Pert's Plan to Make the Dees an AFL Power

[Guest]

My whinging can end now. We finally got the introductory media piece I was looking for and Perty posing as an actual Melbourne employee.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the paywall either but I read a scanned copy on Twitter.

My takeaway is:

1) A tick for wanting to build a social club and training facility in Yarra Park. This was mooted under PJ and as much as we ribbed @dee-luded when he still went by that name, it will help the club. When I visited the Lexus Centre social club with my Collingwood supporter bro, I actually felt a bit jealous to be honest that we didn't have anything like that (albeit smaller).

2) A half tick for wanting to grow the membership base. I withhold the other half of the tick because I'm not sure that targeting previous members and existing supporters is the whole ball game. As has been mentioned here, Melbourne is growing at a phenomenal rate. The international student community is huge; not to mention people moving from the Northern states and NZ/UK. We should be looking at getting these arrivals on board. PJ mentioned that one of the prouder things that he felt during the elimination and preliminary finals was that he saw a lot of non Anglo faces wearing Melbourne scarves and I think this should remain part of our strategy. Our supporter to membership conversion rate is already among the best in the league and I fear that there is only do much more blood we can draw from that stone.

3) A raised eyebrow about talk of 'history' and 'rebirth'. Maybe I am paranoid and maybe I suffer from some scarring. There's no reason to explain why some of us have an almost operantly conditioned cringe reaction upon hearing the word 'history'. However, I will admit that it was a small takeaway in a broader ranging interview.

While I wouldn't say we are anywhere near the summit yet, I think rebirth isn't where we are at. The rebirth really started in 2014. I would have preferred him to talk more in terms of continuing the work PJ did in his 5 years. 

Despite me complaining that he was too inconspicuous previously, I'm now going in the opposite direction. Now we've heard from the man, he needs to go behind the scenes and get results there. Turn up on media street when he needs to be seen but no more and no less.

[CBDees 3,162]

1 hour ago, The team we love said:

$695. Includes entry to all cricket and footy including finals. 

It’s double that for us oldies who have hung onto our Guest Pass (formerly “Ladies Ticket”)! (ie. approx $1500 pa with the MFC option)!

[CBDees 3,162]

54 minutes ago, DemonOX said:

Can someone post the article as I can’t get past the paywall. 

Thanks in advance. 

Go to your local coffee shop and read the paper.

[david_neitz_is_my_dad 3,925]

Membership numbers for 2019 will be through the roof, won't be Pertys doing though

[BillyBeane 211]

Ahh the old MCC/MFC member chestnut.

MFC benefits from MCC member attendance at home games from a portion of Gate Receipts ($5 per person I believe).  So it's not like they aren't doing anything by not becoming members.  MCC/MFC membership is nothing more than a donation.  They might as well buy a few of Dudley's raffle tickets once at every game.

win games, get bums on seats, make money.

Edited December 16, 2018 by BillyBeane

[rjay 23,903]

2 hours ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

I withhold the other half of the tick because I'm not sure that targeting previous members and existing supporters is the whole ball game.

I hope that not a lot of energy goes into this area as I think it's been well mined...and almost mined out as this supporter base is ageing.

For the number of supporters we hold up extremely well even in the down times for attendances at games and memberships compared on a % basis to the so called big clubs.

I would also think the ratio of MFC/MCC members will drop right off in the coming years. Picking up 50% now is a pretty decent conversion but in pure numbers it will dwindle away as time goes on.

It's how we appeal to new members that's going to be the key to growth. A premiership or 2 won't hurt and providing an attractive club for people to join is going to be paramount.

Establish the club as Melbourne in Melbourne and work hard for the new arrivals & converts...

Edited December 16, 2018 by rjay

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,580]

I thought it was basically a regurgitation of the Wheatly interview.  But that's ok, I like what he had said to Wheatly and the HS article probably just reinforced and reached a larger audience.

[dees189227 10,767]

1 hour ago, CBDees said:

I can! They are generally wealthy (but tight) and are there in their droves for the big matches (and the Melbourne Finals)! They congratulate you (as they see you in a MFC scarf, tie, etc) and then are disappointed that you are lukewarm to them. I hate their attitude of why should I pay when I get in free through my ‘cricket’ club membership! It’s own a few extra hundred dollars and a fraction of what the MCC membership costs! ?

See everyone just assumes if you are an mcc member then you have it all. I work at at job where I only get $22 an hour, I don't live in a fancy suburb, drive a range rover, have a beach house or ski. So don't put us all into the doctor, lawyer toorak living area bracket   I have been an MCC member for over 20 years. I didn't go on the list when I was a kid because im a melbourne supporter. I went on because of family and now I use it over summer for the cricket, including boxing day the big bash and international 20/20s. I wouldn't ditch it ever because I use it and get value out of it. I don't apologise for having an mcc membership. Me contributing $87 each year is better than those who don't re-sign or don't join up but still go. 

I also go to every melbourne game there and yes I usually to the grand finals. But I pay for an MFC/MCC membership every year. A couple of years ago it was $60 and you got a scarf and all the sticker and that. You also got free entry into an etihad home game. 

Now it has gone up to $87. I have signed up again because it adds to the membership total and it makes a donation to the club. 

I agree during the finals when the members was packed I saw many supporters with scarves on from 2015 and beyond. You can tell the ones who have jumped back on. Hopefully with the success last year more and more will sign up. 

[Demonland 64,807]

2 hours ago, Demon_Nicola75 said:

Since a membership and scarf isn’t of value to MCC dual member maybe a commemorative bottle of wine put together by one of our sponsors.

Welcome to Demonland.

I agree that MCC members need more bang for their buck to give value (above from helping the club out with effectively a donation) but why isn't a members scarf of value to MCC members?

[old dee 22,851]

2 hours ago, CBDees said:

I can! They are generally wealthy (but tight) and are there in their droves for the big matches (and the Melbourne Finals)! They congratulate you (as they see you in a MFC scarf, tie, etc) and then are disappointed that you are lukewarm to them. I hate their attitude of why should I pay when I get in free through my ‘cricket’ club membership! It’s own a few extra hundred dollars and a fraction of what the MCC membership costs! ?

Agree I have a friend I go with quite often and he refuses to by the MFC add on. We have had numerous discussions about it. Thousands like him unfortunately.

[old dee 22,851]

6 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Welcome to Demonland.

I agree that MCC members need more bang for their buck to give value (above from helping the club out with effectively a donation) but why isn't a members scarf of value to MCC members?

Don't want to be seen when we lose!

[Romey 127]

3 hours ago, The team we love said:

$695. Includes entry to all cricket and footy including finals. 

I think that the MCC/MFC should be more creative with membership options.

I am a full MCC member and also donate $87 as an MCC/MFC member, but only get to about 8 games per year. I don’t like cricket so it costs me about $100 per game on average to see the Dees. I would happily forego my right to see the cricket if it meant the Dees received more money and I could pay a bit less on my MCC each year.

If there were MCC AFL only and cricket only membership, then the 20 year wait list could be shortened, the MFC and MCC would both be financially better off and I would get much better value out of my membership. I am sure that there are other creative ticket options as well.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,580]

I actually see the PJ started initiative to recruit new arrivals and emphasize the clubs identidy with the city Melbourne as similar to the memership drive that Essendon went on in the 80s to build a bigger membership base.  I forget the details of the Essendon strategy, but what I do nominally recall is that they hadn't been a huge club in the past, but that during that membership drive they set out to change that by doing things differently to what the other old power and power clubs of the day were doing.  I see the aforementioned PJ initiatives as being the niche's that has been identified that the MFC can try to exploit and make work for us.

[rjay 23,903]

7 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I actually see the PJ started initiative to recruit new arrivals and emphasize the clubs identidy with the city Melbourne as similar to the memership drive that Essendon went on in the 80s to build a bigger membership base.  I forget the details of the Essendon strategy, but what I do nominally recall is that they hadn't been a huge club in the past, but that during that membership drive they set out to change that by doing things differently to what the other old power and power clubs of the day were doing.  I see the aforementioned PJ initiatives as being the niche's that has been identified that the MFC can try to exploit and make work for us.

Yep, I think the old supporter base has been well and truly exhausted.

The talk of converting MCC/MFC members to me is not going to achieve a lot more.

Real growth will come from the areas you mention.

Also note that the EFC drive came with premierships, ours will be the same.

[DV8 2,271]

5 hours ago, special robert said:

Why the hell isn't the mcg our home base like it was for the years 1858 to 1980? (or whenever , something like that).By my reckoning that's 142 years there and now nearly 40yrs in the wilderness. Why can't we train there? Why can't we build a state of the art facility in the MCG?

The Mcc never gave us the necessary facilities to be fully functional in, like decent gym space, training and social facilities, were not given.

Then they roped off the centre-wicket area for restricted training,  and eventually banished us to Siberia for asking too much.  The Junction-Oval was our prize,. for making waves.

[raDeelaide 214]

I'm an ex-Victorian living in SA and I've had an MCC membership since I was 15 and we've always taken out the Melbourne suporters "donation". I don't care that we don't get anything for it although it would be a nice bonus. I'm happy to give it as a donation and I rarely get to go to any games at the G.

[DV8 2,271]

5 hours ago, praha said:

You need an element of differentiation, and melbourne is certainly different to any of the aforementioned. I think our attachment to the MCG and Yarra Park has an element of romanticism rarely seen in sports the world over. We need to embrace that more especially if we're going to attract a younger and newer audience. I'd not only be targeting kids, I'd be targeting Indian and Chinese students/expats that either see the MCG as a church (Indians with cricket and association with the MCG), or as a cultural landmark of the city (Chinese looking to make this their home, and finding ways to assimilate). A more obvious presence in the CBD should also be considered, to be considered as somewhat of a "gateway" to our home in the MCG.

Well If you want to build within Yarra-Park...  then the only place in that park for us__ is right between the Richmond's Punt Rd Oval and the Mcg Arena itself, right on and over Brunton avenue, adjoining Richmond station.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b&tbm=lcl&ei=Z8cVXIDFNZSz9QPB2YeQBw&q=brunton+avenue&oq=brunton+avenue&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l10.36875.40962.0.41557.14.14.0.0.0.0.633.2479.3-5j0j1.6.0..2..0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..8.6.2477...0i67k1j0i131k1.0.wb9ATYckdhc#rlfi=hd:;si:;mv:!1m2!1d-37.82145972268096!2d144.98404174146273!2m2!1d-37.82181967731903!2d144.9835860585373

[Demon Disciple 10,935]

5 hours ago, The team we love said:

$695. Includes entry to all cricket and footy including finals. 

Wow, for this price i'd have thought the MCC should be able to follow the AFL's lead and have a club support option with money going to said club and being included in the membership numbers too.

[Deeminion 345]

I'm surprised it's taken this long for the club to roll out the CEO in his Demons merch.

[DV8 2,271]

5 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Wow, for this price i'd have thought the MCC should be able to follow the AFL's lead and have a club support option with money going to said club and being included in the membership numbers too.

What the Mcc give anything up... cut it out

 

What should happen is that Mcc should NOT get you into AFL games... unless you have a $1,000.00 per-annum combo Mcc/AFL club packaged membership...   Benefiting both the Mcc and selected AFL Clubs, on equal basis.

Then, and only then, will the Mcc have true justification to host AFL matches.

 

[old dee 22,851]

3 minutes ago, DV8 said:

What the Mcc give anything up... cut it out

 

What should happen is that Mcc should NOT get you into AFL games... unless you have a $1,000.00 per-annum combo Mcc/AFL club packaged membership...   Benefiting both the Mcc and selected AFL Clubs, on equal basis.

Then, and only then, will the Mcc have true justification to host AFL matches.

 

It is time for a Bex and a good lie down.

[DV8 2,271]

2 minutes ago, old dee said:

It is time for a Bex and a good lie down.

But I've just got up,  and getting started.

Soon going out to get the chainsaw ripping. getting those fruit trees shaped up.

[Moonshadow 16,168]

4 hours ago, CBDees said:

I can! They are generally wealthy (but tight) and are there in their droves for the big matches (and the Melbourne Finals)! They congratulate you (as they see you in a MFC scarf, tie, etc) and then are disappointed that you are lukewarm to them. I hate their attitude of why should I pay when I get in free through my ‘cricket’ club membership! It’s own a few extra hundred dollars and a fraction of what the MCC membership costs! ?

Massive generalisation mate. I am not a MCC member but know plenty who are far from wealthy, nor have the attitude you paint. My father was a 50 year member and struggled to find the cash each year to pay the dues. Demographics are more nuanced that broad sweeping statements.

[Sir Why You Little 34,443]

4 hours ago, CBDees said:

I can! They are generally wealthy (but tight) and are there in their droves for the big matches (and the Melbourne Finals)! They congratulate you (as they see you in a MFC scarf, tie, etc) and then are disappointed that you are lukewarm to them. I hate their attitude of why should I pay when I get in free through my ‘cricket’ club membership! It’s own a few extra hundred dollars and a fraction of what the MCC membership costs! ?

So you hate all the people in the MCC?

or do you decipher somehow who have paid and who have not?

i have paid a full MCC Membership and bought a FULL MFC Membership for 25 years and i always sit in the Members Reserve and enjoy a great view

Be careful who you hate. We need to embrace EVERYONE. It’s been one of our core problems. The Members v The MCC Reserve. We need to become one....

Edited December 16, 2018 by Sir Why You Little

[Sir Why You Little 34,443]

3 hours ago, dees189227 said:

See everyone just assumes if you are an mcc member then you have it all. I work at at job where I only get $22 an hour, I don't live in a fancy suburb, drive a range rover, have a beach house or ski. So don't put us all into the doctor, lawyer toorak living area bracket   I have been an MCC member for over 20 years. I didn't go on the list when I was a kid because im a melbourne supporter. I went on because of family and now I use it over summer for the cricket, including boxing day the big bash and international 20/20s. I wouldn't ditch it ever because I use it and get value out of it. I don't apologise for having an mcc membership. Me contributing $87 each year is better than those who don't re-sign or don't join up but still go. 

I also go to every melbourne game there and yes I usually to the grand finals. But I pay for an MFC/MCC membership every year. A couple of years ago it was $60 and you got a scarf and all the sticker and that. You also got free entry into an etihad home game. 

Now it has gone up to $87. I have signed up again because it adds to the membership total and it makes a donation to the club. 

I agree during the finals when the members was packed I saw many supporters with scarves on from 2015 and beyond. You can tell the ones who have jumped back on. Hopefully with the success last year more and more will sign up. 

Well said. Over the years when i was studying, at times i went without food to pay the MCC Subscription before a finals series. Not all of us live in a Mansion with Servant Quarters. 

Quite a few MCC Members make a big sacrifice to keep the membership alive. MFC Membership is a donation right now. 

Can it be tinkered with to change that?

Could be worth serious investigation by the MFC