Melbourne's Fixture

[brad]

On paper it looks like a dream fixture and so it should be BUT financially it is a terrible fixture.

Of Melbourne's 11 home games only 4 are against Victorian Clubs (Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond and Carlton. Both Richmond and Hawthorn games being Sunday - one twilight)

Melbourne play all 7 interstate sides as the home team in 2011 with only the Western Bulldogs coming close to that playing 6.

I'm not sure how many neutral fans are likely to rock up to these matches.

They would want to hope that their season starts off well because otherwise

Melbourne Vs Fremanle (Round 13 Sunday Early start MCG)
Melbourne Vs West Coast (Round 21 Sunday Early Etihad)
Melbourne Vs Gold Coast (Round 23 Sunday MCG)

could be quite costly for their club.

Melbourne do play a home game Vs Port Adelaide in Darwin in Round 17.

I guess if they win all 7 of these matches they're on their way to the finals which would help the coffers.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

We all know what happened last time West Coast played Melbourne in Victoria

 

[Mr Budda Bing]

We all know what happened last time West Coast played Melbourne in Victoria

Didn't they get something like 29k to that match?

Melbourne should be fine.

Membership is better than ever and with the new exciting team, they'll be fine crowd wise. Crowds for them were better last year against the Interstate sides. I think they got something like 35k vs Brisbane and like 33k vs Sydney.

MCG brings in more neutrals than Ethiad does aswell.

If North played games at the MCG, they wouldn't get a crowd less than 20k. In 07, they played Port there and got 23k. In 09,10, played Port at Ethiad and both times got 14 to 15k.

 

[Rob]

MCG brings in more neutrals than Ethiad does aswell.

That appears to be the case, but i'd imagine the bulk of them are MCC and AFL members, and consequently the home club doesnt get any benefit from those people attending.

 

[Bartram_Class]

2010 Figures

Melb v. Adel, MCG: 23,335
Melb. v. Brisbane, MCG: 36,396
Melb. v. West Coast, MCG: 28,592
Melb. v. Sydney, MCG: 29,374

Not great figures but certainly nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Demon 16]

If we can make finals out of this 'easy' draw, then it will pay off handsomely.

I suspect we'll just miss out though - but I dont think we'll be too hurt from a financial perspective.

 

[hassa man]

No excuses this year,2011 is the time to deliver a final 8 apearance,if we dont what do you think of Bailey's future.!!!

Hassa

 

[jonbe54]

No excuses this year,2011 is the time to deliver a final 8 apearance,if we dont what do you think of Bailey's future.!!!

Hassa

If melb don't make the finals with this draw then I would be asking questions, they have a live wire improving young team and a sensational draw they should make the finals.

 

[Demon 16]

Its easy to forget how young our list is. Second youngest only to GC - and no-one is expecting big things from them yet.

I would say 8 - 10th place this year, and success to be measured on how we improve as a team and individually.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I wouldn't have expected Melbourne to HAVE TO make the finals in 2011, sure it'd be nice, but they're sitll a young team atm. If they fail to make finals in 2012 Bailey will be in trouble

 

[Ed_Gein]

Maybe more people in Melbourne will turn up if they're a decent show of winning, if they;re in good nick. Playing teams outside of Victoria at home will improve that, meaning more people will turn up i guess.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Its easy to forget how young our list is. Second youngest only to GC - and no-one is expecting big things from them yet.

I would say 8 - 10th place this year, and success to be measured on how we improve as a team and individually.

Well actually, Richmonds is younger.....

 

[Demon 16]

Well actually, Richmonds is younger.....

Apologies if that is correct - I had heard Melbournes was younger but perhaps that was incorrect.

Anyway no-one is demanding a finals appearance of a young Richmond side either.

 

[brad]

I'm not talking about how young they are or IF they are likely to or not make the 8 I just think their fixture is poor from a club's perspective in trying to get people through the gates.

I know myself I would be more inclined to go to the MCG to see Melbourne Vs Geelong or Melbourne Vs St Kilda/Western Bulldogs etc than Melbourne Vs Fremantle or heading off to Etihad to see them play West Coast in front of 20K.

If they don't get neutrals through the gate it's going to have a big impact on their gate takings especially if 95% of their crowd are MCC/AFL and Melbourne FC members.

 

[Joshen]

I think they'll be fine; exciting team on the up, if they're winning these games more people will turn up and playing at the MCG.

 

[Higgs Boson]

Mike Sheahan in the Hun today says he expects Melbourne to just miss the eight, and that that's okay. Finals 2012.

After our pre-season, I'm inclined to agree with him.

 

[Demon 16]

I'm not talking about how young they are or IF they are likely to or not make the 8 I just think their fixture is poor from a club's perspective in trying to get people through the gates.

I know myself I would be more inclined to go to the MCG to see Melbourne Vs Geelong or Melbourne Vs St Kilda/Western Bulldogs etc than Melbourne Vs Fremantle or heading off to Etihad to see them play West Coast in front of 20K.

If they don't get neutrals through the gate it's going to have a big impact on their gate takings especially if 95% of their crowd are MCC/AFL and Melbourne FC members.

As we start winning more games, we will attract bigger audiences, and along with that will come more financially favourable fixtures as the AFL seek to maximise tv rights and sponsorship revenues.

Isnt a fair system really - I think the AFL should be aiming for a season where everyone plays each other twice.

 

[WATTSJURRAHDUNN]

Apologies if that is correct - I had heard Melbournes was younger but perhaps that was incorrect.

Anyway no-one is demanding a finals appearance of a young Richmond side either.

Senior list 2011-
Melbourne 22y157d
Richmond 22y163d

Almost ther same. Richmond have younger rookies so either team can have a case for younger list if that's what you wanna hang on. I couldn't give two shizzles, so I expect a final. Cannot see it happening but who knows.

 

[legend166]

I'm going to have to go on my "non-Victorian clubs play at least 10/11 home games against interstate opposition, Victorian clubs need to be able to sustain themselves from their own fans if they want to be viable" rant again, aren't I?

From the looks of last years crowds, Melbourne have no problem drawing around 30k against non-Victorian opposition, which is fine.

 

[mrpez]

That appears to be the case, but i'd imagine the bulk of them are MCC and AFL members, and consequently the home club doesnt get any benefit from those people attending.

No you are wrong. I can't speak for the AFL members, but the home club gets something like $12 to $15 per MCC member that scans their card through the gate.

 

[TigersBoy]

I'From the looks of last years crowds, Melbourne have no problem drawing around 30k against non-Victorian opposition, which is fine.

Melbourne just need to win a few early games like last year. When they win the fans show but when they loose theyll get crowds of 2008/09 size. There home match at Etihad will be lucky to crack 15,000.

 

[Hannabal]

Senior list 2011-
Melbourne 22y157d
Richmond 22y163d

Richmond have younger rookies so either team can have a case for younger list if that's what you wanna hang on.

No, Richmond don't have a case for a younger list as it's only the Senior list that counts.

Where is this information ?

 

[jonoman89]

Melbourne in 2011 have one of the easiest draws i have seen for any club in many a year.

They should make finals.

I have them slotting in at 8th.

 

[Rob]

No you are wrong. I can't speak for the AFL members, but the home club gets something like $12 to $15 per MCC member that scans their card through the gate.

Wasn't aware of that, my apologies. I was only aware of the $100k a game each club gets from the MCC. Why do clubs complain about MCC members not joining up as members then? That payment roughly equates to the same per game as a standard 11 game membership.

 

[savagelunchbox]

Winning brings in the fans. All Melbourne need to do is win and not play like Sydney and St Kilda when they were winning and the fans will come.

Exciting list of players including Jurrah, Scully, Trengove (hope i spelt it right), Frawley, Davey, Jetta, Wonaeamirri and even the preseason improvement of Watts should have the fans excited and wanting to come to see them play