Melbourne/Hawks merger > > > A question?

[tess]

If Jeff Kennett was President when the Merger was proposed, knowing Jeff's record in privatising or merging everything he could when Premier of Victoria.

Would we now have the Melbourne Hawks Training at Waverly and Playing at the MCG?

 

[Hawkk]

SHUT UP!

Why is this the only merger proposal that keeps doing the rounds?

Which Hawthorn people overwhelmingly rejected btw.

But to answer your question, NO Waverley would have never been used. It wasn't until Dicker became president and really targeted the region that the Hawks had in success in the region; give Dicker credit where credit is due, he was an outstanding president when Hawthorn needed him most! Initially Glenferrie was to be used.

I remember during the time, there was talk that Floyd Williams (Hawthorn supporter) was to become president, with Crown being the new major sponsor (in a HUGE $$$$$ deal)

Stockdale (Melbourne) and Kennett (Hawthorn) were to be waiting in the wings and most likely claim a spot on the board in the future, when they retired from politics.

There is no doubt that if the merger would have been successful, the Melbourne Hawks would probably be the most powerful sporting club in the country, given Melbourne's traditional wealthy supporter base and the number Hawks fans gained in their glory days in the '70's and '80's (hence the membership surge after the merger debacle) + the sheer amount of money offered it would have become the 'super club' in every sense of the word many AFL clubs feared.

Having said that, I would not support Hawthorn merging with anyone...I am bloody glad we didn't and believe that over the next few years we will see a surge in Hawthorn both on and off the field, under the watchful eye of both Clarkson and Kennett I believe the Hawks are very much on the move.

To answer your question IF a Melbourne Hawks merger was to happen tomorrow, it would most probably be spearheaded by Kennett and based out at Waverley

When all is said and done, both Melbourne and Hawthorn supporters (I am sure) are glad that the merger never came into being and these 2 proud clubs can fight on for many many many years to come!

 

[Pessimistic]

Jeff was strongly pro-merger but said his treasurer stockdale could not be president of the Melbourne Hawks because it would make too may demands on his time as a state politician.

Ironically they argument was the hawks had the players and melbourne had the money, its the other way around these days. perhaps only Nietz and crawford would remain from the team discussed at the time.

I don't think succss would have been guaranteed - far from it. MFC have spent most of the last 10 years engaged in board in-fighting. Hawks too in the past couple. Imagine the squabbles if there had been a further division in the ranks

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Wouldn't stand up in court the Melbourne vote was fixed.

 

[Brock Machine]

Ironically they argument was the hawks had the players and melbourne had the money, its the other way around these days.

Imagine the combined auction Dicker could have organised to pull the merged club into the black. Hawks are rolling in it.

 

[Peacock]

There is no doubt that if the merger would have been successful, the Melbourne Hawks would probably be the most powerful sporting club in the country, given Melbourne's traditional wealthy supporter base and the number Hawks fans gained in their glory days in the '70's and '80's (hence the membership surge after the merger debacle) + the sheer amount of money offered it would have become the 'super club' in every sense of the word many AFL clubs feared.

No it wouldnt, half of both clubs supporters would have stopped following them in disgust. The club would probably be about the same size as Hawthorn is now, which isn't very big. If you think you can just add Hawthorn and Melbournes current membership number and that would be the Melbourne Hawks membership tally you are living in fairy land.

 

[medusala]

Wouldn't stand up in court the Melbourne vote was fixed.

Not sure about the Melbourne vote but there were certainly widespread allegations that "sponsors" had bought up alot of HFC memberships prior to the meeting and gave proxies to the board. I could be wrong but I think this led to a cut off date for memberships.

 

[Hawkk]

No it wouldnt, half of both clubs supporters would have stopped following them in disgust. The club would probably be about the same size as Hawthorn is now, which isn't very big. If you think you can just add Hawthorn and Melbournes current membership number and that would be the Melbourne Hawks membership tally you are living in fairy land.

I am very much anti merger, but when has this been proven?

Look at the Fitzroy/Brisbane merger, even the St.George/Illawarra and Balmain/Wests merger, there is no sign of supporters dropping off in mass over say a 5 year period.

Yay, another uneducated view we are left to deal with on bigfooty

 

[Jarka]

In reality alot of supporters may have dropped off early but if they won a GF then they would've all come back very quickly, the nture of the beast

 

[Pessimistic]

I am very much anti merger, but when has this been proven?

Look at the Fitzroy/Brisbane merger, even the St.George/Illawarra and Balmain/Wests merger, there is no sign of supporters dropping off in mass over say a 5 year period.

Yay, another uneducated view we are left to deal with on bigfooty

We argue the lions are one of the best outfits ever but they followed up the merger with a spoon