Opinion Best membership option for Saints fans (MCC & in general)?

[Minga]

Hey Sainters,

Seeking the wisdom of Saints fans, for a definite first world problem, but hopefully this thread could help other saints fans in the future also. I have an MCC membership (restricted level, probably 7-10 years away from full membership), and I’m seriously considering giving it up.

I’m in my mid twenties, money is tight - I can afford the MCC if I really wanted it, but it seems hard to justify at this stage in life as a saints fan. Every time I go to have the convo with someone though (usually not a saints fan) they say I’d be crazy to give it up, so (in Melbourne at least) there is a bit of pressure to keep it.

The Saints hardly play at the G, and it’s difficult to get down to enough games to make the $700 a year MCC membership worthwhile ($900 as a full member). For non-MCG tenant team supporters it feels like this membership is sometimes just for bragging rights and mcg finals tickets access.

I’ve had a look at the AFL memberships (bronze, silver, gold) and that seems like better value for marvel tenants - say bronze is I think 15 games a year at mcg or marvel, and then a waitlist for silver/gold.

Or I could just keep/upgrade a saints only membership.

To an extent I know nobody can tell me how much value I’d personally get out of the MCC membership, but from the saints perspective from anyone who’s been in this dilemma:

• what choice did you make?
• Do you regret it?
• What’s do you think the best membership set up is for a saints/footy fan value wise?

I’m happy to spend on the sport I love, but it just seems like an enormous waste at this point. Keen to hear your thoughts if anyone has any, cheers!

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

It's a hard one. I've certainly not regretted putting my name down for the MCC 15 years ago....though I do think about it sometimes. But I've got a couple mates that can get us guest passes to the few games Saints play.

It's a lot of money - would it be worthwhile if you get a ticket to both prelims?

For $700 you can get close to the best saints membership. Looks like the website isn't showing them currently but it would be Level 2 reserved seat for every home game kind of level. Plus the money goes to the club.

The 11 game GA membership isn't bad value either at $300 or so. And you can get half decent seats at most of our games just by getting there 30 mins early.

 

[sauce_head]

Hey Sainters,

Seeking the wisdom of Saints fans, for a definite first world problem, but hopefully this thread could help other saints fans in the future also. I have an MCC membership (restricted level, probably 7-10 years away from full membership), and I’m seriously considering giving it up.

I’m in my mid twenties, money is tight - I can afford the MCC if I really wanted it, but it seems hard to justify at this stage in life as a saints fan. Every time I go to have the convo with someone though (usually not a saints fan) they say I’d be crazy to give it up, so (in Melbourne at least) there is a bit of pressure to keep it.

The Saints hardly play at the G, and it’s difficult to get down to enough games to make the $700 a year MCC membership worthwhile ($900 as a full member). For non-MCG tenant team supporters it feels like this membership is sometimes just for bragging rights and mcg finals tickets access.

I’ve had a look at the AFL memberships (bronze, silver, gold) and that seems like better value for marvel tenants - say bronze is I think 15 games a year at mcg or marvel, and then a waitlist for silver/gold.

Or I could just keep/upgrade a saints only membership.

To an extent I know nobody can tell me how much value I’d personally get out of the MCC membership, but from the saints perspective from anyone who’s been in this dilemma:

• what choice did you make?
• Do you regret it?
• What’s do you think the best membership set up is for a saints/footy fan value wise?

I’m happy to spend on the sport I love, but it just seems like an enormous waste at this point. Keen to hear your thoughts if anyone has any, cheers!

Don’t give it up. In 15 years or so you will be able to afford it easily. Can you go onto an interstate version of the MCC membership?

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Depends.

Ive got both a St Kilda club membership and Silver AFL one.

Gold AFL gets you a GF ticket if your club competes.

 

[sauce_head]

I have an MCC (provisional), SCG and saints membership and live in Sydney! I don’t get best value either but they are great to have.

 

[longtimesaint]

I was on the waiting list at 10 years old so I have been a full member for more than 20 years.
Every year I debate it’s worth at $900 but I always pay it in the hope we will have more MCG games one day.
I occasionally go to the test cricket but Boxing Day is too hard these days.
I also have very little interest in 20/20 cricket.

 

[Train12]

I’m second year into an AFL membership (silver tier) - I find it beneficial when I take my wife or friends to the footy as you can get guest passes. Also helps with cricket tickets if you’re into that.

Apparently I’m about 10 years off getting gold status which basically guarantees you a granny ticket.

But with carlton and bombers stinking it up may help a bit with ppl not renewing their afl memberships -
Might boost me up the waiting list.

But I really enjoy the afl membership

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

I’m second year into an AFL membership (silver tier) - I find it beneficial when I take my wife or friends to the footy as you can get guest passes. Also helps with cricket tickets if you’re into that.

Apparently I’m about 10 years off getting gold status which basically guarantees you a granny ticket.

But with carlton and bombers stinking it up may help a bit with ppl not renewing their afl memberships -
Might boost me up the waiting list.

But I really enjoy the afl membership

You'll be more than 10. 15-20 more likely

Im 9 years in and my wait list number this year was 9547.

 

[SinCitySainter]

I didn't put my name down for an MCC membership and I regret not doing it. I have a St Kilda Ultimate membership with GA admission at Marvel. I went with that because it assures me of a GF ticket if we make it and I prefer the legroom on the 3rd floor of Marvel being 6' 2". It is not too expensive, I think I paid about $400 last year and I went to most home games.

 

[hoovinha]

I didn't put my name down for an MCC membership and I regret not doing it. I have a St Kilda Ultimate membership with GA admission at Marvel. I went with that because it assures me of a GF ticket if we make it and I prefer the legroom on the 3rd floor of Marvel being 6' 2". It is not too expensive, I think I paid about $400 last year and I went to most home games.

I do the same.

In 2010 I actually got two tickets to the first GF (MCC and through my membership).

I sold the membership one for an exorbitant amount prior to the game to a young Collingwood supporter. His girlfriend's eyes were popping out of her head as he was counting out the pineapples in the car park.

It was the only peace I had come the final siren that day, knowing that the Collingwood supporter would have to shell out again the following week after spending a monty to see a draw...

 

[Minga]

It's a hard one. I've certainly not regretted putting my name down for the MCC 15 years ago....though I do think about it sometimes. But I've got a couple mates that can get us guest passes to the few games Saints play.

It's a lot of money - would it be worthwhile if you get a ticket to both prelims?

For $700 you can get close to the best saints membership. Looks like the website isn't showing them currently but it would be Level 2 reserved seat for every home game kind of level. Plus the money goes to the club.

The 11 game GA membership isn't bad value either at $300 or so. And you can get half decent seats at most of our games just by getting there 30 mins early.

Thanks for your 2c, I did go to the Geelong/Brisbane prelim last year which was epic, but no, not worth the $700+, even including the small collection of other games I attended at the G in the year since. Definitely a hard one, but would rather my money going to the club & games I want to actually see at the end of the day.

 

[Minga]

Don’t give it up. In 15 years or so you will be able to afford it easily. Can you go onto an interstate version of the MCC membership?

If I do decide on giving it up I may give the cheeky interstate membership an option and see if I get away with it. Even if I could afford it easily in say 15 years time, I do still have concerns that its inherent value is really tailored towards cricket lovers / anyone who wants to get down to at least 10-20 MCG games a year. Appreciate your thoughts, thanks

 

[Minga]

Depends.

Ive got both a St Kilda club membership and Silver AFL one.

Gold AFL gets you a GF ticket if your club competes.

Do you know if AFL gold only gets you a GF ticket if its your club? Or is there also a ballot system for all gold members every season?

 

[Minga]

I was on the waiting list at 10 years old so I have been a full member for more than 20 years.
Every year I debate it’s worth at $900 but I always pay it in the hope we will have more MCG games one day.
I occasionally go to the test cricket but Boxing Day is too hard these days.
I also have very little interest in 20/20 cricket.

Really jealous of those MCG tenant clubs, unfortunately I just can't see us ever outgrowing them to a point where we would get a tenancy based on either attendance sizes/tradition of being a tenant (like Melbourne etc).

Hopefully you've enjoyed a good many big games with your membership to make the cost worth it, thanks for your input

 

[Minga]

I didn't put my name down for an MCC membership and I regret not doing it. I have a St Kilda Ultimate membership with GA admission at Marvel. I went with that because it assures me of a GF ticket if we make it and I prefer the legroom on the 3rd floor of Marvel being 6' 2". It is not too expensive, I think I paid about $400 last year and I went to most home games.

Sounds like a sweet set up! Can I ask why you regret not going for the MCC?

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Do you know if AFL gold only gets you a GF ticket if its your club? Or is there also a ballot system for all gold members every season?

For the GF it goes:
Gold competing club support.
Gold non competing club support.
Silver competing Club support.
Sliver non competing club support.

That may change given the surveys they've sent out

 

[MightySaintas]

I gave up my full MCC membership about 5 years ago. Held the full for 15 years. Also had/have ultimate saints membership.
Ev3n in 09 and 10 used my saints membership to get gf tickets so could sit with mates.
Just not worth the money.
Never regretted it.
If I want to go in members just get a guest ticket.

 

[sauce_head]

If I do decide on giving it up I may give the cheeky interstate membership an option and see if I get away with it. Even if I could afford it easily in say 15 years time, I do still have concerns that its inherent value is really tailored towards cricket lovers / anyone who wants to get down to at least 10-20 MCG games a year. Appreciate your thoughts, thanks

Fair enough. I’m a simple man who loves cricket, AFL and having a beer in a stadium! Hope whatever you decide works for you!

 

[Diehard Saint]

Silver AFL membership with club support and reserved seating.
Went to both 2009/10 GFs.
Can go to any away game in Melbourne for small ticketing fee.

Applied for MCC membership when we first arrived in Melbourne 28 years ago. When they eventually came through we actually decided not to take them up. The cost for a family of 4 is prohibitive for the amount of time we’d use it.

Been to plenty of Boxing Day tests - have always managed to get in.
No regrets not taking them up.

 

[SinCitySainter]

Sounds like a sweet set up! Can I ask why you regret not going for the MCC?

Yes, I regret it because I have a number of friends who are MCC membership and they use them all the time. I have gone with them a lot including to the Sheffield Shield etc... and I would get the use out of it. I have been lucky that I have had a reasonably well paying job so money is not such an issue.

 

[CaptainRisky]

Full AFL Gold club support for 30 years , I was lucky enough to sign up when it first came in and from memory I was only a restricted member for a few months.
It used to so good when it first came in ( When you're young and single ) as you could to the GF every year and no ticket was required back then as it was turn up early and sit where you want , some weekends I would have gone to Two or even 3 games.
There used to be an enclosed glass fronted bar on the first level ( Correct me if I'm wrong ) and it was sensational for a good old fashion session, i remember one day in there Cats Vs Bombers when an old mate of mine said he was going to eat a pie for every goal GA kicked , GA kicked 14 that day and the pie boys in the bar had twigged and every time GA kicked a goal they would run over to get a sale .
In the end one of the pie boys didn't move too far away .

This season you could say I just made a donation to the AFL as mines costs me $800 a year and for one reason or another i didn't manage to get to a game , hopefully next year i will get to a few

 

[PoppedCorn]

If I do decide on giving it up I may give the cheeky interstate membership an option and see if I get away with it.

I have the interstate prem so I get the GF access
I have a pobox in SA happy to give you the addy if you do decide to be cheeky
Id just then fwd it to you LOL
Last time I looked it was 5 games in at the dome and finals priority and then into the draw for the GF tickets

I then just ring the club when I want tickets and where I'd like to sit which is usually level one up the back.
You could easily ask for diff seats im guessing

 

[Minga]

I have the interstate prem so I get the GF access
I have a pobox in SA happy to give you the addy if you do decide to be cheeky
Id just then fwd it to you LOL
Last time I looked it was 5 games in at the dome and finals priority and then into the draw for the GF tickets

I then just ring the club when I want tickets and where I'd like to sit which is usually level one up the back.
You could easily ask for diff seats im guessing

Ahah epic, cheers ill keep this in mind

 

[SaintOfLondon]

MCC is a scam that treats their members with disdain. Spending half has much on a Saints membership would be more than 2x the value imo.

 

[sauce_head]

MCC is a scam that treats their members with disdain. Spending half has much on a Saints membership would be more than 2x the value imo.

I think a lot of it is dependent on whether or not you like cricket. And it’s great fun to actually have, IMO. But understand your position.