AGM 2021

[Its Time for Another 4,216]

6 minutes ago, rjay said:

What a load of rubbish...we've been more than patient.

Rubbish.   57 years.  Meh!!!! That's just a flea bite. We've hardly warmed up. 

[rjay 24,923]

4 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

But they could get paid to do so somewhere closer to the CBD/inner suburbs. If given the choice of playing with a team that trains at Casey or one that trains at Olympic Boulevard, Punt Rd or Princes Park most guys in their early-mid 20s would choose the central location over the outer suburbs every day of the week.

I used to think this but there are plenty of advantages to Casey...

Remember, nobody would want to go down and live at sleepy hollow.

The world is not static 'Gonzo', things move on and we need to be with it and not just lock into an old ideal.

Casey might just be the right place for a forward thinking club, not one that has been running in circles for years and getting nowhere.

Edited February 24, 2021 by rjay

[Deemania since 56 6,636]

17 hours ago, Macca said:

In your opinion.  I disagree. 

Tens of thousands of junior memberships would be a good starting point.  That's if this underforming club can finally start winning

The scope for growth out in Casey is enormous whilst we can keep our inner City roots and ageing supporter base.

It's time for change Wyl

The alternative is Gosch's (which is rubbish IMV) and an inner City facility that is nothing but a pipedream.  Ain't gonna happen in my opinion

So more of the same or you take a chance without abandoning your history

Feasible, practical, obtainable, suitable. WE can build from such a start more likely than not. 

[bluey 1,102]

I need answers, is the President living in his car, sleeping rough?

Hasn't worn a bag of fruit for twelve months, what’s with the shirt!

A member can’t stand for the board without being an insider? 
I need answers!

Please tell me this is not Gutnick version 2!

“Only I can be President”.

[Salems Lot 2,533]

Not sure if this has been previously stated but I wonder how many members have joined the club from the Casey corridor in the last 10 years. I am sure that that would provide excellent insight as to whether the experiment worked. Numerically we are attracting far more members than we did 10 years ago and if it could be shown that a large percentage of that growth came from that area then it provides compelling evidence to continue down that path. If it amounts to 2 cats and a dog then move on to a closer base. Simples!

[Macca 16,967]

58 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Feasible, practical, obtainable, suitable. WE can build from such a start more likely than not. 

As previously stated DM, the large majority of Demon supporters and members are MCG people and that is always going to be our real & spiritual home.  It's where we play our games and hopefully that will never change

As for the training base it's a different story so why not Casey?  I can see that facility out there being top-notch.  Over time you could seat 5000-8000 with matches involving the Mens practice games (which happens now anyway) the Womens team,  Casey Scorpions and perhaps an under 18 team and other junior teams (creating a pathway)

Bit breezy on the wings but with some creative thinking that could be fixed

And of course at the same time acting as a proper training base with all the bells & whistles.  And there's any number of the 350,000+ people out there who could jump on board

I also believe that the club needs to promote & market the Bentleigh Club on match days when we play interstate ... there should be hundreds there.  We own the place so why aren't we using it properly?  Ok, it's a little bit out of the way for some but it is ours

You put on $2 coffees, $4 schooners and free finger food and you'd pack the joint out.  Didn't we strike 50,000 members a couple of years ago?  That's a lot of untapped customers

Edited February 24, 2021 by Macca

[Its Time for Another 4,216]

16 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

Not sure if this has been previously stated but I wonder how many members have joined the club from the Casey corridor in the last 10 years. I am sure that that would provide excellent insight as to whether the experiment worked. Numerically we are attracting far more members than we did 10 years ago and if it could be shown that a large percentage of that growth came from that area then it provides compelling evidence to continue down that path. If it amounts to 2 cats and a dog then move on to a closer base. Simples!

I spoke to Cameron Schwabb at the B & F a year in to the Casey deal. We'd spent $1.5mill on the alliance at that time and had a sum total of 1500 members. Half of them were probably Casey Councillors and Casey Scorpions and their families. It is a really good question to see what it is now. 

[Salems Lot 2,533]

1 hour ago, It's Time said:

I spoke to Cameron Schwabb at the B & F a year in to the Casey deal. We'd spent $1.5mill on the alliance at that time and had a sum total of 1500 members. Half of them were probably Casey Councillors and Casey Scorpions and their families. It is a really good question to see what it is now. 

Thanks IT. A quick check of memberships from 2010 to 2019 shows a growth of approx 20k. It would be interesting to know where they all came from

[rjay 24,923]

2 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

Not sure if this has been previously stated but I wonder how many members have joined the club from the Casey corridor in the last 10 years. I am sure that that would provide excellent insight as to whether the experiment worked. Numerically we are attracting far more members than we did 10 years ago and if it could be shown that a large percentage of that growth came from that area then it provides compelling evidence to continue down that path. If it amounts to 2 cats and a dog then move on to a closer base. Simples!

I actually don't think it matters...or at least shouldn't be the key driving force.

How many members have we attracted in the city of Melbourne, how many member do we have in the City of Melbourne?

The population isn't static, I'm sure we had a good percentage of our members in the City of Melbourne in 1892...

You can keep chasing your base but at some time you have to settle and create a base.

Our playing base is the MCG but maybe we should also look at a boutique stadium at Casey like the cats and play some of our lesser drawing games out there...the Cats clean up financially and the facilities are pretty much all covered by the 3 governments, local, state and federal.

If we don't start thinking ahead and out of the box we will more than likely end up in Tassie or defunct...

It's what we can build that matters.

[Grapeviney 9,718]

2 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

 I wonder how many members have joined the club from the Casey corridor in the last 10 years. I am sure that that would provide excellent insight as to whether the experiment worked.

The experiment has barely begun, though.

Investing in Casey and basing ourselves down that way needs to be seen through a much longer timeframe - it’s not going to pay off until 30, 40 years down the track, when we’re properly embedded in the community and have had time to form a relationship with the people who live there. 

Tim and Gonzo make a good point about possible player pushback against a full move that way, but everything else screams Casey to me. 

Identifying the growth in that part of the city when we did - and jumping in there - was extremely smart thinking in my view, and going all-in might be the better long-term option if we truly want to attract 70,000 members down the track. 

Edited February 24, 2021 by Grapeviney

[Salems Lot 2,533]

6 minutes ago, rjay said:

I actually don't think it matters...or at least shouldn't be the key driving force.

How many members have we attracted in the city of Melbourne, how many member do we have in the City of Melbourne?

The population isn't static, I'm sure we had a good percentage of our members in the City of Melbourne in 1892...

You can keep chasing your base but at some time you have to settle and create a base.

Our playing base is the MCG but maybe we should also look at a boutique stadium at Casey like the cats and play some of our lesser drawing games out there...the Cats clean up financially and the facilities are pretty much all covered by the 3 governments, local, state and federal.

If we don't start thinking ahead and out of the box we will more than likely end up in Tassie or defunct...

It's what we can build that matters.

I would argue that it definitely matters, if you get zero take up in 10 years that is a significant rebuke to the plan. Besides, they must have modelled some targets before they started. If those targets are not being met it gives you a good reason to rethink your strategy.

[Salems Lot 2,533]

2 minutes ago, Grapeviney said:

The experiment has barely begun, though.

Investing in Casey and basing ourselves down that way needs to be seen through a much longer timeframe - it’s not going to pay off until 30, 40 years down the track, when you’re properly embedded in the community and have had time to form a relationship with the people who live there. 

Tim and Gonzo make a good point about possible player pushback against a full move that way, but everything else screams Casey to me. 

Identifying the growth in that part of the city when we did - and jumping in there - was extremely smart thinking in my view, and going all-in might be the better long-term option if we truly want to attract 70,000 members. 

True that it is early days but 10 years is a good enough sample to start to gauge uptake 

[BDA 22,753]

Does anyone have a copy of or know where to locate the report that Glen Bartlett references every time the reason for basing the site in the MGC precinct is raised. Apparently this report looked at other sporting organisations and how they made the decision regarding where to locate.

I would love to know why the board are so wedded to the MGC precinct to the exclusion of all other options.  What are the pros and cons. What are the alternatives. We seem to be having a very uninformed debate at the moment.

[rjay 24,923]

9 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

I would argue that it definitely matters, if you get zero take up in 10 years that is a significant rebuke to the plan. Besides, they must have modelled some targets before they started. If those targets are not being met it gives you a good reason to rethink your strategy.

How many new members have signed up in the City of Melbourne over that 10 years?

The Casey membership is only a significant rebuke if they had planned for a big increase in membership and that was not forthcoming...

What if despite the membership thing, Casey was the best place to establish new facilities?

I was dead against any thought of moving to Casey but 'Old' & 'Macca' have finally started to turn my thinking around...that and the changing world we live in. We can't just keep pushing for something that's not working, the club is dying a slow death that way.

...as 'Better' says above it would be good to see the business case for the MCG precinct and any alternatives.

[Macca 16,967]

25 minutes ago, rjay said:

How many new members have signed up in the City of Melbourne over that 10 years?

The Casey membership is only a significant rebuke if they had planned for a big increase in membership and that was not forthcoming...

What if despite the membership thing, Casey was the best place to establish new facilities?

I was dead against any thought of moving to Casey but 'Old' & 'Macca' have finally started to turn my thinking around...that and the changing world we live in. We can't just keep pushing for something that's not working, the club is dying a slow death that way.

...as 'Better' says above it would be good to see the business case for the MCG precinct and any alternatives.

5 winning seasons in a row like what happened under Northey is what we desperately need ... starting this season

Do that and we will challenge for the flag at some stage in that time

And the off-field benefits will follow accordingly

The club has to be ready to cash in if we consistently play finals too.  Lots of new memberships from a huge growth area like Casey would be a distinct possibility as long as we start winning more games than we lose and as long as we have a greater presence in the Casey precinct

The Pies are a good example of sustained finals appearances and what it can bring ... only 2 flags in 60 years but they play finals a lot.  Result = big membership numbers and financial security

Casey has huge pockets of land to be filled with new dwellings from new home buyers.  The 350,000+ residents could be 400,000+ sooner than people think

We are behind the eight ball because we've only played finals once in the last 14 years.  That's bad for business and stating the obvious rjay but that's the difference between our club and other, far more successful clubs

[58er 6,435]

5 hours ago, rjay said:

What a load of rubbish...we've been more than patient.

More haste less speed!!! 

[58er 6,435]

6 hours ago, old dee said:

Fairly confident there was no "chance" in it.

I am talking about the realistic expectations of supporters being a chance each year for the 8 and flag in this toughest of competitions. Even the Hawks have fallen ! And we await the Cats plunge!! 

[Its Time for Another 4,216]

2 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

I would argue that it definitely matters, if you get zero take up in 10 years that is a significant rebuke to the plan. Besides, they must have modelled some targets before they started. If those targets are not being met it gives you a good reason to rethink your strategy.

The other thing Schwab said to me at that B & F was that he didn't believe people would go to the MCG to see games. He said people want to stay home on a Saturday afternoon and do the lawns not do a long commute to see a game of footy. 

At the time I wondered if it was a comment indicating he was against the whole Casey deal. But it could also be that the arrangement wasn't ever meant to be about memberships. Although I can't see that makes any sense. It has given us a base at this point and a second training facility for AFLW and VFLW teams and the AFL seconds. 

[Dannyz 2,751]

36 minutes ago, It's Time said:

The other thing Schwab said to me at that B & F was that he didn't believe people would go to the MCG to see games. He said people want to stay home on a Saturday afternoon and do the lawns not do a long commute to see a game of footy. 

At the time I wondered if it was a comment indicating he was against the whole Casey deal. But it could also be that the arrangement wasn't ever meant to be about memberships. Although I can't see that makes any sense. It has given us a base at this point and a second training facility for AFLW and VFLW teams and the AFL seconds. 

They did want to mow the lawns whilst he was at the helm.

People travel far and wide when football teams win matches.

[58er 6,435]

5 hours ago, It's Time said:

The other thing Schwab said to me at that B & F was that he didn't believe people would go to the MCG to see games. He said people want to stay home on a Saturday afternoon and do the lawns not do a long commute to see a game of footy. 

At the time I wondered if it was a comment indicating he was against the whole Casey deal. But it could also be that the arrangement wasn't ever meant to be about memberships. Although I can't see that makes any sense. It has given us a base at this point and a second training facility for AFLW and VFLW teams and the AFL seconds. 

IMO  CS is definitely saying that Casey residents don't want to go to the MCG on Sat ( Why only Sat p.m.?) Or is that just saying any time really!

For any maximisation of our Casey deal of 30 years Melbourne must have factored in some additional supporters From that region. Some at Casey Fields and a corresponding spike on match days at the G ( or Marvel) as new fans were attracted to the national game.

But in doing so I don't know if any sweeteners have been offered to the ratepayers of Casey for example, maybe Others than a few free kids tickets on the odd occasion.

Maybe some benefits For ratepayers for membership. Or transport such as a special train from Cranbourne with free transport or alternatively bus transport from Cranbourne To the G. On its own or as a packsge.On the rebound a bus from Caulfield station or at least from Cranbourne for AFLW games to Casey Fields and return would provide a More relaxing easy mode of transport.
 

Of course as we all know any promotions are so much better if the team is successful. But creative marketing also is needed to make use of our relationship with City of Casey.
 

It must  have given you Its Time confidence that The Casey deal would be a success with a major player in our Club hardly giving it his spproval.!!!

 

[BDA 22,753]

6 hours ago, It's Time said:

The other thing Schwab said to me at that B & F was that he didn't believe people would go to the MCG to see games. He said people want to stay home on a Saturday afternoon and do the lawns not do a long commute to see a game of footy.

I can't take a train to Casey. I haven't even consider busing it but i'm sure it would be a mission. So i drive the 55 minutes to Casey Fields which means i can't have a beer  (i always have a beer at the G because i take the train home). If i lived in Casey and the option was driving to a nearby station to catch a train for a 1 hour+ journey, can't have a few beers, I definitely wouldn't be going to every home game.

[BW511 2,668]

If we are using travel as an example, the people of inner Melbourne expect people of the outer suburbs to travel to games, yet would not be open to doing the same?

There are plenty of people who live further out than Casey Fields who may suddenly be interested in going to the footy too. Warragul, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast. I think a 30,000 seat stadium at Casey would be a game changer for us. As discussed, Geelong absolutely clean up from their ground and they will be hosting finals there before we know it.
 

I think the club is stuck in a never ending cycle of mediocrity, we don’t win enough, we don’t get members. We can’t do anything elite facility wise because we don’t have enough members ($$) and we can’t win games because of it. 
 

 

 

 

[BDA 22,753]

6 minutes ago, BW511 said:

I think the club is stuck in a never ending cycle of mediocrity, we don’t win enough, we don’t get members. We can’t do anything elite facility wise because we don’t have enough members ($$) and we can’t win games because of it. 

i agree with all that

6 minutes ago, BW511 said:

I think a 30,000 seat stadium at Casey would be a game changer for us. As discussed, Geelong absolutely clean up from their ground and they will be hosting finals there before we know it.

Not sure why we use Geelong as a comparison. Geelong is a 150 year old established club. And they are heavily govt backed for unique reasons specific to Geelong. And they are not cleaning up. Take a look at their financials. They're flogging assets as well even though they play consistent finals. 

And i seem to recall (could be wrong) that Dandenong was previously looked at as a site for a boutique stadium. Didn't get off the ground and it have more people and has public transport. 

[BW511 2,668]

27 minutes ago, Better days ahead said:

i agree with all that

Not sure why we use Geelong as a comparison. Geelong is a 150 year old established club. And they are heavily govt backed for unique reasons specific to Geelong. And they are not cleaning up. Take a look at their financials. They're flogging assets as well even though they play consistent finals. 

And i seem to recall (could be wrong) that Dandenong was previously looked at as a site for a boutique stadium. Didn't get off the ground and it have more people and has public transport. 

Sorry, I didn’t realise they bled money down there. They do win lots of games of footy though

[58er 6,435]

1 hour ago, Better days ahead said:

I can't take a train to Casey. I haven't even consider busing it but i'm sure it would be a mission. So i drive the 55 minutes to Casey Fields which means i can't have a beer  (i always have a beer at the G because i take the train home). If i lived in Casey and the option was driving to a nearby station to catch a train for a 1 hour+ journey, can't have a few beers, I definitely wouldn't be going to every home game.

Some of these factors are what size am saying An express train only stopping at Dabde and Caulfield or same with bus ( with Club promotion involved) our to Casey  is really basic stuff.

Brisbane gets about est. 70 % to Gabba By bus from reg shopping centres for parking each game and is just completing this year I believe the Cross River Rail underground with a Gabba Station adjacent to the Gabba!