Agree to a certain extent. What will happen is people who have not yet renewed/signed up will hold off a little longer than had we produced very good pre-season form.

You think the ones who renew year in and year out are going to suddenly lift us beyond 50,000 members?

It's not about the fact that they're practice matches, it's the message sent to supporters & the media. If it gets too sour, they'll all start singing from the same song sheet. If it goes on for long enough, suddenly those who were considering an 11 game membership are paying for 6 or 7 remaining home games and might walk away from the commitment altogether.

If they happen to go out and buy 4 or 5 tickets at the gate instead, fantastic, but how likely do you see that being?

That's my point: don't completely ignore the fact that this whole sport is in the entertainment industry. They don't have to win a single pre-season game, just sell a positive message. Goalless halves and the impression of only a handful of improved performers really isn't enough spin when it can be watered down with the pre-season tag.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Yep, and the numbers have been drying up since a few enthusiastic phone calls during our first NAB Cup game, unfortunately.

Unless... wait a second... was there an exception? Why yes there was... after the Dogs game. Hmmm.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I agree with the above. I think you'd be giving them to much credit, by thinking that the common supporter isn't going to be scared off from our form.

Just as on the flipside, winning the Wizzer in 2005, and to a lesser extent 2007 would have resulted in a surge of members.

If some people on this forum - with all the information and evidence about the misgivings of preseason form - are worried, then the SEN listening/Herald Sun reading Joe Smith is probably nearing the foetal position.....

...but that's not to say we should compromise our long terms plans to ensure 1000 members sign up a week or two earlier than they may now do.

Judd wanted to play last week, club held him back. Jamo reckons he was right to go this week, club held him back. etc. That's long term focus right there.

Whilst last year some of our injuries were out of our control, the team looked tired at other times, in particular the Etihad WC and WB game's so I'm sure the club thinks they know what they are doing and are trying to time this campaign to the minute.

Lots of examples have been giving on this forum regarding teams that have had poor NAB Cup campaigns and of course in particular for us - vice versa -which have been irrelevant to their fortunes for that season, but for some it's gone even further than that.

In 2005, Sydney were 2-4 after 6 rounds and won the flag,
In 2006, Adelaide were 15-2 and didn't even make the GF.
In 2007, Geelong were 2-3, before losing just one more game for the year.

There is so long to go, but were are so focused in the now.

Media need something to talk about, and no doubt our form will get a run this week. Fortunately with Geelong and Collingwood doing the same thing as we did, if anyone wants to make a big statement about how this will affect our 2012 campaign then they'd have to write off these 2 in the same basket and no-one will be crazy enough to do that.

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"They're [REDACTED]'

I honestly couldn't give 2 shits about pre season games. Just don't care.

However, I find myself giving half a shit about our form this year. I mean, we haven't looked great and not scoring in a half of football is kinda worrying.

Hmmm

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit"
- Aristotle

I'm REALLY happy with this.

One more pre-season loss and I'll be ecstatic.

I remember many seasons of Carlton getting thumped in practise matches only to have great success
in the season proper.

Carlton are losing these games because they don't care about them ... because their eyes are on the big prize.

It's like having the old Carlton back.

Supporters holding off will join once we thump the tigers

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Now all we need is the return of Big Jack....

Ummm .... errr ... hang on a minute. Just let me think about what I wrote...

also John Nicholls, Alex Jesaulenko, Wayne Harmes, Wayne Johnston, Robert Walls , Bruce Doull , Peter Bosustow etc

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

From what I have seen ... Brock McLean has played pretty well throughout the pre-season ... On the other hand Collins has played 1 relatively good game in a very weak squad ... So not really sure where you are coming from here.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

He is not exactly going to come out and say "to be honest, we didn't really care about the result or the NAB Cup, and we actually expected to lose, but it's all about getting the team ready for round one", is he?

I'm sure that, given the choice, he would have preferred to win. But judge him and his coaching staff by his actions, not his words. Most people could see (and I'm sure Ratts is one) that we were always likely to lose with the team we selected. I have no doubt that he means it when he says he is disappointed that none of the youngsters stood up, and that he was surprised by the non-performance in the second half.

But I have no doubt that, overall, he is not too bothered and that the club did not take this game all that seriously.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.