Id rather merge!!

[MiamiGroup]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

[rusdid24]

I'm sure they would. Not sure if most true Doggies supporters would agree though...

[gilbeegurl]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

I believe most doggies supporters would prefer the kangas to move to the gold coast and for the dogs remain a stand alone club :rolleyes:

[retroparty]

Western Kangaroos or West Melbourne Bulldogs?

[TheBrownDog]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

What would you class as a reasonable merger agreement?

North Melbourne Bulldogs?

Western Kangaroos?

White, Red and Blue vertical stripes?

[onslaught]

Play in the VFL and at least keep your identity.

[Mitchell Madness]

Play in the VFL and at least keep your identity.

very true. That would also allow for a team from either VFL, or another state league to go into the AFL. My bet would be Tassie Devils. They have a very strong VFL team, and had prior to their affiliation with the kangaroos (lets face it, their minor affiliation with the roos gives them nothing, are they even still affiliated?)

They have the venues in YP, Belrieve and North Hobart, they have a strong supportership in the VFL, about 5,000 attending matches while their own leagues are on (very dedicated down there) and there is numerous players from tasmania which they may be able to recruit.

Would also mean no more of this crap Tassie Hawks crap we keep hearing...

[NimChief]

I'd be happy to merge with Melbourne.

We'd probably keep the Kangaroos mascot, they'd keep the Melbourne name but add North to the front of it. Melbourne would move to a real training base at Arden St. Our uniform would keep the blue strips but with some added red trimming on the socks, and we'd be able to play out of the MCG again.

Good deal, free MCC memberships to all Roo fans too:thumbsu:

[Hawkk]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

That's assuming 80% of members jumped on the new entity. In reality probably only 60% would, hence the Bulldogs on that front are probably better going it alone.

Mergers never work because there is always one partner screwing over the other.

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I'd be happy to merge with Melbourne.

We'd probably keep the Kangaroos mascot, they'd keep the Melbourne name but add North to the front of it. Melbourne would move to a real training base at Arden St. Our uniform would keep the blue strips but with some added red trimming on the socks, and we'd be able to play out of the MCG again.

Good deal, free MCC memberships to all Roo fans too:thumbsu:So they would be the North Melbourne Kangaroos, train at Arden Street and add some red trimming to the socks? How are you guys going to cope with the loss of identity though? The Dees should be making further concessions. ;)

[FOOOOTY]

hehehehehhehehe

[frankc]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

Disagree. When the Hawthorn and Melbourne merger was proposed, I thought then I'd much rather relocate. For mine, merging destroys more of the club than relocating. I'm sure many South supporters, with the benefit of hindsight, prefer a relocation to merger.

[frankc]

I'd be happy to merge with Melbourne.

We'd probably keep the Kangaroos mascot, they'd keep the Melbourne name but add North to the front of it. Melbourne would move to a real training base at Arden St. Our uniform would keep the blue strips but with some added red trimming on the socks, and we'd be able to play out of the MCG again.

Good deal, free MCC memberships to all Roo fans too:thumbsu:

If thats the case, it should be the North Melbourne Demons, 'North 'comes solely from the kangaroos and the 'demons' from melbourne, with 'melbourne' being common to both.

[micky_11]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!


this is probably a stupid question, but when fitzroy merged i was a little to young to know what was happening, so what happens when 2 sides merge for examply North and the Doggies, what happensto to all of the players that dont make the cut, you cant hae both team list join forces and have a list of 80.

[The Old Dark Navy's]

If thats the case, it should be the North Melbourne Demons, 'North 'comes solely from the kangaroos and the 'demons' from melbourne, with 'melbourne' being common to both.You may be discounting the possibility of the absence of seriousness in his post.

[blues4flag]

I'd hate for my club to merge. A relocation I'd much prefer - the club's history would remain intact. A merger does not - it'd be similar to a new franchise starting up.

[dicknose]

if it was my club, i'd rather they merged with another melb club. they're going to be changing their name and losing some identity either way. the roos powerbrokers haven't really considered merging with another melbourne club, it's all about relocation. i guess there's two reasons for that; they're the only club currently staring down the barrel financially and the afl prefers a relocation. andy would have told the north board that he wants them in qld.

i've always thought the doggies & roos would make a good match. it wasn't long ago that the dogs were almost gone and it could easily happen again.

[Hodge2Franklin]

I do not understand the people saying they would rather their club relocate. As much as I stir the Roos I am gutted for them and would buy a membership next year for their club if that would help them. I agree with the poster who said they should merge with the Demons. The Demons have exactly the same issues as the Roos and it would be a good fit.

Melbourne Kangaroos > DAYLIGHT > Gold Coast Kangaroos if it was my own club.

[I Rock]

Could be worse they could end up like Fitzroy who got a mix of both and little in return.

[Hawkk]

Could be worse they could end up like Fitzroy who got a mix of both and little in return.

The irony with Fitzroy was that they were offered to head North 10 years earlier but declined the offer on the back of a strong 1986.

Fate has a strange way of working out.

[Furn]

The thing is the AFL wont let the Gold Coast thing fail. If the Roos do go they'll pretty much be gifted a flag or 2 and the AFL will pay to keep them up there no matter what.

If there was a merger then a new Gold Coast team would be made from scratch and they would get all the goodies.

[flamethrower]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

Have North only got 3000 members?

The Doggies have over 28,000 ticketed and 4,000 non-ticketed members!!

[Blues_Man]

My bet would be Tassie Devils. They have a very strong VFL team,
No they don't they have been crap for the last 2 years
They have the venues in YP, Belrieve and North Hobart, They have one AFL approved venue at Aurora stadium ..end of story they have a strong supportership in the VFL, about 5,000 attending matches while their own leagues are on (very dedicated down there)... What twaddle ..nobody supports the devils here in Tassie and there is numerous players from tasmania which they may be able to recruit...
Name them ?
Would also mean no more of this crap Tassie Hawks crap we keep hearing... The Tassie Hawks are the closest Tassie will ever get to an AFL team .

stop talking out of your rectum ...as you obviously know nothing about Tassie or the Devils

[bluespooner]

Have North only got 3000 members?

The Doggies have over 28,000 ticketed and 4,000 non-ticketed members!!

Well why are you still on the AFL drip?

You haven't been a stand alone club in for as long as I can remember, the bulldogs are as totally dependent on AFL money as the kangaroos.

[emperor]

Would also mean no more of this crap Tassie Hawks crap we keep hearing...

getting to you is it?:D

[whelan=legend]

Melbourne Will Not Merge With Anyone. We Are Financially Secure

[Hawkk]

The Tassie Hawks are the closest Tassie will ever get to an AFL team .

stop talking out of your rectum ...as you obviously know nothing about Tassie or the Devils

Exactly.

Hence why the 7/4 MCG/Aurora agreement is working reasonably well for both parties to date, particularly when it essentially is a 14/4 arrangement.

[Hawkk]

Well why are you still on the AFL drip?

You haven't been a stand alone club in for as long as I can remember, the bulldogs are as totally dependent on AFL money as the kangaroos.

Stadium deals, corporate sponsorship, crowd size etc. also plays a role.

In this day and age 30,000+ ticketed members is a must amongst other things.

[Ben the Gooner]

Melbourne Will Not Merge With Anyone. We Are Financially Secure

So Were Leeds United Before They Got Relegated To Insignifcance.

Money Is Far From Permanent And If Your Name Wasn't 'Melbourne' You'd Be The Team In The Spotlight.

Why Are We Talking In Caps By The Way.

[juddy_Like]

But aren't the Kangaroos getting some world-class training facilities or something? What happens to this?

[Marklar_33]

Exactly.

Hence why the 7/4 MCG/Aurora agreement is working reasonably well for both parties to date, particularly when it essentially is a 14/4 arrangement.

Works for me! :thumbsu:

[Sean.]

Why the Doggies? Why not Richmond? or any other team for that matter.

[Marklar_33]

Western Kangaroos or West Melbourne Bulldogs?

North Western Melbourne :confused:

and maybe a totally new mascot...

[yioughtta]

I'd hate for my club to merge. A relocation I'd much prefer - the club's history would remain intact. A merger does not - it'd be similar to a new franchise starting up.

Laugh Out Loud.

You aren't quite catching on yet, are you?

A relocation to the Gold Coast is in everything but name a franchise.

[yioughtta]

So Were Leeds United Before They Got Relegated To Insignifcance.

Money Is Far From Permanent And If Your Name Wasn't 'Melbourne' You'd Be The Team In The Spotlight.

Why Are We Talking In Caps By The Way.

Good post:thumbsu:

[happy_eagle]

FB: Gibson---Harris---Firrito
HB:Sinclair---Morris---Gilbee
C: Cross----Simpson--Rawlings
R: Mcintosh---Harvey----West
HF:C.jones---B.johnson--cooney
FF:edwards---n.thompson----Petrie
INT: Hudson, Wells, Akermanis, S.Grant
EMG:Boyd,eagleton, Giansiracusa (javascript:__UpdateProfileId60033(14608);)

[Furn]

North Western Melbourne :confused:

and maybe a totally new mascot...

North-West Melbourne Demon Roodogs

Would be a very cool mascot:p

[yioughtta]

It's all hypothetical, but I seriously doubt that the AFL would allow a merger between the Bulldogs and North Melbourne, even if both clubs were adamant that they wanted it. It doesn't fit in with the AFL's plans and so it simply would not be allowed. Think about it- this is what the AFL has planned out-
North to GC by 2010.
Bulldogs (or other) to West Sydney 2015-2020.


Can you honestly imagine the AFL allowing two of its best candidates for relocation to merge and secure their own future here? Of course, hypothetically, if the merger did happen, you would hear an almighty 'gulp' from out Moorabin way now wouldn't you?

[Inferno]

Relocation >>>> Merger. Still the same team if they relocate just a different name, city and stadium. You would still get to see your team for the 7-9 games in Melbourne each year anyway.

[Hawkk]

But aren't the Kangaroos getting some world-class training facilities or something? What happens to this?

My guess is that the AFL will brand it as a 'co-location'

11 games at the GC
*8 games in Melbourne (Members getting free entry rights into all games)
3 Interstate games

*Kangaroo fans have had an 8 game membership for several years, which will help with marketing the new club.

Ultimately the AFL really need 15,000 Victorian based Kangaroo members to make the new concept viable.

[Ben the Gooner]

It's all hypothetical, but I seriously doubt that the AFL would allow a merger between the Bulldogs and North Melbourne, even if both clubs were adamant that they wanted it. It doesn't fit in with the AFL's plans and so it simply would not be allowed. Think about it- this is what the AFL has planned out-
North to GC by 2010.
Bulldogs (or other) to West Sydney 2015-2020.


Can you honestly imagine the AFL allowing two of its best candidates for relocation to merge and secure their own future here? Of course, hypothetically, if the merger did happen, you would hear an almighty 'gulp' from out Moorabin way now wouldn't you?

That is a brilliant point.

I sincerely hope that North don't move but it seems inevitable.

[Marklar_33]

It's all hypothetical, but I seriously doubt that the AFL would allow a merger between the Bulldogs and North Melbourne, even if both clubs were adamant that they wanted it. It doesn't fit in with the AFL's plans and so it simply would not be allowed. Think about it- this is what the AFL has planned out-
North to GC by 2010.
Bulldogs (or other) to West Sydney 2015-2020.


Can you honestly imagine the AFL allowing two of its best candidates for relocation to merge and secure their own future here? Of course, hypothetically, if the merger did happen, you would hear an almighty 'gulp' from out Moorabin way now wouldn't you?

Well if they were to merge, then the GC would simply be a new franchise, and in 5 years time, another club will be struggling anyway, and will merge or go to Sydney... ????

[MightyHawks]

My guess is that the AFL will brand it as a 'co-location'

11 games at the GC
*8 games in Melbourne (Members getting free entry rights into all games)
3 Interstate games

*Kangaroo fans have had an 8 game membership for several years, which will help with marketing the new club.

Ultimately the AFL really need 15,000 Victorian based Kangaroo members to make the new concept viable.

I'd expect the split will be:
For 2010/11
9 at GC
1 at Gabba
9 in Vic
3 other states

For 2012 onwards:
11 at GC
1 at Gabba
6 in Vic
4 other states

Other clubs won't be in favour of North having any more than 18 games in 2 states.

[Hawkmatic]

If thats the case, it should be the North Melbourne Demons, 'North 'comes solely from the kangaroos and the 'demons' from melbourne, with 'melbourne' being common to both.


or simply the Melbourne Kangaroos

[LancePicioane]

But aren't the Kangaroos getting some world-class training facilities or something? What happens to this?

We were. 13 million dollar upgrade that was touted as being better then the Lexus Centre.
But those plans are on hold because the AFL withdrew funds after soil tests found we'd need another few million dollars to get the project off the ground.
The whole thing seems very suspicious, as the soil tests were made after the plans were drawn up, which goes against the fundamentals of building construction.
I know for a fact there's a few people on the board who are suggesting other 'motives' behind this...

[I Rock]

Why the Doggies? Why not Richmond? or any other team for that matter.

Well for a start unlike the dogs Richmond doesn't survive on AFL handouts. For all their troubles over the years they have still manged to stay afloat on their own, beside the odd tin rattle twenty some years ago.

[Ants]

Personally, I'd prefer to see Melbourne & North merge and become the Melbourne Kangaroos. They could then sell one of their AFL licenses to Southport Sharks, and bingo you have a team in Qld and one in less in Melbourne.

The AFL would have to put some rules together about the merging of the list and concessions for Southport (maybe give them the first 15 picks in the draft - which could be traded, used on rookies or used on 'overlooked' Demon/Kangaroo players from the merger). Or give them the right to trade those players.

Just think this would be easier on the North supporters, and hell, Melbourne's voted for a merge once before anyway. Both suburbs are next to each other, Arden st could be the training ground (after renovation) and the MCG their home ground. Both would lose members, but hopefully enough would remain to make a strong team.

Given Melbourne Kangaroos is 2/3rds of North's current name, the jumper should predominantly match the Demon's current colours, with some white and the Kangaroo logo added in.

[Pessimistic]

Disagree. When the Hawthorn and Melbourne merger was proposed, I thought then I'd much rather relocate. For mine, merging destroys more of the club than relocating. I'm sure many South supporters, with the benefit of hindsight, prefer a relocation to merger.

Would go the 9 - 9 - 4 split tassie - melb - other as a last resort

[Pessimistic]

Personally, I'd prefer to see Melbourne & North merge and become the Melbourne Kangaroos. They could then sell one of their AFL licenses to Southport Sharks, and bingo you have a team in Qld and one in less in Melbourne.

The AFL would have to put some rules together about the merging of the list and concessions for Southport (maybe give them the first 15 picks in the draft - which could be traded, used on rookies or used on 'overlooked' Demon/Kangaroo players from the merger). Or give them the right to trade those players.

Just think this would be easier on the North supporters, and hell, Melbourne's voted for a merge once before anyway. Both suburbs are next to each other, Arden st could be the training ground (after renovation) and the MCG their home ground. Both would lose members, but hopefully enough would remain to make a strong team.

Given Melbourne Kangaroos is 2/3rds of North's current name, the jumper should predominantly match the Demon's current colours, with some white and the Kangaroo logo added in.

They should have had a red hot go at this back in '96

[Coughlan]

I believe most doggies supporters would prefer the kangas to move to the gold coast and for the dogs remain a stand alone club :rolleyes:
the roos supporters would prefer be a stand alone club as well, and IMO deserve to be more then the dogs.
One flag, no history to be proud of, absolute joke

[Coughlan]

Well for a start unlike the dogs Richmond doesn't survive on AFL handouts. For all their troubles over the years they have still manged to stay afloat on their own, beside the odd tin rattle twenty some years ago.
We also have a large supporter base, history, are making $1 million profit despite getting the spoon.
Unlike the dogs we would be missed, we have history and rivals.
Not a history of failure

[happy_eagle]

FB: Gibson---Harris---Firrito
HB:Sinclair---Morris---Gilbee
C: Cross----Simpson--Rawlings
R: Mcintosh---Harvey----West
HF:C.jones---B.johnson--cooney
FF:edwards---n.thompson----Petrie
INT: Hudson, Wells, Akermanis, S.Grant
EMG:Boyd,eagleton, Giansiracusa (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:__UpdateProfileId60033%2814608%29;)

wow, that would dominate

[CrAckDoGGer]

Originally Posted by happy_eagle
FB: Gibson---Harris---Firrito
HB:Sinclair---Morris---Gilbee
C: Cross----Simpson--Rawlings
R: Mcintosh---Harvey----West
HF:C.jones---B.johnson--cooney
FF:edwards---n.thompson----Petrie
INT: Hudson, Wells, Akermanis, S.Grant
EMG:Boyd,eagleton, Giansiracusa

wow, that would dominate
i much rather this team

FB:Morris, Harris, Hargrave
HB:Gilbee, Williams, Everitt
C: Ray, West, Griffen
HF:Akermanis, Murphy, Giansiracusa
FF:Tiller, Johnson, Hahn
R: Hudson, Cross, Cooney
INT: Boyd, Eagleton, Higgins, Minson
EMG:Harbrow, Mcdougall, Addison

[NQTIGER]

We also have a large supporter base, history, are making $1 million profit despite getting the spoon.
Unlike the dogs we would be missed, we have history and rivals.
Not a history of failure

Great post

[NQTIGER]

We also have a large supporter base, history, are making $1 million profit despite getting the spoon.
Unlike the dogs we would be missed, we have history and rivals.
Not a history of failure

Great post

[Demonheart]

Personally, I'd prefer to see Melbourne & North merge and become the Melbourne Kangaroos. They could then sell one of their AFL licenses to Southport Sharks, and bingo you have a team in Qld and one in less in Melbourne.

The AFL would have to put some rules together about the merging of the list and concessions for Southport (maybe give them the first 15 picks in the draft - which could be traded, used on rookies or used on 'overlooked' Demon/Kangaroo players from the merger). Or give them the right to trade those players.

Just think this would be easier on the North supporters, and hell, Melbourne's voted for a merge once before anyway. Both suburbs are next to each other, Arden st could be the training ground (after renovation) and the MCG their home ground. Both would lose members, but hopefully enough would remain to make a strong team.

Given Melbourne Kangaroos is 2/3rds of North's current name, the jumper should predominantly match the Demon's current colours, with some white and the Kangaroo logo added in.

Why would Melbourne choose Arden st ahead of the new Olympic Park precinct? Apart from the obvious superior quality at OP it's just across the road from the MCG, it would be a terrible move.

[DarwinRoo]

Why would Melbourne choose Arden st ahead of the new Olympic Park precinct? Apart from the obvious superior quality at OP it's just across the road from the MCG, it would be a terrible move.

Because Arden St is just a stones throw from Telstra Dome where two teams with small supporter bases would probably be playing if they merged.

[rooboy07]

I would happily see a merger between the Kangaroos and another struggling Melbourne club if it meant we didn't have to go to the GC.

Although, in an ideal world, and it still may be an ideal world, the kangaroos stay in Melb, on their own, generate over 30k+ memberships every year going forward, and we win some flags.

[CrAckDoGGer]

We also have a large supporter base, history, are making $1 million profit despite getting the spoon.
Unlike the dogs we wouldnt be missed, we have a history of spitting on our coach if we are losing and use our ass as a meat wallet.
Not a history of failure
sounds about right

[PottSie2]

The western bulldogs have nothing to fear. They are slowly but surely building themselves as Melbourne's Western Suburbs team.

It's a long road, but they are steadily building up a large supporter base in a booming part of Melbourne. I see it from the people I know and the people I speak with.

'ell, if the Hawks weren't around, I would support the Bulldogs as well.

[windsock]

The western bulldogs have nothing to fear. They are slowly but surely building themselves as Melbourne's Western Suburbs team.

It's a long road, but they are steadily building up a large supporter base in a booming part of Melbourne. I see it from the people I know and the people I speak with.

'ell, if the Hawks weren't around, I would support the Bulldogs as well.


If we go, the Dogs are next. No question.

[windsock]

My guess is that the AFL will brand it as a 'co-location'

11 games at the GC
*8 games in Melbourne (Members getting free entry rights into all games)
3 Interstate games

*Kangaroo fans have had an 8 game membership for several years, which will help with marketing the new club.

Ultimately the AFL really need 15,000 Victorian based Kangaroo members to make the new concept viable.

If we leave that means only 8 Victorian clubs are left in Melb (one in Geelong). There is no way the AFL would be able to sustain having us play every team in Melbourne every year for any length of time.

[Dan26]

If we go, the Dogs are next. No question.

The Dogs represent a geographic area. The Western Suburbs.

If the Dogs go, that area would be unrepresented. North Melbourne don't represent any geographic area. They are a small suburban club, with a limited support base, due to limited historical success.

Melbourne is the club that should be questioned, not the Bulldogs. The Demons have a small supporter base, represent no real geographic area, have had no recent success, they have a poor brand, they have among the least passionate fans, and they struggle financially. They have all bases covered.

The Roos and the Demons are the two clubs, who logic dictates should relocate to the Gold Coast and West Sydney respectively.

Being the oldest club doesn't guarantee anything. They'd STILL be the oldest club if they reloctaed to Sydney. And being claled "Melbourne" doesn't mean anything either. There is no "London" in the EPL is there?

Bulldogs to stay. Melbourne and the Kangaroos to relocate giving us an 8-8 Vic/non-Vic split.

[PottSie2]

If we go, the Dogs are next. No question.


I don't think so. The dogs have an entire region where they market themselves as "that people's" club, and they are doing it. It will take time, but they have set it in motion. They won't be going anywhere.

And I'm dead-set against what is happening to North. There is a burgeoning northern suburbs of Melbourne that North should try and attach to as well.

The re-location to GC will fail, and just another notch of failures on Vlad's belt. I believe there are better ways to manage what is happening, but unfortunately for us, vlad fell into the position and fkced if I know how we can get him out.

[yioughtta]

I would happily see a merger between the Kangaroos and another struggling Melbourne club if it meant we didn't have to go to the GC.

Although, in an ideal world, and it still may be an ideal world, the kangaroos stay in Melb, on their own, generate over 30k+ memberships every year going forward, and we win some flags.

Well said.:thumbsu:

[yioughtta]

I don't think so. The dogs have an entire region where they market themselves as "that people's" club, and they are doing it. It will take time, but they have set it in motion. They won't be going anywhere.

And I'm dead-set against what is happening to North. There is a burgeoning northern suburbs of Melbourne that North should try and attach to as well.

The re-location to GC will fail, and just another notch of failures on Vlad's belt. I believe there are better ways to manage what is happening, but unfortunately for us, vlad fell into the position and fkced if I know how we can get him out.

Good post. :thumbsu:

[CaptainDavey]

Yeah nah Melbourne is not going anywhere. Give it up people. Tis a damn shame that North are likely to be shipped off as I hold somewhat of a soft spot for them and I'd in all probability would buy a membership if it helped but who can we blame in all of this? How did things get this far?

[yioughtta]

Yeah nah Melbourne is not going anywhere. Give it up people. Tis a damn shame that North are likely to be shipped off as I hold somewhat of a soft spot for them and I'd in all probability would buy a membership if it helped but who can we blame in all of this? How did things get this far?

Who can we blame?

WHO CAN WE BLAME?

[WindyHillWatcher]

i dont really care for either team (kang. and dogs).
it'd be nice to see them both p**s off and get 2 new teams going: darwin and tassie.

[DarwinRoo]

i dont really care for either team (kang. and dogs).
it'd be nice to see them both p**s off and get 2 new teams going: darwin and tassie.

Darwin?

Your dreaming.

[windsock]

i dont really care for either team (kang. and dogs).
it'd be nice to see them both p**s off and get 2 new teams going: darwin and tassie.

Can understand your thinking given the 6-0 thing and all.

Oh, and don't worry about the western suburbs thing. Essendon and Geelong can pick those regions up rather easily. We go, the Dogs are next. Guaranteed.

[Demonheart]

Because Arden St is just a stones throw from Telstra Dome where two teams with small supporter bases would probably be playing if they merged.

Rubbish, no thought has been put into this comment at all. It's widely known that Melbourne fans hate the concrete ice skating rink, we will never move there regardless of what form we're in.

[blueblooded]

Who can we blame?

WHO CAN WE BLAME?

Blame your supporters thats who, the team continually busts a gut to keep the team competitive when on paper they shouldn't be and the club can't get over 25,000 members! Apparently there are over 250,000 North Melbourne Supporters going around, if half of these supporters live in Melbourne and half of these people are fair dinkum about keeping their club in Melbourne then north should have no problem in signing up well over 30,000 members next year, given their plight and also the fact that the team finished in the top four this year.

Its not really fair to say to kangaroo fans on here to put your money on the table cos people that come on these sites usually do, but everybody that knows North Melbourne supporters should outline to them the need to financially support the club. If North Melbourne supporters want the club to stay in Melbourne then they must pay up, support the team on match day and keep the club profitable.

35,000 out of 250,000 is not difficult in these circumstances! Unless the majority really don't care!

[MickZu]

Roos failed to grasp their first opportunity to merge, why should they be given a second chance?

[The Teflon Dean]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

The problem is that the Collingwoods and Essendons of this world would shit themselves and do everything in their power to make sure this didn't happen. Remember 1996 anyone?

Personally, I would also prefer to see our organs go to someone like the Bulldogs rather than some opportunisyic Gold Coast corporate whores.:thumbsu:

Unfortunately, I could never follow the merged entity myself. It just wouldn't be North.:(

I could support a relegated VFL North Melbourne club, and that is it. In fact, we should relegate to the VFL before any other merge or relocation venture.

At least we would still be North Melbourne.:thumbsu:

[The Teflon Dean]

Roos failed to grasp their first opportunity to merge, why should they be given a second chance?

HUh?:confused:

The other clubs vetoed the venture, not North.

[The Teflon Dean]

Play in the VFL and at least keep your identity.

B I N G O!

The one and only viable alternative.:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::th umbsu:

[incubi]

I don't think so. The dogs have an entire region where they market themselves as "that people's" club, and they are doing it. It will take time, but they have set it in motion. They won't be going anywhere.

And I'm dead-set against what is happening to North. There is a burgeoning northern suburbs of Melbourne that North should try and attach to as well.



I agree with everything you have said about the dogs,lots of work has been put in by the club to become part of the community, every child born in a western suburbs hospital gets a western bulldogs pack and the redevelopement is going to make the whitten oval a community hub instead of that ran down ground taking up space on barkley street.

Im also not sure what the dogs would get out of a merger, in less its totally 100% backed by the AFL (which it probably wouldnt be...) it just two clubs debts will become one even bigger debt.

However, as a resident of the northern suburbs i can assure you that the area is already packed full of collingwood, essendon and carlton supporters and will continue to be.

[BIGBEZ]

B I N G O!

The one and only viable alternative.:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu::th umbsu:



You are joking right?
Your 'heros' would all be players, that come from a AFL club, trying to get a game in the affiliated AFL senior team!

[The Teflon Dean]

You are joking right?

The flags would be on the wall.
The Cups will still be in the cupboard.
Our spiritual home will still be Arden Street.
We would still run out in the blue and white stripes every week.
We'd be secure in the fact that only money kept us out of the big time.
We'd still be North mate.:thumbsu:


Your 'heros' would all be players, that come from a AFL club, trying to get a game in the affiliated AFL senior team!

Nope.

We would be a stand alone club.

We would sell off our AFL licence, buy out all the existing share holders and give the club back to the members.

I would venture around Melbourne following the mighty North Melbourne Football Club just like I did every week when I was a little boy.

All the children in our family would be raised to be true North supporters, just as they have been raised for the past ~ 90 years.:thumbsu:

[BIGBEZ]

The flags would be on the wall.
The Cups will still be in the cupboard.
Our spiritual home will still be Arden Street.
We would still run out in the blue and white stripes every week.
We'd be secure in the fact that only money kept us out of the big time.
We'd still be North mate.:thumbsu:




Nope.

We would be a stand alone club.

We would sell off our AFL licence, buy out all the existing share holders and give the club back to the members.

I would venture around Melbourne following the mighty North Melbourne Football Club just like I did every week when I was a little boy.

All the children in our family would be raised to be true North supporters, just as they have been raised for the past ~ 90 years.:thumbsu:



Your kids would end up also supporting a team at the highest level,(perhaps collingwood:eek:) or they would be the odd ones out everywhere they went, sure at least North survives, but it wouldnt be even close to the real thing!

[The Teflon Dean]

Your kids would end up also supporting a team at the highest level,(deleted for ethical purposes:eek:)

No they wouldn't mate. Perhaps you should venture into some of the darker lit Port Melbourne pubs and try out your theories.:)

or they would be the odd ones out everywhere they went,

Mate, we are North Melbourne. We have been "the odd ones out" for 140 years.:D

sure at least North survives, but it wouldnt be even close to the real thing!

It'd be real enough for me. Realer than any other merged or relocated entity.:thumbsu:

[rufus_afc]

I would rather a merger with the Doggies than move to the GC, be there for 3 years, then fold cause it didnt work.

If the Doggies and the Kangas were to merge, it would give us 35k+ members and a good list. Would make us a top 4 club in Melbourne. I believe most true Kangas supporters would agree!!

Mergers are rubbish and creates a new club and the history then means nothing.

Rather see the Kangas survive in their own right even if they have to relocate.

A GC side will not fold, the AFL will support it until it works. There is no way a GC side will fold.

[BIGBEZ]

No they wouldn't mate. Perhaps you should venture into some of the darker lit Port Melbourne pubs and try out your theories.:)



Mate, we are North Melbourne. We have been "the odd ones out" for 140 years.:D



It'd be real enough for me. Realer than any other merged or relocated entity.:thumbsu:


Fair enough, good luck!:thumbsu:
P.S, when I played at Port(under 19's) we used to be a feeder club to North, half the people in those dark corners of the pubs you mentioned, ended up North players!;)

[The Teflon Dean]

Fair enough, good luck!:thumbsu:
P.S, when I played at Port(under 19's) we used to be a feeder club to North, half the people in those dark corners of the pubs you mentioned, ended up North players!;)

How's Jack Love going these days?;)

Good footballer, total nutcase.

[BIGBEZ]

How's Jack Love going these days?;)

Good footballer, total nutcase.



Like 'Barney' from 'The Simpsons'!:D

[MalceskiFan]

I would happily see a merger between the Kangaroos and another struggling Melbourne club if it meant we didn't have to go to the GC.

Although, in an ideal world, and it still may be an ideal world, the kangaroos stay in Melb, on their own, generate over 30k+ memberships every year going forward, and we win some flags.

Why?

Fair enough you wont get to see as many games but all the premierships your club has won won't count for shit. They won't be properly recognised in your clubs history. Your club jumper will be some bastardized monstrosity. Why not just go for another vic club instead? At least then you could support a team with some history and you'd get to see them every week.

I just don't understand why people prefer mergers to relocation.

[robaba]

Mergers are rubbish and creates a new club and the history then means nothing.

Rather see the Kangas survive in their own right even if they have to relocate.

A GC side will not fold, the AFL will support it until it works. There is no way a GC side will fold.

Agreed, a GC side might not fold, but the AFL eventually will, due to it's idiocy. The last thing this great game needs is knobs disenfranchising supporters.

[Hawkk]

If we leave that means only 8 Victorian clubs are left in Melb (one in Geelong). There is no way the AFL would be able to sustain having us play every team in Melbourne every year for any length of time.

I can categorically say that the Kangaroos will offer an 8 game Melbourne membership - with 3 MCG games, for at least the first 3 years if the relocation goes ahead.

My guess is that the Kangaroos will negotiate a contract with the AFL whereby they will be exempt from playing in Tasmania, Canberra and Darwin.

If the relocation doesn't go ahead, the bets with the Gold Coast are off and the AFL won't be willing to deal with any other location with the Kangaroos. Essentially they'd probably play 11 home games in Melbourne, no CBF and probably have mandatory away trips to Geelong, Tasmania, Canberra, Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Don't believe me, Hawthorn traveled interstate 17 times during the 1997-1999 seasons - 6,6 and 5.

[relapse]

Disagree. When the Hawthorn and Melbourne merger was proposed, I thought then I'd much rather relocate. For mine, merging destroys more of the club than relocating. I'm sure many South supporters, with the benefit of hindsight, prefer a relocation to merger.

I think 99 percent of football supporters feel this way. At least if the your club relocates its still the same club the history etc is still relevant. A merger is a new club with irrelvant history and 2 clubs ceasing to exist.

Seems to me that most North supporters seem to love going to the football more than they love the club because they will be prepared to see the club die rather than live on, but as a relocated team :confused:

[relapse]

Agreed, a GC side might not fold, but the AFL eventually will, due to it's idiocy. The last thing this great game needs is knobs disenfranchising supporters.

The AFL wont, thats the whole reason that the relocation is touted they are looking out for the long term interest and viability of the game not just looking at continually pumping millions and millions into a club with no return to appease the smallest melbourne club with money that is coming in from the bigger clubs, the CBF isnt something that clubs should be relying on it is on there to assist clubs to get back on their feet its not just a black hole for money to be piled in to keep sides afloat with no plans as to how they will survive in the long term.

The GC is a more viable market for a club than fighting for a piece of the pie with 10 other clubs in melbourne. The AFL have invested millions into market research and studies etc. If it wasnt a viable idea they wouldnt be going ahead with it, the AFL and the money spent on the study is far more accurate than an everyday North supporter that refuses to believe the facts and will say whatever they can to attempt to shoot down whatever positive points that are raised about the Gold Coast. Even if the prospect was that they could become the richest club in football (hypothetically) the North supporters would still be trying to claim that it wont work and it will fail etc.

The facts are that

GC is a bigger market than a small 11th share in Melbourne
GC in the longer term is a far more viable option financially.
North will never thrive in Melbourne, that is the unfortunate truth sooner or later the reaper will arrive at Arden Street, the bar each year gets that bit higher for AFL clubs it wont be long before North can no longer get over that bar.

The AFL will either make it happen or threaten to bring in a GC team at the expense of North which will make the board make it happen.

[MightyHawks]

I could support a relegated VFL North Melbourne club, and that is it. In fact, we should relegate to the VFL before any other merge or relocation venture.

At least we would still be North Melbourne.:thumbsu:

back in 1983/4 there was a meeting at Big Jacks house of Carlton Collingwood Hawthorn Essendon and Geelong to break away from the then-VFL.

The plan was a 12 team comp including Sydney, 3 perth and 3 adelaide sides.

Obviously the remaining sides would've been in a B-competition, but would it have been the overall best solution?

I can see the positives and the negatives there.

[Hawkk]

back in 1983/4 there was a meeting at Big Jacks house of Carlton Collingwood Hawthorn Essendon and Geelong to break away from the then-VFL.

The plan was a 12 team comp including Sydney, 3 perth and 3 adelaide sides.

Obviously the remaining sides would've been in a B-competition, but would it have been the overall best solution?

I can see the positives and the negatives there.

Not much changed in the Elliot household over a 20 year period. Drop Geelong and insert Richmond and the same discussions were casually taking place at Elliot's insistence in regards to creating a blockage to block CBF assistance being given to the financially crippled clubs and draft concessions to Sydney and Brisbane.

[walhawk]

That meeting was 84 but I thought it was Richmond not Essendon.
3 teams in Adelaide would not have worked. Port still struggle for support. As did Freo for the fist 6-7 years.
Back to the topic...
If the Hawks were going backwards financially (which we are not) and...
Tassie was booming and could support an AFL club (which it cannot), then
I would much prefer a relocation. I think you play and support the jumper and the colours and the history above everything else. None of which would be retained in a merger.
If the Hawks played out of Tassie I would get a 6 - 8 game Vic membership and try to fly to Tas once a year for a game. It would still be the Hawks in the same jumper with the same song and all of our records and premierships would be passed on.
I would not have followed the Melbourne Hawks had it happenned in 96. The only merger combo I would consider would be the Hawthorn Tigers playing out of Waverley in 'Yellow and Black' vertical stripes and singing the Tigers song. That club would dominate the eastern suburbs.
It's interesting that most North fans would prefer to be the Westen Kangaroos or the Melbourne Kangaroos than the Gold Coast Kangaroos. Is it because both potential partners have similar colours???
What is better - 16 games and half a club or 6-8 games and most of the club?

[The Teflon Dean]

back in 1983/4 there was a meeting at Big Jacks house of Carlton Collingwood Hawthorn Essendon and Geelong to break away from the then-VFL.

The plan was a 12 team comp including Sydney, 3 perth and 3 adelaide sides.

Obviously the remaining sides would've been in a B-competition, but would it have been the overall best solution?

I can see the positives and the negatives there.

Only problem is Big Jack has left in disgrace and we're still here.:thumbsu:

[mcgarnacle]

I reckon its a better fit than most other proposed mergers in the past.

West Melbourne Kangaroos
Royal Blue, Red & White

A new GC license can be set up for 2010.

Down the track, merge Melbourne with St Kilda......Dees to Saints.

then introduce a Western Sydney team....and there's your comp.