Ess v Hawthorn R9

[Sly77]

Hi, I'm not sure if any of you have discussed this before, but I was just wondering how you all felt regarding the scheduling of the game at Colonial. Us Hawk people are pretty annoyed that the AFL (and Essendon) are currently refusing to reschedule it to the MCG, considering it is highly likely to pull a huge crowd, and only around 7000 seats will be available to Hawthorn members (high 20,000's) and general public.

There has been a suggestion on the board in the Hawks official website that we ring the AFL - ph number included.

How do you all feel about it?

Whatever happens its going to be a ring-dinger of a match....GO HAWKS ;o}

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Sly by name, Sly by nature......

 

[Dave]

If the club makes more money out of Colonial I can understand them not moving it, but I always prefer going to the 'G

 

[vanders]

Would prefer it if the game was at the MCG as it wouldnt have an artificial atmosphere. And at least then everyone will be able to get into the game

 

[Pessimistic]

It looks like Essendon and COLLOnial have $$$ in their eyes on this one. I'm not holding much hope that it will be moved. The shame is it will sell out with approx 6,000 empty seats from those not bothering to turn up.

I hope it motivates the hawks even further to kick some ass.

There will be much discussion on this one, but one fact is it SOLD OUT LAST YEAR and wasn't on the telly. There's at least 2 AFL broken promises

 

[Same Old's]

I like my seat at Colonial. Keep it there.

 

[Dan26]

The game MUST be moved. I'm going to write a letter to Essendon.

 

[Dave]

Have a look at:
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/2001/05/03/FFX8ZQZY7MC.html

Pess, I understand you're pissed off about the prospect of not seeing the match, but what's so wrong about honouring contracts?

And re last years sellout, it was the AFL & ch $evens decision not to telecast it.

 

[Dan26]

Personally, I feel that all our home games against Victorian based clubs should be at the MCG. This would give us a 6-5 split in favour of the MCG.

There is no point -as pessimistic seems to think - in us becoming a total MCG club, when we play games such as this Sunday against West Coast which are perfect for Colonial (i.e 40,000)

P.S Same olds, I think you are being a bit selfish and not looking for the greater good (just my opinion). Round 9 clearly should be at the MCG.

 

[Grendel]

Originally posted by Dave:
Have a look at:
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/2001/05/03/FFX8ZQZY7MC.html

Pess, I understand you're pissed off about the prospect of not seeing the match, but what's so wrong about honouring contracts?

And re last years sellout, it was the AFL & ch $evens decision not to telecast it.

Nothing at all wrong with honouring contracts my friend. It is more how they select the contracts that they wish to honour and to hell with the rest.

The Hawks would still be playing at Waverly if their contract had been honoured!

 

[Sly77]

Guys - I love your support - but I was looking for the Essendon fan's opinions - I already know what us Hawks think about the match ;o}

Perhaps there's some other hidden financial bonus for a sellout - and that's why they don't want to move it? Although now that I think of it - of course the AFL would like the opportunity to make a profit at Colonial - that way they can say - look, look people love the place - we were right in ditching Waverly.

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Sly by name, Sly by nature......

 

[Dave]

Grendel, fair enough, though in that case it was the AFL's decision, and this one is Essendon's. It aint our fault the League are shifty arseholes

In fact they're trying to dud us out of conditions they promised the club before the members vote on moving. Apparently Essendon have yet to sign the deal to play at Colonial so it'll be interesting to see what comes of the negotiations, particularly as Essendon had (whether this contract is still valid is the only bit I'm not sure of) a contract with the AFL to play at the 'G for the next million odd years. Damn, that'd be hard to take

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Sly77:
Perhaps there's some other hidden financial bonus for a sellout - and that's why they don't want to move it? Although now that I think of it - of course the AFL would like the opportunity to make a profit at Colonial - that way they can say - look, look people love the place - we were right in ditching Waverly.

There was mention of bonuses for sellouts some time last year, but the AFL have been fairly quiet about it seeing as they initially promised that there would be no sellouts!

As far as I'm concerned I'd prefer the match moved, but I can understand the club wanting to honor it's commitments to playing 7 homes game there (though I read that they haven't signed the final deal yet, so go figure!), particularly as they went to the members on that basis.

 

[M29]

Originally posted by Same Old's:
I like my seat at Colonial. Keep it there.

Same here, only problem is I'm stuck next to their moronic cheersquad.

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The Dons - EFC Online Fanzine

 

[Same Old's]

Originally posted by Dan25:
P.S Same olds, I think you are being a bit selfish and not looking for the greater good (just my opinion). Round 9 clearly should be at the MCG.

I was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment, Dan.

 

[Jamie]

AFL Meeting today

Heard Demetriou this morning and he said there would be a meeting today at the AFL to discuss it. Also said that the Haw v Ess crowds were below 50, 000 so he intimated that it wouldn't be moved. He chose to ignore the fact that last year's game was a sellout about an hour before the game and still only 49,000 people could get in. His 50, 000 figure is therefore bunkum.

If the AFL don't move this game it is a disgrace. They promised there would be no lockouts at Colonial. They say they encourage blockbusters but when a new blockbuster emerges involving a team outside Coll, Esss, Carl and Rich they try to thwart it. Footy was a game for the people. Now that is being lost and I have doubts concerning its future.

If it is at the MCG 70,000 people will turn up. That is 20,000 people who would otherwise miss the game. I undertsand the fact that Essendon would make more money at Colonial but how much more money do they need?! As for the argument that "Colonial needs a big game" - When did that concrete and steel construction gain animal characteristics? The people need to see the sport they love and invest so much time, emotion and money into. The way footy supporters are treated with contempt defies belief. It always staggers me when clubs wonder why members drop off. This is an example of why, as is the Grand Final. Once a membership guarnateed you a GF ticket but now your chances are extremely slim as grounds are dominated by neutrals, hence the muted atmosphere on GF day.

So please move the game AFL and Essendon. If youfdon't there will be a number of disenfranchised supporters who will lose interest in footy. Don't think they exist? Ask the families I saw return to their cars after not being able to get in to the Ess v Haw game at Colonial last year. They were heading off to the movies at the Casino, just another entertainment option which is competing for the same footy dollars. If you don't think these issues through people will stop going and will lose their involvement. Then the only people to buy memberships will be the sad bastards like me!!

 

[Dave]

Jamie, good points, though the day clubs start worrying about other teams fans I'll go he!

 

[Dan26]

If you Hawks and Bomber fans want to e-mail Wayne Jackson to demand it be moved, do it on : waynej@afl.com.au

Or email Andrew Demetrious on andrewd@afl.com.au

DEMAND IT.