Aftermatch Function on Sunday

[deestroy08 0]

For anyone that's interested, I went to the aftermatch on Sunday. Call me silly for going after a loss, but I've always enjoyed aftermatch functions and think it's important that supporters gather together especially now.

It was held in the Harrison Room and there was about 60 people there, which isn't too many! Brad Miller was loitering so I assumed he'd be coming in to address the supporters but he was whisked off somewhere else so the only player in attendance was Paul Johnson. He signed autographs and chatted to fans before being interviewed by the MC. He apologised for being the only player in attendance and explained there were several other MFC group functions going on around the ground, plus the Sandy game, and that's where the other players were. And I think he also mentioned something about it being Simon Buckley's 21st so they were going out for a drink ..

PJ said that following the surgery on his hand, everything was going well and we can expect to see him back in 2 weeks ( ). He spoke a little bit about the sortof preparation the team undergoes in the lead up to the game, before answering a few questions from the fairly small crowd.

One lady asked about the rumours about Ben Cousins turning up at Junction Oval, and how the playing group would feel if Cousins joined the Dees. PJ said that it seemed as though Cousins had really changed his ways and that we can't ignore the fact that he is a Brownlow medallist.

Paul McNamee then appeared and briefly spoke about how whilst we weren't winning off the field, we should all be very pleased with the crowd we managed to get as the club only anticipated 28 000 or so. He said that all this talk of moving to the Gold Coast was rubbish and that MelbourneFC is here to stay in Melbourne.

Bev O'Connor also snuck in for a few minutes.

That's pretty much all I can remember, but I will say that I was very, very impressed with the way PJ spoke and I'm also glad that Paul McNamee took the time to come and say a few words to the supporters.

[QueenC 74]

Thanks D08 :D !!!

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Nice work mate...

I heard from ology that it was quiet. But that's only to be expected.

I think I might dawdle in to the next one myself...

[w00dy 146]

i might have to go to one of these... never been before... i'm usually either at the footy by myself, or with mates who follow the opposition or are neutral, so I never make it along to these things...

might pop in after our first win against freo in a fortnight...

[Adzman 2,086]

I was there, I was the sex bomb down on the front table!

Pj handled himself like a true champ, took the plenty of flack from the odd supporter whilst holding his head up high.

Then Ben Cousins convo had me thinking. He said " Ben has been training before us , and looks in great shape. He seems to have put all that stuff behind him and is ready to come back and play football". He also said this, which made my ears [censored] up further "Ben has had a chat with a people and players at the club, and has really seemed to have changed his ways"

I wonder WHICH people he has been talking to. Also when asked is Ben cousins would be embraced, PJ shot back "He is a brownlow medalist, we would embrace a player of that calibre"- or something to that effect.

[DemonDave 1,078]

Also worth mentioning the total disorganisation whereby the function didnt even have a PA system in place, so Monaghan had to yell to introduce PJ, who in turn had to yell etc.

It was pretty poor of some of the supporters having a crack at PJ while he was mingling, whoever they were they should be ashamed, here's a guy whos given up his time, answered questions honestly and forthrightly and signed as many autographs and had photos taken with virtually everyone in the room, and they took cheap potshots at him from their seats. Poor form.

Lets hope the Pineapple is rocking this Sunday, I cant wait to sing the song there! *ahem*

[MrMoose 262]

Thanks deestroy8 and wrathchild for this information,

Moose

[Rogue 585]

Were the guys giving PJ flak directing it at him personally, or the team in general? I thought he'd been one of our better players in the first few games.

[True Believer 1]

Were the guys giving PJ flak directing it at him personally, or the team in general? I thought he'd been one of our better players in the first few games.

The flak was NOT directed to Paul Johnson, and that was made clear......it was because we were told that no one from President, CEO, coach(es) or players were to turn up. Obviously someone put a call through to get Paul McNamee for a brief time. Emailed the club and NO ONE ( coach or playing players) will be attending future aftermatch functions this year, except for the Queen's birthday aftermatch function..... ( different to previous years)

We were all hurting, but passionate and loyal enough to turn up. This, our special year meant nothing...would have been a great time to meet our NEW CEO and NEW COACH...but no !!!!

Plus lack of letting members know could account for small numbers in attendance, as premium members have access to the Hassett during and after home games....no doubt plenty were at the Hassett Room.

[The Emblem 1]

Emailed the club and NO ONE ( coach or playing players) will be attending future aftermatch functions this year, except for the Queen's birthday aftermatch function..... ( different to previous years)

Plus lack of letting members know could account for small numbers in attendance, as premium members have access to the Hassett during and after home games....no doubt plenty were at the Hassett Room.

No coach or playing players at aftermatch functions? I appreciate they have a warmdown / icebaths etc but thats a bit rich.

And why are aftermatch functions split up? They should all be held in one big room...the more the merrier and we all put our pants on one leg at a time!

[Rogue 585]

Emailed the club and NO ONE ( coach or playing players) will be attending future aftermatch functions this year, except for the Queen's birthday aftermatch function..... ( different to previous years)

Not that I've been to one, but I'd have thought that functions like this would make people feel more connected to the Club.

Hardly a great feeling of being part of the MFC if no one from the Club turns up.

[Dalrot 85]

What's the point of even holding an aftermatch function if neither players or coach are to attend?

[The Emblem 1]

What's the point of even holding an aftermatch function if neither players or coach are to attend?

I would like the Club to better explain their position on this one...I suspect its because of the time that needs to be put into post-match recovery, and yes this is important.

However no, or minimal, contact with supporters is a faux pas. If as members we start to get the impression that we are supporting a soul-less synthetic jumper worn by anonymous aloof bunch of over-paid prima-donnas then our willingness to dip into our pockets every year will wane fast. In my experience the players aren't aloof prima donna's and have been terrific with the supporters, so lets make it part of our culture to give them every opportunity to shine.

Hopefully there will be some social facility at the bubble-dome whereby players can complete their recovery and then mingle with the MFC faithful.

[Rogue 585]

I would like the Club to better explain their position on this one...I suspect its because of the time that needs to be put into post-match recovery, and yes this is important.

I suspect there'll always be players who aren't playing for whatever reason, even when we have game day clashes with Sandringham, so that reasoning doesn't ring true.

Furthermore, that doesn't excuse Coaches/officials.

[True Believer 1]

I suspect there'll always be players who aren't playing for whatever reason, even when we have game day clashes with Sandringham, so that reasoning doesn't ring true.

Furthermore, that doesn't excuse Coaches/officials.

I wonder how the aftermatch function went in Qld....seeing ours was a flop last week. WHO TURNED UP.....from the club !!!!!