We have to save North

[Terry Tan]

It's come time for us opposition supporters to help save North.

What makes living in Melbourne so great is that everybody barracks for a different club. That's what makes footy passionate in Melbourne. In other states where there are only 1 or 2 teams, there isn't the same magical feeling.

So we have to save North, one of our great clubs. We have to pitch in and help them. Geelong, Hawthorn, Melb, the Bulldogs, Richmond, even Collingwood and Carlton were broke some time or another and have survived to prosper.

Look at Fitzroy and Sth Melbourne. Their supporters barely get to see their interstate reincarnation play in Melbourne.

If we can't save North now, then it's only a matter of time before Melbourne, Bulldogs, Richmond are also gone and only a few teams will be left in Melbourne.

Rally the troops shinboners and we'll back you to the hilt.

[Papa G]

World's Most Liveable City, unless your a Kangaroo.

North are not a great club, don't kid yourself. It took them 50 years in a tinpot state based league to actually win a flag. I can understand why you hate the AFL because your club has proven it can not compete in a national league, but unfortunately for you the VFL is finished and a national league with more national representation is taking it's place. No matter how many times you say the word heartland and remember frondly standing in the shade of the Gasometer at Arden Street, the game has moved on and so will the Kangaroos.

[Captain Afterworld]

Relocation to the Gold Coast is the only way to save the Kangaroos.

[Kram81]

It took them 50 years in a tinpot state based league to actually win a flag. I can understand why you hate the AFL because your club has proven it can not compete in a national league, but unfortunately for you the VFL is finished and a national league with more national representation is taking it's place. No matter how many times you say the word heartland and remember frondly standing in the shade of the Gasometer at Arden Street, the game has moved on and so will the Kangaroos.


Exactly.

Time for a true AFL. At least Victoria was lucky for most of their teams get in the big league.

[Kram81]

What makes living in Melbourne so great is that everybody barracks for a different club. That's what makes footy passionate in Melbourne. In other states where there are only 1 or 2 teams, there isn't the same magical feeling.



Yeah, sure...

[Seanason]

the time has come for North Melbourne to go.

If they cant stand on their own 2 feet in Melbourne they should move. Goes for any club in the AFL.

When 70% of your revenue comes form the AFL, you know you have problems. Especially when you still cant post a profit with those numbers.

[Mickdog]

Relocation to the Gold Coast is the only way to save the Kangaroos.

Amen to that

[LoneStar]

World's Most Liveable City, unless your a Kangaroo.

North are not a great club, don't kid yourself. It took them 50 years in a tinpot state based league to actually win a flag. I can understand why you hate the AFL because your club has proven it can not compete in a national league, but unfortunately for you the VFL is finished and a national league with more national representation is taking it's place. No matter how many times you say the word heartland and remember frondly standing in the shade of the Gasometer at Arden Street, the game has moved on and so will the Kangaroos.Perhaps they're not a great club...but the pride they possess wouldn't have allowed them to display the pathetic, nauseating, half-arsed performance the Port Power gave us in the Grand Final.
Port disgraced the MCG and, as a supporter of the brand of rubbish which soiled the turf of football's most hallowed ground, you should be BANNED from Big Footy for criticizing a club which instills effort into every match they play and personifies the term "never give up!"
The Power should relocate in an effort to escape the shame and embarrassment that has enveloped the entire Port Power club since the evening of September 29th. Sack cloth and ashes could not begin to atone for the atrocities and sins comitted at the MCG that day. You should run away and hide in any city or town that is willing to accept you and your pathetic club0.
Does Papa G actually believe that a mere 33 days could erase the stain of the worst performance in the history of finals football from the public's memory? I was scarred for life simply by watching that sickening debacle and I will never forget the afternoon which redefined what a geniune lack of effort entails.
Go back into the darkness of your shame and the blackness of your dispair. Do not criticize another club when your own is such an embarassment!!!

[malreid]

Exactly.

Time for a true AFL. At least Victoria was lucky for most of their teams get in the big league.

I don't think most of the interstate supporters understand the VFL / AFL situation.
We had 2 state leagues in Victoria one was the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the other was the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

Now the West Coast Eagles & Brisbane Bears joined our VFL league in about 1987 and other interstate sides wanted in also, not to mention Sth Melbourne (Sydney Swans) relocating to Sydney in 1980ish, this all led the VFL to becoming a national competition and changed its name to the AFL in 1990 then adelaide was admitted into this league in 1991 and the other teams followed.

Now the VFA continued on as is for a few years with the AFL Victorian teams fielding their reserves or aligning with a VFA team in this competition and was then later renamed the VFL, so Victorian teams did not join the AFL as it was already their league and that is why all the stats count in the AFL.

This AFL league was not started for a National competition as it already existed as the VFL and was merely re-badged the AFL

[Papa G]

Perhaps they're not a great club...but the pride they possess wouldn't have allowed them to display the pathetic, nauseating, half-arsed performance the Port Power gave us in the Grand Final.
Port disgraced the MCG and, as a supporter of the brand of rubbish which soiled the turf of football's most hallowed ground, you should be BANNED from Big Footy for criticizing a club which instills effort into every match they play and personifies the term "never give up!"
The Power should relocate in an effort to escape the shame and embarrassment that has enveloped the entire Port Power club since the evening of September 29th. Sack cloth and ashes could not begin to atone for the atrocities and sins comitted at the MCG that day. You should run away and hide in any city or town that is willing to accept you and your pathetic club0.
Does Papa G actually believe that a mere 33 days could erase the stain of the worst performance in the history of finals football from the public's memory? I was scarred for life simply by watching that sickening debacle and I will never forget the afternoon which redefined what a geniune lack of effort entails.
Go back into the darkness of your shame and the blackness of your dispair. Do not criticize another club when your own is such an embarassment!!!

I'll admit it was an embarrassing effort darling, but any less embarrasing than North losing by 15 goals to us the week before? Or any less embarrassing than you club getting beaten by a club that went on to lose to us by 15 goals? Stick to the subject Sweetheart. North are goners and all this bleeding heart crap about them being a great club and a great loss to the great Victorian game is utter garbage. In 5 years time no one will care.

[Papa G]

I don't think most of the interstate supporters understand the VFL / AFL situation.
We had 2 state leagues in Victoria one was the Victorian Football League (VFL) and the other was the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

Now the West Coast Eagles & Brisbane Bears joined our VFL league in about 1987 and other interstate sides wanted in also, not to mention Sth Melbourne (Sydney Swans) relocating to Sydney in 1980ish, this all led the VFL to becoming a national competition and changed its name to the AFL in 1990 then adelaide was admitted into this league in 1991 and the other teams followed.

Now the VFA continued on as is for a few years with the AFL Victorian teams fielding their reserves or aligning with a VFA team in this competition and was then later renamed the VFL, so Victorian teams did not join the AFL as it was already their league and that is why all the stats count in the AFL.

This AFL league was not started for a National competition as it already existed as the VFL and was merely re-badged the AFL

Yes yes we do know this. But as the AFL the league has moved about 26 notches higher than it once was as a tinpot state league. Some clubs have not been able to cope and are falling by the wayside. That is the way the league is evolving and that is the way the A(V)FL want it to happen.

[moomba]

In 5 years time no one will care.

You are very wrong. Ask some old royboys if they still care about Fitzroy. From my perspective Fitzroys demise was still the worst thing that has happened in my time in footy.

I've got no problem if you want us to move, I expect a lot of South Australians in particular to want another Victorian scalp to make up for the demise of the SANFL. But you don't make yourself look too clever when you come out with statements like that.

[rangermcdee]

I'll admit it was an embarrassing effort darling, but any less embarrasing than North losing by 15 goals to us the week before? Or any less embarrassing than you club getting beaten by a club that went on to lose to us by 15 goals? Stick to the subject Sweetheart. North are goners and all this bleeding heart crap about them being a great club and a great loss to the great Victorian game is utter garbage. In 5 years time no one will care.

Ask an old 'roys supporter if they still care what happened to their club. Or how about you find an older Sydney fan based in Melbourne who still wears the old South jumper if they care what happened.

I support neither club, but I care that things went so badly for both these clubs, and although North are not my favourite team in the league I hope the cards fall right for them and they stay in Melbourne.... where they were born, where they belong. If Hawthorn have to play the Gold Coast it won't have that same feel as it does when we play North.

Don't think this only affects North supporters, it affects every victorian who follows a victorian club..... more those that have a rivalry (no matter how small or big) with this amazingly proud club.

Just feel lucky we let your team join the big boys, becuase if it were not for the AFL you would still be languishing in the SANFL riding off the idea that the Thomas Seymore trophy actualy means something in places other than Adeladie.

[malreid]

Yes yes we do know this. But as the AFL the league has moved about 26 notches higher than it once was as a tinpot state league. Some clubs have not been able to cope and are falling by the wayside. That is the way the league is evolving and that is the way the A(V)FL want it to happen.

I agree with everything except the tinpot part as the VFL was clearly the standout state league in the country.

The main reason for my post was due to the following


Exactly.

Time for a true AFL. At least Victoria was lucky for most of their teams get in the big league.

[Papa G]

You are very wrong. Ask some old royboys if they still care about Fitzroy. From my perspective Fitzroys demise was still the worst thing that has happened in my time in footy.

I've got no problem if you want us to move, I expect a lot of South Australians in particular to want another Victorian scalp to make up for the demise of the SANFL. But you don't make yourself look too clever when you come out with statements like that.

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

[kelman]

I'll admit it was an embarrassing effort darling, but any less embarrasing than North losing by 15 goals to us the week before? Or any less embarrassing than you club getting beaten by a club that went on to lose to us by 15 goals? .

yes it was much more embarrassing bc you lost by 20 goals on grand final day. much more embarassing and in 5, 10, 15, 20 30, 50 years time we will always remember it as the biggest grand final margin ever. at least you have made a mark on histroy that can never be erased. if only north could be so lucky to have this stigma, then we wouldnt be forgotten in 5 years:rolleyes:

we exist to win flags (or lose them by a margin that will never, ever, evr be beaten).

believe me, it was more embarrassing.

[moomba]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

A debate for another time maybe.

[Subprime]

A debate for another time maybe.

I don't think so.

I once followed Glenelg as passionately as I follow Collingwood but realistically Glenelg would never have had the financial wherewithal or supporter base to make a go of it in the AFL.

Twenty years of expanded VFL and AFL competition have shown that North Melbourne don't have the support or money to retain there place as a Melbourne-based franchise in the national competition.

It's high time they decide whether to accept relegation (like Glenelg did) and join the VFL or re-locate to a market where they can grow and take advantage of the financial, marketing and other incentives on offer.

[peppy la pew]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.


Absolute 1st class post, :thumbsu::thumbsu: to you sir.

[Seanason]

Exactly, the AFL has said that Teams need a base of 500,000 supporters to succeed.

10 Victorian clubs x 500,000 != Population of Melbourne/Geelong.

What doesnt help is that the clubs are mostly inner melbourne, unlike our SANFL. Granted cities are different sizes, but its still the same principal.

The VFL pounced on the opportunity to Expand, but by expanding it has meant that not all of the teams that were around before South Moved were goign to survive.

The Clubs should have thought about that, knowing that some of thm had to go. South moved (not relevant), Fitzroy Merged (unable to continue), and North will do the same.

Hawthorn will have to play out of Tasmania soon enough. Whether this is a total move or still have Melbourne Home games is yet to be seen.

[Seanason]

Its times like these we are dissapoitned that we didnt get Head Honchos together in the 1980s and admit the big clubs from Each State League.

Port, Norwood & Sturt from SA, Bombers, Collingwood, Carlton + another one or two, Freo & Claremont and another one or 2 from there.

Then Say to Other clubs we have no More room in Melbourne, if you wish to play in the big league, you need to relocate.

Still quite Feasible today, just withoiut using Norwood and Claremont.

[Sandgroper35]

A better idea. **** the WA and SA sides, move South Melbourne and Fitzroy back to Victoria and restore the old VFL. The only reason clubs in Victoria can't make money is because their exposure is limited so that the AFL can promote their "Crows", "Eagles", "Dockers", "Power", "Gold Coast Kangaroos" and other bullshit franchises.

[lazy]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

Ahhh... The good ole Red Legs... How I wish the AFL would grant them a license..:thumbsu:

[GALON]

Hawthorn will have to play out of Tasmania soon enough. Whether this is a total move or still have Melbourne Home games is yet to be seen.
I don't see why.
Financially stable. Improving onfield.
We'll become the Eastern Hawks before we become the Tasmanian Hawks.

[ArachniX]

For everyone on here on the board from SA or WA or Victoria, we should all be angry about this. This so called national league was designed for our benefit, it is our game, we provided all the money for it. The thousands of fans in the southern states have let their league pump all their money into the northern states to keep a failed dream alive that was meant to benefit us? These clubs are unfinancial and much less supported than our clubs anyway. How is supporting unfinancial clubs up north at the cost of the melbourne clubs where most fans live, good for the game? the afl have said they will pay off Norths debt and give them an extra 3 million. why dont they do that anyway? why set up a club up north where it will lose more money than the roos ever did where it will cost more to keep alive than the roos do and will have less fans than the roos do? Why people? Its our game. This so called important national competition killed the SANFL, the WAFL, the VFA and now its killing the Melbourne clubs that were there at the beginning? And the tell us is that its a good thing for the game and even people in the southern states are starting to believe it also supporting a national competition. Stand up and fight everyone. This is important for the health of the game.

[blues4flag]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

:thumbsu: :thumbsu:

[TheGeneral]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.
Is the VFL to blame for the merger between Woodville and West Torrens?

Nearly all of those SANFL and WAFL clubs are still playing in the same competition and have maintained their identity. Fitzroy was also forced to merge with Brisbane and have left the state of Victoria in spite of the merger they sought with North Melbourne. Your clubs are still based in SA, South Melbourne has been moved to Sydney and Fitzroy sent to Queensland. Like it or not, the VFL has been the elite competition and it was only natural for the best players from WA and SA to move to Victoria.

IIRC, Port tried to force their way into this competition and that brought about the creation of the Adelaide Crows who represent more clubs than Port Adelaide Magpies. You can't accuse the VFL clubs of raping and pillaging when the Power thought they deserved to be part of the AFL and took Fitzroy's spot.

Fitzroy's eight premierships deserve more respect than 33 SANFL flags.

I'd rather my club disappear than merge to lose their identity and move to another state.

I hope the Roos stay in Melbourne because they're run stubborn idiots for naive supporters and go out of business. They shouldn't merge because the AFL offers them a stack of draft concessions and funding to get them to move. It would be great to see the AFL end up losers after the hypocrites(and Melbourne clubs) knocked the merger with Fitzroy on the head because they wanted the Lions in Brisbane. :thumbsd:

Demetriou presiding over the demise of a club deserves a spot on his CV and that will never be erased.

[relapse]

Perhaps they're not a great club...but the pride they possess wouldn't have allowed them to display the pathetic, nauseating, half-arsed performance the Port Power gave us in the Grand Final.
Port disgraced the MCG and, as a supporter of the brand of rubbish which soiled the turf of football's most hallowed ground, you should be BANNED from Big Footy for criticizing a club which instills effort into every match they play and personifies the term "never give up!"


What a stupid statment

Have you forgotten that the Kangas got smashed by 106 points against Geelong in their first final and then an 85 point smashing against Port.

There was no heart in either of those performances. So I cant for the life of me work out how you can make a statement like that when you take into consideration North's performances in those finals especially the one against Geelong.

[Seanason]

A better idea. **** the WA and SA sides, move South Melbourne and Fitzroy back to Victoria and restore the old VFL. The only reason clubs in Victoria can't make money is because their exposure is limited so that the AFL can promote their "Crows", "Eagles", "Dockers", "Power", "Gold Coast Kangaroos" and other bullshit franchises.interesting proposition.

You go do that and have Fun. Our new league can admit 3-4 Victorian teams of our choice. And well see which league becomes the second tier competition.

And General - id hardly call Woodville and West Torrens great clubs. A pecker fan myself and i will admit they are no norwood or *shudder* port Adelaide.

Fitzroys 8 premierships command more respect than 33 SANFL flags? Get your hand off it. And im not a port Fan.

ArachniX, i find what you wrote a little saddening. The VFL should have moved west before it went north, but thats a different story. I think there is potential for AFL across the country, just in smaller percentages.

[mark73]

It's come time for us opposition supporters to help save North

I don't mean to be a smartarse having read your entire post, but teams like Fitzroy were basket cases in every facet, Melbourne and the Dogs this year weren't far behind them. We finished 3rd this year. So it's not like we're talking about a complete crapfest. If you're fairdinkum, I love you for it. But the fact is what we need is lazy people to get off their arse and buy memberships, thats all.

[ArachniX]

interesting proposition.
ArachniX, i find what you wrote a little saddening. The VFL should have moved west before it went north, but thats a different story. I think there is potential for AFL across the country, just in smaller percentages.

I find it saddening too but I am not against expansion. I believe the AFL should promote the game up north and through Sydney but I don't believe that killing clubs where the game is the strongest to build clubs up north is the answer. Money should be pumped into local leagues in these areas, so the players and supporters have the best possible facilities available. Grow the game at the grass roots, not auskick. Compete with the other codes where it really matters. Let them build their own codes, their own rivalries, their own history and give them a lot of money to do it. The culture is different. We force our southern state culture on them and expect them to lap it up. Once you have the network of support in place then you can build an AFL team on top of it. As for playing up there, I am all for it. North playing there is a great idea but also teams like Collingwood, Essendon and West Coast should be sent there to promote the game. They will draw more in those states and generate interest. Pre season for instance, a QLD state team could play against one of these strong sides. Not necessarily with all star players but at least that would generate some genuine us against them as well. There are so many other options.

[Obi-Haive]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

Sticky this post! NOW!

Don't care if you can't, just do it!

Excellent work :thumbsu::thumbsu:

[Qsaint]

I find it saddening too but I am not against expansion. I believe the AFL should promote the game up north and through Sydney but I don't believe that killing clubs where the game is the strongest to build clubs up north is the answer. Money should be pumped into local leagues in these areas, so the players and supporters have the best possible facilities available. Grow the game at the grass roots, not auskick. Compete with the other codes where it really matters. Let them build their own codes, their own rivalries, their own history and give them a lot of money to do it. The culture is different. We force our southern state culture on them and expect them to lap it up. Once you have the network of support in place then you can build an AFL team on top of it. As for playing up there, I am all for it. North playing there is a great idea but also teams like Collingwood, Essendon and West Coast should be sent there to promote the game. They will draw more in those states and generate interest. Pre season for instance, a QLD state team could play against one of these strong sides. Not necessarily with all star players but at least that would generate some genuine us against them as well. There are so many other options.

Thats Rubbish

I grew up in Canberra before the Raiders came AFL was far bigger than either union or league. It had the largest facilities and beat the Vics in an interstate game with a few VFL players playing for it.

This all changed as soon as the Raiders turned up everyone went over to League because we had a team in the Big League, didn't even matter for the first couple of years they got belted

Without a team building the game at the local level means didly squat, Sydney has a very old comp and in the past very competitive one of my relatives played for North Sydney between the wars, because they were going to pay him double what Richmond had offered.


The fact is North add nothing more to the Comp in Melbourne in terms of growth or $. GC offers additional $ for FTA and Pay Tv rights

[Seanason]

im with Qsaint, for the ame to have a big impact there needs ot be a team everyone can follow and get behind.

The recent success of the 2 Northern Teams have got support behind these clubs.

Sydney and West Sydney are like Melbourne and Geelong - there is room for a second team, and if you give it enough in the grass roots, there will be many followers.

Same with Canberra and the Gold Coast. An untapped market like Tasmania and Darwin would get behind the team, just like Qsaint's canberra example. Expansion should be done now before the likes of NRL and A-league get their hold on it.

[Chase the Ace]

It's come time for us opposition supporters to help save North.

What makes living in Melbourne so great is that everybody barracks for a different club. That's what makes footy passionate in Melbourne. In other states where there are only 1 or 2 teams, there isn't the same magical feeling.

So we have to save North, one of our great clubs. We have to pitch in and help them. Geelong, Hawthorn, Melb, the Bulldogs, Richmond, even Collingwood and Carlton were broke some time or another and have survived to prosper.

Look at Fitzroy and Sth Melbourne. Their supporters barely get to see their interstate reincarnation play in Melbourne.

If we can't save North now, then it's only a matter of time before Melbourne, Bulldogs, Richmond are also gone and only a few teams will be left in Melbourne.

Rally the troops shinboners and we'll back you to the hilt.

I'm guessing there would be easily 100,000 people in Melbourne alone who say they support North.
Get them to buy a membership, and hey presto, there is no problem

[Mingo]

Exactly.

Time for a true AFL. At least Victoria was lucky for most of their teams get in the big league.

Yeah, sure...

World's Most Liveable City, unless your a Kangaroo.

North are not a great club, don't kid yourself. It took them 50 years in a tinpot state based league to actually win a flag. I can understand why you hate the AFL because your club has proven it can not compete in a national league, but unfortunately for you the VFL is finished and a national league with more national representation is taking it's place. No matter how many times you say the word heartland and remember frondly standing in the shade of the Gasometer at Arden Street, the game has moved on and so will the Kangaroos.

the time has come for North Melbourne to go.

If they cant stand on their own 2 feet in Melbourne they should move. Goes for any club in the AFL.

When 70% of your revenue comes form the AFL, you know you have problems. Especially when you still cant post a profit with those numbers.

Amen to thatWhy does it not suprise me the first few pro-Gold Coast comments were from interstaters. Too young and ignorant to understand what a real history is.

[ArachniX]

Thats Rubbish

Without a team building the game at the local level means didly squat, Sydney has a very old comp and in the past very competitive one of my relatives played for North Sydney between the wars, because they were going to pay him double what Richmond had offered.

So by that level of thought then Melbourne Rugby League has serious growth because of Melbourne Storm? I think you will find that most Melbourne supporters will not follow Rugby League no matter what. Some might watch it but when it comes to actually getting out and playing it is of no interest to Melbourne people whatsoever. Ask the NRL, they are happy with Melbourne, think its going great but in reality it gets supporters but it is not really a part of the culture here.
As for Canberra, I imagine being the first team of a big competition will win a city over as it did. Had the AFL had gone there it would have won. Thats a different story. It did have Rugby League support there anyway and the infrastructure so it already had the network as I mentioned. Plus the Canberra Raiders as far as I know can survive by themselves. Have no special draft choices or increased funding becuase they are from Canberra, comparable to what Sydney and Brisbane and the Gold Coast will get.
This is a quote just now from the chairman of the Sydney Swans

"I think the best test for me was when the Swans played Collingwood, I think in the first final, and we went head-to-head (on television) with rugby league and we just got smashed."

Thats 2 years after a premiership and being the sole team in a city of 5 million.
How much money has been pumped in there? 25million, 50million? Are you telling me that the leagues below would not have been better off with that money?

Call it rubbish, but the environment has changed since the the days when the Raiders came to Canberra. This is a war between 4 codes. There is a lot of money involved but no matter how much money you have, just like in Sydney, you can't buy people to watch your code of football. In the end its the fans that will decide. So don't frustrate the ones that have been there for over 100 years.

[EddieBettsIsAChamp]

It's inevitable. It was going to happen sooner or later.

[Subprime]

So by that level of thought then Melbourne Rugby League has serious growth because of Melbourne Storm? I think you will find that most Melbourne supporters will not follow Rugby League no matter what. Some might watch it but when it comes to actually getting out and playing it is of no interest to Melbourne people whatsoever. Ask the NRL, they are happy with Melbourne, think its going great but in reality it gets supporters but it is not really a part of the culture here.
As for Canberra, I imagine being the first team of a big competition will win a city over as it did. Had the AFL had gone there it would have won. Thats a different story. It did have Rugby League support there anyway and the infrastructure so it already had the network as I mentioned. Plus the Canberra Raiders as far as I know can survive by themselves. Have no special draft choices or increased funding becuase they are from Canberra, comparable to what Sydney and Brisbane and the Gold Coast will get.
This is a quote just now from the chairman of the Sydney Swans

"I think the best test for me was when the Swans played Collingwood, I think in the first final, and we went head-to-head (on television) with rugby league and we just got smashed."

Thats 2 years after a premiership and being the sole team in a city of 5 million.
How much money has been pumped in there? 25million, 50million? Are you telling me that the leagues below would not have been better off with that money?

Call it rubbish, but the environment has changed since the the days when the Raiders came to Canberra. This is a war between 4 codes. There is a lot of money involved but no matter how much money you have, just like in Sydney, you can't buy people to watch your code of football. In the end its the fans that will decide. So don't frustrate the ones that have been there for over 100 years.

With respect, the Sydney Swans chairman is never going declare "victory" over Rugby League. However I bet there are a few RL administrators who would have liked three 60,000 plus crowds at the Olympic stadium in 2007.

[CatmanForever]

I am all for saving NM if they can prove that they can be financially viable over the next 10 years. My biggest concern for them is that if they don't move then the AFL will remove the $1.4m per year given to prop them up and within a few years they will be totally bankrupt and forcibly merged or even worse just dropped all together and die as a club.

The continued growth of the AFL in Victoria is proving that there just doesn't seem to be enough supporters.members and sponsors around to really give 10 teams a fighting chance. Bad luck for NM that they are the worse off team at present and that is why they are being pressured to relocate.

The other thing that seems to be a hurdle to NM's success are these shareholders. Done if I understand correctly to raise money in the past when the club was facing receivership at another time (correct me if I am wrong there). But the move seems to give them the opportunity to buy out these shareholders and return their club to one which is run by its members.

If NM can prove they are worth saving then I will support them, but at present I think that relocation is best for them. But I feel for the Roos supporters out there.

[ArachniX]

With respect, the Sydney Swans chairman is never going declare "victory" over Rugby League. However I bet there are a few RL administrators who would have liked three 60,000 plus crowds at the Olympic stadium in 2007.

Im sure there would be. That still doesn't make Sydney a fully financial viable entity though. It is still provided a lifeline from the AFL and the southern states. If left to go it alone against any of the big clubs down south without handouts it would be dead within a few years.
Bums on seats still only mean money for the people at the top. I mean in Melbourn there has been 87k+ at the G to watch Rugby League state of origin, the record crowd at the dome is not an AFL match but in fact a Rugby Union match. Bledisloe usually get 60k+ here. Its still not a Rugby City.
Lets also not forget that if fans in Melbourne accept the death of its weaker sides then it'll just make the stronger sides stronger. Then what? We will be back to where we started. Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast will not be able to compete against a Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Crows or Eagles. And when it comes down to money these clubs will realise that the northern clubs are just a drain, exactly like the weak Melbourne clubs are now. Eddie McGuire is already not happy with the Brisbane Lions and Sydney situation.

[Papa G]

Im sure there would be. That still doesn't make Sydney a fully financial viable entity though. It is still provided a lifeline from the AFL and the southern states. If left to go it alone against any of the big clubs down south without handouts it would be dead within a few years.
Bums on seats still only mean money for the people at the top. I mean in Melbourn there has been 87k+ at the G to watch Rugby League state of origin, the record crowd at the dome is not an AFL match but in fact a Rugby Union match. Bledisloe usually get 60k+ here. Its still not a Rugby City.
Lets also not forget that if fans in Melbourne accept the death of its weaker sides then it'll just make the stronger sides stronger. Then what? We will be back to where we started. Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast will not be able to compete against a Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Crows or Eagles. And when it comes down to money these clubs will realise that the northern clubs are just a drain, exactly like the weak Melbourne clubs are now. Eddie McGuire is already not happy with the Brisbane Lions and Sydney situation.

Eddie Maguire can go **** himself.

[ArachniX]

Eddie Maguire can go **** himself.

No argument there.

[Freo Big Fella]

It's come time for us opposition supporters to help save North.

What makes living in Melbourne so great is that everybody barracks for a different club. That's what makes footy passionate in Melbourne. In other states where there are only 1 or 2 teams, there isn't the same magical feeling.



You aren't exactly building a positive response to your idea when you come out with utterly moronic statements like that.

[The Chad]

What a stupid statment

Have you forgotten that the Kangas got smashed by 106 points against Geelong in their first final and then an 85 point smashing against Port.

There was no heart in either of those performances. So I cant for the life of me work out how you can make a statement like that when you take into consideration North's performances in those finals especially the one against Geelong.
haven't you read bigfooty since september? kangaroos' football club's win over hawthorn in the semi-final cancelled out both.
if was effectively a premiership for kangaroos football club, its why their fans are so worked up - they've just won the "flag" and still they can't avoid relocation talk!

[TigerGlory]

Terry Tan is 100% correct. We have to save the Roos. Simple.

You interstate fans having a dig can bugger off. This is our competition, and we were fine without you. You begged the VFL to accept you, and we did. But you now have the guts to come on here and promote the boot of one of the oldest and traditional clubs in our competition.

It will be a sad, sad day if the Roos are forced out. They are doing a fantastic job by holding out and refusing to budge. Demetriou can stick his Gold Coast plan up his clacker. If he wants a side, promote one, or make a new one. But stop forcing traditional Victorian Clubs to move interestate. Especially one so rich in culture as the Roos.

To all the Roos supporters, support your bloody club, or you will see the end of it. Ten years from now, you will regret that you did not do everything to help your struggling club.

[SweetLeftFoot]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

Lolz, I seem to remember Port falling all over themselves to shaft the the rest of the SANFL clubs and get into the big game in the early 90s.

Hypocrite.

[Terry Tan]

You are probably right about this statement. It's not that it is North Melbourne in particular, it's about the fact I have absolutely no sympathy for the bleeding hearts. I appreciate that North fans would do their utmost to fight the fight but it especially riles me when opposition supporters come out and say don't let the Roos die because it will ruin the fabric of our traditional Victorian football. Excuse me? I didn't see any tears when you raped, pillaged and plundered the SANFL and WAFL and when you as the self appointed guardians of the game forced everyones hand into joining your league or continue to be rogered. I didn't see you crying when great clubs like Norwood, Sturt, East Freo or Claremont were demoted virtually overnight to 2nd tier feeder clubs. People in WA and SA all took their medicine in the name of progress, so do not expect me to feel one ounce of sympathy for your plight. The fact that were a VFL club shouldn't make one iota of difference.

No-one forced the SANFL & WAFL players to come to the VFL, they came for the prestige, the money and to play in the best comp. They wanted to see how good they really were. It's the reason those interstate players like Kernahan, Blight, Cable, Krakauers, Wiley, Bradley, Farmer, etc are household names/famous.

Victoria is the superior state when it comes to football and always has been. That's why we should protect and keep all our clubs alive.

[FOOOOTY]

interesting proposition.

You go do that and have Fun. Our new league can admit 3-4 Victorian teams of our choice. And well see which league becomes the second tier competition.

And General - id hardly call Woodville and West Torrens great clubs. A pecker fan myself and i will admit they are no norwood or *shudder* port Adelaide.

Fitzroys 8 premierships command more respect than 33 SANFL flags? Get your hand off it. And im not a port Fan.

ArachniX, i find what you wrote a little saddening. The VFL should have moved west before it went north, but thats a different story. I think there is potential for AFL across the country, just in smaller percentages.

Of course they command more respect it was a higher grade competition.
Just like 33 SANFL flags means more then 57 little league flags.

[tigers71]

A better idea. **** the WA and SA sides, move South Melbourne and Fitzroy back to Victoria and restore the old VFL. The only reason clubs in Victoria can't make money is because their exposure is limited so that the AFL can promote their "Crows", "Eagles", "Dockers", "Power", "Gold Coast Kangaroos" and other bullshit franchises.


The VFL was bankrupted in 1986 and to do that is immature and crazy. There would be no AFL than if it was for the move national.

[Kram81]

The VFL was bankrupted in 1986 and to do that is immature and crazy. There would be no AFL than if it was for the move national.


Beat me to it. In '86' the majority of VFL teams were in financial trouble.