On 04/04/2023 at 07:15, ElDiablo14 said:

D'landers, as you may remember I am a foreign supporter and still wrapping my head around all things footy.

Can you help me understand the influence areas/zones of the Victorian teams? 

I know of course there are some straightforward answers like Collingwood, Essendon or Richmond. 

But , is the west really a Bulldogs only area?

Where are most Dees supporters located? Perhaps I should move there 🤔

TIA.

One of the other influences is the old zoning areas. Before the draft was introduced in the late 80s each club had an allocated metro zone and a country zone. I grew up in the north east suburbs which was a Collingwood zone and there was large support for the Pies out there. Even in country areas there was large support for the clubs who zoned players from those leagues, for example Fitzroy had decent support in western Victoria because of it. I think the zones came in in the late 50s or 60s.

Now I live in the north west suburbs and it is a real mix although Essendon and Footscray (Bulldogs) are heavily supported. There are quite a few Demons out this way too though, demographics have changed so it is more a mix now than ever before as people move from one side of town to the other. The biggest factor remains who their parents supported.

We have a Sporting Globe here in the Northern suburbs, would love to watch an interstate game there one day with fellow Demons but don't think there's many of us up this way.

  On 04/04/2023 at 21:39, Dee Zephyr said:

We have a Sporting Globe here in the Northern suburbs, would love to watch an interstate game there one day with fellow Demons but don't think there's many of us up this way.

Plenty valley shopping centre?

  On 04/04/2023 at 22:08, AzzKikA said:

Plenty valley shopping centre?

👍

  On 04/04/2023 at 20:14, Dr. Gonzo said:

The biggest factor remains who their parents supported.

I reckon that's right, but it doesn't always work that way.

My old man was a die-hard Collingwood fan who fathered four sons, all of whom barrack for other teams despite his best efforts and to his eternal disappointment.  Mum had no interest in footy at all.  A cousin played a handful of games for Essendon but none of us care for the Bombers to put it mildly.

  On 04/04/2023 at 22:14, Dee Zephyr said:

👍

Yeah been to that one, good ribs

I would be happy to gather with fellow Dees to watch our interstate games.... Anyone in the Sunshine - Braybrook area?? 

I have noticed a big increase in the number of cars sporting Dee colours since our Granny in outer North, North East suburbs.!!

  On 04/04/2023 at 07:15, ElDiablo14 said:

D'landers, as you may remember I am a foreign supporter and still wrapping my head around all things footy.

Can you help me understand the influence areas/zones of the Victorian teams? 

I know of course there are some straightforward answers like Collingwood, Essendon or Richmond. 

But , is the west really a Bulldogs only area?

Where are most Dees supporters located? Perhaps I should move there 🤔

TIA.

Depends on the area. Things are a lot more diluted now but you'll get patches here and there with a certain fan group. For instance, I grew up in Kew/Hawthorn and half my primary school were Hawks fans. May be a bit different now but there's still a very big Hawthorn presence in that area. 

 

  On 04/04/2023 at 22:15, Demonstone said:

I reckon that's right, but it doesn't always work that way.

My old man was a die-hard Collingwood fan who fathered four sons, all of whom barrack for other teams despite his best efforts and to his eternal disappointment.  Mum had no interest in footy at all.  A cousin played a handful of games for Essendon but none of us care for the Bombers to put it mildly.

Almost mirror image of my scenario Demonstone. Dad is Collingwood, mum is Hawthorn but really just wants our teams to do well. Apparently when I was about 3 I said I wanted to barrack for Geelong because I loved cats. Dad gave me the business and said I had to barrack for a team 'next door' like mum's or dad's. I was friends with a Melb fan in Kinder and the rest is history. Be careful what you wish for dad. 

Without being too stereotypical about Melbourne fans, we do have a high concentration of supporters in Bayside and Glen Eira. Not to say we don't live anywhere else because we are everywhere like every other club. However, Sandringham/Brighton/Hampton/Elsternwick/Caulfield/Armadale/Malvern type areas tend to have a lot of us - as is seen by Sandringham line and Frankston line on gameday (Yes I live in Brighton and am very much the stereotype of a Melbourne fan). But I go to games with people who live in Ringwood, Diamond Creek, Mount Martha so it is very hard to say that most Demons fans live in X location.

We had Nth Melb in-laws and a close friend that followed the Roos as well they tried to swing our girls to follow them as well, even bought one a Kangaroo mascot that was late 80’s early nineties. I countered by taking the family to the games and buying them Demon gear we saw a lot of games out at Waverley and sat in the Olympic stand at the G. We were getting pumped by 100+ margins at times and I was so grateful to Swooper and Neil Daniher for changing our culture and making us competitive and relevant again.!!!

  On 04/04/2023 at 07:15, ElDiablo14 said:

Where are most Dees supporters located? Perhaps I should move there 🤔

TIA.

@ElDiablo14, many stereotypes abound. They are generally true, of course with exceptions.

In general, Melbourne supporters like to live in areas where there are large well established trees - the shade protects our eyes so we tend to look calm and relaxed.

Opposition supporters, in general, and for reasons that escape me, seem to gravitate towards areas where there are no trees or trees so small so as to not offer much shade - hence, due to the intense glare, their facial expressions resemble that of a Pekingese dog sucking on a lemon.

Google Earth could be a useful resource in your search for a new abode; as close to the G as possible. Good luck!

  On 04/04/2023 at 07:46, Gawndy the Great said:

But , is the west really a Bulldogs only area?

They used to be called Footscray and along with Essendon are really the only true western suburb teams. 

A lot of these teams used to have their own footy grounds outside of the G / Marvel in their respective suburban areas. So the fans were really based in the respective areas / zones. Nowadays i think most of that is all but disappeared with exception to Geelong and the interstate teams. 

As for Melbourne supporters, i'd love to know as well, but i suspect you'll find a concentration in the South East to bayside suburbs. 

It must have been so tribal in the very early days and probably up to the 70s perhaps.

In the lead up to a granny in the goid ol days some streets in some  burbs would have houses adjourned in club colours.

It was very parochial and players were paid didley squat. A plumber would be installing your new stove Friday am and playing Senior Vfl the next arvo.

How long ago it all seems. Still as interesting as it all was, it's nice to have a national comp with footy on tap 4 days a week.

Has there been a survey why we all follow the mighty Mfc?

I suspect like me, most of us do under the said supporter  father son rule and to be honest during our dark days, I think I may have resented my old man for following them. Sorry.

All is forgiven. Tx dad. Tx Dees. Just wish I could have shared 21 with him.

Edited April 5, 20232 yr by leave it to deever

And if you go far enough back in time religious affiliation was a factor . Those links don’t bare repeating but I remember it was still a thing for some in the 60’s 

Irrelevant now of course

  On 05/04/2023 at 02:26, Bigred said:

time religious affiliation was a factor . Th

Really? How so?

Was it an a class thing?

  On 04/04/2023 at 12:12, Demon Dynasty said:

One of the sickest parties i went to as a young fella was in Romsey.

The night was going swimingly, alot of fun was being had by all.

Romsey's local country girls were quite hospitable to say the least.

I met a nice outgoing lass at one point and we seemed to be hitting it off.

A few more frothies later and before i knew it it was almost time to hit the road (designated driver had seen enough lol).

However, just as i had finally worked up the courage to ask for her number, she decided she had downed enough amber fluid herself.  So much in fact that she kindly shared a massive projectile vomit with anyone close to her.

And that ladies and gentleman was the end of that little escapade.

What's that Robert Palmer song...ah yes... "Simply Irresistible"

Another ‘how I met your mother’ story?

  On 04/04/2023 at 19:30, AzzKikA said:

 

I have a soft spot for the Don's.

 

You lost me here, Azz. 

  On 05/04/2023 at 01:23, FearTheBeard said:

Without being too stereotypical about Melbourne fans, we do have a high concentration of supporters in Bayside and Glen Eira.

I told this story at the time, but it says a lot about the stereotype. Last year’s QB GameDay I was early in the city for the customary DA BBQ so I bought a coffee and because there’s no benches nearby I sat on the steps of a disused building. A guy walked past and I smiled at him, as you do when you’re me. He doubled back and held out a $10 note. He thought I was a beggar! I refused the money telling him I wasn’t begging but he was adamant I take it. A couple of cops happened to walk by and saw what was happening. One of them said, “nah mate, she’s not hard up, look at her, she’s a Melbourne supporter.” 😂

  On 05/04/2023 at 03:29, WalkingCivilWar said:

I told this story at the time, but it says a lot about the stereotype. Last year’s QB GameDay I was early in the city for the customary DA BBQ so I bought a coffee and because there’s no benches nearby I sat on the steps of a disused building. A guy walked past and I smiled at him, as you do when you’re me. He doubled back and held out a $10 note. He thought I was a beggar! I refused the money telling him I wasn’t begging but he was adamant I take it. A couple of cops happened to walk by and saw what was happening. One of them said, “nah mate, she’s not hard up, look at her, she’s a Melbourne supporter.” 😂

Footy makes this town tick!

  On 05/04/2023 at 03:32, layzie said:

Footy makes this town tick!

It sure does.

Back in the 60s and 70s, all games were on at 2.10 on Saturday afternoon. The combined attendance would regularly be near 200,000 and the total population of Melbourne was maybe 2-2.5 million? Incredible community buy-in to our game.

  On 04/04/2023 at 23:55, ElDiablo14 said:

I would be happy to gather with fellow Dees to watch our interstate games.... Anyone in the Sunshine - Braybrook area?? 

I'm in Albion ED14 but when I'm not travelling interstate for a game I tend to head to the inner north, usually The Rose in Fitzroy which is good craic. Although as a one off I'll be at the London Tavern in Richmond for this week's game as a friend is having a 50th birthday there. 

The Melbourne Football Club originated and grew from the MCC/MCG not from the City of Melbourne 

The MCG is Home

  On 05/04/2023 at 04:23, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I'm in Albion ED14 but when I'm not travelling interstate for a game I tend to head to the inner north, usually The Rose in Fitzroy which is good craic. Although as a one off I'll be at the London Tavern in Richmond for this week's game as a friend is having a 50th birthday there. 

Hey Rab, you and I are practically neighbours!!! Only a suburb boundary line and a history of stabbings separates us. 😃

I too won’t be in Perth this weekend.  First match I’m missing out on since the Alice match last year. ☹️
And I also will be at the London Tavern for a friend’s 50th birthday party. Coincidence?

Does your friend have the dress code,  “retro Dees gear”??!!!!!!

  On 05/04/2023 at 05:26, WalkingCivilWar said:

Hey Rab, you and I are practically neighbours!!! Only a suburb boundary line and a history of stabbings separates us. 😃

I too won’t be in Perth this weekend.  First match I’m missing out on since the Alice match last year. ☹️
And I also will be at the London Tavern for a friend’s 50th birthday party. Coincidence?

Does your friend have the dress code,  “retro Dees gear”??!!!!!!

Hi WCW. Yes, you obviously know Craig as well. I won't be in retro gear however. 

We do get the occasional drug house raid here unfortunately but most of the knife crime takes place in Deer (Fear) Park, Keilor and other new suburbs outside the ring road.