45HG

Why do you think Carlton would have to give us anything of value for White?

Ha. On an unrelated point (not that this thread seems to indicate a related one) the Bombers have re-signed Laycock.

Unsure, I thought she was trying to have a crafty catch up. I hadn't heard anything about it, apparently a lunch at the G.

I heard in Newcastle that Auskick numbers have dropped, and overall there are only a couple of hundred more playing AFL than play NRL down here. It just doesn't seem viable at the moment as far as I can see, and I still haven't seen much evidence that many, if any, Sydney teams are well attended. Something that traditional AFL teams and localities have struggled with this year. Just look at Port Adelaide

Thanks for clearing that up mate, it did sound like you were arguing something different initially. R_K, I know probably twice as many non MCC members who do not sign up to their "beloved club" than MCC members who don't. It's a useless thing to say and doesn't prove anything. The facts are they believe around 30,000 MCC members follow Melbourne. (Note: this is not LOVE mfc, this is not go every week, this is just a supported team). Around 8,000 of these are MFC members from memory. If our supporters base is around 200,00 that means MCC members take up about 1/7th of our total supporter base, and 8,000 of our 30,000 members are MCC members, totalling over 25%. That means that 14% of a singular supporter base make up over 25% of our total membership. I'd think twice before mindlessly having a go at MCC/MFC supporters, and not just place them all in the same category. If you have issue with MCC members not becoming club members, then you should maintain that issue with the 150,000 other Melbourne supporters who aren't members. We need to mend ties with the MCC, not attack segments of its membership when you know nothing of their back story. Perhaps many of them only attend 1-2 games a year as a social exercise. Many other fans do the same and do not buy memberships, MCC members don't have to pay to get into the ground (over the extravagent amount they've already paid for membership) and they may not see the need for a membership, especially as it doesn't help get access to any other games). It is unfair to place a singular group of supporters into one basket over any other group, especially as their input to the club already outweighs its statistical share, is on the increase (i believe) and probably containts many members who have contributed (large ammounts) to the Debt Demolition. I'd like to know how many of the 21,000 other memberships our club has sold, would have been sold if they didn't grant access to any games

I reckon it has mate. The fact it looks fkn amazing probably helps haha I'm nervous thinking about it, this is just what I was hoping the club would do. If it's true!!

Collingwood fans, LOL

I've been dying all day. But yes, i suppose with anything like this, don't take it as gospel. Mum went to a lunch at the G today with lots of other Dees fans, i was going to go but have been far too sick. Connolly spoke (was a riot apparently) and Jimmy spoke. They asked whether the fans wanted red as a prelude apparently and the whole room went crazy, and apparently Jimmy then said that the club would use a red base and that they were now deciding on the blue logo to use. Now I'm not one for "breaking stories," the only thing i've ever broken is a glass window, but this is from the horse's mouth at a public gathering so i'm crossing my fingers. Mind you, she is prone to misunderstanding some things, so i suppose just take this as a definite sign that the club is working hard for a red jumper, and may well just have gotten there. Keep emailing! We may just seal the deal

i have just heard from someone at an mfc lunch that we will have a red clash strip with a blue logo next year!

And it's wrong

28 touches round 1. Averaged 23.6 touches a game, third at the club and played under duress to help us beat Brisbane. Proven leader on field, needs to address his problems off field if he is to lead the club out of the depths but there is so much to this guy to like. Hope he can have an injury free season to really stamp his name on the comp.

At my reckoning, 4 of the 16 people who replied in this thread didn't seem to get it at first, that's hardly most.

Tough one. He was screwed over i felt by CA last Summer, but he also bullshited his way out of the Pakistan tour "travel fears" rah rah but was happy as Larry to go to India. I feel he'll do what's best for Andrew Symonds. If he can find another niche I don't think we'll see him in the Baggy Green again. But i don't think he'll get there yet, and I think he'll ease his way back in, maybe after the Indian tour.

I'd wager that on a day drawing 16,000 to the 'G, at least 33% of them sit in the MCC possibly more, even though it takes up about 20% of the ground. I wonder if there's anyway to find out MCC attendance. Basically our supporters need to not attack each other, or blame someone else for our low supporter base, and unite to build the base. A bigger cheer squad would be a start of it. I see what you mean Deanox, but isn't it something like 8000 of the 30,000 MFC supporting MCC members are also MFC members. That's over 25%, that's above the churn rate overall. I also feel the number is rising, but even so it's a decent number.

I suppose I should start buying two memberships then hey...

As my incredibly in-depth post would indicate, which no doubt you read It seems an odd point to bring up after what i'd written, given i was certainly not arguing the opposite

What I don't get is people claiming that MCC melbourne supporters don't show up. We always make up a much higher percentage of our section than the rest of the ground.

I'm pretty sure he meant top 20, given that he said a 4th pick. To get another pick in the top 20, I'd assume no player over 23 was particularly safe

it was in response to the claim that sydney have so many competing teams in town and that's why crowd numbers are low HT

This year of mending old ties could certainly do with a reunion of the cheer squad. I remember vaguely on the old Olympic Stand that the Cheer Squad was pretty impressive. Catch 22 for me I think. I love where I sit, but would sit there occasionally if there were more people did, but of course that requires people to move in the first place. I wonder if the club could fix it

Thanks mate, i'll now be the coolest kid on the block

Not that I'm saying we shouldn't get rid of him, but how much do you actually pay for a Rookie? I thought it was more around the $50,000 region, and more once they started playing. Would be interested if anyone knows

Great bloke, great endeavour, and beat Rocca. What else do you want? Thanks Benny.

Interesting point made about Geelong yesterday. Their best 6-7 is that good that it lifts the level required of the rest of the players in the team. A good team would then press this forward into the rest of the players in the squad. Creating a "best 22" who have fought their way to play for the Red and Blue must contain high quality players, "superstars" if you will.

I think we will play much better this year, as the players get more used to Bailey's plan and each other. Whether than translates to more wins we will just have to wait and see