We are thinking of promoting the concept of footy being back at Princes Park when we play our interstate games. We are looking at parking a semi on the oval with a massive screen on the back that will show our game live. We can move the screen further back if the crowd grows and the stands fill.

Members and supporters will be invited. We will run promos and giveaways, happy hour prices etc in an attempt to get the place buzzing.

It may start small and perhaps the screens in the social club will be enough initially but the concept is to replicate what is done in Hong Kong where thousands turn up to watch horse races on screens. I don't think we will get thousands but enough to engender the Carlton spirit back at PP and ofcourse to spend some $ at the pokies, the bar and the new merchandise shop.

Won't happen in time for Sunday but we are looking at the concept for future interstate games.

Would like to get some thoughts/ ideas/ feedback on the concept.

Sounds good to me.

Would be fantastic to sit at the Heatley End again and watch the Blues rattle home in the last 1/4.

_________________
Richard Pratt - A Carlton legend.

Very good idea.

I now live in Adelaide (unfortunately) and the Adelaide Crows have a thing called the "Shed" down next to AAMI stadium that holds about 10,000.

They fill the place up every interstate game.

If I was in Melbourne I would love to watch the game with like minded people.

Great concept.

_________________
They coud'nt.....could they?

I think that's a great idea Mark. It will be fantastic for supporters to reconnect with our spiritual home.

Keep up the good work!!

I think this is a great idea and has merit if set up correctly to cater for all.

In particular, it should be family friendly, but also cater for the fanatical (loud) carlton supporters.

It must have some form of entertainment (like the idea of promos and giveaways), Have Captn Carlton there for the kids. A sausage sizzle would bring it back to grass roots footy. Maybe a 10% members discount at the Carlton shop on these exclusive days. Kick for goal competition (like the NAB Grand Final where members of the crowd were selected and you would have to kick from 50M)

My only issue is Melbourne's unpredictable weather if the plan is to have it outside on the ground. What would be the contingency? (I guess Social club, but that can only cater a couple of hundred)

_________________
For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him, and it's just rubbish. You people. All of you, ALL of you!

Sounds great.

And there's always opportunity to do more than just set up the temporary screen, seeing as this will only happy four or five times a year ie. other entertainment; could even link this in with new or existing sponsorship deals.

Very good guys.

Sounds like a winner to me and you've definitely come to the right place to generate some ideas on how to make it work.

I know many people here enjoy watching interstate games from the Social Club Mark, so there is no reason why you can't start off small for this week's game. Open up, put the game on the screens and use the people who attend to brainstorm some ideas and see first hand how they'd like to see in future.

Word of mouth via this website will be a great way of promoting it.

Build it and they will come!!

Good Luck!

_________________
"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

I'd be there if it was up in time for this weekend and it's a great idea to meet the costs of maintaining Princes Park for football.

Can you make sure the screen faces Richard "No footy at PP" Malone's house?

Don't think!......Do!

Lots to work out...but this could be a huge success.

Points to look at....food/beverages....doesn't have to be fancy....but must be better managed than now. Have to say....a good sausage sizzle beats the crap out of the standard food at TD or MCG. But recent events at PP have shown that more effort needs to be put into the Social Club food supply....

Definately have the merchandise shop open...perhaps have the 2's players manning it in short stints to encourage people to spend up?

Photo opps....set up the 16 Cups and charge for photos.....maybe have past players available for photo opps...

Perhaps promote the first one with members paying only a gold coin donation (or $5) or some such.

_________________
"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Hi Mark,

This for me epitomises the vast difference between last year's Carlton and that of 2007. I went along to last year's West Coast game and was bitterly disappointed at the standard of the social club. The screen it was being shown on was second rate - in the end they got a piece of black shabby cloth to tape over the window so we could watch the game properly. I walked away thinking shit, this is what we've deteriorated into. Your idea sounds fantastic. Since moving to Melbourne 4 years ago I've always wondered where to watch the game with atmosphere and like-minded people, heading to GenerationBlue functions in hope. What you propose could easily take off as an Away-Home/Homeaway Game!?

Pencil me and two others in.

_________________
--------------------------------------------------------"The only one that could ever love me..."

HELL YEH.....would be awesome to be back at PP...

Love the concept. Could probably drum up a fair crowd via carltonfc.com.au alone, but I'll leave the number crunching to your paid professionals.

One question:

How will it work in the event of bad weather?

Apologies if I've missed something that would answer that.

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

Great idea Mark...

Can I add some things that I'm sure you guys have already thought, but hey..just in case.
1) will need to move the truck for a kick of the footy for kids before/during/after the game
2) A curtain raiser...how about the Bullants game (although this may complicate..)

Rd 8. 19th May: 7.10pm- Roos v Blues (Carrara)
Rd 7. 19th May: 2pm- Ballarat v Bullants (Ballarat)


Rd 13. 30th June: 2.10pm- Dockers v Blues (Subi)
Rd 12. 1st July: 2pm- Casey Scorpions v Bullants (Cranbourne)

Rd 16. 22nd July: 1.10pm- Lions v Blues (Gabba)
Rd 15. 21st July: 2pm- Bullants v Ballarat (NAB Oval)

Rd 19. 11th August: 2.40pm- Power v Blues (AAMI)
Rd 18. 12th August: 2pm- Bullants v Frankston (NAB Oval)

3) Separate family to "social" areas.. It's a lot more "vocal" at a screen rather than at a game (or maybe you can just hear it better. Perhaps upper and lower Heatley stand?)

4) Finish with fireworks

I like the store discounts on the day....Plushow about a special Members ticket (souveneir thingy).

...if I think of anything else...I'll post..but I'm sure you guys are better thinkers than me..especially given I've had a day full of works and meetings...and my brain is full

_________________
“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

Mark,

Obviously the Melbourne supporter base gives you the most scope for revenue, but the interstate supporters get to go to a maximum of two games in person. This leaves a lot of scope for attendance at Carlton functions to watch the game, especially when free to air doesn't compete.

There might be an opportunity to start something in conjunction with the state upporter groups and start from there. It's probably not a huge money spinner, but it would value add to interstate members, hopefully provide a way to organically grow membership and might provide further opportunities down the track.

This wouldn't be a priority, but maybe a few years down the track?

The same thing applies in Adelaide.

There are a lot of Carlton supporters in Adelaide.

I would love to brainstorm ideas to enhance interstate membership.

It soumds ridiculous, but Coopers Brewery have a membership here in Adelaide. They offer free/cheaper tickets to Coopers tastings and merchandise.

I know the current membership has some of these elements, however if a supporter group had a more organised itinery.

Interstate members could attend functions on game days.

Someone like Peter Motley (who is always at Sturt games or Mark Naley, Robert Klomp, etc), could attend the functions to give them a sense of occasion.

_________________
They coud'nt.....could they?

Mark

I agree with the sentiments here-Great Idea!

My only concern (which i'm sure is a given for you) is that the qualityof sound & visual is at a high level of excellence.

I have been quite disappointed at the poor sound production at social club gatherings-whether they be at PP, TD or MCG.

aha...yes and an audio repeater..so you can pick up commentary on a local FM channel...

still wonder why this doesn't happen at AFL games.
(love it in the States where they have intentionally biased commentary )

_________________
“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

players who didnt make the squad to travel interstate mingling amongst the crowd is a must

_________________
Back like a raging case of pubic lice

Mark

I think it is a great idea, especially where the games are not FTA.

I would love to bring my kids to experience PP like I did when I was there age with the Heatley Stand rocking as we storm home.

Assuming it is feasible I really like the idea someone put up of having a Bullants game as precursor to the main event - show off the next generation of talent.

I'm sure if you could convince Hughsie to MC the day that would bring in a whole extra crowd of people. (Maybe resurrect the Understand)

GiNB

_________________
Carlton - Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
Only slightly, only slightly less
Than I used to, my love