Redleg

Lets not discuss moving, merging etc but rather how this club is to be saved. The AFL says we are a meaningless brand and we must address that. I will put my thoughts in point form for convenience. 1. We must build our membership. A membership of 30000 plus, is a significant one in this city and that should be the minimum aim. To get there, every and I repeat every member from last year (10000) who hasn't re-signed should be rung, visited or spoken to, to ensure they take out membership. The players and directors should be involved in this activity. All Melbourne members should be asked to find another supporter to sign on as a member. 2. All Directors should pledge to find a sponsor of at least $50000.00 or raise that amount in any way they see fit, raffle, function, begging whatever. 3. All members should make it their business to attend as many games as possible and invite other family, friends or supporters to attend with them to convert new members and to boost attendances. 4. When at games Melbourne people should use their voices to cheer the team and show disapproval at poor umpiring to give us some presence and lift the players with support like the Pies do. 5. The Board should search for a "Ron Walker type" who is a wealthy, intelligent, well connected person to lead the club. 6. Each board member should re-examine their own position and contribution and place their seat in the hands of the new President to either keep them on the Board or be replaced by a better credentialled candidate. 7. The new Board should be workers who are there for the club and have special skills that can assist the club. 8. The new CEO should be given full support and should have at least 1-2 Directors and maybe even an injured player with him every time he makes a pitch for Sponsorship. 9. The Coach should be given full support by the Board and told to do whatever is needed to get a good side as soon as possible on the ground playing good hard football. 10. The members should accept pain while the footy department rebuilds the list/team. 11. Lovers of the MFC should get behind the club now, when they are needed most and stop the crap " we are finished talk" and instead look positively to the future, when our club will be successful both on and off the ground. The above will all help to re-establish the meaningful brand that the AFL speaks about. Feel free to add your own suggestions.

I was deciding whether to say anything but I will. Change your first line last word to "HIM". Jamar is one of the worst footballers to have pulled on a Melbourne jumper. He set the scene with his gimme miss and then when he was in the ruck they got the ball"every" time. As long as we play him and a skipper who has watched the game pass him by ( slow, can't hold or get to marks, doesn't kick goals and can't put any defensive pressure on ) we have no hope of winning a game. None.

NO, no no no no,no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't bet on it. This organization ( the AFL ) is not about history, tradition or sentimentality, it is about MONEY. It is all about MONEY. Every year a team is under threat and it appears to be us at the moment. Meanwhile North is deflecting knowing that their very existence depends on it. Before the Price Fixer ( as Patrick Smith refers to him ) took over, it was Carlton and before them Hawthorn and before them Collingwood ( pre Eddie ). We will have to hang tough, find ways to increase Membership ( firstly by performing better on the field ) increase the financial stream especially through non-football avenues and lastly and importantly tell the AFL to "get stuffed", that we are the oldest club in the AFL and part of the reason why Demetriou gets $1.5 Million a year and we aren't going anywhere. End of story.

This is my reply to the thread on "marketing at the MFC". "They say a fish rots from the head down and I am starting to smell rotten fish. " Funny!!!!!!!!

Yours is clearly not an isolated example of an opportunity lost. They say a fish rots from the head down and I am starting to smell rotten fish.

Other than being premiership players. We of course have many other premiership players!!!!!!

Pity we are debating what is good marketing or poor marketing by the club. In my opinion to not find something to send out, even a card with some autographs is " [censored] weak poor marketing" end of debate. The only redeeming feature may be that it is a new young employee who as a result will be enlightened.

That is disappointing and I think you should write to the marketing department. A failure to receive a decent reply with some kind of action would warrant a letter to the CEO in my opinion.

Think that is a bit unfair on the clubDeeReaming as they must get these requests all of the time. There are many children out there who are ill etc who would love to be a mascot but obviously it is not always possible. The club clearly has a community conscience as can be seen from the Pink days, Berrys Street days etc. They appear to have got a sponsor for the gig which from a financial point of view is the aim. That might have with it a caveat that no other mascot is allowed for the price paid, I don't know. The real issue is has any other attempt been made to in some way make this kid a happy Demon, for example sending him an autographed picture of the players etc, or getting a phone call from one of the boys. That to me would be the job of an efficient marketing department.

Agree with you this time Yze Magic.

The Roos had 12 to 2 frees inside their forward 50 and scored 5 goals with several sitters missed. I could only find 3 people on the ground who performed worse than the Melbourne players and they were not in blue and white but yellow. If it happened to the Pies Lions or Swans their coaches would be counting the cost of their fines already.

Absolutely correct. If we are to emerge as a strong club from the rabble we presently are, the handling of this situation is critical.

I feel sorry for Paul. He has worked hard on his game and has improved markedly and yet has been struck dowwn a few times with injury just as he was getting on a roll. I actually feel he may have been leading our best and fairest. Anyway, get well soon PJ.

Then find a way for the Tiges and Blues to each win 5 games or we are no chance no matter where we finish.

Disappointing that Bate gets a minor hammy and is out so far for 5 weeks. Petterd and Moloney are obviously carrying injuries.

Why is he a soft target? Because of his poor output. I think most Demon supporters cut players a lot of slack and give them a real chance to prove themselves. Yes this bloke has had injuries, but this year he has done a full preseason. If he is not currently injured then he is running out of excuses. This is his make or break year. I don't expect him to star, but rather be a solid contributor. At the moment he is not. He should not have to pull his finger out, he should pull his whole hand out.

Bit hard on CJ, I thought he showed a bit and can kick. Didn't get much game time. Morton and Aussie showed they have futures. Garland can go back to Sandy for at least half a season as he is nowhere near an AFL footballer. White's handballing and lack of effort in the last line a few times cost us goals. Robbo, I think his time may have passed. One trick pony who when his trick won't work is useless. Finally, Sylvia has just about lost me. The most overrated high draft pick ever. Much improved effort by the team though and it gives us hope for the future.

He will be better there when Bate comes in to provide another option and Dunn gets more game time up forward.

He only did it three times !!!!!!!!!

No he won't, he is playing for Sandy.

Commentator described Valenti as having leather poisoning just before half time. He could be a very unlucky footballer given there seems no place for him on the list at the moment.

Ok. Just a little sidelight. The great Percy Beames daughter, who must be in her 60's now and was a top marathoner in her day, still jogs around Caulfield Park every day of the year. She often has hair rollers in her hair and always says hello to everyone. She is a real character and has told me a few stories about her dad who was not only a champion Demon but a top cricketer as well. RIP Percy.

Was just wondering why you use a picture of Percy Beames and not Russell "Rhino" Richards.

Agreed. Given our current plight would any Melbourne member rather have Travis at 28 over Jack Grimes at 18? I think not.