What was your excuse?

[Dr. Gonzo 24,435]

49 minutes ago, Deebymistake said:

Read fra_p's post on page 2 of this thread.  According to it, Richmond drew 20,000 to a DAY game on Saturday a few weeks ago.  Still embarrassed? 

Richmond are bottom of the ladder not fighting for a finals spot though. That's why the poster said "a match like this", context matters.

If we swapped positions with Richmond how many would we have got to our respective games? I can't imagine it getting worse than 16k but who knows???

Edited July 29, 2024 by Dr. Gonzo

[Sideshow Bob 2,462]

Flip this the other way.

Be proud that 16000 people wanted to brave being outside on one of the coldest and bleakest melbourne evenings melbourne has seen for years! 

Absolutely putrid weather. 

[Fork 'em 7,043]

Goodwin has implemented a very ugly scrappy game style which barely holds my interest.
Even when we skipped out to a 27pt lead at qtr time U just know we're going to let the opposition back in which is also why I believe our supporters are reserved during games.
Cannot trust 'em.
Be forked if I'm doing a 700k round trip to watch live.
It's a long drive home when they've stunk it up lemme tell you.
When you've all jumped on the train and home in an hr I've still got 2 and half to go.
Been there done that and over it.
During day games when we're stinking it up I go out the yard with the radio and start ripping out weeds like a mad man. 
Night game stinkers are good for swingin' the weights.

Sorry, not sorry.
 
 

[Hatchman 539]

I live on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, sorry flights are too expensive 

[OhMyDees 1,834]

And that’s why we’re better off playing the Giants or Suns away or in Alice.

This is more about the AFL [censoring] us by fixturing us [censored] home game against interstate teams at the G on prime time. We lose financially from this but it’s the AFL’s fault. 

[forever demons 2,315]

18 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

Was that the redlegs supporters group you joined?

Yes ,up in the old mezanine bar

[drysdale demon 4,837]

12 minutes ago, forever demons said:

Yes ,up in the old mezanine bar

I have been a member of the redlegs since 1981, every chance we would of had a word or two to each other, especially in that bar as at times there were lucky to be 20 people or less in there.

[58er 6,809]

1 hour ago, OhMyDees said:

And that’s why we’re better off playing the Giants or Suns away or in Alice.

This is more about the AFL [censoring] us by fixturing us [censored] home game against interstate teams at the G on prime time. We lose financially from this but it’s the AFL’s fault. 

How ridiculous to blame the AFL. You either wanted to go or not. 
Agree 40,000 could easily have tipped it our way. Be interesting to see how many Dees go to Marvel as it’s under cover ( but an away game they will say).

And even further to the Power game at night if we lose again vs Dogs.

And to the smart a..e who said we won a flag with very little support you are way off target. Optus Oval was alive and well and the support was no doubt for the Dees. And it was loud. If you haven’t gleaned that from watching take another look. 
Nothing to go with Sat night but support does matter and we got what we deserved a close loss with a miserable turn up.  

 Seriously  some Dees fans almost have to justify staying away to think they are not fair weather. KateRoffey speaks the truth.

More vocality needed and support on certain occasions.

Last years Finals was a great example. 

[forever demons 2,315]

57 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

I have been a member of the redlegs since 1981, every chance we would of had a word or two to each other, especially in that bar as at times there were lucky to be 20 people or less in there.

Long time ago mate but it wouldnt surprise me if we klinked glasses especially after the game

[IRW 1,388]

It was cold and I went to Deadpool Wolverine at the the Imax with 3d glasses.

I thing footy tv coverage with 3d glasses would be a wise AFL innovation rather than " gather round " rubbish and facile attempts to construct genuine Club rivalries.

Btw The tribunal would have had its hands full  after Deadpool..

 

 

[Demon17 5,227]

On 27/07/2024 at 22:38, Doug Reemer said:

16k at a Saturday Prime Time Home game.

I was there. If you weren’t whats your excuse? Want other clubs to respect us and stop saying we don’t turn up? Get off your [censored] and stick fat!

Don't get sucked in by the lazy AFL media.

The Pies vs Tiges game had 58,000.  They have  a total membership of 200,000 combined.  Equates to 29% of members

GWS have nothing and we have 65,000.   17,000 attendence equates to 26%.

Same ballpark and just Demon -bashing by commentariat.  Caro did it a few years ago, but when big clubs fail to attarct we hear crickets.

I was there and it was freezing and left at 3/4 time being in my late 70's eneough was enough of the weather..  It was on free to air. What did you think would happen.?

Tiges v Pies was primetime afternoon in the sun. Why not 85K. Oh, thats right their [censored] too.

[leave it to deever 17,591]

20 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Well, here we are again.

I probably don't need to post on this topic after mouthing off in the aftermath of the North game. But I will anyway.

Going to games is expensive at the best of times, significantly more so when you have children. There are, unfortunately, too many Melbourne fans (and indeed, fans of all 18 clubs) who simply can't go because they can't afford it.

Similarly, there are sadly those of us who can't go due to health reasons.

Then there are those who can't go because they live too far away, whether that's in the regions, interstate or overseas. And there are those who can't go due to personal commitments, or because they have kids and night games are near-impossible, or because they have something else on, etc.

And it's completely fair to note that with train lines down, the ability for some to get to the game was borderline non-existent.

So let's ease off on broad-based "what's your excuse" style posting.

And focus instead on the real issue: the disappointingly, and embarrassingly, high proportion of MFC "supporters" who are able to go, but don't, because they want to "send a message" to the club about how we play, or similar.

You're killing this club from the inside.

If you choose not to go because you don't like how we play, or you're still upset about us being belted in the first quarter of last year's QF, or you don't like Petty playing forward, etc., don't then post on here about how disappointed you are in player effort which appears to wax and wane. If you can't make the effort to go, you don't get to attack the players on effort. (Presumably some will say "well they're paid to perform every week" - if it were that simple, there would be no home ground advantage against travelling clubs, because the vocal home crowd wouldn't impact performance. We know that isn't how it works. Players aren't robots.)

And don't complain when our fixture in 2025 is littered with timeslots you don't like, or a lack of prime time games from which we can make money.

And then don't complain when Roffey and Pert can't get stellar sponsorship deals.

And don't complain about us continuing to sell a game each year to the NT.

And don't complain when eventually the AFL starts moving some of our home games to Marvel to allow for Carlton, Essendon and Hawthorn to get more access to the MCG. Our history isn't going to override your lack of current day investment in the club.

Whilst this particular game and timeslot was never going to pull a massive crowd (MCG games in winter should be in the day unless they are between Victorian clubs), when we're in finals contention against a fellow finals contender and have 65,000 members, we shouldn't be sub-20,000 to any game.

If you can go, but don't, you're not "smart". You're ruining it for the rest of us, and particularly for those of us who can't go.

Top post.

Yes for many there are real impediments to getting to games.

Health  ... absolutely for some.

Logistics..... surprisingly high number of Dlanders live outside Vic.

And money.....in these challenging financial times it's a fair excuse.

But as you say those who don't go for protest reasons are shooting themselves in their kicking foot and the club as well.

I was surprised at the crowd numbers on a game that we could have one( and almost did).

A game when finals were on the line.

Alas the weather was iffy but that brings to mind the expression of fair weather supporters.

I do think we can do better than we did.

Thanks to all of you who braved the elements and rocked up.

Well done.

[Demon17 5,227]

On 28/07/2024 at 11:33, Little Goffy said:

Two separate points.

1. Winter saturday nights are a TV slot and attract poor crowds unless the AFL specifically sets up a 'blockbuster'.

2. Giant super-huge mega-awesome club of hardcore supporter terrific whoopdie-doo-daa, Richmond, got 19k against GWS at the 'G two weeks ago.

Shush.

 

 

Excellent points LG.

Not a lot of in-depth thinking on this issue. Sure the Dees have issues, but lets call it out everywhere. Not doll it tired old tropes

 

[Demon17 5,227]

On 27/07/2024 at 22:59, The heart beats true said:

That kind of excuse really sh!ts me.

I got it during the game after 1/4 time

[MaccaR 62]

I live in Tasmania, I thought about walking to the G but then remembered I would also have to swim Bass Strait. I pay a membership and watch every game the Dees have played in Hobart and I regularly travel to Melbourne (God's city) to watch a weekend of footy. 

I have held membership since 2008, when I paid for my first membership while stationed in Afghanistan with the ADF (figured I might as well donate my war cash to a good cause).

I wish we had a million supporters like some of the other clubs, but I like to think our supporters are more about quality and respect than feral devotion (Port Adelaide supporters were the worst when I lived in Adelaide).

[drysdale demon 4,837]

4 minutes ago, MaccaR said:

I live in Tasmania, I thought about walking to the G but then remembered I would also have to swim Bass Strait. I pay a membership and watch every game the Dees have played in Hobart and I regularly travel to Melbourne (God's city) to watch a weekend of footy. 

I have held membership since 2008, when I paid for my first membership while stationed in Afghanistan with the ADF (figured I might as well donate my war cash to a good cause).

I wish we had a million supporters like some of the other clubs, but I like to think our supporters are more about quality and respect than feral devotion (Port Adelaide supporters were the worst when I lived in Adelaide).

Are you a member of the redlegs group?

[leave it to deever 17,591]

7 hours ago, Hatchman said:

I live on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, sorry flights are too expensive 

Lamest one yet.

[Doug Reemer 1,208]

Obviously there are very real reasons why people can’t get to games. If you live interstate or have to drive hours each way, you have kids etc.

Mental illness or financial reasons, your own personal health is paramount and following melb probably isn’t ideal for both mental and physical.

I posted this thread to ask the regulars that live in melbourne who make up most the 40k local melb members.

If this thread has annoyed you good. 

Edited July 30, 2024 by Doug Reemer

[dino rover 714]

On 27/07/2024 at 22:38, Doug Reemer said:

16k at a Saturday Prime Time Home game.

I was there. If you weren’t whats your excuse? Want other clubs to respect us and stop saying we don’t turn up? Get off your [censored] and stick fat!

What is your excuse for virtue signalling?

[Billy 2,563]

All this where were you nonsense is irrelevant, but we have to understand that we are the laughing stock of all other AFL supporters this time of the year, it’s a fact!!

Other than the hard core supporters, we know who we are, the rest are just theatre goers when it suits

16,000 was a disgrace & cudos to all that turned up

[Demonstone 23,336]

3 hours ago, Doug Reemer said:

If this thread has annoyed you good. 

As long as you upset and offended some people, Doug.  That's the main thing, isn't it?

[Doug Reemer 1,208]

34 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

As long as you upset and offended some people, Doug.  That's the main thing, isn't it?

Sorry for pointing out the elephant in the room of this fan base.

[Demonstone 23,336]

And what positive outcomes would you say that your sanctimonious, holier-than-thou grandstanding has achieved?

[Neil Crompton 5,747]

39 minutes ago, Billy said:

All this where were you nonsense is irrelevant, but we have to understand that we are the laughing stock of all other AFL supporters this time of the year, it’s a fact!!

Other than the hard core supporters, we know who we are, the rest are just theatre goers when it suits

16,000 was a disgrace & cudos to all that turned up

Please show me where it is written that we are, “factually”, the laughing stock of all other AFL supporters. What a silly thing to say. So is your defining of different classes of supporters to deride those who choose not to attend a game. Hate to think how’d you classify me then. I’d have to be below your “theatre goer” classification, because I rarely go. Maybe I cannot be classified as a supporter at all. Maybe I’m simply a “barracker”. 

[Billy 2,563]

2 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

Please show me where it is written that we are, “factually”, the laughing stock of all other AFL supporters. What a silly thing to say. So is your defining of different classes of supporters to deride those who choose not to attend a game. Hate to think how’d you classify me then. I’d have to be below your “theatre goer” classification, because I rarely go. Maybe I cannot be classified as a supporter at all. Maybe I’m simply a “barracker”. 

Maybe you are just a barracker, good for you I’m not classifying you at all, I’m stating a fact that we have average attendance overall  and it drops right off in the miserable months of winter

You obviously don’t listen to the radio or watch TV if you don’t think everyone is laughing at us

 

Edited July 30, 2024 by Billy
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