13 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Ohhh May's 200th could be against the Hawks if all goes well.

That is a big milestone.

Huge milestone. And if it does all go well it’ll be at the ‘G. Won’t be our home game but better it’s at the ‘G and not interstate or at Mordor. 

@WalkingCivilWar are there players with superstitiousness who avoid the banner when going thru it or who walk around it entirely?

44 minutes ago, Demon_spurs said:

I like the fact you are still traditionalist and use crepe paper, I see the other team's cloth flappy run throughs and think they are so lame. A huge shout out to all the team that do these. I also like the comradery there is between other teams cheer squads in relation to the banners. I know you all appreciate how much work goes into them (even the opposition's)  

There is definitely a lot of love and respect for other teams’ banner crews. We’ve helped each other out and the bonds are tight. Maybe not so much some members of their cheer squads, but definitely the banner crews.

That being said, occasionally we’ll snigger about the standard of their banner. But never for them to see. They can only work with what they’ve got and if all they’ve got is what looks like faded plastic picnic table cloths for a backing, then that’s all they’ve got.😁

#bannerCrewWoes

Just now, whatwhat say what said:

@WalkingCivilWar are there players with superstitiousness who avoid the banner when going thru it or who walk around it entirely?

There are some that just HAVE to pull a piece of crepe paper off (looking at you, JV7) but they all run through. Sounds like a joke but I’ve noticed Fritta consciously doesn't let his hair get messed up as he goes through. And no, I’ve never broached it with him coz delicate issue. 😁

1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

just a few curiosity questions

• where do you find such a big space?
• must be costly, how do you fund the banners?
• do the club provide the graphics and the printing of them?
• how long does a banner take?
• how do you transport banner when interstate?
• lots more questions but that'll do for now

• the entire top floor of the Reach Foundation building in Collingwood is kindly made available by Reach. Part of Jimmy’s legacy. ❤️💙

• fundraising, fundraising and more fundraising. Our Club is also wonderful in providing financial support.

• the graphics are designed by a friend of Ryan’s (Ryan being one of our amazing leaders) and printed at MAD Printing which is owned by one of our DA members.

• the time it takes to make a banner depends on several things: how many people show up (I’ve been there with just six others and I’ve been there with 50 others), how much content is on the banner, the type of backing needed, to mention a few. Average is about four hours.

• The banner is folded up in a way that results in a surprisingly small package and goes on the plane. The giant heads and the poles from the large flags are the difficult things to transport and they get checked in at the oversized luggage part using our checked-in luggage allowance which most of us don’t need since we just need carry-on for our personal stuff.

Recently someone asked me how we get the banner poles interstate. We don’t. There are visitors’ banner poles at every ground. Some grounds have shorter poles than what we have but we know this in advance so we adjust the height of the banner accordingly.

Edited April 4, 20232 yr by WalkingCivilWar

5 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Round 1 banner, front…

“3000 VFL/AFL MCG MATCHES FROM THE FIRST BOUNCE ALWAYS MELBOURNE”

Round 1 banner, back…

“LET’S GO DEMONS”

 

Round 2 banner, front & back… 

 

 

Round 3 banner, front … 

Round 3 banner, back… 

The players always run out to the non-advertising side of the banner. I think Clarrie liked what he saw…

❤️💙

Thank you for this because I only saw the back on Sun. 

This is how banners were made back in the 60's before advertising wrecked them being put up. On the positive side we didn't have to lug wet dirty banners home. Moved to spray painting them using reverse cycle with a vacuum but left the banner message on a neighbours footpath. Such memories.

6 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

 

The graphics (such as Clarrie’s on Sunday’s banner) are delicately removed and offered to the player’s family. Soz @Demon Dynasty but Michelle is Clarrie’s mum so she got first dibs on it. 😛
 

My dog's name is "Ollie" (short for Oliver... "cough"), i reckon they're related somehow as he always barks when Clarry kicks a snag (absolutely nothing to do with me yelling "Clazza" i swear!).

I've got a 2021 Premiership mug with Clarry on it.  I would now classify that as "a valuable used vintage item".  She a big coffee drinker?  I'm happy to do a swap here as much as it pains me to give that mug up!

Edited April 4, 20232 yr by Demon Dynasty

19 hours ago, Demon_spurs said:

I like the fact you are still traditionalist and use crepe paper, I see the other team's cloth flappy run throughs and think they are so lame. A huge shout out to all the team that do these. I also like the comradery there is between other teams cheer squads in relation to the banners. I know you all appreciate how much work goes into them (even the opposition's)  

I have to say I agree, some clubs have opted using a plastic backing and re-using it week by week but I don't think they look as good.  As far as the banners are concerned, I particularly like what Richmond and Hawthorn do, their banners always look fantastic.  Some cheer squads are hampered by their clubs' rules and things, Brisbane for example do apply big restrictions on their cheer squad which I know they find frustrating.  We're lucky we have a very supportive club who does give us autonomy to run as we would like, and we have a very good relationship with the club.  And yes, for the most parts, cheer squads are supportive of each other.  There are a couple of exceptions, which I (won't delve into here!), but on the positive comradery for me special mention goes to some of the interstate cheer squads who are so helpful when we visit them, helping us get access to parts of the ground, lending equipment if we're short, etc.  

17 hours ago, MT64 said:

This is how banners were made back in the 60's before advertising wrecked them being put up. On the positive side we didn't have to lug wet dirty banners home. Moved to spray painting them using reverse cycle with a vacuum but left the banner message on a neighbours footpath. Such memories.

We do have the amazing Suzanne that makes the smaller banners this traditional way (albeit with a more modern sewing machine!) that we hold up within the cheer squad.  I'm amazed each year with what she comes up with!! You can see some examples here from the grand final.

And yes, they do get wet....!

Love the banners.  Make sure you always do a spellcheck, though.  

 

19 hours ago, Dante said:

I read DJ's post and after reading your post I re read it several times and at no point did I see it as a Winge, it was just polite enquiry.

I guess we read things the way we want to.

Fair enough.  Things are open to interpretation.  To me it read like "you're making too many banners, in my day it was on special occasions." If that was not what was intended I apologise.

Edited April 4, 20232 yr by Katrina Dee Fan

This is the exact thing that would be perfect to watch at half-time. Something to connect the viewers back to the real supporters and volunteers. Unfortunately our game has lost it's heart and soul on tv and all it is about now is the almighty dollar.

22 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

What’s that I hear y’all say? How do we make the banner? Well, now that you’ve asked…

🎶 this is how we do it… 🎶

First we make the backing. This type of backing ⬆️ is called a weave, as opposed to a plain backing which is lengths of crepe paper stuck together side by side (as in Round 2 above). A weave is necessary as reinforcement for when there’s a graphic to be included because the material on which the graphic is printed is very heavy. Nobody, but NOBODY enjoys making a weave. It’s murder on the knees and back.

Next we tape, tape, tape. Every join: horizontal and vertical, and corner to corner diagonally. Then we walk, walk, walk the tape down kinda like taking a roadside sobriety test in the U.S.

And a penguin waddle when walking the horizontal and vertical tape. ⬆️

The four corners are heavily taped, again for reinforcement. And of utmost importance… the centre of the bottom five rows are NOT taped since clotheslining our players as they run through is not ideal. 😁

 

Fun fact: We actually have a dress code…

•Strictly NO SHOES. Socks only. (MFC socks, while not compulsory, are worn by most of us coz nuffies abound.)
•No skirts or dresses. At times it resembles the world’s largest game of Twister hence wearing pants and shorts are the go.

Tune in next week for Stencilling, cutting out and sticking down letters and numbers!!!

WCW it's time to make your talents profitable and release a Banner making course on Masterclass. You'll make a fortune!

😀

21 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Got some big ones coming up… 

Gussy is on 146 games. 
Harmesy: 145 games.  
Maysie: 194 games. 
Salo: 143

And a not so big one…

JJ: 48 games 

The DA will need a lot more paper and tape for a few more milestone banners.

We can add these players: 

• 200:  Hibberd, Gawn, Grundy
• 150:  Neal Bullen, Langdon, Lever,
• 100:  Spargo

I assume you will claim the Landon 'graphic' to sit along side the 'cut out' of Hunt that miraculously survived the public transport system!!😀

Edited April 5, 20232 yr by Lucifers Hero

21 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

i have a book of Banners from 1988 somewhere at home. I must find it. 

This is the one. 

 

A question for you @WalkingCivilWar, something which Andy pointed out the other day.

How come the cheersquad no longer shows off both sides of the banner to all parts of the ground?

This used to be standard procedure, which meant everyone got to see the main design and the sponsors advertising.

Is it a case of not risking it coming apart by putting it up and down multiple times?

Great thread this one. Thanks for sharing!

1 hour ago, Grapeviney said:

This is the one. 

 

A question for you @WalkingCivilWar, something which Andy pointed out the other day.

How come the cheersquad no longer shows off both sides of the banner to all parts of the ground?

This used to be standard procedure, which meant everyone got to see the main design and the sponsors advertising.

Is it a case of not risking it coming apart by putting it up and down multiple times?

Yes that’s the book!!!

1 hour ago, Grapeviney said:

This is the one. 

 

A question for you @WalkingCivilWar, something which Andy pointed out the other day.

How come the cheersquad no longer shows off both sides of the banner to all parts of the ground?

This used to be standard procedure, which meant everyone got to see the main design and the sponsors advertising.

Is it a case of not risking it coming apart by putting it up and down multiple times?

It’s for a couple of reasons: the elements are our enemy, in particular the wind. The last “showing” we did was last year at Marvel because the elements aren’t an issue there. But even then the damp grass can cause problems since crepe paper and water aren’t BFFs. 😁

But it’s also a question of how much time we have. The AFL has strict rules that apply and fines can be issued. We’re allowed on the ground at a certain time and have to be off the ground at a certain time. 

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

😀

The DA will need a lot more paper and tape for a few more milestone banners.

We can add these players: 

• 200:  Hibberd, Gawn, Grundy
• 150:  Neal Bullen, Langdon, Lever,
• 100:  Spargo

I assume you will claim the Landon 'graphic' to sit along side the 'cut out' of Hunt that miraculously survived the public transport system!!😀

I’d LOVE the giant Langers graphic, Luci! Trouble is I’m running out of walls. I’m down to one lot of available wall-space, aka my son’s bedroom. He periodically threatens to call child protection as it is, this would surely tip him over the edge. 😂

PS: I love your positivity re Maxy’s forthcoming 200th. Taking his current absence into account he may well have to wait until finals to reach that milestone. Even possibly the grand final! Imagine that, though… winning a premiership in Big Maxy’s 200th game. ❤️💙

Edited April 5, 20232 yr by WalkingCivilWar

3 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Love the banners.  Make sure you always do a spellcheck, though.  

 

… especially when it comes to your own player’s name.

Searched online and can’t find the pic, but on a Luke Breust milestone banner they misspelled his name instead writing Luke Bruest.

Would never happen with us. 🤩 For starters, we have two professional proofreaders on banner-making crew. Also, before sticking the letters down, it pays to look at the banner from above. Mistakes are easier to spot from this vantage point. (Thank you Reach for sometimes leaving a very long ladder on site and yes I do realise insurance doesn’t cover injuries sustained by an imbecile who climbs said ladder to get a good pic.) 😁

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

It’s for a couple of reasons: the elements are our enemy, in particular the wind. The last “showing” we did was last year at Marvel because the elements aren’t an issue there. But even then the damp grass can cause problems since crepe paper and water aren’t BFFs. 😁

But it’s also a question of how much time we have. The AFL has strict rules that apply and fines can be issued. We’re allowed on the ground at a certain time and have to be off the ground at a certain time. 

Plus you need time to get back to your seats to actually watch the game.

22 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

• the entire top floor of the Reach Foundation building in Collingwood is kindly made available by Reach. Part of Jimmy’s legacy. ❤️💙

• fundraising, fundraising and more fundraising. Our Club is also wonderful in providing financial support.

• the graphics are designed by a friend of Ryan’s (Ryan being one of our amazing leaders) and printed at MAD Printing which is owned by one of our DA members.

• the time it takes to make a banner depends on several things: how many people show up (I’ve been there with just six others and I’ve been there with 50 others), how much content is on the banner, the type of backing needed, to mention a few. Average is about four hours.

• The banner is folded up in a way that results in a surprisingly small package and goes on the plane. The giant heads and the poles from the large flags are the difficult things to transport and they get checked in at the oversized luggage part using our checked-in luggage allowance which most of us don’t need since we just need carry-on for our personal stuff.

Recently someone asked me how we get the banner poles interstate. We don’t. There are visitors’ banner poles at every ground. Some grounds have shorter poles than what we have but we know this in advance so we adjust the height of the banner accordingly.

I love reading most of Demonland posts, but none more than those from WCW, Katrina and all related to the DA. You people are magic and represent our club so proudly.  WCW, you mention fund raising.  How can we devotees help in a tangible way? I probably have had my head in the sand, but I don't recall ever having the opportunity to financially support the DA.

Also, I'm sure many of us would jump at the chance to purchase life sized player cut outs from MAD printing.  Could this be done in conjunction with the DA so you get a cut?

37 minutes ago, Palace Dees said:

I love reading most of Demonland posts, but none more than those from WCW, Katrina and all related to the DA. You people are magic and represent our club so proudly.  WCW, you mention fund raising.  How can we devotees help in a tangible way? I probably have had my head in the sand, but I don't recall ever having the opportunity to financially support the DA.

Also, I'm sure many of us would jump at the chance to purchase life sized player cut outs from MAD printing.  Could this be done in conjunction with the DA so you get a cut?

The DA always welcomes and truly appreciates any and all donations. This is where donations can be made: 

[email protected]

Another way of contributing is if someone has some sort of memorabilia or such and is willing to part with it, we could raffle it or put it up for auction.

The giant heads are very, very expensive. If you were to purchase one from MAD you may get a small discount, idk, but unfortunately since it’s a private small business the savings wouldn’t be passed on to the DA.

When players leave the Club, their giant heads are raffled off usually as fundraising for the DA but sometimes for another worthy cause. All of the giant Jayden raffle proceeds went to BBB’s Challenge Cancer charity. I won the giant Jayden at Family Day but to no one’s surprise since I bought probs 90% of the tickets. 😆

The profits we make from the QB BBQs and cake-stalls and merch sales etc. go to FightMND. Round for Reach profits go to the Reach Foundation (love you always, Jimmy).

Thanks for your acknowledgment of and appreciation for what we do. We do it out of love and dedication to our beloved Dees. Sounds cheesy but we are indebted to the Club for letting us do so much and moreover, for supporting us all the way. 

Edited April 5, 20232 yr by WalkingCivilWar

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

The DA always welcomes and truly appreciates any and all donations. This is where donations can be made: 

[email protected]

Another way of contributing is if someone has some sort of memorabilia or such and is willing to part with it, we could raffle it or put it up for auction.

 

A lot of people over time here have shared stories about finding old memorabilia and contacting the club to donate but have been ignored. This might be a great alternative solution for those people because it will still help (albeit indirectly) our club.