Lucifers Hero

We were finals contenders in 2016 and 2017 but fell short at the last hurdle. Unlike us die-hard supporters on DL' some people will want more than hope and faith before committing. Just being finals contenders won't stir many people. Win a few finals, now that is something else.

35,485 We have added about 2,100 members in the last few weeks. I would think this is from the good work the club did getting new members to sign up on Family Day and the ring-around by the players this week. Perhaps a lot of the post round 23 disgruntled members have now re-signed. I think it is the first time we have edged ahead of the figure at the equivalent time last year. We might yet break last years record!

I cant get behind the paywall but the headline contradicts the quoted text which says: The AFL has joined ASADA in fighting a Freedom of Information request made by a member of the public seeking access to doping control forms Why would the AFL side with ASADA to fight release of info and at the same time threaten to spilt from ASADA if info is released. Is there something in the article that explains the apparent contradiction? If not pretty dumb of the HS to run with it. Anyway, who is the AFL supposedly threatening? It is up to the courts to decide what to released. A confused and not very logical person wrote that headline - Robbo perhaps?

I assume that is rather tongue-in-cheek. If not, I would expect Peter Jackson to shut the idea down quick smart. I could not support a team with him at the club. To me he is no better than the drug dealer on the street selling gear to young people. They do it for money. Hird selfishly used players, who were entrusted to his care, as guinea pigs for his own egotistical purposes. Unforgivable in my book. Anyway, he doesn't have much to offer - is in the 'great player/average coach' category. No thanks! Keep him away from my club.

Here is the clubs notice of Family Day next Sunday. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-02-27/2018-family-day-guide It seems all our sponsors will be there with fun activities for kids: Enjoy badge making and colouring in at our Arts and Craft station! iSelect Obstacle Course Zurich photo booth Handball “around the world” at the China Southern Airlines handball target station Visit the Sporting Globe virtual kicking booth Additional activations from club partners including Fernwood, Hertz, Chisholm, New Balance, Haymes and VGRF Face painting, balloon animals, posters, giveaways and more! Melbourne's AFL and AFLW teams will be presented on stage at the conclusion of the day I suspect there wasn't enough space at Luna Park to host all these activities. The MCG brings people closer to our spiritual home and gives sponsors the rare opportunity to interact directly with members/fans. Good weather forecast so should be fun for all!

There is nothing new in the article - just the HS re-hashing old news. Now, if he had re-signed that would be 'Great news!!!!' I do think it is only a matter of time before he does re-sign. If I recall correctly his manager, Paul Connors was quoted as saying he is going to make us pay top dollar for Christian's signature so it may take a while. But hopefully, it is sorted sooner rather than later - really don't want it to drag out.

You could well be right Js5. The Age article http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mark-bomber-thompsons-port-melbourne-house-raided-20180108-h0f5th.html says the raids were conducted by the Geelong and Southern Metro Divisional Response Units. Re the multimillion dollar deal, The HS article in the 'biggestred' post says 'Last March Thompson pocketed $7 million after selling his stake in a farming property at Armstrong Creek' which is near Geelong. The Age article goes on to say 'Divisional Response Units investigate property crimes and illegal drug activity (including cultivate, manufacture and traffic), according to Victoria Police'. People can form their own theories but that line is certainly a leading piece of info.

Agreed, the slogan itself isn't really important. Maybe our PR group are also still feeling flat from rnd 23 and the slogan reflects that. To me the real issue is our apparent non-conversion (so far) of the Dees supporters among the extra 146,000 people who attended our games in 2017. Win a few games early in the season and it might change quickly but I'm not holding out much hope of increasing the 2017 membership figure. Even if it increases, Vic clubs are growing faster than us (except Roos and maybe Saints). Our club works really hard but while our numbers are flat/small growth, relatively we are falling further behind them. It will be a poor return if we can't convert say 10% of the Dees supporters among the extra attendees. To avoid falling further behind, this must be our 'breakout' year on and off the field!

Article on each club's latest membership http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-12-29/on-the-campaign-trail-your-clubs-membership-drive I've extracted a summary and added comparisons to roughly the same time in 2017'. I hadn't realised the Crows had so many members! Almost twice the capacity of Adelaide Oval. Our slogan 'Be a part of our journey' doesn't sound too inspiring nor aspirational! It sounds like we are just plodding along - the story of the last 10 years. Would have preferred something like 'Come Watch us Raise Hell' or 'Join our March Upward' or 'Bleed Red and Blue with Us'. Or anything that aspires to where we are going or reflects our passion! Clubs set to beat prior records are: Crows, Tigers, Bombers, Cats, Blues and maybe the Bulldogs. Mostly the so called big Vic clubs. Pies keep their numbers to themselves so hard to tell where they are at. We are on track to achieve last years total of 42,233. But it will be really disappointing if we cannot convert last year's bumper crowds to members, especially given the level of talent in the team. Based on those crowds, our talent and 2017 improvement, 45,000 would be a realistic 2018 ie a 6.5% increase. I suspect a lot of people haven't forgiven or aren't yet convinced.

29,053. Slowly creeping up to last year's pre Christmas number of 29,426. I would guess the club is disappointed to be behind last year after a seemingly improved 2017. But probably not surprised.

A few new faces on the calendar. In: Jetta, Hunt, Garlett and TMc. Out: Tyson, Vince, Watts, Brayshaw. Rapt to see Jetta there. To go from delisting, to rookie, to AA squad is a superb achievement. A loyal servant of the club who is the best he can be and still taking on challenges to improve himself. Respect. Have been a huge fan of Hunt since I first saw him play, early in 2016, so delighted to see him on the calendar. A player who did not come in with any fanfare but has worked damn hard to cement his place in the side and now a deserving fan favourite. Edit: Forgot to mention, Petracca gets the honour of the cover page.

Hope it isn't so, od. If we make finals for next 5 years, play off in a few prelims and not get to nor win the big dance then we can all go to AA to get over our addiction and memberships be damned. Couldn't bear another rebuild...

Judging by comments here on DL quite a few were 'holding off' their renewals due to disappointment at season's end, hence the early poor numbers. But some have commented they have since signed up anyway! Extrapolate that over the whole membership base and it adds up. Have often thought being a Demon supporter is like an addiction...we keep going back for more regardless of the hangover and a membership is part of the deal... Hopefully, we will be rewarded before too long.

Absolutely rapt that we have him! Was top of my 'wish list' '

25,028 as of Nov 22. Out of curiosity, I asked the club if the AFLW memberships were counted in the published count. They are. Now I wonder how much of last year's 3,000 increase was for AFLW memberships. Any increase in membership is great - just note that comparisons prior to 2017 are not quite apples and apples.

Sounds like a good match up with Clarrie - could do not better than learning from him!! A story about him from early last year when he won the RS nomination http://neafl.com.au/round-6-rising-star-nominee-oskar-baker/ Sounds determined! Here is a little video of the 2017 NEAFL game when he received a RS nomination. Looks ready built and fit, has a nice side step, bit of a fend-off happening and seems a clever player. If we draft him I can see him getting a game early in the season.

I've been following him in the media and one article said he was surprised to be released from the Brisbane Academy player so put his head down to do some hard work this year. That is a good sign about attitude and application. Turning his game around and doing the hardwork was a feature that impressed our recruiters with Clarrie last year so Baker may have impressed for the same reason. He would be a good get. Bit more of a known quantity than other draftees even tho is just 19. (LOL, one article had him listed as a mature age recruit - probably because it is his second draft). With the year in the NEAFL he could be an early starter in the seniors (if good enough) as there seems to be a spot for his type of player. Would be interesting to see who gets a game first - Baker or Balic. I would bet on Baker - seems hungry!

Absolutely, ET. On field enemies. But as they stuck with our beloved demons thru thick and thin and neither chose to go they are in my 'favourite enemy player' category. Just can't bring myself to feel badly towards them.

Good article on JT going to Port. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-17/trengove-happy-with-upfront-and-honest-hinkley He noted: "The other thing that struck me about Ken is that he really does just focus on what you can bring to the team, opposed to the little inefficiencies you need to improve on...for a player that's been around for a few years now, it's great to hear what you can do again". Watts said something similar in a post trade interview. I don't think either meant to chip Goodwin or Macca but it makes one wonder about positive motivation vs 'carrot and stick', post Roos. On a lighter note JT is the designated 'chaperone' for Watts: "Ken was pretty keen for me to live with (Jack) to keep him on the straight and narrow." Watts said in a recent interview they will share a house at Henley Beach. Having his mate who knows his way round Adelaide, is a known hard worker/trainer to buddy with, may just be the making of Jack Watts. Wish them every success.

Making good progress: 23,162. Up on comparable date in 2016 but just a few hundred behind 2017. Wondering if @george_on_the_outermight update and pin the 'Annual Membership Tally' thread?

For general info: Since the latest CBA, all Category A rookies can be selected to play from round 1 regardless of injuries, promotions etc. The difference between a Cat A rookie and a senior player is now length of tenure, termination conditions and pay scale. It is the reason we reclassified Maynard from a B rookie to an A rookie. It was a good move by the AFLPA as it gives clubs more flexibility. For example, if it was in place this year we could have played one or more of the rookies when Lumumba's departure left us an AFL player short.

Jack T was on radio saying that he contacted Jack W (in Canada) who shed a tear or two on hearing they would be together at Port. Shows how much they think of each other. I shed a few tears too. Never thought I would say this but I hope Port has great success next year (except vs us) with our Jacks! Good luck JT. Whatever happens, you'll always be a Demon champ!

It looks like a lot of people held off to the last minute for the Oct 31 cut off for Christmas membership mail. That and the Nov 1 Direct Debit renewals have kicked in and today's number is 21,559! Still about 1,478 short of 2017 figure around this time (23,037) but improving!

Thanks HBG. Again, it seems like poor membership communication on renewals. The new 'packaging' concept seems a back door way of raising revenue, especially as there are limited GF tickets available. At some point the club will need to cap the number of memberships with the gfg (as Bulldogs did post 2016) and then new members will only be able to buy the vanilla GA membership. To me it seems that without a 'reserve seat' option it is one less offering to help attract new members! Or offer a mid point for those who want to opt out of the gfg. Oh well, hope the club hasn't inadvertently deterred potential new members. We need every member we can get!

Thanks for the confirmation dc. The lack of a basic GA home game + reserved seat option would be a terrible oversight so one must think it is deliberate! Like you, I think it will come back and bite them. Or maybe it already has. Including the GF guarantee in what was a basic membership is like the club forcing people to buy a product with an option they may never use and don't want. This plus the lack of transparency and information on pricing/product changes is disconcerting.