I was almost not going to sign up this year, due to being unemployed at the start of the year/season due to having Glandular Fever for 9 months. It had nothing to do with last year, in fact I was wanting to get one to show my support that they kept Thompson on as coach, as I've never once thought he wasn't the right man for the team. Then in that Carlton game I sensed something special though, so I bought a Melbourne 11 (?) Membership, despite the fact I live in Tassie and knew I wouldn't get over for any games that year. I saw them in Launnie though.
A month or more out from the Grand Final I purchased a grand final ticket package through ATFS hoping that we'd make it. Which luckily paid off, then I ended up getting a ticket in the raffle from my membership also, so that was good. I gave that one to my dad, a longtime supporter, who has also said he'll be joining up again this year (normally just a house/interstate one).
Now being back in well-paid fulltime employment, I'll be getting the same membership again (and every year), and maybe sneak over for a couple of rounds, if not, the finals!
Those complaining about the process of getting a GF ticket, should not blame the club. Less than 17,000 members entered the ballot and about 9,500 got a ticket. So that's better than 50%, and it's the AFL that restricts it to that few tickets, not the club. A raffle is the only fair way it can be done for all, and I'm glad it's like that. If we made it again, and I didn't get one, I wouldn't get upset about it knowing I and GFC had done all that's possible.
