Jeff Kennett on 3AW Friday 6.25pm

[RustyHawk]

Hawthorn FC President, The Hon Jeff Kennett was on 3AW this eveinng .

Apparently he said something last night?

JK said " Got Mick Gatto walking beside me on the weekend!"

Asked about the background to his comments last night he said.

" The question was to the panel [McGuire, Smorgon & Kennett], hypothetical - what advice would you give Jim Stynes IF he became MFC President?

"What I said is that you have to Bite the Bullet go Gold Coast. Take the AFL largsee and the player consessions."

"$300 Million dollars is needed annually to run 10 teams in Melbourne. The AFL contribute some towards that figure, [something like 6.6 million per year per club]."

Rohan Connolly asked - clubs have proved they can survive, 10 teams in Melbourne. - surely clubs need to be given a chance?

JK - "Question how long do you give them a chance?"

When asked if Alastair Clarkeson had contacted JK today, Jeff replied he had NOT spoken to AC today.

 

[Goldhawk]

Like Jeff's comment about Mick Gatto LOL

 

[#6 Mark Williams]

LOL at Melbourne comment. At least he certaintly speaks his mind, very down to earth, at least he is not fake and tells it like it is! Good on ya JK.

 

[Ulittledipper]

JK is a smart business man come polly but this is idiotic - why fuel up the opposition.

 

[wahawk]

JK is a smart business man come polly but this is idiotic - why fuel up the opposition.

why not 'fuel up the opposition'

if we make it to the GF we are going to need every bit of experience that we can get.

lets start by putting pressure on the boys in a game that didnt really have any pressure.

as soon as i heard the JK comment this morning,the 1st thing i thought was 'he's putting pressure on the team to see how they handle it'

i might be wrong but it still doesnt hurt to put pressure on them in a game like this

and you are right

he is a smart man , a very smart man

 

[RustyHawk]

JK is a smart business man come polly but this is idiotic - why fuel up the opposition.

He explained why it was now. The Question was asked what advice to Jimmy Stynes if he became Melbourne FC president (Jimmy in the audience I believe)

JK doesnt hold back, told the truth.

 

[nigelbs]

We are all so used to political and big business spin that it is a shock when someone speaks the truth.

All Jeff said was what many people believe... the difference being he was prepared to speak honestly.

Forget 'Melbourne' the team for a minute.

The facts are...
(a) the AFL is going to have teams in these new markets
(b) handouts cannot go on forever
(c) 10 clubs competing for the Melbourne (the city) corporate dollar is harder than 2 clubs competing for the Perth or Sydney corporate dollar

Having said that I am all for giving every club 'one chance' to survive.

Richmond had theirs in the early 90s, St Kilda came back from the brink of financial disaster, as have Geelong & Collingwood, we have had our chance, the Bulldogs have had theirs and North currently have theirs.

Let Melbourne have a go... if they fail, then it is 'all-over-rover'.

Note: Some could argue Melbourne have already had 11 years of chances.

The thing they may not have grasped is that their 'name' is no longer their savior. The AFL would continue without a team named Melbourne.

This is one of the reasons I am happy about Tassie as I believe it puts us down the list of 'the clubs most likely to fold/be forced to relocate'.

I believe that with Waverley & Tassie the following clubs are in more danger than us...
Melbourne
North
Western Bulldogs
Richmond
St Kilda

Safe...
Collingwood
Carlton
Essendon
Geelong

It is just a shame the AFL did not give Fitzroy the support they are giving today's struggling clubs. If they had the Roy Boys may have still been with us.

I would take no pleasure from seeing any club forced to relocate, merge or fold, but we should be grateful their are people prepared to speak the truth. At least it gives clubs a chance to get their house in order before their situation becomes terminal.

 

[dutchy12]

He explained why it was now. The Question was asked what advice to Jimmy Stynes if he became Melbourne FC president (Jimmy in the audience I believe)

JK doesnt hold back, told the truth.

How is it the truth? It's his opinion.

 

[Hawkk]

We are all so used to political and big business spin that it is a shock when someone speaks the truth.

All Jeff said was what many people believe... the difference being he was prepared to speak honestly.

Forget 'Melbourne' the team for a minute.

The facts are...
(a) the AFL is going to have teams in these new markets
(b) handouts cannot go on forever
(c) 10 clubs competing for the Melbourne (the city) corporate dollar is harder than 2 clubs competing for the Perth or Sydney corporate dollar

Having said that I am all for giving every club 'one chance' to survive.

Richmond had theirs in the early 90s, St Kilda came back from the brink of financial disaster, as have Geelong & Collingwood, we have had our chance, the Bulldogs have had theirs and North currently have theirs.

Let Melbourne have a go... if they fail, then it is 'all-over-rover'.

Note: Some could argue Melbourne have already had 11 years of chances.

The thing they may not have grasped is that their 'name' is no longer their savior. The AFL would continue without a team named Melbourne.

This is one of the reasons I am happy about Tassie as I believe it puts us down the list of 'the clubs most likely to fold/be forced to relocate'.

I believe that with Waverley & Tassie the following clubs are in more danger than us...
Melbourne
North
Western Bulldogs
Richmond
St Kilda

Safe...
Collingwood
Carlton
Essendon
Geelong

It is just a shame the AFL did not give Fitzroy the support they are giving today's struggling clubs. If they had the Roy Boys may have still been with us.

I would take no pleasure from seeing any club forced to relocate, merge or fold, but we should be grateful their are people prepared to speak the truth. At least it gives clubs a chance to get their house in order before their situation becomes terminal.

That's a pretty good post. Its debatable whether or not we're in a better position then Geelong given our large target market for potential support at Waverley and Tassie (although you'd argue they have 100+ yeats of one eyed country town support behind them which would nudge them clear)

I think we all agree that we wouldn't like to here these comments if it was the Collingwood president talking about Hawthorn, but in all reality Melbourne could (and should with a new direction) be on a similar path to us.

Relocating to Casey and 'doing a Waverley' would be a fantastic start. With a history they've got and a strong MCC backing albeit a dilluted one as more Essendon and Collingwood supporters jump on board with memberships, they really shouldn't be in the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne class.

Their brand has potential, potential so far which has been undelievered.

The one thing that gets me with Melbourne though over the years is the wait and see approach of their administration. Instead of waiting around and expected the MCC to get them out of the mess, they need to take the challenge head on and make something of it. Unlike a few other clubs, they have historical advantages that as of yet have been under utlized.

 

[nigelbs]

How is it the truth? It's his opinion.

I think the key point is the difference between 'fact' and 'truth'.

'Fact' is irreputible.

I see 'truth' as being what someone honestly believes. Whether it is fact is another matter.

The sad thing today is politicians & business always feed us a spin - AFL included. At least Jeff says what he believes is the 'truth'.

On Melbourne and the Gold Coast he could have lied and said (a) I believe Melbourne's future is in Melbourne, (b) what he believes to be the truth or (c) said nothing.

If his speaking out gets Melbourne people to back the club (become a member, attend games etc), like Hawthorn supporters did, he will have done Melbourne a service.

If Melbourne people sit back and do nothing they will only have themselves to blame if they do end up moving/merging/folding.

I have been a Hawthorn member since 1997. When the merge was an almost certainty my kids were young and I wanted them to have a team to follow.

My preference was for Hawthorn to remain as Hawthorn (but only if they could survive). However if the merger had of eventuated I would have become a Melbourne Hawks member.

Dutchy, if you are a Melbourne member, attend games and support the club, good on you, I hope enough other demons join you to see your club prosper.

P.S. For what it is worth, as much I believe Jeff does a wonderful job, and I like to hear people say what they honestly believe, I do not think presidents should speak about other clubs.

 

[The Messenger]

P.S. For what it is worth, as much I believe Jeff does a wonderful job, and I like to hear people say what they honestly believe, I do not think presidents should speak about other clubs.

I agree unless of course they are asked the question. Good on him for giving his opinion, right or wrong it's what he thinks and he shouldn't be hung out to dry for having an opinion.

I hate when the media ask a question hoping for a certain answer and then when the get it they jump all over them for it. Everybody knows Jeff doesn't think 10 clubs can survive in Melbourne, he has said it numerous times so if he said I think the Dees should battle on in Melbourne the media would label him a hypocrite for saying Dees should stay Kangas should go.

I doubt Jeff cares if he hurt anyone's feelings.

 

[Roylion]

It is just a shame the AFL did not give Fitzroy the support they are giving today's struggling clubs. If they had the Roy Boys may have still been with us.

They most likely would have, had the AFL even provided a modicum of support.

Late in 1995 the AFL had refused an application by Fitzroy to play four home games in Canberra for the 1996 season, despite the fact that the proposal had backing from the ACT governmment, the Ainslee Football Club, the Canberra Raiders and the AFL for Canberra group. The proposal to play at Bruce Stadium would have netted Fitzroy an extra million dollars a year. In November 1995 Fitzroy learnt that the reason their application was knocked back was because the AFL wanted Port Adelaide in the competition and wanted to keep the pressure on Fitzroy to merge. Fitzroy even offered to play up to seven home games in Canberra, as long as they could play eleven games in Victoria per year. (That eleven would have included away games against Melbourne teams.) The AFL knocked that back as well, even though Ron Evans had earlier told Fitzroy that if Fitzroy were prepared to play the majority of home games at Canberra the AFL might look at it. Fitzroy were prepared to do that.

After that knockback, the directors of Fitzroy resolved that if they could not find an $500,000 dollars to operate and another $500,000 to acquire quality players to bring the team up to standard for the next couple of seasons they would actively seek to merge with another Melbourne based club. Fitzroy's debts totalled $2.7 million (including a $1.25 million debt to the Nauru Insurance Company.)

As a Fitzroy supporter, it's been a bit galling to watch other struggling Melbourne based clubs receive multi-million dollar donations from the AFL, totalling in some cases amounts that double the total amount Fitzroy owed in 1996. THe AFL couldn't assist Fitzroy in 1995-1996, but was prepared to shell out $12 million in merger fees in 1996 and has since spent well over that amount in providing financial support for the likes of Melbourne, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

 

[kimbopen]

They most likely would have, had the AFL even provided a modicum of support.

Late in 1995 the AFL had refused an application by Fitzroy to play four home games in Canberra for the 1996 season, despite the fact that the proposal had backing from the ACT governmment, the Ainslee Football Club, the Canberra Raiders and the AFL for Canberra group. The proposal to play at Bruce Stadium would have netted Fitzroy an extra million dollars a year. In November 1995 Fitzroy learnt that the reason their application was knocked back was because the AFL wanted Port Adelaide in the competition and wanted to keep the pressure on Fitzroy to merge. Fitzroy even offered to play up to seven home games in Canberra, as long as they could play eleven games in Victoria per year. (That eleven would have included away games against Melbourne teams.) The AFL knocked that back as well, even though Ron Evans had earlier told Fitzroy that if Fitzroy were prepared to play the majority of home games at Canberra the AFL might look at it. Fitzroy were prepared to do that.

After that knockback, the directors of Fitzroy resolved that if they could not find an $500,000 dollars to operate and another $500,000 to acquire quality players to bring the team up to standard for the next couple of seasons they would actively seek to merge with another Melbourne based club. Fitzroy's debts totalled $2.7 million (including a $1.25 million debt to the Nauru Insurance Company.)

As a Fitzroy supporter, it's been a bit galling to watch other struggling Melbourne based clubs receive multi-million dollar donations from the AFL, totalling in some cases amounts that double the total amount Fitzroy owed in 1996. THe AFL couldn't assist Fitzroy in 1995-1996, but was prepared to shell out $12 million in merger fees in 1996 and has since spent well over that amount in providing financial support for the likes of Melbourne, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

Also, IIRC, Fitzroy & North Melbourne/Kangaroos were set to merge (all that was to happen to confirm it was the paperwork to be signed) when the AFL pulled the rug and shunted Fitzroy off to Brisbane.

My mum's family all followed Fitzroy - and I went to a few games (they were my second team) in 1996 with some of her brother's in-laws.

What I couldn't understand, and still struggle to understand, is why the AFL never lifted a finger to help Fitzroy, one of the FOUNDATION clubs of the league, yet was prepared to prop Sydney up with millions and millions of dollars, year after year after year. Just thinking about it now STILL makes me absolutely furious.

After Fitzroy went under, I no longer have a "second" team.

 

[hawks forever]

Reading through this thread i read a lot of comments about clubs beiing safe and others not so safe what i think is missing from the conversation is the discussion about members, members are effectively what keeps a team safe. Good management and of course coaching. Members though are the essential element a team and together with the other factors i have mentioned above is what will keep a team viable. Hawthorns succes has come about due to the high levels of membership that we have had over the last few years, this needs to continue, this year i think its pretty safe to say we will crack 40000 members. We need to now maintain this level of membership and encourage others to become members in the aim of gaining Jeffs magic 50000 members, i have noted some on here are not yet members so i encourage all to maintain memberships.
Several years ago we struggled financially and on the ground. the overwhelming reason for this was low levels of members. Melbournes problems and the bulldogs problems effectively depend on membership. Membership ===== dollars and financial viability. Should any clubs membership drop of over a number of years they will begin to struggle and talk will largely centre around whether that club should remain.

ill climb down from my soap box now, thank you for listening

 

[Hawkk]

Reading through this thread i read a lot of comments about clubs beiing safe and others not so safe what i think is missing from the conversation is the discussion about members, members are effectively what keeps a team safe. Good management and of course coaching. Members though are the essential element a team and together with the other factors i have mentioned above is what will keep a team viable. Hawthorns succes has come about due to the high levels of membership that we have had over the last few years, this needs to continue, this year i think its pretty safe to say we will crack 40000 members. We need to now maintain this level of membership and encourage others to become members in the aim of gaining Jeffs magic 50000 members, i have noted some on here are not yet members so i encourage all to maintain memberships.
Several years ago we struggled financially and on the ground. the overwhelming reason for this was low levels of members. Melbournes problems and the bulldogs problems effectively depend on membership. Membership ===== dollars and financial viability. Should any clubs membership drop of over a number of years they will begin to struggle and talk will largely centre around whether that club should remain.

ill climb down from my soap box now, thank you for listening

Great post, the passion of supporters makes football clubs.