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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
I seem to remember thinking at the AGM in February that the $9m of debt on the graphic was lower than in the dark days of 2013…. I also seem to remember them saying the plan was to be debt free in 5years with $2m to be paid off this year. I pretty sure I posted that, but can’t find the thread.
$2.5m is more then expected, which is positive. But you can spin results however you want them.
2019 we were missing Dixon for half the year, just like we did in 2022, and we didn't have the 2022 version of Marshall. Our best performing key forward at that point was Westhoff. We were also playing three rookies in our best 22.I'd argue any ability to blame the list disappeared at the end of 2017. 2018 and 2019 we had a great list, we just underperformed to the extent that its been brushed off.
If that’s the master plan I’m ok with that, but surely it’s not. It’s also ridiculously risky with the fan base.I would take another 5 years of average results onfield if that allows us to be debt-free and masters of our own destiny after that. But I doubt that's the value proposition.
I would take another 5 years of average results onfield if that allows us to be debt-free and masters of our own destiny after that. But I doubt that's the value proposition.
Sounds great until ya think about ports fan base... Happy clappers... True believers...I would take another 5 years of average results onfield if that allows us to be debt-free and masters of our own destiny after that. But I doubt that's the value proposition.
My biggest concern is we have a shit coach and a very suspect list under real pressure.The debt is not ideal but has never been my biggest concern (admittedly it's become more concerning with the cost of finance rapidly increasing this year). The debt to equity ratio is hardly out of control, our balance sheet is still reasonably healthy.
Bigger concern to me has always been revenue growth. That's ultimately the path to financial strength. Mid teens revenue growth looks excellent but it's hard to really know without the specifics, especially given we're cyclying a somewhat covid affected year.
Who bloody knows, is the right answer.So $6.5 mill in total debt?
Personally I don't get the debt free to be masters of our destiny. A business of this size should have some gearing to assist in growth. relying solely of cash will make growth strategies slower.
If it's AFL debt holding us back, do a deal with banksa (one of our partners) to replace the AFL debt with their debt and we should be free to do as we will!
The AFL has given a guarantee to our bankers for $5.0m and has for many years and lists it under their contigent liabilities note in their annual report.Personally I don't get the debt free to be masters of our destiny. A business of this size should have some gearing to assist in growth. relying solely of cash will make growth strategies slower.
If it's AFL debt holding us back, do a deal with banksa (one of our partners) to replace the AFL debt with their debt and we should be free to do as we will!
The AFL has given a guarantee to our bankers for $5.0m and has for many years and lists it under their contigent liabilities note in their annual report.
For years we couldn't technically operate as a going concern without it.
The average Port fan also sees our debt as a hammer that is used to bash us (media/other fans) and control us (afl). We've had a gut full of being described as 'taker', and that being used as a reason to deny us having control over our own identity, getting a shit sandwich with free to air tv coverage, amongst other things.At risk of coming across as condescending, the average AFL fan wouldn't have much of a background in finance and business. All of the conversations around being debt free and debt reduction are an easy sell to the masses. You can see in this thread that is 90% of the focus. Most annual reports I read have very little discussion around debt. Revenue growth is the key to everything. Healthy companies are always growing revenue faster than expenses. If you do that then everything else takes care of itself.
Austerity mode.
Reduce largest areas of cost to bare minimum.
Reduce the service offering to minimum viable product level.
Use grants and donations to develop assets.
Pay down debt in large chunks.
Act like a hero and point to the bottom line.
Meanwhile, Melbourne, Fremantle, Brisbane, and potentially Carlton all move past us in the on field stakes.
Yay.
See you at the Precinct.
Known as 'doing a North Melbourne'.
The AFL has given a guarantee to our bankers for $5.0m and has for many years and lists it under their contigent liabilities note in their annual report.
For years we couldn't technically operate as a going concern without it.
Our debt was accumulated out of losses, not going out to borrow to buy an asset to build the business.
There is nothing wrong to borrow large sums of debt to buy/build an income producing asset,
Hawthorn did it for their Caroline Springs pokie venue, borrowed $12m to buy machines and fit out that leasehold venue as well as machines for their other venue Vegas Club in Mulgrave in 2010 when the Vic pokie duopoly was broken up. They then generated profits of between $2m-$4m a year and then mid this year they sold off both venues and after paying off outstanding debt of about $8m they netted just over $40m. They paid their debt off slowly when their asset was making large returns in a low interest environment.
That's the sort of large debt you want.
Its not the debt pursue, its the AFL oversight that is the issue. Being debt free means less oversight from the AFL as they don't have to give your bankers a guarantee to operate, and maybe one day, like the Crows have in their constitution, post 31/10/2028 they get out of their hair, and will get out of ours and we have more member elected directors and more say in our club.
From page 35 of the AFL's 2021 annual report lodged with ASIC.
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