On 10/25/2019 at 6:33 PM, Win4theAges said:

Lets just get back to winning ways i say.

Must say though, what have Carltank and Essendrug done to deserve the preferential treatment from the AFL? honestly.

Connections, backers and embedded support through the AFL hierarchy.  Those two haven't been out of success as long as us, particulary Essendrug who had built up a massive corporate following amongst the Collins St and general 'professions' fraternity over many decades during the Sheedy years.

We have been in the wilderness and doldrums for far too many decades to matter at any significant corporate / backer level now or in circles of influence within the AFL.  There will be remnants i'm sure, but without the punch / influence they might have had in the 70s to mid 80s.  Our last big backer was Joe and look how that ended.

The last survey i saw still had the MFC as the most followed club amongst MCC members but that was 2010...approx 19k or 19%, down from 26% in 2006.

The Pies, Carltank and Essendrug were still a chunk behind in 2010.  But our results since then, barring one odd 2018 year, might suggest they've gotten even closer or may have even caught up or gone passed.  The last i heard (unofficiall) was that we had only 12k MCC members who actually held dual memberships and at one point that figure was 24k.  That's a huge drop off from an MCC perspective if it's somewhere close to the truth.

Some don't get how irrelevant we are.

Having spent many years in the corporate world it was difficult to get guests to come to the corporate box if Melbourne were playing. We used to make it family day for the staff and even then there were often no takers.

Judging by the number of boxes that I still see closed for a mid level MFC match it hasn't changed much.

MCC as RN has reported is far from an MFC bastion and becomes increasingly less so by the year.

5 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Some don't get how irrelevant we are.

Having spent many years in the corporate world it was difficult to get guests to come to the corporate box if Melbourne were playing. We used to make it family day for the staff and even then there were often no takers.

Judging by the number of boxes that I still see closed for a mid level MFC match it hasn't changed much.

MCC as RN has reported is far from an MFC bastion and becomes increasingly less so by the year.

Agreed. But the 2018 Finals give me hope. 
 

2019 was a massive kick in the Guts...

Saints v North Melbourne - Round 1

9 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

Connections, backers and embedded support through the AFL hierarchy.  Those two haven't been out of success as long as us, particulary Essendrug who had built up a massive corporate following amongst the Collins St and general 'professions' fraternity over many decades during the Sheedy years.

We have been in the wilderness and doldrums for far too many decades to matter at any significant corporate / backer level now or in circles of influence within the AFL.  There will be remnants i'm sure, but without the punch / influence they might have had in the 70s to mid 80s.  Our last big backer was Joe and look how that ended.

The last survey i saw still had the MFC as the most followed club amongst MCC members but that was 2010...approx 19k or 19%, down from 26% in 2006.

The Pies, Carltank and Essendrug were still a chunk behind in 2010.  But our results since then, barring one odd 2018 year, might suggest they've gotten even closer or may have even caught up or gone passed.  The last i heard (unofficiall) was that we had only 12k MCC members who actually held dual memberships and at one point that figure was 24k.  That's a huge drop off from an MCC perspective if it's somewhere close to the truth.

Really Rusty by name and Rusty by figures.

I believe I am correct in suggesting you catch the most recent podcast with Stephen Smith from Demonland if not one of the other social media groups for the latest figures.

My understanding its about 22% and 25,000 members and if you recall the MCC Members was full and packed both Finals last season we played.

With record membership in 2019 the MCC membership for  MFC I would think would be also a great chance to be a record figure.

Remember this is ONE of Gary Perts big aims to raise this aspect of our membership.

I have read  pretty well total negativity on the appointment of the Port figures/tactics and ideas back up man.

My take is he is probably a replAcement for Jennings.

We are damned if we DO and damned if we DON'T. 

Changes have been asked for demanded in fact and Coaching Fitness And Back Room ie OFF FIELD and so far without really landing a complete game changer or Star Tommo and Langdon add depth and run and versatility to our list.

I totally expect Burgess to have a big effect on conditioning and preparation and make our players physical  prep a HUGE improvement on 2019.

A Sam Gray or that type plus the potential of Hayden Young At No 3 and a No 8 pick of either Ash Jackson Weightman or Serong plus a  PSD choice would be good additions to the 2020 list and going forward.

The doomsayers talking basket case are far off the mark and one season of down results does not make this a summer of failures with this list and changes made so far in prep for 2020 and beyond.0

 

8 hours ago, 58er said:

Really Rusty by name and Rusty by figures.

I believe I am correct in suggesting you catch the most recent podcast with Stephen Smith from Demonland if not one of the other social media groups for the latest figures.

My understanding its about 22% and 25,000 members and if you recall the MCC Members was full and packed both Finals last season we played.

With record membership in 2019 the MCC membership for  MFC I would think would be also a great chance to be a record figure.

Remember this is ONE of Gary Perts big aims to raise this aspect of our membership.

I have read  pretty well total negativity on the appointment of the Port figures/tactics and ideas back up man.

My take is he is probably a replAcement for Jennings.

We are damned if we DO and damned if we DON'T. 

Changes have been asked for demanded in fact and Coaching Fitness And Back Room ie OFF FIELD and so far without really landing a complete game changer or Star Tommo and Langdon add depth and run and versatility to our list.

I totally expect Burgess to have a big effect on conditioning and preparation and make our players physical  prep a HUGE improvement on 2019.

A Sam Gray or that type plus the potential of Hayden Young At No 3 and a No 8 pick of either Ash Jackson Weightman or Serong plus a  PSD choice would be good additions to the 2020 list and going forward.

The doomsayers talking basket case are far off the mark and one season of down results does not make this a summer of failures with this list and changes made so far in prep for 2020 and beyond.0

While i'm only going on hearsay, my understanding is the 24k (or so) you are referring to are 'MCC members' that 'support' the MFC.  Only approx half ie; 12k of actual MCC members who 'support' us hold the dual membership. 

Wearing a club's scarf or colours/turning up to yell in support etc and actually putting up your hard earned are two very different things in my book 58er.

Regardless, the MCC aspect was only a part aspect of the point i was making which still stands re influence and clout at corporate / elite levels on or within the AFL re fixture outcomes and the like (see new HQ).

Edited October 27, 20195 yr by Rusty Nails

The fixture drip feed starts: Carton in the FTA Wilderness

No Friday nights and few FTA time slots.   They "...only featured in seven games telecast on host broadcaster Channel 7...that trend is set to continue into 2020, with a similar number forecast by insiders".  Note:  that was written by staunch Blues fan, Sam McClure. 

But it seems they may get some Thurs nights and Saturday time slots.

It will be interesting to see how our FTA and prime time spots compare to Saints and Carlton.  While we had a poor 2019 we had 3 previous years of consistent performances so we don't deserve to fall behind them in the better FTA time slots. 

 

Edited October 28, 20195 yr by Lucifer's Hero

St Kilda are the away team in Darwin, according to Channel.7.

On 10/25/2019 at 4:37 PM, Deeoldfart said:

Kardinia park, plenty of twilight games on Sundays, a 'blocbuster' vs an interstate team on Mothers Day and no Friday night fixtures.

We actually deserve worse!!!?

9 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

St Kilda are the away team in Darwin, according to Channel.7.

their reward for going to shanghai perhaps

poor guys

56 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

St Kilda are the away team in Darwin, according to Channel.7.

Good.

2 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

St Kilda are the away team in Darwin, according to Channel.7.

And "home" in China? That's a pretty rough schedule

The only thing I really want to see is no game in Geelong. We go there almost every year, time to rotate it a bit more fairly. Minimal Sunday twilight games would be good too, it's too hard with young kids and generally poor atmosphere.

I won't hold my breath though.

2 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

The only thing I really want to see is no game in Geelong. We go there almost every year, time to rotate it a bit more fairly. Minimal Sunday twilight games would be good too, it's too hard with young kids and generally poor atmosphere.

I won't hold my breath though.

I agree totally with you regarding the game in Geelong, please AFL just give us one year off going to that dump. But I bet even though we finished second last we still cop the two hardest road trips in the AFL, Eagles and Geelong away.

I think we will be away round 1.  It’s been a few years since we have travelled in the 1st game of the season 

2 hours ago, Demons11 said:

I think we will be away round 1.  It’s been a few years since we have travelled in the 1st game of the season 

1998 Vs Freo.

We as fans are in no position to complain if it happens.

Port, GC and GWS would be the likely destinations. There's a rumour WC are hosting Adelaide round 1.

Edited October 28, 20195 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

41 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

1998 Vs Freo.

We as fans are in no position to complain if it happens.

Port, GC and GWS would be the likely destinations. There's a rumour WC are hosting Adelaide round 1.

Wow, didn’t realise it was so long ago 

I expect the Saints will get the most Friday night games of the bottom 6.

My tip is round 1 is an away game against Freo.

I expect a softer draw but the draw almost certainly won't be a financially rewarding draw (prime time FTA games & more home games against the big Vic teams will probably be at a minimum ... and home games against interstate teams will probably be plentiful)

But as LH mentioned,  we've got 2 home blockbusters against the Pies & Tigers and the NT money will roll in again ($800k per game) And the pokies money (for now)  So we've protected ourselves (somewhat) against a non financially rewarding draw.

So a softer draw kind of suits for a team that needs to find its mojo again.  I prefer the team to be constantly tested but we're going to be tested next season anyway.

A draw that allows the team to win 10+ games would be ideal for the supporter base though. 

The first 6 games holds the key in terms of the draw and in terms of whether we can start off with a positive W/L ratio.

Edited October 28, 20195 yr by Macca

14 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

The only thing I really want to see is no game in Geelong. We go there almost every year, time to rotate it a bit more fairly. Minimal Sunday twilight games would be good too, it's too hard with young kids and generally poor atmosphere.

I won't hold my breath though.

In fairness I don't think we've had a Sunday twilight in Melbourne since 2015 when we lost to St Kilda in the last second at Etihad. We certainly haven't had one in the last 2 years.

Or do you also include the 3:20 games in that bracket?

13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

In fairness I don't think we've had a Sunday twilight in Melbourne since 2015 when we lost to St Kilda in the last second at Etihad. We certainly haven't had one in the last 2 years.

Or do you also include the 3:20 games in that bracket?

Yeah the 320 games are tough - get home around 7 and kids have school etc the next day

 

^^ Confirmation we're heading interstate.

Have a feeling we're opening the season against Port at Adelaide Oval, or perhaps GC at Metricon.

59 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

^^ Confirmation we're heading interstate.

Have a feeling we're opening the season against Port at Adelaide Oval, or perhaps GC at Metricon.

Confirmation from whom?

Based on article in Age 30 minutes ago (or in fact a strategic leak from AFL to keep horse racing off the back page), by my reading there is still one game needed forr the G.  Being either bombers or MFC.

Otherwise, its west Coast at Perth, GC away or Port Adelaaide away.