Jonathan Steffanoni

I actually really like the collar, the logo, the deeper red, the blazers, but not so much the bugle. It has nothing to do with the match day tripe which has been served up. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There's a noticeable split between supporters on Demonland. I'll call them the traditionalists and the modernists (obviously a massive generalisation). The Cultured Traditionalist (The European) Values the identity of the club as being part of the establishment, and favours a brand image guided by our rich heritage and past. Probably reads The Guardian or The Economist, watches SBS and ABC and lives inner city or out in the country. Prefers the British English spelling of words (organisation). Drinks wine, or beer from green glass bottles. MCC member (or on the waiting list... still...). Would take a free holiday to any destination in Europe. Mistakenly believes that holding on to past glory will bring it back. The Modernist (The American) Values an identity that does away with the links to the establishment, as it's seen as some sort of bourgeoisie class identity which they don't identify with. Probably reads the Hun, watches reality TV or cooking/renovation shows on channel nine and lives in the suburbs. Prefers the American English spelling of words (organization). Drinks beer from brown or clear glass bottles. Would take a free holiday to any destination in the USA. Mistakenly believes that modernising will lead to success. --- We need both kinds of fans, we need all the fans we can get! An interesting discussion for the off-season I think. Has absolutely nothing to do with the on field performance.

It's true, and I tend to think that turning up to a game of football isn't too heavy a burden if you really care about the club.

Our Melbourne Football Club is perceived as being weak, a perception which accurately reflects the reality of our current situation. I was at the cricket ground on Saturday night, and it hurt deeply as a member, it hurt deeply as a supporter, it really did cut deep. I felt frustrated, angry and then even apathetic. The thought of tossing my membership card out onto the turf briefly crossed my mind, but then there was something which stopped me. Deep down something told me that this was the kind of attitude which made our club weak. Its the attitude which some call the curse of Norm Smiths sacking, and its the perception that we head to the snow in July, the reality that our players chose not to gut run to make space, the reality that there were 85% Essendon fans at the game at our home ground. On the field, as soon as the game started to turn against us the players seemed to abandon the club too. The curse of Norm Smiths sacking is the curse of withdrawing support when challenged with a difficult situation and it has permeated the supporters, the administration and the playing group. We often feel that we are powerless as members and supporters, resorting to expressing our frustration and anger with calls to change this or that in the hope that it will turn things around. There are even those who openly withdraw their support for the club. While it may be a way to blow of some steam, and even a noble effort to do something about the situation, I believe that this kind of attitude amongst the supporters is the very manifestation of the culture which we need to change if the club is to succeed. Can we not see the forest but for the trees? If the club is to change then it needs to start with us. Supporters and members of our football club are not impotent. We have to power to provide the support that the players and administrators are crying out for. As supporters we need to commit to our part in supporting the club. If there was ever a time where we are able to cast out the ghosts of Norm Smiths sacking, to be part of the change which we all want to see in the club then that time is now. Stand Up as a Club If you have posted here on-line that youre walking away from the club, please reconsider simply logging back on and stating your support for the club. Its not hard but its a significant step in our collective psyche. We are up against the Eagles this Saturday, and the most likely thing that will happen is that a small but loyal group of fans will be there, but there will be droves of supporters who have decided to spend their time doing something less difficult, maybe checking the scores, maybe not even bothering. I guarantee this, if we could get 60K Melbourne supporters at the game next week in a show of solidarity I guarantee we will see a definite change in the team. They will see that they are supported, that we care, that we are in it with them, that we are committed. We have the power as supporters to do this. We can actually do something. Speak to another supporter and say Hey, we need to get behind the club, come with me to the game on Saturday. Its not really that hard, but this is how change happens, stop blaming others and start doing what we do have the power to do. It's what Norm Smith would do, it's what Jim Stynes would do, it's what we should do. Stand Up.

More than ever.

So the All Blacks did end up taking the cup in 2011. Nice to get some closure on this thread. Sometimes it's better to look the other way...