Barracking for off-field woes lowest of low

[The Coon Dog]

Rohan Connolly - The Age - 12 Nov

I'VE never understood the relish with which some so-called football supporters bask in the glow of another club's financial difficulties. This week, I was left more bewildered than usual.

On Tuesday, The Age revealed North Melbourne's new debt-reduction initiative, which will ask members to contribute a small amount on top of their renewal to help cut through $5 million of accumulated debt.

Like other clubs, the Roos can see a sizeable wolf looming at the door in the form of free agency. Having already staved off a push to the Gold Coast, ushered in swank new facilities and invested far more heavily in its football operations, now was the right moment to tackle an issue that had been slowly crippling the club for three decades.
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It was also the cue, via the readers' comments that followed the story, for a disturbing number of people without any connection, emotional or otherwise, to North Melbourne, to pick up a baseball bat and have a free hit.

Article in full...

[ledge]

Good article and certainly struck a nerve with Rohan, fact is we all have a club we hate, makes it all the better when you beat them so why want them gone?

[Hotdog60]

I must admit for survival of the Melbourne based clubs I was in favor of North going north and I also thought that one of either Richmond or Hawthorn go to Tassie. Nothing malicious in it I just thought to give more corporate dollars to the remainder. Although I live in QLD I would like to see the dogs stay put.

[boydogs]

I must admit for survival of the Melbourne based clubs I was in favor of North going north and I also thought that one of either Richmond or Hawthorn go to Tassie. Nothing malicious in it I just thought to give more corporate dollars to the remainder. Although I live in QLD I would like to see the dogs stay put.

You might be right, but my gut feel is the more clubs there are, the bigger the game will grow - culling clubs from Victoria doesn't automatically grant you their local members, and it's the size of exposure that determines the dollars

[Remi Moses]

Like the article as it bares resemblance to us as well.
Personally don't like Norf fans but don't want them to cease to exist.
It's no good for us or other Vic teams that any of us go, there's 30,000 members and other fans lost to the code.

[Remi Moses]

You might be right, but my gut feel is the more clubs there are, the bigger the game will grow - culling clubs from Victoria doesn't automatically grant you their local members, and it's the size of exposure that determines the dollars

Large amount of those fans become disillusioned with the code. They don't follow other clubs

[Flamethrower]

I must admit for survival of the Melbourne based clubs I was in favor of North going north and I also thought that one of either Richmond or Hawthorn go to Tassie. Nothing malicious in it I just thought to give more corporate dollars to the remainder. Although I live in QLD I would like to see the dogs stay put.

Had North been forced to relocate to the Gold Coast, we would have been next to move - to the western suburbs of Sydney. Luckily for us the Kangas were able to resist long enough for the AFL to introduce expansion sides on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney, meaning there are 2 less markets we can be forced to move to.

All of the small market teams should be supporting each other as there is stength in numbers. Once one of us fall, the wolves will be at the doors of the others.

[mjp]

Tassie can only get a team through relocation. Creating a new team there will not add to TV ratings (already amongst the highest in the country) therefore it simply wont happen. Say what you will about GWS in particular, if a local team generates even modest levels of interest they will be new people to the code who will add to the tv advertising appeal of the AFL brand.

[Remi Moses]

Had North been forced to relocate to the Gold Coast, we would have been next to move - to the western suburbs of Sydney. Luckily for us the Kangas were able to resist long enough for the AFL to introduce expansion sides on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney, meaning there are 2 less markets we can be forced to move to.

All of the small market teams should be supporting each other as there is stength in numbers. Once one of us fall, the wolves will be at the doors of the others.

Agreed, every sport has small market teams and you couldn't call what the Afl serve up as a fixture . It's a collection of how we can generate the maximum revenue, and the insanely inadequate ground returns clubs are getting at the Ian Coruption Stadium.
Most of the readers who respond online to paper articles are complete Tossers anyway.

[Ghost Dog]

One of the things that North Melbourne has going for it is it's location so close to the city.
I've been down there for a look a few times and they do take the international students and migrants for a kick which is good. A healthy, active club can be a powerful force for good in the community.
Would not want to see North Melbourne go under myself, only because of the support and programs they are able to do in their area are part of the tapestry of AFL community.
A lot of deriders only see what happens on the field but don't take account of what happens off it.

[LostDoggy]

At the North Melbourne game this year I copped it pretty hard from North fans telling us to “go rattle our tins” and generally making fun of our financial situation. I was amazed. The last club I expected it from. So I think these fans need to take a long hard look and may have earnt a bit of razzing in return.

But otherwise, yeah, have to agree, I'd donate to see North kept alive. Just so we can beat them.

[Remi Moses]

At the North Melbourne game this year I copped it pretty hard from North fans telling us to “go rattle our tins” and generally making fun of our financial situation. I was amazed. The last club I expected it from. So I think these fans need to take a long hard look and may have earnt a bit of razzing in return.

But otherwise, yeah, have to agree, I'd donate to see North kept alive. Just so we can beat them.

Pot calling the kettle black there. Their Big Footy lot are appalling, I find they tend to play the victim to much. They can't moan about the Draw this year, they moan about nobody rating their kids, the media coverage( Brad Scott's everywhere!)To me being based where they are doesn't help they've got nowhere to go( northern suburbs is full of Pies , Blues and Bombres.

[LostDoggy]

Had North been forced to relocate to the Gold Coast, we would have been next to move - to the western suburbs of Sydney. Luckily for us the Kangas were able to resist long enough for the AFL to introduce expansion sides on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney, meaning there are 2 less markets we can be forced to move to.

All of the small market teams should be supporting each other as there is stength in numbers. Once one of us fall, the wolves will be at the doors of the others.

I suppose the AFL might just being keeping their powder dry. The Brisbane / Fitzroy takeover is a dangerous precedent for us and any other financially struggling club. We may well have pressure on us to merge with GCS or GWS in a few years time (especially once free agency comes in)...

I really think some amazing strides have been made (particularly in the past decade) but we are nowhere near out of the woods.

[immortalmike]

Pot calling the kettle black there. Their Big Footy lot are appalling, I find they tend to play the victim to much. They can't moan about the Draw this year, they moan about nobody rating their kids, the media coverage( Brad Scott's everywhere!)To me being based where they are doesn't help they've got nowhere to go( northern suburbs is full of Pies , Blues and Bombres.

So is most of the Western Suburbs...unfortunate reality of success and marketing.

[bornadog]

I suppose the AFL might just being keeping their powder dry. The Brisbane / Fitzroy takeover is a dangerous precedent for us and any other financially struggling club. We may well have pressure on us to merge with GCS or GWS in a few years time (especially once free agency comes in)...

I really think some amazing strides have been made (particularly in the past decade) but we are nowhere near out of the woods.

or pressure to merge with North?