Rogue

Huge mistake, isn't it? India would have been 5/236 with 20 overs left in the day.

For many people, the membership itself is a donation. Furthermore, even for people that have a 'spare few bob', there are plenty of worthy causes. Anyhow, $2,905,681 is the total raised so far.

I think the debt demolition 'month' has been a really good idea, because I don't think this sort of call-to-arms is something you can keep going indefinitely. The direct-debit options are a good idea to keep money coming. I think people will make sacrifices, but to ask them to do that over a long period of time is a big ask - 'donation fatigue'. I believe Stynes has asked supporters at one of the events (luncheon or dinner) to consider donating half again next year - might be something he asks all members to do. That'd get us close to the $5M mark.

They won't. You won't even have 10% of members at the event, and I'd say that the majority of those will probably have already donated. Absolutely. Donating money to a football club - particularly if you already buy a membership, which is essentially a donation for many - isn't the top priority for many people. Who's to say that's wrong, either? Not I. The only thing that's pathetic is people lambasting people for not donating money to a football Club, IMO (particularly when, as members, they're already contributing $ - which for the majority is at least part 'donation').

I'm sure they'll be happy to continue taking your money It's not at all surprising, although I do think the number of supporters donating money will grow. Many supporters feel their membership is a donation, and that's already at least ~$165 for the standard 11-game membership. I can understand that many supporters have other priorities.

Hopefully it didn't cost us anything - " Last night, the Club’s naming rights partner Primus, gave the Club use of one of the Primus call centres for a Debt Demolition Telethon." http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/D...px?newsid=66050

At $0.20 p/call you'd only need one $20 donation p/100 calls to break even, and I'd be disappointed if... a) the Club were spending that much on calls B) the calls didn't prompt more donations

$75K in the past few days isn't bad.

I think the aim is to wipe $3M in August, and you're right to be worried - I'm not sure we'll make it to $3M, and can't see us entirely demolishing the debt. However, it's still been a great effort to raise so much money, and I'm sure there's more to come. I'm certain I read about an event planned for those who want to donate $500+, but I haven't seen any more info on that in the members email, debtdemolition site, etc.

Fair enough, as long as you don't complain about figures from other Clubs taking little pot shots at us Haha.

Two wrongs make a right?

On the Collingwood thing, I'm sure it was just for show. However, we do score $500K from each QB game, as we're always taking the gate - wouldn't want to upset that applecart.

If so, then there was no 'payout' at all - we had simply already paid him for work that he had done (ie. wages). I think it would be unlikely that there was no severance pay. It seems more likely that the 'payout' is equal to three months of work, as has been reported: "McNamee lasted only 106 days, but will receive a payout believed to be $115,000, equal to three months of his annual salary at Melbourne." http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/stor...5016161,00.html "The Demons are contractually obliged to give the departing chief executive a payout of about $115,000." http://news.realfooty.com.au/sport/paul-mc...80723-3jmn.html If there was in fact no payout, we've done a terrible PR job.

My understanding is that there was a three month 'payout'... However, with Spargo acting as CEO for nothing for at least that period of time, it's a non-issue.

From memory, the raffle is for footy department funds.

I think that would have been significantly more work than the current debt demolition site, which looks like it was slapped together pretty quickly.

That's silly. We're going to have a CEO work for free for the next couple of months, so we won't be paying any more than what we'd done if we'd kept McNamee for the next couple of months and not had to pay him out.

In some respects I agree with you, but on balance, I don't think postponing matches is a better option that using D/L. As a contest, it's less than ideal to postpone - for one, the conditions can change markedly from day to day, and they have such a big impact (ie. bowling on an overcast day with soggy outfield, and then batting on a sunny day with quick outfield). I also think it'd be unsatisfying for fans, who are keen to see a result. However, the major issue is logistical - travel itineraries, broadcasting, ground hire, staffing, etc. A bit vague comment. Care to share? I hope Katich gets a run in the Test matches. If he does, he'll need to capitalise. Likewise, Hodge who I think will be finished at that level unless he performs extraordinarily well (in which case he may forestall the end). The bowling will be the more interesting - and potentially painful - aspect, though. I think it'll be a good test for Mitchell Johnson, in particular (ignoring the spinner, likely to be Cullen).

What do you find odd? Given the number of wickets Aus had remaining, if Aus had known it was a 40-over game they could have played more aggressively, thus making a bigger score than 175 (41 overs at 4.28). D/L is generally okay, although the lower the overs get, the more oddities it can throw up.

LBW by Clark, apparently. Geez, Chanderpaul has had a great series.

Certainly some guys mentioned that I'd forgotten about. I'm not sure guys like Charles, Collins, Jackovich, or Shanahan could be called 5 minute wonders though