19 minutes ago, Percy Beames said:

It's a joke the way Collingwood-supporting journos say that fans will stop hating Collingwood because they are playing such an attractive game style under McCrae. It's been claimed so often by these delusional fools who sit in the rarefied atmosphere of the commentary boxes.

The truth is that exposure to real Collingwood supporters behaving as they do in their natural element means the rest of us will maintain the hate...or loathing as the case may be. I know a couple of them who are OK and sane, but mostly they are scum.

Part of me is dreading going to Monday's game, but like others on this site, it's what I do.

It's actually an extremely easy thing to love a team's playing style but despise them at the same time. 

11 hours ago, FearTheBeard said:

Thank you, greatly appreciated, I spend far too much time of my life obsessing over weird things.

i agree that the atmosphere is far more pro Melbourne but I come from the AFL reserve where the atmosphere is full of hostile barracking and I am one of the few Melbourne supporters in there that that stick up for us. Unfortunately the MCC wouldn’t appreciated my shouting so I stick to the southern stand with all the ferals like me :)

😂 it sounds like I belong in the AFL members!! I must admit I haven't gone in there since I was a kid. 

13 hours ago, dworship said:

I'm truely shocked by this Kev.

I could do some poverty virtue signalling, like 38 m2 apartment, income of $8000 a year (no welfare) for two of us, no car etcetera, but the main reason I choose the area is a bit similar to why you are in the MCC members area, safety and facilities. Not much social housing here and the associated turmoil, well lit streets that have plenty of people around at all times, not too close to night spaces and the associated inebriated. Then there is easy access to necessary infrastructure, CBD, botanical gardens, art gallery, MCG and shops. The cost of apartments are about the same price, wherever they are built.

Some areas of Melbourne have now become dangerous due to poverty, deprivation, lack of opportunities and aspirations of those living there. 

Has Ballarat got that?

Society is splitting. Two tiered education and health systems, social/entertainment events where access and quality is based on financial capacity, plus a huge wealth gap that determines opportunities. 

Edited June 7, 20231 yr by kev martin

2 hours ago, kev martin said:

Some areas of Melbourne have now become dangerous due to poverty, deprivation, lack of opportunities and aspirations of those living there. 

Has Ballarat got that?

Society is splitting. Two tiered education and health systems, social/entertainment events where access and quality is based on financial capacity, plus a huge wealth gap that determines opportunities. 

Actually, we're Redleg Members so on the opposite side of the ground (in more ways than one).

I've worked and lived all over Victoria and have travelled to some poverty striken countries and there will always be haves and have nots. I do take your point about the gap getting greater. It's called the "transfer of wealth". These things are cyclical. Where we are in the economic clock at the moment is where people with real money swoop in and buy up shares, businesses and property. Knowing that is not helpful but it explains a bit. Being on the wrong end of all this is not pleasant. I've been there when I was younger and struggled with 17% interest rates. We had 3 maxed out Credit Cards and were buying groceries on a Coles Myer card. I made some good decisions and was lucky enough to get a better paying job but it took a decade to dig our way out of the mire.

One of the better decision I made was to move back to Ballarat at the right time when things were much cheaper. Yes, Ballarat has all of the problems you've mentioned but I think it's a proportional thing and so far it's not out of control. If jobs start drying up and interest rates put people to the wall that will change.

All I can say is, I wish you well and hope the Dees bring you a bit of cheer.

 

7 hours ago, layzie said:

It's actually an extremely easy thing to love a team's playing style but despise them at the same time. 

Correct, i still loathe Collingwood and all their supporters. I find it very hard to dislike McRae. I reckon he’s an absolute ripper.

48 minutes ago, dworship said:

All I can say is, I wish you well and hope the Dees bring you a bit of cheer.

 

I am not suffering, the small amount I have is enough, the system cannot victimise me. I am a frugal person, living within my means and consumption doesn't interest me.  

The Dee's give me something like a hobby, gets me out and about, and emotional drama. Just hope the price for attending doesn't get much more expensive, that the cheap seats aren't pushed too far away from the action, or the aggression from the division between opposition supporters becomes less "boo" and hate, and more "good play, well done" by one team to the other. Otherwise, a fence will have to be built between the greater AFL community. 

One last thing, perhaps it is harder for Dee supporters (noise volume) as we in the outer are often out numbered.

Edited June 7, 20231 yr by kev martin

3 minutes ago, kev martin said:

I am not suffering, the small amount I have is enough, the system cannot victimise me. I am a frugal person, living within my means and consumption doesn't interest me.  

The Dee's give me something like a hobby, gets me out and about, and emotional drama. Just hope the price for attending doesn't get much more expensive, that the cheap seats aren't pushed too far away from the action, or the aggression from the division between opposition supporters becomes less "boo" and more "good play, well done" by the other team. Otherwise, a fence will come between the greater AFL community. 

One last thing, perhaps it is harder for Dee supporters (noise volume) as we in the outer are often out numbered.

If you want to feel the noise go hang out around the Dee Army. You don't have to be a member of the Army to sit with them. They love the extra voices. I've done it and I know of a number of people who sit around them but aren't members.

10 minutes ago, dworship said:

If you want to feel the noise go hang out around the Dee Army. You don't have to be a member of the Army to sit with them. They love the extra voices. I've done it and I know of a number of people who sit around them but aren't members.

ALWAYS welcome to sit with us. Yes you risk losing an eyeball or being concussed by a snap-shot at goal, but you do so with so much fun and excitement. 🥰 

Our official bay at home games is M3 but as of the beginning of this season we now unofficially have M4 as well. This is great for those who want to see the action up close and personal but without being ensconced in the bedlam and chaos that is the front of M3. As well, drinking is permitted in M4. 

Edited June 7, 20231 yr by WalkingCivilWar

11 minutes ago, dworship said:

If you want to feel the noise go hang out around the Dee Army. You don't have to be a member of the Army to sit with them. They love the extra voices. I've done it and I know of a number of people who sit around them but aren't members.

Yep, my grandkids sit amongst sometimes.

16 minutes ago, dworship said:

If you want to feel the noise go hang out around the Dee Army.

Part of this thread was about our lack of vocal support for the benefit of the players. My comment was an attempt to explain that.

Well done The Army, I hear you at well timed periods.

Being outnumbered has never quietened me, but aggression has.

I also like sitting higher so I can observe the nuisances of the game.

Edited June 7, 20231 yr by kev martin

3 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

Yep, my grandkids sit amongst sometimes.

Do your grandkids come down to the front of the bay to borrow flags or banners or giant heads? Because they’re welcome to, so long as everything is returned by the end of the match.

LOL after the Freo match one of our members saw a little boy happily walking towards Jolimont station carrying a giant Fritta head. He obviously thought it was his forever and not just for the game. Bless. 

Just now, WalkingCivilWar said:

LOL after the Freo match one of our members saw a little boy happily walking towards Jolimont station carrying a giant Fritta head. He obviously thought it was his forever and not just for the game. Bless. 

Possession is 9/10 of the law WCW. 

10 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Do your grandkids come down to the front of the bay to borrow flags or banners or giant heads? Because they’re welcome to, so long as everything is returned by the end of the match.

LOL after the Freo match one of our members saw a little boy happily walking towards Jolimont station carrying a giant Fritta head. He obviously thought it was his forever and not just for the game. Bless. 

Not now they don't as the youngest is 14 and the eldest 21. When they were younger they use to, each one of them has footballs that were handed to them by the players after a win.

16 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Part of this thread was about our lack of vocal support for the benefit of the players. My comment was an attempt to explain that.

Well done The Army, I hear you at well timed periods.

Being outnumbered has never quietened me, but aggression has.

I also like sitting higher so I can observe the nuisances of the game.

That's why we're Redlegs. I shut up an entire bay of Richmond supporters  one afternoon at an away game . I've already mentioned I'm loud, very, very loud. Mrs Dw was worried we wouldn't get out alive. Consequently she wont go to away games and wouldn't sit in GA.

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

ALWAYS welcome to sit with us. Yes you risk losing an eyeball or being concussed by a snap-shot at goal, but you do so with so much fun and excitement. 🥰 

Our official bay at home games is M3 but as of the beginning of this season we now unofficially have M4 as well. This is great for those who want to see the action up close and personal but without being ensconced in the bedlam and chaos that is the front of M3. As well, drinking is permitted in M4. 

I used to sit behind the cheer squad when I was a teenager - might be time to wind back the clock!

Hi All. I have a reserved ticket to Kings Bday. Level 1 next to the members. I cant make it to the game so if anyone wants it let me know. 

On 6/6/2023 at 9:27 PM, Macca said:

It's a slow burn to become a big club but in the meantime we can still be in contention year after year. In the recent past the Cats, Swans, Pies and Hawks have all been in contention for a lot longer than the traditional 5 year window

So why can't we be that same sort of club?

The salary cap and being on top of recruiting can ensure success ongoing (if success is being perennial finalists along with the ultimate success when everything goes right)

I've often felt that it's easier to remain in contention than it is to start all over again after bottoming out. 

Make the wrong moves when down near the cellar and you stay there. Support drops off and infighting surfaces

Where as if you've got a strong list, never get complacent and keep improving the list. 

At the end of this season we'll have at least 4 draft picks in the first 2 rounds plus ... we can improve that position if we have a need to offload surplus to needs

Adding a couple more midfield stars along with a gun key forward and maybe a top key back will keep us up there

So the list is never complete.  It evolves and must be improved upon year after year

We need new young supporters and lots of them ... 10's of thousands in fact

Do that and we'll be loud & proud (and big)

I am doing my bit.  All of my kids are members and have been for years.  Agree with everything you have written.  Absolutely spot on.

12 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Do your grandkids come down to the front of the bay to borrow flags or banners or giant heads? Because they’re welcome to, so long as everything is returned by the end of the match.

LOL after the Freo match one of our members saw a little boy happily walking towards Jolimont station carrying a giant Fritta head. He obviously thought it was his forever and not just for the game. Bless. 

Such a great thing you guys are doing, I will definitely bring my 2 boys (5, and 3) to sit in this area they will love it.

Got the confirmation email that Redlegs members can just show up and get in. Now the issue of finding one spare seat, and of the corporate boxes right behind being filled with drunken, Pies supporting buffoons.

23 minutes ago, Supermercado said:

Got the confirmation email that Redlegs members can just show up and get in. Now the issue of finding one spare seat, and of the corporate boxes right behind being filled with drunken, Pies supporting buffoons.

I have two Redleg seats that will be empty as will be sitting in the Guest area.

They are in front of the Lindsay Hassett room so there shouldn't be too many pies fans.

If you would like a number just PM.

Edited June 7, 20231 yr by Lucifers Hero

On 6/6/2023 at 4:06 PM, A F said:

I wonder what crowds would be like if there was no alcohol served at the footy.

I go to watch the footy, not network or to have drinks with my mates.

As far as I'm concerned, you may as well stay at home if you spend half your time in the bar. But again, some MCC nuffies go purely to network.

I'm not advocating no alcohol at games btw, just that I think a significant portion of the crowd wouldn't attend without it. It's become so engrained in the fabric of footy.

 

Yes, I too think drinking is ingrained in footy culture.

I like to have a few beers at the footy. I usually get one before the start and another at half time. I don't see the point in going to live footy if you are constantly going to the bars for another beverage, althought the ubiquitous tv screens help keeping track of the game easier these days.

I often watch the game in the standing areas (whether Marvel or MCG) with a beer in hand, reminds me of my soccer spectating roots. Ocassionally I do like to sit higher up in stands, as you get a better insight into the tactics and structures the teams employ.

Just on the C'Wood supporters, occasionally there are normal ones, many are just loud, annoying and excessively one-eyed (but ultimately harmless). However, there is a minority of total morons, had the misfortune of being near some at the recent Carlton v. Collingwood and some imbeciles created a scene, police and security were invoved. Just no need for that kind of nonsense.

Edited June 8, 20231 yr by No. 31
typos

On 6/6/2023 at 1:49 PM, Macca said:

 

Footnote; Same mate reckons we are the most marketable team if we have a long period of success

The name, colours, the Demon, MCG etc etc

I agree with your mate ... if MFC have a period of sustained success with several flags, the Dees can move into the territory of support that C'Wood, Carlton, Essendon & Richmond have in time.

We are in an another era of very large incoming migration to Melbourne and the Dees can be a beneficiary of that by tapping into new supporters as they have the cache of the 'Melbourne' name and the history of being the origin club of the game.

5 hours ago, Rednblueriseing said:

Such a great thing you guys are doing, I will definitely bring my 2 boys (5, and 3) to sit in this area they will love it.

Absolutely! We have flags of every size, right down to little ones that are perfect for a 3yo to wave. Your boys won’t ever wanna sit anywhere else. 🤗

Incidentally, I did something I’ve always wanted to do on Friday night. When everyone had left the ground post match and it was only DA packing up, I had a go at waving our biggest baddest flag, much to the amusement of our guys who btw make it look easier than it is. I didn’t take anyone’s eye out so I’m chalking that up as a win. 😁

17 hours ago, Kozzie4PM said:

I used to sit behind the cheer squad when I was a teenager - might be time to wind back the clock!

Same! They used to always hand out flags, we loved it!

Still have a beautiful red n blue old Sherrin that Cameron Clayton drilled into my hands. I dropped the mark but was a very quick crumber. Got signatures all over it in the rooms afterwards that are now very faded but has 3 Brownlow medallists and the great Robbie Flower!

18 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

Not now they don't as the youngest is 14 and the eldest 21. When they were younger they use to, each one of them has footballs that were handed to them by the players after a win.

Umm...I'm 52. Nothing stops me getting involved :)