100 Year Limp Celebrations

[Midas]

What an anti climax last night was.

1. Thursday night, against a low drawing club, not even school holidays.

2. Limited function for 500 people and “micro” celebrations in separate rooms.

3. Back to Thursday night, no chance to prepare or relax to get there early … school, work etc. Does not create any atmosphere as most people are rushed or couldn’t be arsed.

4. Meant there was no opportunity for decent pre game function either … a breakfast etc.

5. No separate large function to celebrate 100 years, 100 years FFS, just parading a few people around.

6. Sound system at the ground for North games means you couldn’t hear half of what was being said anyway.

7. Promotion sorely lacking, had ample opportunity to lock this in well before the floating draw so it could be circled on the calendar.

8. Having all of these North greats in town, what an opportunity playing a Saturday night to have them at training Thursday, at the Captains run, and really having them engage with the group. Instead rush job, in and out and players with days off now because of the AFLPA.

9. All so it could be on free to air and we could embarrassingly have 25k show up and deliver no atmosphere.

I actually feel deflated after attending last night, they’ve botched this monumentally and it can’t be undone.

How many of us would have gone to a sit down Palladium function to celebrate 100 years of this footy club.

You’d have packed the joint out, a Sat arvo game with the function afterwards.

Stories shared. History passed down. Relationships built.

Instead a facade of connection. We are losing the heartbeat of this club.

Look at the power of the WA trip and the involvement of the past players over the course of a week.

It means everything and with our fractured past after the Carey debacle we need it more than any club.

 

[roo blitz]

What an anti climax last night was.

1. Thursday night, against a low drawing club, not even school holidays.

2. Limited function for 500 people and “micro” celebrations in separate rooms.

3. Back to Thursday night, no chance to prepare or relax to get there early … school, work etc. Does not create any atmosphere as most people are rushed or couldn’t be arsed.

4. Meant there was no opportunity for decent pre game function either … a breakfast etc.

5. No separate large function to celebrate 100 years, 100 years FFS, just parading a few people around.

6. Sound system at the ground for North games means you couldn’t hear half of what was being said anyway.

7. Promotion sorely lacking, had ample opportunity to lock this in well before the floating draw so it could be circled on the calendar.

8. Having all of these North greats in town, what an opportunity playing a Saturday night to have them at training Thursday, at the Captains run, and really having them engage with the group. Instead rush job, in and out and players with days off now because of the AFLPA.

9. All do it could be on free to air and we could embarrassingly have 25k show up and deliver no atmosphere.

I’m actually feel deflated after attending last night, they’ve bitched this monumentally.

I tend to agree. Why do it against the Dogs on a Thursday night. Should have been organised better.

 

[Roos29]

The fact is the club chose a prime time TV event over having a crowd. 25k actually surprised me thought there would be alot less.

 

[Midas]

The fact is the club chose a prime time TV event over having a crowd. 25k actually surprised me thought there would be alot less.

And how does that benefit us?

Seriously are the ratings that good on Thursday night that the extra eyeballs on the game trump connection and celebration that would be talked about for days and lead to more wins.

It’s horrendous.

 

[Gasometer]

I think everyone knows my stand

A big call out to SpiderBurton22 who did the big Bool drive to get home at 2:55am

FOMO anxiety was the biggest issue this past week.

Glad it’s over tbh

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Atmosphere at the ground was great fwiw. 95% north crowd. Thursday night sucks & can't blame dogs supporters for not showing (I wouldn't go to an away game on a Thursday) but most nmfc members showed up IMO. Cheer squad was surprisingly the least populated, with all the wings full. Not a great look.

 

[Frank Thring]

I liked it. Got emotional seeing the Karakoeur bros.

 

[Possession]

I don't think that the Thursday night game was the right move at all and hate that they moved it there with no notice, but I had a good time at the game and loved seeing all the greats. Atmosphere was good, would have been even better on a Saturday or - God forbid - Friday night.

 

[Only Forwards]

Just on the crowd size we got 5k more than St Kilda got for the exact same fixture.

Our rusted on showed up.

There was little more that Fans could have done.

Yes a different night would have been better but North fans fronted up.

 

[Danni_Benson]

What an anti climax last night was.

1. Thursday night, against a low drawing club, not even school holidays.

2. Limited function for 500 people and “micro” celebrations in separate rooms.

3. Back to Thursday night, no chance to prepare or relax to get there early … school, work etc. Does not create any atmosphere as most people are rushed or couldn’t be arsed.

4. Meant there was no opportunity for decent pre game function either … a breakfast etc.

5. No separate large function to celebrate 100 years, 100 years FFS, just parading a few people around.

6. Sound system at the ground for North games means you couldn’t hear half of what was being said anyway.

7. Promotion sorely lacking, had ample opportunity to lock this in well before the floating draw so it could be circled on the calendar.

8. Having all of these North greats in town, what an opportunity playing a Saturday night to have them at training Thursday, at the Captains run, and really having them engage with the group. Instead rush job, in and out and players with days off now because of the AFLPA.

9. All so it could be on free to air and we could embarrassingly have 25k show up and deliver no atmosphere.

I actually feel deflated after attending last night, they’ve botched this monumentally and it can’t be undone.

How many of us would have gone to a sit down Palladium function to celebrate 100 years of this footy club.

You’d have packed the joint out, a Sat arvo game with the function afterwards.

Stories shared. History passed down. Relationships built.

Instead a facade of connection. We are losing the heartbeat of this club.

Look at the power of the WA trip and the involvement of the past players over the course of a week.

It means everything and with our fractured past after the Carey debacle we need it more than any club.

Spot on. For the life of me, I’ll never understand why they chose a Thursday night. A baffling decision and a completely wasted opportunity. Wasted!!

And to Sonja, who said on a podcast during the week (words to the effect) that we’ll never be Collingwood or Carlton blah blah blah — but we’re proud to be North Melbourne and want to do being North Melbourne really well — well, this wasn’t it!!

 

[Hearts to hearts]

What an anti climax last night was.

1. Thursday night, against a low drawing club, not even school holidays.

2. Limited function for 500 people and “micro” celebrations in separate rooms.

3. Back to Thursday night, no chance to prepare or relax to get there early … school, work etc. Does not create any atmosphere as most people are rushed or couldn’t be arsed.

4. Meant there was no opportunity for decent pre game function either … a breakfast etc.

5. No separate large function to celebrate 100 years, 100 years FFS, just parading a few people around.

6. Sound system at the ground for North games means you couldn’t hear half of what was being said anyway.

7. Promotion sorely lacking, had ample opportunity to lock this in well before the floating draw so it could be circled on the calendar.

8. Having all of these North greats in town, what an opportunity playing a Saturday night to have them at training Thursday, at the Captains run, and really having them engage with the group. Instead rush job, in and out and players with days off now because of the AFLPA.

9. All so it could be on free to air and we could embarrassingly have 25k show up and deliver no atmosphere.

I actually feel deflated after attending last night, they’ve botched this monumentally and it can’t be undone.

How many of us would have gone to a sit down Palladium function to celebrate 100 years of this footy club.

You’d have packed the joint out, a Sat arvo game with the function afterwards.

Stories shared. History passed down. Relationships built.

Instead a facade of connection. We are losing the heartbeat of this club.

Look at the power of the WA trip and the involvement of the past players over the course of a week.

It means everything and with our fractured past after the Carey debacle we need it more than any club.

100 years in the VFL/AFL. Meh. The club’s 150th was the missed opportunity.

I was at the Dogs 100 night earlier this year. It was also very underwhelming to attend - this stuff doesn’t go that well at the stadium so maybe playing to TV cameras works better - but North had more old players plus Pagan and Ansett representing the admin side. And comparing the two nights overall it was better to be in a smaller very pro-North crowd than a big opposition crowd. Dogs made money, lost the game, and there was no home game atmosphere at all, before or during the game.

 

[Harris 10]

Thursday night footy is for is the tip.

 

[Chadwiko]

I think the celebration COULD have been good, with a better crowd and a better lead-up to the game.

The club seems to have put ALL their eggs in the event at the game. That was a mistake.

There should have been a marquee dinner/gala type event first. Let the supporters come as well, sell tickets, make some money for the club.

Then you have a bunch of the past club greats come out to training, interact with the players. Film it. Advertise it.

You also don't do it on a Thursday night. That was dumb. Families can't come. Kids can't come. The crowd was piss-poor. (I understand a few people don't like whinging about the crowd, but it matters. That was unequivocally a poor crowd).

The on-field stuff before the game was good. I have no complaints about that. But that shouldn't have been the only part of the festivities.

 

[Only Forwards]

The crowd was piss-poor. (I understand a few people don't like whinging about the crowd, but it matters. That was unequivocally a poor crowd).

No it was about should be expected between two smaller clubs on a Thursday night.

As I’ve already posted it was 5k more than St Kilda got for the exact same fixture.

So it was small but by and large our rusted on were there.

 

[Gasometer]

Rusted on



Turn it up; there’s rusted on that are outside 2 hours of Melbourne…in NZ…Hong Kong..our WA friends..Darwin..etc

The club made it impossible for the far and wide rusted on to get there

 

[BlueanWhiteKanga]

A few issues at play

Firstly, Thursday night not during school holidays. A Friday night game would have been much better, especially if you wanted the celebrations to be the stand alone game of the night.

Secondly - I know this isn't necessarily a planning issue as it would have been scheduled well in advice but our limp performance against the Hawks would have put some fans off considering the Dogs are on a good run of form. I went in with the expectation that we'd get thumped. The injury toll also wouldn't have helped attendance.

Thirdly, what the heck was the 'be seated for 6.45', but the celebrations started after 7? Could have had more. Look, I enjoyed what was there but there could have been more done. I'm happy that Pagans speech was micc'ed up.

 

[Roosurgence]

All I can say is thank **** we don’t get many Thursday night games.

What a pig of a time slot.

Nightmare to get to the game with Melbournes ****ed up traffic. Then getting home and having to go to work the next day.

It’s a TV time slot, not a fan friendly time slot.

 

[Mr north man]

Spot on. For the life of me, I’ll never understand why they chose a Thursday night. A baffling decision and a completely wasted opportunity. Wasted!!

And to Sonja, who said on a podcast during the week (words to the effect) that we’ll never be Collingwood or Carlton blah blah blah — but we’re proud to be North Melbourne and want to do being North Melbourne really well — well, this wasn’t it!!

Yes you are right but who’s going to change things at North????? Not Ponting Not Brayshaw there in Camp Sonia.
This is the reason why our club is in this position and the only thing that has this club being still a club is the AWFL.
Plus speaking the an official last night it could get worse especially after the pay increase on all categories of the membership next year with 2 extra Vic games as this club will need the $$$ as there will be no Tasmanian $$$.

 

[gokangas]

I think the celebration COULD have been good, with a better crowd and a better lead-up to the game.

The club seems to have put ALL their eggs in the event at the game. That was a mistake.

There should have been a marquee dinner/gala type event first. Let the supporters come as well, sell tickets, make some money for the club.

Then you have a bunch of the past club greats come out to training, interact with the players. Film it. Advertise it.

You also don't do it on a Thursday night. That was dumb. Families can't come. Kids can't come. The crowd was piss-poor. (I understand a few people don't like whinging about the crowd, but it matters. That was unequivocally a poor crowd).

The on-field stuff before the game was good. I have no complaints about that. But that shouldn't have been the only part of the festivities.

Agree. The stuff on TV was well done but so rushed - by the time they put the light on the celebs it was just a few seconds. The concept was fine but needed more time. I suppose that has plenty to do with the TV rather than the club. The Keka stuff didn't help but I understand his complaint. None of the big clubs would have done it this way. Thursday night was a poor choice.

The positive is it was on FTA television and both main station news services ran stories. We have had plenty of positive coverage but the team couldn't deliver. They weren't humiliated and clearly had a go, but we are so far off the mark it is embarassing. The Pagan rev up was gold - great idea and he delivered. Love the man.

Maybe now we can start playing some accountable footy - it was there in patches this game but we just are not anywhere near the doggies level.

Happy Anniversary everyone - I have been a member for 63 of the 100 years - hope I have plenty more and a few flags to come.

 

[Only Forwards]

Rusted on



Turn it up; there’s rusted on that are outside 2 hours of Melbourne…in NZ…Hong Kong..our WA friends..Darwin..etc

The club made it impossible for the far and wide rusted on to get there

Yeah I understand this.

Was not meant as a critique.

Let me put it another way.

We got 25k to a Thursday night when in 2023 we got a smaller crowd to the same game on a Sunday.

The crowd wasn't as big as it could have been but it was not as bad as some are making out.

I think it was shit that it was on a Thursday. it is what it is, it also seems that those that weren't faced with the tyranny of distance attended.

 

[Chadwiko]

Something I noticed last night that I thought demonstrated the generally poor approach and poor attention to detail that we've put into this centenary year;

On the Marvel Stadium scoreboards, the BULLDOGS club logo was a special 100 year centenary logo.

Ours wasnt.

They had this (below) and ours was just our normal one.

 

[Roosurgence]

The positive is it was on FTA television and both main station news services ran stories. We have had plenty of positive coverage but the team couldn't deliver. They weren't humiliated and clearly had a go, but we are so far off the mark it is embarassing. The Pagan rev up was gold - great idea and he delivered. Love the man.

“War without weapons” should be the mantra for this playing group going forward.

As much as the Laidley era wasn’t very successful there wouldn’t have been many sides in the comp that walked off the ground saying they enjoyed playing against North.

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Something I noticed last night that I thought demonstrated the generally poor approach and poor attention to detail that we've put into this centenary year;

On the Marvel Stadium scoreboards, the BULLDOGS club logo was a special 100 year centenary logo.

Ours wasnt.

They had this (below) and ours was just our normal one.

View attachment 2358790

The dogs have this as their official logo for the year. We don't have the 100 years as ours.

I thought last night once the actual ceremony started was quite good. Got emotional when they got to Jason McCartney and the Krakours.

The way they had the premiership cups was great, great to see Bob Ansett out there and get his recognition, can anyone explain why Sonja was? I assume JB declined and so did Scanlon but would have been ok to have Ansett alone for all he has done.

But agree with others, I am glad we don't play many Thursday night games. Getting there was a nightmare, getting home was a nightmare and now I'm at work after a loss and 4 hours sleep. Love watching Thursday night footy at home with a glass of red. Being there can get in the bin.

 

[kool kangas]

The celebrations were more of what you would expect in the VFL not AFL...It wasnt handled right, it looked second rate and it showed from the start..
Being advised to be seated by 6.45 when the celebrations didnt start until 7.00
Playing a Thursday night game after a 5 day break and against the Doggies.
Not having a separate function for the 75 team.

l would be interested to hear if anyone went to the function to hear what it was like...

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

I think everyone knows my stand

A big call out to SpiderBurton22 who did the big Bool drive to get home at 2:55am

FOMO anxiety was the biggest issue this past week.

Glad it’s over tbh

Agree. Was like prepping for an exam that I haven't studied at all for.