Redleg

Have you given any thought to changing your avatar?

I note the clubs have heavily delisted Rookies this year, more than in the past.

Was done during the season on a long term injury.

Great photos guys, I feel like I was there.

I would look at Sampi, as I would at every possible recruit and then I would probably dismiss him. My reasoning is fairly simple. He walked away from his football career. He was then given the chance, with plenty of prior notice, to undergo a fitness test with the Eagles. He refused to undergo the test yesterday. What does that suggest? To me it suggests that he isn't fit and didn't want to fail the test. Running away from tests is a habit with the Eagles. Leopards rarely change their spots. He had talent but was undisciplined and the latest episode suggests no change. There are other players more desperate to play AFL than him and I would look at them first.

You may be right. If this concept is refined with the Football club taking a "senior" role perhaps in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club, one could see a special type of membership giving regular access to the various sports. In my opinion this type of membership would be highly sought as a result of the value it would provide. The spin offs are obvious for marketing/sponsorship etc. Together with the new facility and "success" in China, this could be the start of the financial turnaround for the MFC.

I took out a Team Melbourne membership last week. I am sure it is the forerunner of some modified combined membership.

I read somewhere that the Kangaroos averaged attendances of 37000 this year. I also read that Carrara currently holds 11000. Understanding that they may be adopted by Gold Coasters who are an ageing population of retirees from down south, who probably wouldn't attend football matches anyway, won't the AFL have to spend 30-40 million dollars at least to bring the stadium up to required standard. Then that will only be a 30-35000 stadium. Doubtful if they will fill it. Yet they leave a 37000 average attendance behind. What would 30-40 million dollars do for them and other teams down here. I am obviously missing something. Is it the oldies at the pokies or is it TV? Or does the AFL see every kid from Tweed Heads to Dreamworld in a kangaroos jumper?

This system has led in part to the Kangaroos being forced Interstate. Who is next? Guarantee it won't be Pies, Bombers or Blues even if they rack up wooden spoons. I would just like to see us become an aggressive club on and off the field and always fight for our best position, which by the way should not be "bending over".

Doesn't this get back to the very point I was making. If all clubs were treated equally we would have more sponsorship opportunities with more games in Melbourne and on friday night on peak rating TV etc. More melboune games to boost attendances, display sponsors product, sell club products etc. etc. The handout we get from the AFL is because we are being shafted financially and in the competition. It is nothing more than ' shut up and take this" (money). No matter which way you look at this we are getting a poor deal and I don't see why so many of us just say " oh well, nothing we can do, bend over and take it". I will tell you one thing, Eddie wouldn't take it.

The problem is WJ that I am serious. Even a sport run in a business fashion can have at its core "fairness", if it seeks a modicum of respect from the participants and the spectators.

Thats the problem WJ I want to enjoy a sport not a business. If it was the latter I would sit in the gallery at the Stock Exchange and cheer for BHP.

The AFL wants to stop drugs in football because it is cheating. Hear hear. But then they base the whole competition on cheating. I have had enough of the [censored] weak platitudes that we don't have enough members or supporters. That is [censored]. How in hell can a competition be based on a rigged draw. This is crap. Unless the AFL do a multi year draw where the teams play each other equally then the AFL brings shame to the game. To base the draw on attendances or supporter numbers is a joke. Why not start China half way up the track in the Olympics because they have the most fans. Give Manchester United 3 goals start every game because they are the most popular, etc, etc. The draw is an absolute joke the way it stands. The AFL admits it is fixed and rigged to cater for any number of factors except one " fairness". How can a Premiership mean anything in a fixed competition? The AFL season should not be a "handicap" where some sides have a clear advantage. To regain any credibility a multi year draw must be started so that over a period every team plays each other fairly. TV ratings are not an excuse and the TV stations will fit in with a properly run competition. The handicapping of clubs commercial opportunities is also a disgrace and the equalisation grant moreso. We will end up like the WWF wrestling, a fake which is a great TV winner but as the whole world knows a complete joke. Enough is enough. I am going to have a valium.

Thought you played very well.

Think you summed it up pretty well.

As promised here is my email to the AFL and the response. You will note that the main question is not answered. I rang a few minutes ago and spoke to a nice young lady who again couldn't answer the main question of why I pay the same for less matches of my team than say Collingwood AFL members. Incidentally she did say it does sound a bit unfair. ENQUIRY TEXT=======As a Melbourne club support member of over 20 years can you advise why I pay the same subscription rate as Collingwood members who are able to watch their team 18 times in Victoria while I have about 14 to 15 games I can get into to see my team. My AFL membership does not allow entry to Geelong and the Interstate venues. I want to watch my team and I am being discriminated against in terms of opportunity and cost. WHY? I know I can go to other games but I am concerned with seeing my team, as a club support member. Also the AFL is forcing me to spend more if I have to travel interstate and then have to purchase tickets if available. Why? It seems discriminatory to some members of the AFL to be treated differently to others.=======ENQUIRY TEXT======= Thank you for your email. The AFL Membership product is not a club specific product. Regardless of which club you support, AFL Membership provides access to NAB Cup matches, 40 Home and Away matches and access to Finals ticketing. By selecting a club of support, allows you to contribute to your club financially. The AFL Membership package is based on access to matches at the MCG and Telstra Dome as these are the only two venues in Australia that have an AFL Reserve. As the interstate clubs control the seating arrangements for their home matches, only AFL Members holding a club support package of the home team will have entry rights, as their Club Support fee contributes to the gate admission costs. Kind Regards, EMILY BUYSEN * AFL Membership Relationship Officer140 Harbour Esplanade Docklands VIC 3008GPO Box 5275 Melbourne VIC 3001Ph +61 3 9643 1900 * Fax +61 3 9643 1800

He is certainly a big boy.

Very impressive young man. Said his dream would be to play with the Eagles. He may get his wish. At least they would know he is not heading home after two years. Interesting to hear him say his two favourite players were Jacko and Woosher and also that he has modelled his game on Cousins. He could be the replacement for him.

Absolutely. There is no excuse for drawing Victorian teams against Geelong at SS when the AFL is fully aware that only Geelong ticketholders will get in. It is another game that AFL membership is useless as well.

Did you also hear no Hodge, Lewis or Crawford.

You could pop into the boardroom and see the 2007 premiership cup.

Could be a long lost cousin.

Don't interstate AFL members pay a different rate?

I'm sure you are right, if I get a response.

Yes but as a club support member I wish to attend Melbourne games first and foremost. I have emailed the AFL and await their response. I can't see how it is fair that we pay the same as those who have more games to go to. If everyone played at Geelong and interstate the same number of times it wouldn't be an issue. We will see what the answer is.