3 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

"If I was to do anything political with Demonland I’d advise we find the board member/s that best reflect what WE on this forum want and put D’land’s media power behind them".

I challenge anyone to articulate in three coherent sentences, and find significant majority agreement on, what "WE on this forum want."

Seriously, there's an argument to say a Demonland representative be on the Board. Demonland represents two critical MFC stakeholders - paying members and the fan base.

It is common to have a large shareholder on a board. The MFC members are like company shareholders and Demonland would represent the biggest block of MFC members. Also, it is critical a Board be knowledgeable of the MFC fan base. Again, Demonland would represent the MFC's biggest block of MFC fans.

Would love to see Andy, George or Binman on the MFC Board. They'd have their finger on the pulse of MFC members and fans...

4 minutes ago, Dee in a Kilt said:

Seriously, there's an argument to say a Demonland representative be on the Board. Demonland represents two critical MFC stakeholders - paying members and the fan base.

It is common to have a large shareholder on a board. The MFC members are like company shareholders and Demonland would represent the biggest block of MFC members. Also, it is critical a Board be knowledgeable of the MFC fan base. Again, Demonland would represent the MFC's biggest block of MFC fans.

Would love to see Andy, George or Binman on the MFC Board. They'd have their finger on the pulse of MFC members and fans...

Board meetings would go way too long with the way i bang on!

Edited July 31Jul 31 by binman

17 minutes ago, Dee in a Kilt said:

Seriously, there's an argument to say a Demonland representative be on the Board. Demonland represents two critical MFC stakeholders - paying members and the fan base.

It is common to have a large shareholder on a board. The MFC members are like company shareholders and Demonland would represent the biggest block of MFC members. Also, it is critical a Board be knowledgeable of the MFC fan base. Again, Demonland would represent the MFC's biggest block of MFC fans.

Would love to see Andy, George or Binman on the MFC Board. They'd have their finger on the pulse of MFC members and fans...

The Board already has representatives of paying members and the fan base.

(And don't call me Seriously.)

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Queanbeyan Demon

23 minutes ago, Dee in a Kilt said:

Seriously, there's an argument to say a Demonland representative be on the Board.

I nominate @picket fence

The voice of reason

18 minutes ago, binman said:

Board meetings would go way too long with the way i bang on!

Perhaps we could make the meetings via Demonland posts?

3 minutes ago, BDA said:

I nominate @picket fence

The voice of reason

No disrespect intended, but I feel it could descend into this sort of territory:

I’ve been a dees supporter for multiple decades, care of the matriarch of our family. She bleeds red and blue.

In my lifetime, I’ve got memories of the period of time around the 2000’s and this recent patch leading to the 2021 flag. Said matriarch was around for the successful period in the 50’s and 60’s as a young girl and then spent a lot of time and effort supporting the Dees through decades of barely existing, at best.

I worked out pretty early on that really caring about this club was a road that lead nowhere.

The first thing I would like the club to do is kill off the ‘holier than thou’ & entitled stereotype. The snow jokes, the cheese boards, wine and the wealth have become our actual identity. We are exactly what we are portrayed as and for a hell of a lot of the football population, it’s something they either can’t or don’t want to relate to - But you bet your bottom dollar that they all take great pride in ‘putting us back in our place’.

@Clintosaurus has been like a dog with a bone regarding the media narrative and even though it’s tiresome, it’s still a reflection on how everyone else perceives Melbourne.

Max goes on the radio and talks about all the exclusive memberships he has and saying he’s become a proper Melbourne [censored]. He’s trying to be jovial and joke but it’s reflective of the club culture and it’s very real. You can’t begrudge him for enjoying his life and all that comes with it but he is exactly what he’s joking about.

In my opinion, the majority of the MFC from board all the way through to supporters genuinely believe they are better than everyone else and it’s possibly the biggest lie in sporting history. This period is particularly frustrating and I think what differs now is most supporters, no matter how long for, are genuinely terrified of another 30 year period of being good just twice, or a 65 year period of being there but not really being a threat.

I’m just as much a part of this as the next person - I don’t watch any games other than Melbourne, I don’t care if my kids support Melbourne and nor am I a member of the club. I’d be lucky to have been to 5 games in 10 years and am as fairweather as they come. Yet here I am on a supporter forum hoping and praying for change, proper focused change.

What @Dee in a Kilt is trying to do here is more genuine than anything I have seen the club do in a long time, whether it gets there or not. It’s someone grabbing the bull by the horns and trying to bring change. I tip my hat to you and hope people realise that there is a an opportunity to be a part of the solution and create the change you hope for.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by BW511

I think one idea that would get unanimous support is another top to bottom review of the Football Department. This time conducted by independent experts I would suggest 3 under the chairmanship of Peter Jackson. The other two being AFL experts ( not an all Black). The terms of reference to be shared with members.

All roles to be examined GM of football, senior Coach, Assistant Coaches, List Manager, Recruitment, Fitness,On field leaders, player skill levels.

I know there are other issues but unless the Members and Sponsors have confidence in the Football Department I fear next year will be a financial disaster. I am a 44 year financial member and if I am considering not renewing my membership things are dire.

For me nothing less than a INDEPENDENT review of the FD hopefully headed by PJ will restore my confidence in this club

8 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

"If I was to do anything political with Demonland I’d advise we find the board member/s that best reflect what WE on this forum want and put D’land’s media power behind them".

I challenge anyone to articulate in three coherent sentences, and find significant majority agreement on, what "WE on this forum want."

How about three coherent words: winning, finals, FLAG!!

Simples. (Granted, the path to those objectives is hotly contested...)

1 minute ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

How about three coherent words: winning, finals, FLAG!!

Simples. (Granted, the path to those objectives is hotly contested...)

you've proved my point. thank you.

12 hours ago, D Rev said:

No disrespect intended, but I feel it could descend into this sort of territory:

Weekly meeting of the MRO.

Has this happened with any other sporting club / code in the world?

Look at the AFL they clearly don’t listen to the fans, a lot of people thought the appointment of Greg Sawn was what the game needed to get the game back to what it was, he was in the chair for all of five minutes and has already floated a finals system consisting of ten teams.

14 hours ago, BW511 said:

I’ve been a dees supporter for multiple decades, care of the matriarch of our family. She bleeds red and blue.

In my lifetime, I’ve got memories of the period of time around the 2000’s and this recent patch leading to the 2021 flag. Said matriarch was around for the successful period in the 50’s and 60’s as a young girl and then spent a lot of time and effort supporting the Dees through decades of barely existing, at best.

I worked out pretty early on that really caring about this club was a road that lead nowhere.

The first thing I would like the club to do is kill off the ‘holier than thou’ & entitled stereotype. The snow jokes, the cheese boards, wine and the wealth have become our actual identity. We are exactly what we are portrayed as and for a hell of a lot of the football population, it’s something they either can’t or don’t want to relate to - But you bet your bottom dollar that they all take great pride in ‘putting us back in our place’.

@Clintosaurus has been like a dog with a bone regarding the media narrative and even though it’s tiresome, it’s still a reflection on how everyone else perceives Melbourne.

Max goes on the radio and talks about all the exclusive memberships he has and saying he’s become a proper Melbourne [censored]. He’s trying to be jovial and joke but it’s reflective of the club culture and it’s very real. You can’t begrudge him for enjoying his life and all that comes with it but he is exactly what he’s joking about.

In my opinion, the majority of the MFC from board all the way through to supporters genuinely believe they are better than everyone else and it’s possibly the biggest lie in sporting history. This period is particularly frustrating and I think what differs now is most supporters, no matter how long for, are genuinely terrified of another 30 year period of being good just twice, or a 65 year period of being there but not really being a threat.

I’m just as much a part of this as the next person - I don’t watch any games other than Melbourne, I don’t care if my kids support Melbourne and nor am I a member of the club. I’d be lucky to have been to 5 games in 10 years and am as fairweather as they come. Yet here I am on a supporter forum hoping and praying for change, proper focused change.

What @Dee in a Kilt is trying to do here is more genuine than anything I have seen the club do in a long time, whether it gets there or not. It’s someone grabbing the bull by the horns and trying to bring change. I tip my hat to you and hope people realise that there is a an opportunity to be a part of the solution and create the change you hope for.

@BW511, your post genuinely moved me - it brought a tear to my eyes, and I suspect it will resonate with many others here. The honesty about being a "fairweather" supporter while still caring deeply enough to hope for change - that's probably more common than people admit, and it makes your voice even more valuable.

I remember the 2018 final against Geelong when Mitch Hannan kicked that amazing goal in the fourth quarter. The MCG erupted and it felt like 80% of the crowd were Demon supporters. When they showed the crowd after that goal, grown men and women were crying. That's what you're talking about - the deep, genuine emotion beneath all the superficial stereotypes.

Also, I love the respect Dees fans show (with the odd exception) - the respect shown on the Demonland podcast by Andy, George and Binman towards each other and to Demonland members; the way Andy has built this community, the genuine care beneath the frustration.

That's all the real Melbourne - not the "holier than thou" stereotype, the exclusive memberships and snow jokes, but people like your matriarch who bled red and blue through decades of heartbreak, and supporters like you who still show up on forums hoping for something better.

Thanks for the encouragement about this initiative. Thankfully, Binman has said he will tackle the next step in this quest to use Demonland as a united voice to the incoming President and CEO. BW511, your emotional post inspires the grit to get this done.

14 hours ago, The Trunk said:

I think one idea that would get unanimous support is another top to bottom review of the Football Department. This time conducted by independent experts I would suggest 3 under the chairmanship of Peter Jackson. The other two being AFL experts ( not an all Black). The terms of reference to be shared with members.

All roles to be examined GM of football, senior Coach, Assistant Coaches, List Manager, Recruitment, Fitness,On field leaders, player skill levels.

I know there are other issues but unless the Members and Sponsors have confidence in the Football Department I fear next year will be a financial disaster. I am a 44 year financial member and if I am considering not renewing my membership things are dire.

For me nothing less than a INDEPENDENT review of the FD hopefully headed by PJ will restore my confidence in this club

Brilliant @The Trunk! It would be awesome if Peter Jackson ran the review. I wonder if Steven Smith has that gravitas. 🤔

17 hours ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Running a poll on Demonland would be like holding an election in the DPRK — technically democratic, but really just a state-run ritual of suspended animation, where most of us are trapped in a feedback loop of PTSD, gaslighting, and the delusional hope that this will finally be the week Spargo gets dropped.

Running a Poll was just a way to accurately get numbers who read or vote on Demonland unless Administrators can tell easily,

The actual question and answer are almost irrelevant You need a number to tell MFC this is how many we are talking for. If its only 500 They will tell you Pissoff But if its more significant then you get Gravitas !

3 hours ago, Dee in a Kilt said:

@BW511, your post genuinely moved me - it brought a tear to my eyes, and I suspect it will resonate with many others here. The honesty about being a "fairweather" supporter while still caring deeply enough to hope for change - that's probably more common than people admit, and it makes your voice even more valuable.

I remember the 2018 final against Geelong when Mitch Hannan kicked that amazing goal in the fourth quarter. The MCG erupted and it felt like 80% of the crowd were Demon supporters. When they showed the crowd after that goal, grown men and women were crying. That's what you're talking about - the deep, genuine emotion beneath all the superficial stereotypes.

Also, I love the respect Dees fans show (with the odd exception) - the respect shown on the Demonland podcast by Andy, George and Binman towards each other and to Demonland members; the way Andy has built this community, the genuine care beneath the frustration.

That's all the real Melbourne - not the "holier than thou" stereotype, the exclusive memberships and snow jokes, but people like your matriarch who bled red and blue through decades of heartbreak, and supporters like you who still show up on forums hoping for something better.

Thanks for the encouragement about this initiative. Thankfully, Binman has said he will tackle the next step in this quest to use Demonland as a united voice to the incoming President and CEO. BW511, your emotional post inspires the grit to get this done.

Genuinely here to help if needed

22 hours ago, binman said:

Board meetings would go way too long with the way i bang on!

Start with the Stats File and then complaints about the umpires....😄 An hour done!

8 minutes ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Start with the Stats File and then complaints about the umpires....😄 An hour done!

And a couple more hours on how poor the MFC's comms!

@binman this is a gentle nudge to start this communications thread. Hasn't this week amplified the issue! A public statement was not pre-prepared. Players heard via the media 🙄

On 31/07/2025 at 13:50, binman said:

I'm flat our today but will create the thread, with relevant guidelines, goal, purpose, process, what it is, and perhaps most importantly what isnt (a place to unload) tomorrow.

Kudos for driving a process that is solution focused.

And respect fr putting yourself out there in a vulnerable space - ie one where it's easy to have pot shots at you for thinking outside the box.

On 30/07/2025 at 23:43, binman said:

Edited August 6Aug 6 by Dee in a Kilt
I stuffed up

All I ask is that this year's upcoming AGM has more relevant questions asked.

The primary focus, besides winning more Premierships, needs to be getting our homebase built in Caulfield.

3 hours ago, Dee in a Kilt said:

@binman this is a gentle nudge to start this communications thread. Hasn't this week amplified the issue! A public statement was not pre-prepared. Players heard via the media 🙄

Huh?

I think that answers the question as to whether the idea of a collective voice to provide constructive feedback to the MFC has legs:

On 01/08/2025 at 10:49, Dee in a Kilt said:

I remember the 2018 final against Geelong when Mitch Hannan kicked that amazing goal in the fourth quarter. The MCG erupted and it felt like 80% of the crowd were Demon supporters.

Over 90k at the game that night, with at least 2/3 being Dees supporters. It was a sea of red.

Never seen more Dees supporters at a game.

Sincere apologies @binman . I was wrapped up in family activities the whole weekend, including Friday afternoon. BTW, these activities included taking the whole family to the Eagles game. I've now seen your new thread and it's typical of you - intelligent, well thought out and constructive. You're awesome.

Just now, Dee in a Kilt said:

  On 31/07/2025 at 13:50, binman said:

I'm flat our today but will create the thread, with relevant guidelines, goal, purpose, process, what it is, and perhaps most importantly what isnt (a place to unload) tomorrow.

12 hours ago, binman said:

Huh?

I think that answers the question as to whether the idea of a collective voice to provide constructive feedback to the MFC has legs:

@binman, awesome work on "Communications" feedback to Steven Smith and Paul Guerra. Your gifted at seeing the big picture, setting up processes, fact-based decision-making... Be interesting to know what your day job is...

I'd like to suggest the next topic be:

Constructive ideas to improve MFC's Governance, Transparency and Accountability

I'd love George (what's his hashtag - The Pearl??), as he covers this topic so strongly on the Demonland Podie. But I'm not sure George is available right now.

Here's why I think Governance, Transparency and Accountability is the right next topic:

• For the longest time, podcaster George has identified governance, transparency and accountability as a significant issue.

• @PaulRB specifically called for "active and engaged transparency" with embargos only on competitive issues - this was one of the most thoughtful, well-received responses

• @BKKBooga (40-year member) highlighted governance issues, particularly how "coterie groups run the place and are treated on a different level to everybody else"

• @beelzebub noted the coterie groups "guard their activities, influences and power very carefully and craftfully"

• @The Trunk proposed an independent review with "terms of reference shared with members" - directly addressing transparency

• @Previously known as LITD. mentioned Brad Green's letter as a "veiled reprimand" rather than genuine transparency about performance

• Why was there no transparency on last year's football department review? Why wasn't this review independent? What were the terms of that review? What were the accountabilities to ensure the review was implemented?

The AFL is now a

$1 billion industry

In 2024, MFC had $57 million revenue and assets of $44 million. Twenty years ago, MFC was essentially insolvent.

Just 30 years ago, the AFL and most clubs were still run like today's country footy clubs, with emotion and passion trumping professionalism. The AFL and most clubs, MFC included, still suffer from amateurism trumping professionalism.

Peter Jackson showed us the path.

Governance, transparency and accountability becomes a foundation to professionalism, stability and strength.

What do you think? Worthy of feedback to the new leadership using @binman's Communications template??

My only feedback would be to narrow down the focus as governance, transparency and accountability are interrelated but separate things.

Ideas covering all three areas run the risk of being too broad and nor sufficiently targeted.

Transparency relates to communication and governance is very broad.

I'd recommend constructive ideas on how the MFC can be improve its level accountability to its fans and members.