none of them want to play for the Dees. Why?

I'm not counting Steven May because his priority seems to be to desperately get out of the Suns rather than specifically go to the Dees.

So is there such a thing as a destination club or does the timing of $$$ and picks have to be right to be considered one?

  • Quote
    •  

    A destination club is a status that enables clubs to get big, important players onto their list for little financial expense, because they have nominated the club as their choice destination. Invariably, the deal gets done.

    Having lots of money to throw around usually means you don't have the stars, otherwise you'd be paying those stars.

    Edited by A F
    As SWYL says below... yes, being in your premiership window is a significant factor at play too.

  • Quote
    •  
    • Author
    10 minutes ago, A F said:

    A destination club is a status that enables clubs to get big, important players onto their list for little financial expense, because they have nominated the club as their choice destination. Invariably, the deal gets done.

    Having lots of money to throw around usually means you don't have the stars, otherwise you'd be paying those stars.

    So are we no longer perceived as a destination club?

    Gaff is either chasing dollars or thinks North are better placed at a Premiership tilt. He obviously wants to come home but what is his other motivation.

    If Shiel is choosing the Blues then his decision is purely cash based.

    Why not choose the Dees? I'd play for us given ability and the choice and I'm not biased at all.

    Edited by pewpewpew

  • Quote

    this year apparently it is:  missing the 8 and throwing buckets of money around

    potentially: Hannebery, Shiel, gaff. Polec, Hogan etc

    seems to be a shift from glory hunters to money grabbers

  • Quote

    Interesting topic and I am not sure of the answer.

    As a related question do clubs have different characters or are they merely one homogeneous group such as the world's shopping malls.

    If I was a player at the top end I would be motivated by the crowds (they are entertainers after all) and the team environment whatever that  means.

    Certainly winning but perhaps more importantly not constantly losing would be relevant.

    Whatever makes a destination club I am sure that the MFC is not one at present.

  • Quote
    38 minutes ago, pewpewpew said:

    So are we no longer perceived as a destination club?

    Gaff is either chasing dollars or thinks North are better placed at a Premiership tilt. He obviously wants to come home but what is his other motivation.

    If Shiel is choosing the Blues then his decision is purely cash based.

    Why not choose the Dees? I'd play for us given ability and the choice and I'm not biased at all.

    Because as I say, having lots of money to throw around usually means you don't have the stars, otherwise you're paying those stars.

    North and Carlton are both outside the 8 and are purely attracting players with cash.

    The problem/danger of this is that you put your list structure/payment structures out of whack and it hurts you big time down the line.

    Edited by A F

  • Quote
    • Author
    1 minute ago, A F said:

    Because as I say, having lots of money to throw around usually means you don't have the stars, otherwise you're paying those stars.

    North and Carlton are both outside the 8 and are purely attracting players with cash.

    It does seem to be the case of cash making a club a destination club.

    I think we were all fooling ourselves that we were a destination club due to the direction that we were heading in.

  • Quote
    •  

    There's no such thing as a destination club, that's just media BS to hype up whatever agenda their trying to get through at the time. Each year there are more than 30 players (normally a lot more) who change clubs, either through trades or free agency, some are superstars some have other uses (role player, depth etc.).

    Given the media is currently driven by a heap of people trying to stay relevant to stay employed - Kane Cornes, Dal Santo, McClure, Llyod, etc, etc. They throw up terms like destination club, even if it's just getting a role player like J.Lewis for us a couple of year back, not downgrading Lewis' contribution (overall not in the prelim), but he was no longer a star when he came to us, but has been more than handy. 

  • Quote

    Yeah, see, I don't think North are a destination club just because they're paying way above the market value to attract players. That's not how I'd define 'destination club'.

    Edited by A F

  • Quote

    2 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

    There's no such thing as a destination club, that's just media BS to hype up whatever agenda their trying to get through at the time. Each year there are more than 30 players (normally a lot more) who change clubs, either through trades or free agency, some are superstars some have other uses (role player, depth etc.).

    Given the media is currently driven by a heap of people trying to stay relevant to stay employed - Kane Cornes, Dal Santo, McClure, Llyod, etc, etc. They throw up terms like destination club, even if it's just getting a role player like J.Lewis for us a couple of year back, not downgrading Lewis' contribution (overall not in the prelim), but he was no longer a star when he came to us, but has been more than handy. 

    Hawthorn 08-17 got every player they wanted I think. First miss was Tom Lynch. All without paying big money.

    Plenty of teams wanted Burgoyne, Hale, Gunston, O’Rourke, Frawley, Mitchell, O’Meara. They all chose the Hawks. That’s a destination club.

    They had the list, the coach, proven premiership success and medical/fitness staff to develop players.

    Getting the guys you want without having to pay top dollar is a huge advantage.

  • Quote
    • Like 2

    Paying extra cash is what non-destination clubs do to be competitive with destination clubs

  • Quote

    A club players don’t want to go to unless they’re asked, because they’d struggle to get a game... ;)

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    13 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

    Hawthorn 08-17 got every player they wanted I think. First miss was Tom Lynch. All without paying big money.

    Plenty of teams wanted Burgoyne, Hale, Gunston, O’Rourke, Frawley, Mitchell, O’Meara. They all chose the Hawks. That’s a destination club.

    They had the list, the coach, proven premiership success and medical/fitness staff to develop players.

    Getting the guys you want without having to pay top dollar is a huge advantage.

    Naturally it's a lot easier to get players in when you are successful, a lot of players will sacrifice $ for the chance of a premiership. Does that make you a destination club or just a successful one? If Hawthorn crash and burn from here will they still be a 'destination club' in 3/4 years, who knows, plus there's heaps they have also been linked with but never went there, just Lynch is the biggest this year - Carlisle, Prestia, Wines, Wingard etc. 

    What I was saying is that destination club is a term used by ordinary media performers to hype up any club doing a trade (if it suits their narrative at the time), we became a destination club because we got Lewis, last year Essendon and Port were because they got a few in. Nth, Brissy, Freo, Saints are apparently this years destination clubs.

  • Quote

    Who knows? The media seem to be raven on about nuff melbourne, paper bags mob, and of course methodon so far this trade period, which makes me want to use one of those calscum paper bags and? in it

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    18 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

    Naturally it's a lot easier to get players in when you are successful, a lot of players will sacrifice $ for the chance of a premiership. Does that make you a destination club or just a successful one? If Hawthorn crash and burn from here will they still be a 'destination club' in 3/4 years, who knows, plus there's heaps they have also been linked with but never went there, just Lynch is the biggest this year - Carlisle, Prestia, Wines, Wingard etc. 

    What I was saying is that destination club is a term used by ordinary media performers to hype up any club doing a trade (if it suits their narrative at the time), we became a destination club because we got Lewis, last year Essendon and Port were because they got a few in. Nth, Brissy, Freo, Saints are apparently this years destination clubs.

    Certainly a vastly overused term.

    But I think the Hawks up until this year were a club that players were very keen to get to. They didn't have to sell themselves to recruits, they had recruits coming to them.

    I also think the dynamics have changed over the last 18 months with North going really hard at big names and the Tom Boyd deal not exactly crippling the Dogs. Lower teams were previous afraid to make big moves that could hurt their salary caps in the years to come. With the salary cap rising quickly the bottom teams can offer huge money and not worry too much about the depth of their list. 

    When everyone was offering similar money the top clubs and the big off field clubs had a huge advantage. 

  • Quote
    28 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

    Certainly a vastly overused term.

    But I think the Hawks up until this year were a club that players were very keen to get to. They didn't have to sell themselves to recruits, they had recruits coming to them.

    I also think the dynamics have changed over the last 18 months with North going really hard at big names and the Tom Boyd deal not exactly crippling the Dogs. Lower teams were previous afraid to make big moves that could hurt their salary caps in the years to come. With the salary cap rising quickly the bottom teams can offer huge money and not worry too much about the depth of their list. 

    When everyone was offering similar money the top clubs and the big off field clubs had a huge advantage. 

    Successful clubs have always got the best of the players who move - Danger to Geel, Buddy to Swans, Lynch to Tigs etc. I don't think the lower clubs were afraid to make moves, the issue was that players choose the most successful clubs.

    It's a big issue in the equalisation the AFL wants, often lower clubs have to pay a lot more for NQR's just to met salary cap demands, I remember someone connect with the club once saying with Dawes contract that we had to pay someone.

  • Quote
    6 hours ago, pewpewpew said:

    Dollars?

    Premiership Window?

    Chance to help develop and build a list?

    Are we no longer a Destination club because we don't have the $$$ or the picks to throw around?

    There are some big names bandied about, (Gaff, Shiel) but none of them want to play for the Dees. Why?

    I'm not counting Steven May because his priority seems to be to desperately get out of the Suns rather than specifically go to the Dees.

    So is there such a thing as a destination club or does the timing of $$$ and picks have to be right to be considered one?

    Facilities would play a part too I would think.

  • Quote

    1. Premiership window 

    2. Respected coach and line coaches whom the player feels will help them reach their potential 

    3. Off field stability, reputation for integrity

    4. Opportunity to play in front of large crowds in blockbuster games 

    5. Quality of training facilities 

     

    Edited by EnterTheDragon

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     
    30 minutes ago, Redleg said:

    Still don't think we have got a top FA yet.

    We haven't. But the top line guys so far have been Buddy, Frawley (just), Lynch and Gaff (overpriced).

    Buddy and Lynch were head and shoulders above the rest.

    I'm not convinced Goddard or Dal Santo were top liners when they moved. Higgins and Waite weren't. Dale Thomas wasn't. Eddie Betts not really either, although a huge success.

    May, Neale, Shiel and Wingard are the best players from next years crop of free agents - the so called pre agents - and all 4 might be traded this year. Clubs don't want to go through the uncertainty.

  • Quote
    14 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

    We haven't. But the top line guys so far have been Buddy, Frawley (just), Lynch and Gaff (overpriced).

    Buddy and Lynch were head and shoulders above the rest.

    I'm not convinced Goddard or Dal Santo were top liners when they moved. Higgins and Waite weren't. Dale Thomas wasn't. Eddie Betts not really either, although a huge success.

    May, Neale, Shiel and Wingard are the best players from next years crop of free agents - the so called pre agents - and all 4 might be traded this year. Clubs don't want to go through the uncertainty.

    Higgins was a very good get by the Roos.

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • GAMEDAY: West Coast

      It's Game Day and the Demons have a chance to notch up their third consecutive win — something they haven’t done since Round 5, 2024. But to do it, they’ll need to exorcise the Demons of last year’s disastrous trip out West. Can the Dees continue their momentum, right the wrongs of that fateful clash, and take another step up the ladder on the road to redemption?

        • Like
      • 48 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • FEATURE: 1925

      A hundred years ago today, on 2 May 1925, Melbourne kicked off the new season with a 47 point victory over St Kilda to take top place on the VFL ladder after the opening round of the new season.  Top place was a relatively unknown position for the team then known as the “Fuchsias.” They had finished last in 1923 and rose by only one place in the following year although the final home and away round heralded a promise of things to come when they surprised the eventual premiers Essendon. That victory set the stage for more improvement and it came rapidly. In this series, I will tell the story of how the 1925 season unfolded for the Melbourne Football Club and how it made the VFL finals for the first time in a decade on the way to the ultimate triumph a year later.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREVIEW: West Coast

      Saturday’s election night game in Perth between the West Coast Eagles and Melbourne represents 18th vs 15th which makes it a tough decision as to which party to favour. The Eagles have yet to break the ice under their new coach in Andrew McQualter who is the second understudy in a row to confront Demon Coach Simon Goodwin who was also winless until a fortnight ago. On that basis, many punters might be considering to go with the donkey vote but I’ve been assigned with the task of helping readers to come to a considered opinion on this matter of vital importance across the nation. It was almost a year ago that I wrote a preview here of the Demons’ away game against the Eagles (under the name William from Waalitj because it was Indigenous Round).  I issued a warning that it was a danger game, based on my local knowledge that the home team were no longer easybeats and that they possessed a wunderkind generational player in Harley Reid who was capable of producing stellar performances playing among men a decade and more older than he.  At the time, the Eagles already had two wins off the back of a couple of the young man’s masterclasses and they had recently given the Bombers a scare straight after their Anzac Day blockbuster draw against the then reigning premiers.

      • 1 reply
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 08

      Round 08 of the 2025 AFL Season kicks off on Thursday with a must-win game for the Bombers to stay in touch with the top eight, while the struggling Roos seek a morale-boosting upset. Friday sees the Saints desperate for a win as well if they are to stay in finals contention and their opponents the Dockers will be eager to crack in to the Top 8 with a win on the road. Saturday kicks off with a pivotal clash for both sides asthe Bulldogs look to solidify their top-eight spot, while Port seeks to shake their pretender tag. Then the Crows will be looking to steady their topsy turvy season against a resurgent Blues looking to make it 4 wins on the trot. On Election Night a Blockbuster will see the ladder-leading Pies take on the Cats, who are keen to bounce back after a narrow loss. On Sunday the Sydney Derby promises fireworks as the Giants aim to cement their top-eight status, while the Swans fight to keep their season alive. The Hawks, celebrating their centenary, will be looking to easily account for the Tigers who are desperate to halt their slide. The Round concludes on Sunday Night with a top end of the table QClash with significant ladder implications; both Queensland teams are in scintillating form. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

        • Vomit
      • 176 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Shocked
        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 563 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All