I understand that Sydney, (although I don't agree entirely with your point of view in this instance. I've seen quite a few posts turning against DP lately, and I'm sure it will strengthen in '05 if on-field performances don't improve).

I would just be happier if it didn't come across as a TC idiosyncracy. My blood pressure would appreciate it.

Sydney Blue,

That just highlights the stupidity of the decision to build the legends stand in the first place. The AFL have had an agenda to close all suburban grounds for a long time, we all now that.

We could have moved rather than build the stand, and we would have saved something like $18million + interest. We'd probably also have a better financial deal with the MCG and/or Docklands.

That money could have been used to develop Optus into a first rate training venue, and the club would now be asset and cash positive.

Yes, all of this is with 20/20 hindsight, but we were the only club in Melbourne not to see this coming.

Tell that to Geelong every one thinks they made the right decision.

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Different scenario...one team, one town.

yup, precisely...

I think we pay more than most despite our position on the ladder. We also paid a lot extra to 2 players of which half was outside the TPP.

No different just a different agender by the AFL . Carlton when they walked out of Optus gave up there biggest advantage they had and that was the home ground. If a club were to be financially better off by playing on the MCG ot the Dome then Richmond and Melbourne should be the power houses of the AFL because they have been there for years. Clubs make money when they win . We gave up 4-5 wins a year. We will now continue to struggle financially

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

We gave up a certain amount of home ground advantage when the Legends Stand was built and the length of the ground increased to the size of the MCG.

Geelong is a completely different scenario and for every Richmond and Melbourne there is an Essendon* and Collingwood.

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I disagree with you on this Sydney .. you can compare Geelong and the Blues costs are vastly different.

The Legend stand costs $18mill regardless of if we play at Optus or TD

Yes Optus was good for the Blues home ground ect but not going to work if
* the ALF work against the ground.
* crowds drop down when played at Optus
* TV Rights are working against the Blues at Optus
* Sponsers dont want to be part of the Blues due to less coverage.

So call it what you will as already been stated the AFL had an agenda move or we will make it more difficult and in hindsite we should never have built the stand and prob should have moved earlier and established a base at the MCG but as already stated Hindsite

The Legends stand money would have been better put into the footballing resources and facilities than a glorifiled white Elephant which has drained the club of much of there finances.

Back to the topic...

I will be very interested to see how Fevola goes next year now that TD is on board. We all know what he is capable of when he isn't injured and now that Terry is going to be in his ear, who knows what scary heights he may reach.

Here's hoping Brendan can stay injury free and suspension free in 2006.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

Essendon* and Collingwood usually win - Richmond and Melbourne dont thats why they attract big crowds and thats why they are better off playing big games at the G but like all clubs if you start losing crowds drop off when the crowds drop off you are better off at your own home.Both financially and playing ability as you are more likely to start winning at home. Its a catch 22 we need to start winning to attract bigger crowds the home ground gave us an advantage but once you have attracted the bigger crowds you need the Dome and The G. We should have stayed at home until such time we were competitive again and bugger the AFL . Geelong is no different its only hour out of Melbourne

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

No different PJ 50- 65 goals thats it . It would take ten TD to get this guy to realise his potential. He will wake up at 30 and say Fevola you idiot.

_________________
If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

I dunno.

I reckon too much shit happened to Fevola this year. The suspensions, the injuries etc etc I hope now that he is married he will settle down on the field and play the football we know he can.

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Writer for SuperCoach Paige www.scpaige.com.au
Twitter - @johnfeeney24

You cannot run a football club like that.

Waiting until we are more successful until moving?

Our contract would have run out (was it end of 2005?) and then what do your think would have happened?

Do you think the AFL would have signed off happily on us staying at Princes Park?

Doubt it.

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Wolfe I take the point of view that The AFL should never of built the Dome and should have redeveloped Optus instead. So in hindsight instead of the AFL forcing clubs to the Dome by denying them TV coverage they could have developed Optus. THe AFL turned its back on Carlton we never turned on them

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Hope you are right.

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

2006 and I think with an option to 2012


By the Way Sydney did it with Telstra Stadium . I know one club one city

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Every blue fan would have loved that, but with the lack of public, transportation, parking and with the strong likelihood that ny planning would be compromised by local residents, it was never a realistic option.

I'm assuming that it wasmy reference to kouta that set a few blokes off, it was a reference to being able to rejig the via salary cap, once he is gone the old contracts are over, that's all.

as for optus, we all loved it (I know i did, hell why do you think i adopted the gjost of optus Oval) but it was dead.

yes the league buried it.

So did the media.

television

and most importantly, the public. It was was a money spinner.

As for homeground where was that in 2001 etc. We lost as many games there as anywhere.

The point of JE was that he spent more than we had

He diminished our membership (no growth compared to other clubs, Optus did not help with this either)

We lost the kids - just go to an auskick clinic once upon a time there were as many carlton juimpers as Essendon* or Collingwood (well almost) and far more than St Kilda - not any more.

He cheated.

Yes th AFL had an agenda and so did JE and that was just as stupid as the AFL's. John built his popularity around being seen as 'man' enough to take on the AFL.

He lost the plot

and we almost lost everything.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

and as for DP D=Sydney I think there has been a fair bit of questioning of late, so far he remains supported but it has diminished and will continue to do so i think if he does not turn it around soon.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!