Promoting the AFC

[Jerome]

A few weeks ago, the issue of the Crows promoting their junior development and charity work was raised on the board.

Partly in response to some unsearched comments from Chris McDermott, I have been impressed with the club pushing its work in its weekly e-mails and on its website.

Here are some links to some recent articles:

http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=192739

http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=191775

http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=191872

Even Geoff Roach at The Advertiser has picked up on some our efforts

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/footy/story_page/0,8747,12719690%5E21547,00.html

I’ve been impressed with the club beginning to improve in the self-promotion stakes and receive some publicity for their various programs.

So after the Roach article on Friday I was just dumbstruck by McDermott’s article this morning.

It’s not on the net and I would re write it but it does not deserve to be printed twice.

It’s a bitter shot at the Crows, which questions the AFC traditions, relationship between past and present players and the amount of respect being shown to former players and officials.

I’ll agree that the club is still a work in progress and has room for improvement. However if Chris doesn’t like our culture it has to be noted that he has had a bit to do with that.

I can’t agree that the club and players should cop any old criticisms from past AFC players.

I think the media people in this town need to understand the concept of the right of reply. If you have a go at someone publicly they are entitled to respond. If you can’t handle that then don’t say anything in the first place.

Chris also states that most past players “don’t feel attached to the club. No ownership, no responsibility.”

I didn’t like the article as it implied that the AFC has not done enough for its past players and staff. I don’t agree with that, and a few things came to mind.

The Crows 10 year celebration from a few years ago. The AFC held a huge party for all past players and officials, announced a Team of the Decade (with McDermott as Captain), published a book (The Pride of South Australia – which included profiles of every past player) and released a ripper highlights video.

There is also a history section on the AFC site - http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=history

There was last years Heritage Round where all the original Crows were driven around the ground. McDermott also launched a tribute to all of the past players at the AFC. There is a wall at the AFC that features the name of every player who played at the club.

Lastly there is also an AFC Past Players Association. I can’t recall who runs it, but it has been operating for a few years now.

Perhaps its time they had a page on the website too.

In short, Chris McDermott has once again gone looking for trouble. The Crows once again have a right to be annoyed and respond to Bones rant. He hasn’t done himself any favours by not supplying the public with the facts.

There have been several attempts by the club to promote there past players over the years – and it’s an ongoing thing. There is another Heritage Round coming up.

If McDermott is so concerned about the relationship between past and present players why doesn’t he get on the Past Players Association and help them out? It’s an outlet that is open to him. He could put his hand up to sponsor them. He could help the club and get something great happening for the Heritage Round - and beyond.

Unfortunately he has gone about things the wrong way in today’s paper. I can’t believe that a former Captain could treat the club like this. He continues to muddy his relationship with the Club and its fans.

 

[Damp Squarie]

If McDermott is so concerned about the relationship between past and present players why doesn’t he get on the Past Players Association and help them out?

Because hes popped too many purple pills at that cesspool "nightclub" which has made him even more bitter and twisted.

God forbid if the Crows dont win the flag this year...he will be espousing buckets more of the same swill I wasted my time reading today.

He was a great player and leader but I cant stand him lately!!

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Todays article went part of the way to explaining why he recently been so critical of the club. The poor little thing doesn't believe he is given the respect he deserves-awwww didums.

 

[outback jack]

he may have a point about past players not feeling as though they belong. I dont believe the club as done somethings very well in relation to this. It should be actively getting past champions to be involved in the club. Not putting their name up on a wall.

 

[Jerome]

he may have a point about past players not feeling as though they belong. I dont believe the club as done somethings very well in relation to this. It should be actively getting past champions to be involved in the club. Not putting their name up on a wall.

Jarman and Mickan were assistiant coaches for a while. Smart, Payze, Marshall have all been (or are current members) on the board. Matty Robran is in the Communications Dept. Ellen and Modra are promoting the Crows In Schools program. Rod Maynard has assited in some charity events.

Who do you think they should target and where do you think they can fit in?

 

[Leaping Lindner]

I think you'll find it's a certain person that sits in the coaches box that is keeping past players away from the club. He is not a popular figure amongst blokes who could actually play the game (unlike himself).

 

[outback jack]

Jarman and Mickan were assistiant coaches for a while. Smart, Payze, Marshall have all been (or are current members) on the board. Matty Robran is in the Communications Dept. Ellen and Modra are promoting the Crows In Schools program. Rod Maynard has assited in some charity events.

Who do you think they should target and where do you think they can fit in?

i dont mean jobs, i mean more like the legends should be encouraged to come to the club during training if they want to etc. Maybe open a pub or general dining area exclusively for ex-crows players. Also free entry to all home games for them, and allow them in the rooms for atmosphere. And a place dedicated for them in FP to watch the games wouldnt go astray either. Flying some over to away games. Using some as specialist coaches is good to, not necessarily assistants but maybe someone who was a very good tackler, or someone like a modra can give a young FF tips. They have the money to do things like this, maybe some are being done and we don’t know. A better sense of community is what is needed, and lacking atm.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

he may have a point about past players not feeling as though they belong. I dont believe the club as done somethings very well in relation to this. It should be actively getting past champions to be involved in the club. Not putting their name up on a wall.

What could we do that would satisfy McDermotts huge ego. Maybe have a Chris Mcdermott day or erect a stature in his honour. How about we name a stand at AAMI after him or for that matter rename a suburb.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I think you'll find it's a certain person that sits in the coaches box that is keeping past players away from the club. He is not a popular figure amongst blokes who could actually play the game (unlike himself).

Who?

 

[macca23]

What could we do that would satisfy McDermotts huge ego. Maybe have a Chris Mcdermott day or erect a stature in his honour.

If you do, make sure it's made of solidified pimple pus, so that it truly is symbolic of him.

 

[afc9798]

Who?

Mr. John Reid

 

[outback jack]

What could we do that would satisfy McDermotts huge ego. Maybe have a Chris Mcdermott day or erect a stature in his honour. How about we name a stand at AAMI after him or for that matter rename a suburb.

yes that would be appropiate

 

[Jars458]

I think you'll find it's a certain person that sits in the coaches box that is keeping past players away from the club. He is not a popular figure amongst blokes who could actually play the game (unlike himself).

The sooner he is gone the better in my view, but I dont think it will happen. The Board and Trigg seem to love him.

 

[The Toolman]

i Also free entry to all home games for them, and allow them in the rooms for atmosphere.

Maybe they could get Rommi Negri to do the pre match address!

 

[jo172]

We could have theme days -

******** Ruckman day

with

Herbert
Golding
Angwin
Gilligan
Fernee
Keating
Dabrowski
and co can all return to the club

Good Key Forward Day

Modra, that's all.

Popular former Captians

McGuiness
Bickley.

Or maybe it's better to ignore certain parts of our history

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Typing out that ruckmen list made me shudder thinking that Meeson, Maric, Griffin and Andrews could end up like that.

 

[Jerome]

i dont mean jobs, i mean more like the legends should be encouraged to come to the club during training if they want to etc. Maybe open a pub or general dining area exclusively for ex-crows players. Also free entry to all home games for them, and allow them in the rooms for atmosphere. And a place dedicated for them in FP to watch the games wouldnt go astray either. Flying some over to away games. Using some as specialist coaches is good to, not necessarily assistants but maybe someone who was a very good tackler, or someone like a modra can give a young FF tips. They have the money to do things like this, maybe some are being done and we don’t know. A better sense of community is what is needed, and lacking atm.

I have to agree with a few others in this thread. I would be very happy to see JR out of the AFC.

Outback Jack - good post. Now if McDermott had of put some of those idea's in his article (or approached the club with some of these idea's before writing the article) I would'nt have too many complaints. I like the idea of ex players assisting with training. The Kangaroos did something similar a few years ago and it sounded pretty good.