As if the on-field woes of the Melbourne Football Club are not enough at the moment, the complete indignity of the club procuring a lone trumpeter to play the club's song 20 minutes before the bounce was introduced yesterday. I realise there are more pressing matters to blow one's stack about at the moment, like Melbourne's plague of an injury list, the side's woeful form, and Channel Seven's insistence on playing five replays of a goal before going to an ad break on Friday night football (completely unrelated I know but flaming irritating), but this was particularly soul destroying.

I've seen some truly ordinary on-field efforts before, but never before had I actually been embarrassed to be a Melbourne supporter than before yesterday's game. Nothing against the trumpeter himself, I'm sure he's a lovely bloke, but if there was a cringe-o-meter on the scoreboard when Melbourne's initiative was announced before the crowd, I think it would have exploded. Unless the poor trumpeter is accompanied by about 20 mates with trombones and suzaphones next week and is regaled in full marching paraphernalia, then I'll be opting to arrive at home games at 2pm in future.

I think I misheard the announcer as I was reaching for a blunt instrument to poke into my ear, but did he say that the trumpeter would make an reappearance to play the song before the final siren if Melbourne has the game in hand? I assume such an unsporting gesture would not be the case, but others around me thought that's what he said.

In any event, if anyone from the Melbourne Football Club hears my tiny, insignificant plea, for the sake of the dignity of Melbourne supporters everywhere, and the good of the membership tally, please put a big fat mute in the trumpet.

I agree, it was woeful.

Reminded me of being at a funeral... which is indicative of not only the sounds of the trumpet, but also the mood of the crowd.

I think they said he'll be there for every home game we play at the G' this year. Heaven help us!

I agree, it was woeful.

Reminded me of being at a funeral... which is indicative of not only the sounds of the trumpet, but also the mood of the crowd.

I think they said he'll be there for every home game we play at the G' this year. Heaven help us!

And another thing....

I realise we are only a tenant at the 'G' but must we be subjected to replays of Geelong passages of play (goals) at half time and a ground announcer asking Geelong fans to "lap it up" at the end of the game. It realise it is hard to create an atmosphere in a half full MCG but are we afforded such a warm and fuzzy treament at Geelong?

Maybe the AFL wants football to be sterile on and off the ground.

FYI, the guy played that mfc theme song about 15 minutes before the bounce in round 1, this time "illegally" from the 2nd level of the Southern Stand, directly above me. So obviously, either he contacted the MFC or they contacted him. I think that, on his own, it's better done infamously from within the crowd, "illegally", rather than on the ground. It had too much of a sense of preparation and effort that is was embarrassing. I agree that a marching band would be great before every game. Even to sit in a particular section of the crowd and play a tune after every goal or play something when the game is in hand. This would be great I think and could be the teams "2nd cheer squad".

Felt sorry for him.

One of the most uninspiring things I've ever seen.

They should kept him in his seat until we actually win a couple.

Indeed. It would take balls to perform a solo in front of 38,000. I think the trumpeter has been dudded as much as everyone.

yeah he was above us round 1

atleast he can actually play but i agree its not something i would have introduced