No matter who you support, EVERYONE lets get behind the NMFC

[Lyyynnnchy]

As a West Coast supporter I used to love watching the famous 1 on 1s between Carey and Jacko and the big battles between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Football Club.

I'm sure everyone else can remember a magical moment or a heartstopping game against North Melbourne. Sending North Melbourme to the Gold Coast will not fix anything and will eventualy lead them to folding no matter what the AFL come out and say. This is an EXPERIMENT

I'm asking anyone with some spare money not that theres a lot of it around these days to buy a membership. I myself have no idea about the different memberships at NMFC but surely many of you could at least buy a base rate 1.

I myself as a West Coast supporter do not want to see the NMFC fold and lose a great rivalry that has continued on from the great 90's. I will be buying a membership for myself and will go halves with my GF in 1 for her even though she is a dreaded Fremantle supporter she knows how much it means to me to keep this team with so much history where it belongs.

Everyone get behind the NMFC they are 1 of the most succesfull and oldest clubs goign aroudn not to mention how much impact they have had on the game to make it the great game it is now.

Keep going NMFC supporters you are winning over the hearts of football supporters everywere. And with the support of all your fans and the many fans of the other AFL teams i believe you can "Stick it where the sun don't shine"

[nobbyiscool]

why should i support them?

north melbourne's own supporters refuse to, why should i?

north's fans knew prior to this season that this was happening- did they all buy their memberships en masse? did they all start showing up en masse to see their team that was carving up?

no, they didn't.

they had a very good team, and they knew their base in melbourne was on the block- and they still didn't mobilise.

now, i don't necessariy agree with the afls gung ho attitude to a team on the gold coast- but north melbourne supporters have done little to prove that their team's location should be untouchable.

[rb214]

As a West Coast supporter I used to love watching the famous 1 on 1s between Carey and Jacko and the big battles between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Football Club.

I'm sure everyone else can remember a magical moment or a heartstopping game against North Melbourne. Sending North Melbourme to the Gold Coast will not fix anything and will eventualy lead them to folding no matter what the AFL come out and say. This is an EXPERIMENT

I'm asking anyone with some spare money not that theres a lot of it around these days to buy a membership. I myself have no idea about the different memberships at NMFC but surely many of you could at least buy a base rate 1.

I myself as a West Coast supporter do not want to see the NMFC fold and lose a great rivalry that has continued on from the great 90's. I will be buying a membership for myself and will go halves with my GF in 1 for her even though she is a dreaded Fremantle supporter she knows how much it means to me to keep this team with so much history where it belongs.

Everyone get behind the NMFC they are 1 of the most succesfull and oldest clubs goign aroudn not to mention how much impact they have had on the game to make it the great game it is now.

Keep going NMFC supporters you are winning over the hearts of football supporters everywere. And with the support of all your fans and the many fans of the other AFL teams i believe you can "Stick it where the sun don't shine"

Thanks you mate your a gentleman. I must say the support from interstate supporters has been remarkable.

It is very much appreciated.

[Lyyynnnchy]

why should i support them?

north melbourne's own supporters refuse to, why should i?

north's fans knew prior to this season that this was happening- did they all buy their memberships en masse? did they all start showing up en masse to see their team that was carving up?

no, they didn't.

they had a very good team, and they knew their base in melbourne was on the block- and they still didn't mobilise.

now, i don't necessariy agree with the afls gung ho attitude to a team on the gold coast- but north melbourne supporters have done little to prove that their team's location should be untouchable.

I agree they have left it late, but at the start of the season no1 new that they were planning to get a decision by the end of the year. Everyone at North have been kept in the dark.

If you have a look through the North Melbourne board you will see how the supporters are rallying, they have over $11 000 worth of donations in a week thats just through big footy. They are advertising on radio, through websites like YouTube and are setting up meetings and rallies through the coming weekends.

I'm sure if it was West Coast in this position you would be asking for all the support you could get and I believe a lot of North Fans would be willing to help.

If you dont agree with the AFLs way of going about things now is your chance to do somethign about it

[Doctor Jolly]

Sending the blue and whites to the GC will keep the Blue and whites, and their history, in the competition.

If you value tradition, you must support the move that will save the Blue and whites.

Sydney still remember Bob Skilton as one of its own, and the GC Kangaroos playing in Blue and White will remember Carey as one of its own.

IF YOU TRUELY SUPPORT THE KANGAROOS, VOTE TO SURVIVE, VOTE GC.

[Lyyynnnchy]

Sending the blue and whites to the GC will keep the Blue and whites, and their history, in the competition.

If you value tradition, you must support the move that will save the Blue and whites.

Sydney still remember Bob Skilton as one of its own, and the GC Kangaroos playing in Blue and White will remember Carey as one of its own.

IF YOU TRUELY SUPPORT THE KANGAROOS, VOTE TO SURVIVE, VOTE GC.

Kangaroos will not survive playing in a stadium with a max capacity of 14 000

will not survive competing against league, union and the lions' already set up supporter base

There is just not enough resources on the gold coast to keep the Kanagroos viable

If they can get upwards of 28 000 members and switch the control from major shareholders to members it will go a long way to saving the club

[Doctor Jolly]

Kangaroos will not survive playing in a stadium with a max capacity of 14 000

will not survive competing against league, union and the lions' already set up supporter base

There is just not enough resources on the gold coast to keep the Kanagroos viable

If they can get upwards of 28 000 members and switch the control from major shareholders to members it will go a long way to saving the club

These things wont happen. You wont get 28,000 long term members. You only have the number you have because everyone with half-an-interest is signed up already to save them, so members buy multiple memberships,a nd supporters of other clubs buy memberships. While commendable, its not a long term solution.

And where do you think the money is going to come from the buy out the shareholders ?

The GC is viable, because the rest of the comp will reap the benefits, and make it viable for you.

[MightyHawks]

I'm asking anyone with some spare money not that theres a lot of it around these days to buy a membership. I myself have no idea about the different memberships at NMFC but surely many of you could at least buy a base rate 1.


I understand your feelings, but this is not yours or my fight. Are you planning on buying a membership every year? What if the doggies are threatened? will you buy both a north and a dogs one? Or drop north?

Unless you are planning on buying one for the next 5-10 years it's a wasted effort. North needs people with long term commitment.

Hawthorn would not have survived if membership had gone from 12000 in 96 to 34000 in 97 and then back to 16000. The consistent 30000+ is helping keep us going.

Do North supporters have the mettle for the fight? Will they put their hands in their pockets annually? Not just for base level memberships.

Other supporters can wish them the best. But if 10000 of us all bought memberships next year for North - they abandoned the GC, lost their AFL $$$ support, and the 10000 abandoned them 2 years later, what happens to them then?

We might have a 17 team competition which the league are rather keen to revert to 16 teams. North would then really feel the heat.

The challenge is for North supporters and north supporters only. Will you take out memberships? Will you upgrade your memberships? Attend a presidents lunch once a year? It's not what will you do in 2008. It's what you'll do for the next 10 years!!!

[Lyyynnnchy]

These things wont happen. You wont get 28,000 long term members. You only have the number you have because everyone with half-an-interest is signed up already to save them, so members buy multiple memberships,a nd supporters of other clubs buy memberships. While commendable, its not a long term solution.

And where do you think the money is going to come from the buy out the shareholders ?

The GC is viable, because the rest of the comp will reap the benefits, and make it viable for you.

The extra money from the members buying multiple memberships and other supporters buying memberships will be used for marketing to get NMFC supporters who arent on board to buy a membership, promotions to entice sponsers to support the club.

Although I might be wrong I would say a number of the shareholders would support the move of handing power over to members of the club. If you look through the North Melbourne board they are coming up witha number of initiatives and fund raising efforts to not neccasarily buy out the shareholders but help convert the power to the members

Were do you think the $65 million is going to come from? Other clubs will not benefeit from the AFL paying that amount of money to a club. Every AFL club will have to put some money through for it to happen I would say. If not it will have to come from somewhere else - State Leagues, Grassroots, Marketing which in effect has an impact on each of the 16 clubs

[The Chad]

lyyynnchy what you're saying is like the liberal party coming out and saying "hey everybody, the democrats are dying so everybody get out there and support them"

it's just ridiculous.

[MightyHawks]

The extra money from the members buying multiple memberships and other supporters buying memberships will be used for marketing to get NMFC supporters who arent on board to buy a membership, promotions to entice sponsers to support the club.

Why do North supporters need to be marketed to? If they read the paper, watch TV, or watch the footy show it will be really clear to them that if enough of them buy memberships and attend games they can stay in Mel.

Do they really need a free hat as well for extra incentive?

[rb214]

The extra money from the members buying multiple memberships and other supporters buying memberships will be used for marketing to get NMFC supporters who arent on board to buy a membership, promotions to entice sponsers to support the club.

Although I might be wrong I would say a number of the shareholders would support the move of handing power over to members of the club. If you look through the North Melbourne board they are coming up witha number of initiatives and fund raising efforts to not neccasarily buy out the shareholders but help convert the power to the members

Were do you think the $65 million is going to come from? Other clubs will not benefeit from the AFL paying that amount of money to a club. Every AFL club will have to put some money through for it to happen I would say. If not it will have to come from somewhere else - State Leagues, Grassroots, Marketing which in effect has an impact on each of the 16 clubs


Lynhcchy dont listen to these knobs who are $2 experts. If you want to help out buy a membership and your helping. Simple.

[ApplecrossWC]

Why the **** do Hawks fans have to troll every one of these threads. It's extremely frustrating.

[Lidge]

k5_r5yKZ2ps

[Lyyynnnchy]

Why do North supporters need to be marketed to? If they read the paper, watch TV, or watch the footy show it will be really clear to them that if enough of them buy memberships and attend games they can stay in Mel.

Do they really need a free hat as well for extra incentive?

Every club has a marketing Department who do you think they market to?

And im hoping for North Melbournes sake the marketing they are now doing will help them get enough memberships.

From a WA's perspective I think this is the first time I have seen a full page on anything to do with the Kangaroos for the last 7 years, it's not like they have had that massive exposure on the footy show, in the newspapers or on TV that teams such as Collingwood and Carlton have

They are only gettign that exposure now

[rb214]

These things wont happen. You wont get 28,000 long term members. You only have the number you have because everyone with half-an-interest is signed up already to save them, so members buy multiple memberships,a nd supporters of other clubs buy memberships. While commendable, its not a long term solution.

And where do you think the money is going to come from the buy out the shareholders ?

The GC is viable, because the rest of the comp will reap the benefits, and make it viable for you.

People like this Sydney **** that know two thirds of fck all about Noth Melbourne culture should keep their opinions to themselves.

If somebody like Lynchhy who comes out in good will wants to support our club good for him. If you are not interested in helping mind you manners and keep you nose out of our business.

No one wants to hear you opinion. You are not relevant to our struggle and its really none of your business.

[greennick]

People like this Sydney **** that know two thirds of fck all about Noth Melbourne culture should keep their opinions to themselves.

If somebody like Lynchhy who comes out in good will wants to support our club good for him. If you are not interested in helping mind you manners and keep you nose out of our business.

No one wants to hear you opinion. You are not relevant to our struggle and its really none of your business.
Your right, only people that are in support of North should be allowed to post! Everyone else should just shut up and **** off!

I mean, anyone that is not in support of North staying put and receiving perpetual benefits from the AFL must have no idea and a worthless opinion, right?

[rb214]

Your right, only people that are in support of North should be allowed to post! Everyone else should just shut up and **** off!

I mean, anyone that is not in support of North staying put and receiving perpetual benefits from the AFL must have no idea and a worthless opinion, right?

On a thread like this yes he is encouraging people to help out there are 10,000 other threads where you can try and convince people that we should move. This is not the right place the gentlmaen had started the thread in goodwill.

Are you against him joining as a member, if not then shut up.

[thejester]

Solidarity

[yioughtta]

lyyynnchy what you're saying is like the liberal party coming out and saying "hey everybody, the democrats are dying so everybody get out there and support them"

it's just ridiculous.

Terrible analogy because unlike in politics- we are not enemies, but merely on-field rivals. What's more, you only get one vote in an election, but when it comes to footy you can support as many clubs as you like. I love North Melbourne but I also take my little brother to a few Bulldogs games every year. And you know what? Luke Darcy was one of my favourite players for a while there.

At the moment the AFL is trying to take down one of the very clubs who helped make the game what it is today. It is just not right. It is important the we as a football-loving community stop them now before it is too late.

[yioughtta]

Sending the blue and whites to the GC will keep the Blue and whites, and their history, in the competition.

If you value tradition, you must support the move that will save the Blue and whites.

Sydney still remember Bob Skilton as one of its own, and the GC Kangaroos playing in Blue and White will remember Carey as one of its own.

IF YOU TRUELY SUPPORT THE KANGAROOS, VOTE TO SURVIVE, VOTE GC.

Doctor 'Jolly' you bitter, twisted individual. I thought we dealt with you a few days ago.

We do value tradition- that's why we are voting for North Melbourne to stay in NORTH MELBOURNE.

But AFL-come-lately's like yourself (for those who don't know- Doctor Jolly has already confessed he hasn't really followed footy for more than a few years) will simply never understand.

P.S. You should change your name to Doctor Bitter.

[A Living God]

If they unable to be self reliant i'm more than happy to see them move to the Gold Coast or they can fold or merge and new franchise be created on the Gold Coast.

[bigdroppunt]

When we played the roos this year at the phone dome i Bought $50 worth of those scratchies to help out the roos, But when i see the players and coach's start Putting there hard earned into the club, and realy seeing them getting behind and taking players payment cuts (if that is what it takes) then I WILL By a membership to the roos, Untill that point your on your own, Or untill you sell more scratchies. :thumbsu:

Also top work by some of the roo guys on Big Footy. Keep strong !:thumbsu::)

[roger explosion]

if NMFC has to rely on non-supporters to buy memberships to remain in Melbourne, then they're clearly not sustainable.

sure, i'd love for NMFC to stay in Melbourne, but all the signs are pointing to the fact that if they don't move to the Coast, they will eventually die, especially with the AFL probably not wanting to know anything about it.

if they can replicate on the Gold Coast, what South Melbourne has done with Sydney... if i was a NMFC supporter, i would prefer this to eventual death. i don't know, it's hard to say without being in the situation, but that's just what i think.

oh, and btw, the Gold Coast can and will be home to a sustainable, viable and profitable AFL club. it will take time to build but it will work.

[Doctor Jolly]

....For those who don't know- Doctor Jolly has already confessed he hasn't really followed footy for more than a few years

More lies like your goldcoasttruth.org site ?

[MickZu]

And just think........................

If North and been reasonable with Fitzroy and allowed them to have some recognition of their club, the merge would have gone ahead and they wouldn't be in this predicament.

Instead Fitzroy were down and North came to stick the boot in, to give them nothing (sensing Fitzroy didn't have a choice) and lost out to Brisbane.

The fact is North had an opportunity to secure their future, but due to lack of compassion and a hostile approach towards Fitzroy, they failed.

Now that the AFL are ready to stick the boot into North, roo fans are screaming for compassion and understanding.

What goes around comes around, good luck!! :cool:

[Howard Littlejohn]

north's fans knew prior to this season that this was happening

Wrong, Duff told a members forum in April to wipe relocation from the vocabulary. The AFL and the North board have all along been denying that relocation was on the agenda, while playing games behind the scenes to try and make it happen before members got a sniff. Its only now that more people have woken up to the cloak and dagger, and only now that the fight will begin.

[The Teflon Dean]

My thanks for those from other clubs that have joined in the fight. :thumbsu:


You will not be forgotten.:thumbsu:

[goal sneak]

k5_r5yKZ2ps

"On field we are a sucessful club"

Bahahaha!

[The Teflon Dean]

"On field we are a sucessful club"

Bahahaha!


He's not talking about the time of Gladstone bags, Brylcreem and hammered in boot stops.:rolleyes:

[Roosurgence]

And just think........................

If North and been reasonable with Fitzroy and allowed them to have some recognition of their club, the merge would have gone ahead and they wouldn't be in this predicament.

Instead Fitzroy were down and North came to stick the boot in, to give them nothing (sensing Fitzroy didn't have a choice) and lost out to Brisbane.

The fact is North had an opportunity to secure their future, but due to lack of compassion and a hostile approach towards Fitzroy, they failed.

Now that the AFL are ready to stick the boot into North, roo fans are screaming for compassion and understanding.

What goes around comes around, good luck!! :cool:

Are you delusional?

Do you really think Brisbane and Fitzroy is a merger?

The AFL killed this idea off in favour of strengthening a rabble that was called the Brisbane Bears. I know many Fitzroy people would have been happy to merge with North, but the AFL put paid to that.

Get your head out of your arse!

[pazza]

The rivalry long held between Essendon and North is one of the main reasons why I am more than happy to get behind North's Victorian survival.

With that rivalry ultimately comes respect.

Hearts to hearts and hands to hands.

[The Teflon Dean]

The rivalry long held between Essendon and North is one of the main reasons why I am more than happy to get behind North's Victorian survival.

With that rivalry ultimately comes respect.

Hearts to hearts and hands to hands.

So, so true.:thumbsu:

This is a real rivalry. An ancient rivalry.

Not some market driven construct.

See you in round 1.:cool:

[pazza]

So, so true.:thumbsu:

This is a real rivalry. An ancient rivalry.

Not some market driven construct.

See you in round 1.:cool:

With bells on.;)

[Cheshire Cat]

As a West Coast supporter I used to love watching the famous 1 on 1s between Carey and Jacko and the big battles between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Football Club.

I'm sure everyone else can remember a magical moment or a heartstopping game against North Melbourne. Sending North Melbourme to the Gold Coast will not fix anything and will eventualy lead them to folding no matter what the AFL come out and say. This is an EXPERIMENT

I'm asking anyone with some spare money not that theres a lot of it around these days to buy a membership. I myself have no idea about the different memberships at NMFC but surely many of you could at least buy a base rate 1.

I myself as a West Coast supporter do not want to see the NMFC fold and lose a great rivalry that has continued on from the great 90's. I will be buying a membership for myself and will go halves with my GF in 1 for her even though she is a dreaded Fremantle supporter she knows how much it means to me to keep this team with so much history where it belongs.

Everyone get behind the NMFC they are 1 of the most succesfull and oldest clubs goign aroudn not to mention how much impact they have had on the game to make it the great game it is now.

Keep going NMFC supporters you are winning over the hearts of football supporters everywere. And with the support of all your fans and the many fans of the other AFL teams i believe you can "Stick it where the sun don't shine"

A couldn't give a toss either way to be honest. I dont hate North or anything, but I'm completely indifferent.

[The Chad]

"On field we are a sucessful club"

Bahahaha!
that was what stood out to me as well

they're not humble about trying to survive are kangaroos football club

they're pig-headed and beligerent

it's why i want to see their fans lost to the game

[RooBoy72]

North Melbourne fans and all AFL fans have been deliberately and calculatingly duped through this whole Roos to GC agenda setting. Why? Because any transparent, open discourse on the topic would expose the fatal flaws in the AFL's flimsy arguments for the move.
- There is no proof of a viable market in SEQ for one OR two teams (eg: crowd of approx 10k at Brisbane v Roos game in 07)
- The Roos would lose their identity and tradition
- The ground and facilities are sub standard
- The benefits on offer are not clear and not advantageous

For the last two years, the AFL have played a shameful game of divide and conquer with the NMFC board members, peddling secrets and misinformation to who it sees fit to foster the environment of uncertainty and anxiety. This has plainly worked with the media falling obediently in to line, trotting out the key messages of "move or die", "North will be a powerhouse of the competition" etc without any journalistic inquiry and outlining of facts.... because there are none.

If there was such a compelling case for the relocation, why is the AFL not on the front foot, with all the facts laid bare on the table, justifying its position to the most important stakeholders it has - the fans of the game?

It stinks.

[RooBoy72]

"The Chad" must embarrass the life out of most Hawks supporters?

[Hit And Rum]

I would prefer the Kangaroos ceased to exist and the Bulldogs as well for that matter...but if they must continue it must be in economically viable circumstances. Despite all the help form the AFL, all the on field success and all the excuses under the sun the Kangaroos have become a financial basketcase, an ancient dinosaur among the evolved corporate entities around now. I love the spirit the team and coach displays but even if you put all this into the supporters, harnessed it and then got the cash out of them it would not be enough to be viable for an extended period of time.

The facts must be faced time ahas passed the Kangas by and their future is either to dissapear to or move, with the Gold coast being the number one option.

In a bigger picture the AFL and Australian Rules football is fighting to maintain its status as Australia's premiere sporting code. If by moving a team out of the most over crowded sporting market in Australia is good for the game then I support. New corporate growth, sponsorship, growth of new members, supporters, interest in the game -potential - potential to crack a new game in a burgeoning market. More then that to consolidate in a market that at least has some history of interest in AFL football.

Someone's team had to go and unfortunately, for the Shinboner supporters, the Kangaroos are the weakest of the Vic pack at the moment. The AFL will have their way and be better for it too. do jump on now or potentially lose everything.

[ApplecrossWC]

Why do so many people care about the AFL's profits. It's mind boggling. Is this what Australia has become?

[Hit And Rum]

Why do so many people care about the AFL's profits. It's mind boggling. Is this what Australia has become?

OK lets have the AFL have no money and see what happens to football at all levels once the advertising, support and professionalism runs out!!!

Yes it is what Australia has become. Like it or lump but money and profit is what keeps our game and the games trying to knock us off the perch ticking over.

[greennick]

Why do so many people care about the AFL's profits. It's mind boggling. Is this what Australia has become?
Obviously people do not care about the profit of that AFL, otherwise they would not be calling for you to move. It is going to be a lot more expensive to move you. I think people are more interested in "spreading the game".

[The Chad]

"The Chad" must embarrass the life out of most Hawks supporters?
The Chad shares the AFL's views on expansion into the northern states.

just supporting those that support and do the right thing by the game

[rusdid24]

As a West Coast supporter I used to love watching the famous 1 on 1s between Carey and Jacko and the big battles between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Football Club.

I'm sure everyone else can remember a magical moment or a heartstopping game against North Melbourne. Sending North Melbourme to the Gold Coast will not fix anything and will eventualy lead them to folding no matter what the AFL come out and say. This is an EXPERIMENT

I'm asking anyone with some spare money not that theres a lot of it around these days to buy a membership. I myself have no idea about the different memberships at NMFC but surely many of you could at least buy a base rate 1.

I myself as a West Coast supporter do not want to see the NMFC fold and lose a great rivalry that has continued on from the great 90's. I will be buying a membership for myself and will go halves with my GF in 1 for her even though she is a dreaded Fremantle supporter she knows how much it means to me to keep this team with so much history where it belongs.

Everyone get behind the NMFC they are 1 of the most succesfull and oldest clubs goign aroudn not to mention how much impact they have had on the game to make it the great game it is now.

Keep going NMFC supporters you are winning over the hearts of football supporters everywere. And with the support of all your fans and the many fans of the other AFL teams i believe you can "Stick it where the sun don't shine"
/
Here, here.

If people want to help and support in a real way, jump over to the North board and donate to the cause.
That's a seriously dedicated bunch of supporters over there busting their gut to keep their club in this city.

[MightyHawks]

Are you delusional?

Do you really think Brisbane and Fitzroy is a merger?

The AFL killed this idea off in favour of strengthening a rabble that was called the Brisbane Bears. I know many Fitzroy people would have been happy to merge with North, but the AFL put paid to that.

Get your head out of your arse!

Bears gave Fitzroy:
1. Nickname - Lions
2. Jumper - It looks like a Fitzroy jumper (they would've made it their awaya strip had they stayed on their own)
3. Colours - Roys old colours before they were forced to wear that orange
4. Theme Song - Roys tune

Fitzroy lost:
1. Name - Brisbane
2. Location - Brisbane

What more could the Bears have given Fitzroy in the merger???
Clearly they weren't going to relocate to Mel or call themselves Fitzroy...

North Melbourne offered Fitzroy:
1. Nickname - Kangaroos
2. Jumper - Original North Melbourne jumper (Lion logo on the blue SHORTS)
3. Colours - Blue and White (No Maroon)
4. Theme Song - North tune
5. Name - North Melbourne - Fitzroy (Wonder what would've been on the scoreboard)
6. Location - Melbourne (Arden St)

What an offer... :(

What more could North have given Fitzroy in the merger???

Note that after the Bears looked like the preferred merger partner North made a concession to call the team North Fitzroy Kangaroos. But it was only when they realised they were missing the boat.

Don't delude yourselves you never offered Fitzroy a real merger.

[robaba]

I would prefer the Kangaroos ceased to exist and the Bulldogs as well for that matter...but if they must continue it must be in economically viable circumstances. Despite all the help form the AFL, all the on field success and all the excuses under the sun the Kangaroos have become a financial basketcase, an ancient dinosaur among the evolved corporate entities around now. I love the spirit the team and coach displays but even if you put all this into the supporters, harnessed it and then got the cash out of them it would not be enough to be viable for an extended period of time.

The facts must be faced time ahas passed the Kangas by and their future is either to dissapear to or move, with the Gold coast being the number one option.

In a bigger picture the AFL and Australian Rules football is fighting to maintain its status as Australia's premiere sporting code. If by moving a team out of the most over crowded sporting market in Australia is good for the game then I support. New corporate growth, sponsorship, growth of new members, supporters, interest in the game -potential - potential to crack a new game in a burgeoning market. More then that to consolidate in a market that at least has some history of interest in AFL football.

Someone's team had to go and unfortunately, for the Shinboner supporters, the Kangaroos are the weakest of the Vic pack at the moment. The AFL will have their way and be better for it too. do jump on now or potentially lose everything.

The weakest of the pack are those with the unlisted team

[SweetLeftFoot]

When we played the roos this year at the phone dome i Bought $50 worth of those scratchies to help out the roos, But when i see the players and coach's start Putting there hard earned into the club, and realy seeing them getting behind and taking players payment cuts (if that is what it takes) then I WILL By a membership to the roos, Untill that point your on your own, Or untill you sell more scratchies. :thumbsu:

Also top work by some of the roo guys on Big Footy. Keep strong !:thumbsu::)


You do know that we only paid 92 per cent of the salary cap?

That's taking a pay cut.

Cheers for your membership support!

[Best Buddy]

I think it's fantastic that not only kangaroos fans are venting their frustration over the issue, but also other fans are throwing their support behind the cause.

I don't know if I am one of them though. I admit, if it was the hawks are the AFL were trying to locate, then I would be campaigning my arse off to put a stop to it. But - the thing is - it's not the hawks. It could be, yeah, but it's not.

In that case, why should I support the anti-goldcoast movement, and that is indeed what this is becoming. As an AFL fan, I am willing to put my faith in the administrators that run the game. Sure, they make mistakes, all of us do, but the fact is that they have overseen the game to it's current position. And many would say that our game has never looked so healthy.

They would argue that the crowds are at an all time high, the game play gradually starting to flow again, retaining some fight but not the thuggery of the 80's. I'm not so ready to dish out pleasantries that easily, however, I do acknowledge that the AFL is indeed in good shape at the moment.

If this is the case, then why shouldn't a Victorian team relocate? The current ratio of Victorian to interstate teams is very lopsided for the national winter sport of our country. And if AFL is to continue its growth, then the ratio needs to change.

Granted, the heartland of the game is Victoria, and will always be. Perhaps even an 8-8 ratio is sustainable for growth.

I really like the Kangas, and I sympathize with the clubs and its supporters regarding the issue. But I'm not going to run around parading anti-relocation propaganda just because I feel sorry for their supporters.
It's so much easier to be ruthless when your own judgment is bereft of suffocating bias - though naturally there is still bias present (I do not want the hawks to be the club to leave).

I'm not stupid (I think); I realise that my opinion is just that, an opinion, and in all likelihood nobody will give a stuff about it. But hey, it's a public forum.

And as much as I know I'm sounding like a ruthless prick to Kanga - and other - fans, if the game's growth is to continue, then perhaps this needs to happen...

[relapse]

Kangaroos will not survive playing in a stadium with a max capacity of 14 000

will not survive competing against league, union and the lions' already set up supporter base

There is just not enough resources on the gold coast to keep the Kanagroos viable

If they can get upwards of 28 000 members and switch the control from major shareholders to members it will go a long way to saving the club

The AFL knows it will work otherwise they wouldnt be doing it.

That market is a very viable one, its off the field where the money is made these days otherwise how did WCE make 4 million last year when Adelaide have about 10k more members and only made 1 million ???

Its a long term proposition, in 15-20 years the AFL's money will be far better spent establishing the game at the Gold Coast and will have seen far more return than pumping it into the black hole at Arden Street with the club still being in the same position it was when the AFL started handing them money.

[The Chad]

The AFL knows it will work otherwise they wouldnt be doing it.

That market is a very viable one, its off the field where the money is made these days otherwise how did WCE make 4 million last year when Adelaide have about 10k more members and only made 1 million ???

Its a long term proposition, in 15-20 years the AFL's money will be far better spent establishing the game at the Gold Coast and will have seen far more return than pumping it into the black hole at Arden Street with the club still being in the same position it was when the AFL started handing them money.
exactly, the fundamental difference between hawthorn NOT being able to fully relocate to tassie at 14k per game and kangaroos football club being able to relocate to GC on 14k per game is area growth, potential for stadium re-design and commercial appeal.

gold coast is far sexier than tasmania, simple as that.

[relapse]

North Melbourne fans and all AFL fans have been deliberately and calculatingly duped through this whole Roos to GC agenda setting. Why? Because any transparent, open discourse on the topic would expose the fatal flaws in the AFL's flimsy arguments for the move.
- There is no proof of a viable market in SEQ for one OR two teams (eg: crowd of approx 10k at Brisbane v Roos game in 07)
- The Roos would lose their identity and tradition
- The ground and facilities are sub standard
- The benefits on offer are not clear and not advantageous

For the last two years, the AFL have played a shameful game of divide and conquer with the NMFC board members, peddling secrets and misinformation to who it sees fit to foster the environment of uncertainty and anxiety. This has plainly worked with the media falling obediently in to line, trotting out the key messages of "move or die", "North will be a powerhouse of the competition" etc without any journalistic inquiry and outlining of facts.... because there are none.

If there was such a compelling case for the relocation, why is the AFL not on the front foot, with all the facts laid bare on the table, justifying its position to the most important stakeholders it has - the fans of the game?

It stinks.

Not any more flawed than how North are supposed to survive in Melbourne.

Everyone out there buy a membership, what that will work for one year tops after that you are still left with the same senario that we have now where the club is treading water and will eventually drown.

The current state of the club wont keep it afloat so the whole well we have 25k compared to xxx at the gold coast argument doesnt float. There is far more off field potential in the long term at the Gold Coast, there is an exclusive market to work with with far higher levels of potential off field income.

I have seen no compelling argument yet of how North will survive as a club in Melbourne, there are supporters claiming that North if they stay in Melbourne will thrive ??? HOW ???

Instead of trying to pick flaws with the gold coast maybe you should be worrying about your own current backyard because it is clear to most that the cupboard is bare in Victoria, the growth in Melbourne is divided 11 ways whereas the growth on the coast will have a far greater impact on the club. I really would be interested in someone explaining how North would be better off in Victoria in the long term rather than at the Gold Coast ???

If it was supposedly that cut and dried it would be obvious and the AFL wouldnt be interested. They have spent millions on the study and the rough facts seem to confirm that especially off the field there is far higher chance of higher financial success for North to leave Vic.

[whelan=legend]

He's not talking about the time of Gladstone bags, Brylcreem and hammered in boot stops.:rolleyes:
If you call losing by 100 points in 2 finals successful. Then you definately are successful

[pazza]

Not any more flawed than how North are supposed to survive in Melbourne.

Everyone out there buy a membership, what that will work for one year tops after that you are still left with the same senario that we have now where the club is treading water and will eventually drown.

The current state of the club wont keep it afloat so the whole well we have 25k compared to xxx at the gold coast argument doesnt float. There is far more off field potential in the long term at the Gold Coast, there is an exclusive market to work with with far higher levels of potential off field income.

I have seen no compelling argument yet of how North will survive as a club in Melbourne, there are supporters claiming that North if they stay in Melbourne will thrive ??? HOW ???

Instead of trying to pick flaws with the gold coast maybe you should be worrying about your own current backyard because it is clear to most that the cupboard is bare in Victoria, the growth in Melbourne is divided 11 ways whereas the growth on the coast will have a far greater impact on the club. I really would be interested in someone explaining how North would be better off in Victoria in the long term rather than at the Gold Coast ???

If it was supposedly that cut and dried it would be obvious and the AFL wouldnt be interested. They have spent millions on the study and the rough facts seem to confirm that especially off the field there is far higher chance of higher financial success for North to leave Vic.

This is the one thing people don't really understand. Sure, it is hard for 11 clubs to survive in melbourne. We all know that. But, going to the Gold Coast, when they are physically not ready for team or just a knee-jerk reaction to threats isn't the way to go.

We failed to learn the lessons from South and Fitzroy. Most of the kids around would not truly realise the level of total resentment for both moves and that so many South and Roy fans will go on forever refusing to accept the situation with their new clubs/locations. Do we really want to see another 100-200000 disenchanted fans out there? Of course we wouldn't.

What if Footscray had been merged in 1989? You would have effectively disenfranchised Western Melbourne. Yeah..real smart that one.

[huggy_b]

Wrong, Duff told a members forum in April to wipe relocation from the vocabulary. The AFL and the North board have all along been denying that relocation was on the agenda, while playing games behind the scenes to try and make it happen before members got a sniff. Its only now that more people have woken up to the cloak and dagger, and only now that the fight will begin.


And when the board comes out and says "the coach is safe", what inevitably happens?

http://www.clipartguide.com/_small/0511-0701-3116-2737.jpg

I'm sorry but this move/merge has been hanging over North like the sword of damocles for quite some time now and the members have simply not responded. Its a sad day as I would love for all Melbourne based teams to stay put, but the inevitable will happen. They simply cannot put forth a compelling argument and business plan that points to growth, profitability and sustainability.

[Doctor Jolly]

This is the one thing people don't really understand. Sure, it is hard for 11 clubs to survive in melbourne. We all know that. But, going to the Gold Coast, when they are physically not ready for team or just a knee-jerk reaction to threats isn't the way to go.

We failed to learn the lessons from South and Fitzroy. Most of the kids around would not truly realise the level of total resentment for both moves and that so many South and Roy fans will go on forever refusing to accept the situation with their new clubs/locations. Do we really want to see another 100-200000 disenchanted fans out there? Of course we wouldn't.

What if Footscray had been merged in 1989? You would have effectively disenfranchised Western Melbourne. Yeah..real smart that one.

id be interested to know the total number of AFL fans in melbourne before the swans moved to now, to see if relocating 2 teams has had any effect on the AFL in melbourne.

Because having teams in Sydney and Brisbane has been absolutely fantastic for people in Sydney and brisbane.

Melbourne is not the centre of the universe

[drjimminez]

It is kind of a double edge sword. If you stay you might get a few extra members, if you go you will get AFL supported concessions a redeveloped facility and a market which has proven with the titans that people on the GC are ready for sporting teams (even the gc blaze basketball team have a lot of people at their games) ........

If North don't move i feel they will be pushed out by the Fonz and simply another license will be issued for the GC market....

Stay and die or move and live? If it was the tigers i would want them to move rather than vanish to the abyss...

[Hit And Rum]

The weakest of the pack are those with the unlisted team

I am a rabid Kangaroos supporter.

[RooBoy72]

Not any more flawed than how North are supposed to survive in Melbourne.

Everyone out there buy a membership, what that will work for one year tops after that you are still left with the same senario that we have now where the club is treading water and will eventually drown.

The current state of the club wont keep it afloat so the whole well we have 25k compared to xxx at the gold coast argument doesnt float. There is far more off field potential in the long term at the Gold Coast, there is an exclusive market to work with with far higher levels of potential off field income.

I have seen no compelling argument yet of how North will survive as a club in Melbourne, there are supporters claiming that North if they stay in Melbourne will thrive ??? HOW ???

Instead of trying to pick flaws with the gold coast maybe you should be worrying about your own current backyard because it is clear to most that the cupboard is bare in Victoria, the growth in Melbourne is divided 11 ways whereas the growth on the coast will have a far greater impact on the club. I really would be interested in someone explaining how North would be better off in Victoria in the long term rather than at the Gold Coast ???

If it was supposedly that cut and dried it would be obvious and the AFL wouldnt be interested. They have spent millions on the study and the rough facts seem to confirm that especially off the field there is far higher chance of higher financial success for North to leave Vic.


Surely this is a classic example of the dutiful swallowing whole of the AFL's propaganda on the subject.

Was there not a similar "merge or die" argument from the AFL dollar driven HQ around the time of the proposed Hawks Dees merger proposal? Are those two clubs now out of existence? Wasn't there resounding death knells around the Bullgogs for years - especially when the coach walked out, the players were forced to take a 20% pay cut and the club had no sponsors and a collapsing HQ? Are the Western Bulldogs dead and buried?

The millions the AFL have spent on feasibility studies show that there is potentially a profitable market there for the AFL to exploit - North Melbourne is simply seen as the easy was for them to have a crack at exploiting it. There has been no money spent on looking at what the club could do to secure a long term future in its current and historical home - Melbourne.

Let's look at a couple of examples of basket case clubs - those written off with similar disdain as shown by the above writer:
- Western Bulldogs: perceived to have turned around from rock bottom with strong clear leadership statements, new home ground development deal and government funding, and now not spoken about in relocation/merger/die tones, despite failing to record an operating profit for years, despite receiving the highest amount of AFL support of all clubs! Ah, the powers of spin...
- St Kilda: spiralling into debt laden death before Mr Lean and Mean Butterss wiped the debt and tapped into the bleeding hearts of their tortured fan base to pop the club's head above water. Perceived as safe now becasue of this and despite the lack of board stability, sponsors, sustainable income streams, modern home facilities. Perception rules...
- Rabbitohs: dead and buried several times and brought back to life by rich benefactors despite the flagrant opposition of the NRL powers; now reshaping itself as a modern business and looming as a template for future success for other sporting clubs in crowded markets - multiple, non-sporting income streams, genuine community involvement and strong commercial networks

Don't swallow the diatribe unquestioningly. Stop, look wider, consider longer. There is more to this that the AFL's key messages. They are not as smart as you give them credit for. The GC move is a hunch and their gamble will cost the competition a club rich in history and one which has made enormous contributions to the development of the AFL for more than 100 years. It will be the third club to have gone (Fitzroy, Sth Melbourne). For what? Profits? Is it worth it?

[RooBoy72]

go roos!

[RooBoy72]

The Chad shares the AFL's views on expansion into the northern states.

just supporting those that support and do the right thing by the game


These are the AFL's views on expansion to the northern states?

they're pig-headed and beligerent

it's why i want to see their fans lost to the game

[Roosurgence]

Bears gave Fitzroy:
1. Nickname - Lions
2. Jumper - It looks like a Fitzroy jumper (they would've made it their awaya strip had they stayed on their own)
3. Colours - Roys old colours before they were forced to wear that orange
4. Theme Song - Roys tune

Fitzroy lost:
1. Name - Brisbane
2. Location - Brisbane

What more could the Bears have given Fitzroy in the merger???
Clearly they weren't going to relocate to Mel or call themselves Fitzroy...

North Melbourne offered Fitzroy:
1. Nickname - Kangaroos
2. Jumper - Original North Melbourne jumper (Lion logo on the blue SHORTS)
3. Colours - Blue and White (No Maroon)
4. Theme Song - North tune
5. Name - North Melbourne - Fitzroy (Wonder what would've been on the scoreboard)
6. Location - Melbourne (Arden St)

What an offer... :(

What more could North have given Fitzroy in the merger???

Note that after the Bears looked like the preferred merger partner North made a concession to call the team North Fitzroy Kangaroos. But it was only when they realised they were missing the boat.

Don't delude yourselves you never offered Fitzroy a real merger.

So in essence Brisbane took all the crappy elements of their club and replaced them with Fitzroy's? If that is your element of merger then good on you. I'm sure many of the loyal Fitzroy fans who don't follow a club anymore saw it as a great merger.

Its just the Brisbane Bears with a better name, better song, better jumper.

[BC013]

Why the **** do Hawks fans have to troll every one of these threads. It's extremely frustrating.

Funny to see the Hawks fans talking up mergers / relocations.

Weren't happy for it to happen to your team but its good enough for others.:eek:

[The Teflon Dean]

The weakest of the pack are those with the unlisted team

Yes, I agree.:thumbsu:

It is the ultimate in cowardice.:thumbsd::o

[SonOfReep]

Relocate or fold, one of the two is inevitable.

If the Kangaroos choose to stay and fight it out, then good on them - the Gold Coast will receive a franchise untarnished by the past failures of the Roos administration and tight-fisted fans. We will see how long it is though that the Roos will last once the financial assistance is transferred to the Gold Coast team.

Methinks before long the decision not to relocate will be regretted when the Kangaroos inevitably fold.

I would be happy to be proved wrong but that's my opinion of how it looks at the moment.

Embrace the Gold Coast Roos fans and look forward to a future of success and prosperity.

(I am a West Coast supporter and love my "soulless drug-taking cheat franchise", just to save some of you the time)