Saints moving to the MCG?

[stkildathunda]

Saints to march in at MCG next year

By Greg Denham

Well that says it all doesnt it.. No need to go into it anymore...... Id be extremely pissed off if we moved to the G.

ON the eve of its fourth straight finals series, St Kilda is set to post a loss of more than $1.5 million. The Saints have reacted by requesting the AFL to schedule all home games next year at the MCG following another dismal year of match returns from their home venue at Etihad Stadium.
Following an operating profit last year of $1.69m on the back of a $1.2m revenue surge in memberships, St Kilda is struggling one year on to make ends meet because of its poor stadium returns at Etihad.
After just one home game at the MCG last year and a request to the AFL for more exposure at that venue, the Saints were granted two MCG home games this year, with the remaining nine at Etihad.

 

[hayes]

I don't see why you'd be pissed off if we're losing money by playing at Jihad stadium. I'd love to see us become a good MCG team so I'd be all for it.

 

[One 2 Roo]

Two things from the article stand out for mine:

Nettlefold argues that despite being financially prudent, Etihad Stadium is forcing the Saints into a corner. "Last year we were the fifth-lowest club in terms of our football department spend, and second-lowest in what we spend on our administration," he said.

This highlights what a fantastic job the club is doing at the moment, coming of such a short run up in comparrision with the bigger clubs.

"If you look at the ladder now, the only anomaly in the final eight is the St Kilda Football Club, in terms of clubs with far more significant stadium deals than us," Nettlefold said.

This highlights the need for improvement or we will be left behind, we simply will not be able to continue to compete unless this situation improves. There is still 2 years to run on the current AFL/Ethihad agreement to host 46 games per year. Without doubt, we are a large part of that fixturing.

Whilst the threat of moving games to the 'G is all well and good, the AFL simply wont allow it. Instead we and the AFL need to put more time and effort into further Stadium negotiations to ensure we are rewared for being a continual high drawing club.

 

[stkildathunda]

I don't see why you'd be pissed off if we're losing money by playing at Jihad stadium. I'd love to see us become a good MCG team so I'd be all for it.

Yep i hate it when we play at the MCG.

 

[dg102]

What the sh$t? I can't believe it? Has the clubs expenditure gone up so much from last year? They say in the article that we made an operating profit of over $1M last year, that the Etihad deal is around the same, if not a bit better this year than last plus our membership is about the same. So how is it possible that we went from making $1M profit to over $1M loss???? Did they over spend on the football department this year? Did the move to Frankston cause the loss? Can someone explain how this happened?

 

[One 2 Roo]

What the sh$t? I can't believe it? Has the clubs expenditure gone up so much from last year? They say in the article that we made an operating profit of over $1M last year, that the Etihad deal is around the same, if not a bit better this year than last plus our membership is about the same. So how is it possible that we went from making $1M profit to over $1M loss???? Did they over spend on the football department this year? Did the move to Frankston cause the loss? Can someone explain how this happened?

From memory we didn't announce our profits from the last two years untill after our finals campaign, which obviously included ($500k?) the money from making the big dance and the profits from each fo the home finals we played.

Also this year we had a few games at the dome with fairly low crowds (NM, Freo etc) which wouldn't have helped the cause.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

We made a lot of money from the two grand finals last year. That would account for a large chunk of it. Slightly lower membership ad lower crowds? Not sure if that could account for a $2 million difference though.

As far as moving to the G goes. I really dont mind. Actually like the dome, but would go to seaford if it meant we made more money from it.

 

[stkildathunda]

Cant believe people didnt know that you had to get like #25-$30K to a home game for us to make money... Our crowds have been well done on last year, the move to Frankston would also eat into our profits... We have more people working at the club now as they have put more money into certain areas.

 

[Squizz]

The loss bandied around doesn't make a hell of alot of sense. Yes, the 2010 result includes GF prizemoney (net of player payments) of around $715,000 and doesn't have the one-off costs relating to the relocation. But with the same Etihad deal, the same membership base, and an extra home game at the MCG, we should still be operating profitably.

 

[Squizz]

Our crowds have been well done on last year.

A quick add indicates the home game attendances are about the same.

 

[StFly]

We assume it's the same Etihad deal, for all we know there are provisions that int he back end of a deal larger sums are taken per capita or that they require a % increase on previously discussed bases before profits are made, everyone simpyl assumes that at the beginning st Kilda went to the Stadium at night where Collo whipped open his trench coat to reveal a contarct witten inc rayon stating "you will bring 40k to the Docklands which will otherwise be known as Telstra which will flop to Etihad Stadium or we get to ream you whenever we want. Sign here and here." How does anyone know that the contract designed wasn't there simply in an attempt to run us out like the AFL did with Fitzroy considering out of the Waverly tenants who shifted we were the ones bandied about with the merging and "GTFO" sentiments?

But of course, that's only half the issue since the articles does state that in comparison we're one of the lowest in spending, this does allow for the converse that if other clubs increase spending we will too but still remain the lowest by not matching or surpassing their increase.

You'd also have to compare crowds this year to last to see where they stand, as you would TV deals since the rights were altered as some of the cash would have also gone from TV exposure on Friday & Saturday nights to "bump up" crowds and draw in possible percentages from ratings. Added you also have "issues" with regards to legal fees that may have eaten into profit earnings, deferred payments for delistings, increase player payments with this years contractual situations which will hen be lesser next year as more "bottom range" contracts are entered into at the club compare to "top range" and that's just off the top of my head as to how without taking into account interest on any sort of loan or cost involve with the move to Frankston and collaboration with the Frankston council, State Gov & AFl on the matter.

Otherwise, I wouldn't mind half at the MCG to coincide with the membership shake up also allowing for stadium specific "deals" at reduced pricing to allow for more variety for individuals to then enter into.

 

[batfink]

I'd be happy to leave the dome. Like the Venue but hate using public transport to arrive and leave by. I find it astonishing that we all have to get off our trains at Flinders Street and then catch another train to southern cross, its the same going home as well. If im just with my mates i can tolerate it, but when i take my 4 young children, its a nightmare.I know its not St.Kilda's fault but i buy 6 memberships a year and have become that pi55ed with it i was contemplating not bothering next year.

 

[The Punter]

We play better at Etihad, and I've been sitting in the same seats behind the same people for 11 seasons now.

I love the 'G, but we've built Etihad into a fortress. We're the best team at playing there. Look at the reaction among supporters to playing there this week.

We just need to sort out the return we get. This is part of a negotiation.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

The Saints are simply forcing the AFL's hand. The deal at Etihad stinks. Now that we've played home games at the MCG we've got the evidence of how much we're losing by playing at Etihad. AFL couldn't have us leaving Etihad.

 

[karmafree]

Notice one club has never mentioned a word about the deal they are getting at Ethiad....The BUMBERS!
We don't have a contract at Ethiad now according to the article, so why doesn't MN get down and dirty and demand more from Ethiad? Why doesn't he get down and dirty and kick up a hell of a stink with the AFL. In essence StKilda is paying for the Ethiad Stadium by fulfilling the AFL's contractual requirements to attempt to get at least 30 40,000+ crowds to Ethiad. I bet at least a quarter of them would include StKilda games.
We cannot afford these losses, within three years we will be stuffed, simply because of the fixture arrangements of the AFL. We cannot hang on until Ethiad is owned by the AFL.
Kudos for the admin in wringing maximum value out of the money they have, maybe this is MN opening gambit with the AFL, at the least he should be aiming for what The Bumbers get, less one dollar, as apparently The Bumbers have it written in that they are to be the top remunerated team at Ethiad.

 

[Baldur]

"However, St Kilda's problem is that it is one of Melbourne's highest-drawing clubs and its fixture is solely determined by the AFL, which has its hands tied by stadium agreements until the end of next year."

It appears as if we are being used to prop up the stadium on behalf of the AFL. Just like the VFL the AFL uses us to make up the numbers, while bleeding us white.

 

[Baldur]

apparently The Bumbers have it written in that they are to be the top remunerated team at Ethiad.

If true the ACCC might be interested in that, would need to see the wording, but off hand it sounds dodgy.

 

[StFly]

I'd be happy to leave the dome. Like the Venue but hate using public transport to arrive and leave by. I find it astonishing that we all have to get off our trains at Flinders Street and then catch another train to southern cross, its the same going home as well. If im just with my mates i can tolerate it, but when i take my 4 young children, its a nightmare.I know its not St.Kilda's fault but i buy 6 memberships a year and have become that pi55ed with it i was contemplating not bothering next year.

Err you don't, well in quite a few cases anyway, I'd hazard a guess that you're either getting off prematurely (that's what she said!) on a loop bound service or on the back end of one, as I've had numerous cases when I went to TAFE on a Sandringham line train coming from Prahran traveling through Flinders to Spencer and back to Flinders via the loop on the same train. Granted this was prior to Melb Central becoming a "complex hub" above ground but it still remains relevant since the train lines didn't shift magically.

Of course that's not to say you're wrong or anything, I'm more familiar with v/line services than I am Metro in any event, but have you tried different services? (such as half an hour before?) as you could also just be plum unlucky and picking the services that don't swing by?

 

[batfink]

Err you don't, well in quite a few cases anyway, I'd hazard a guess that you're either getting off prematurely (that's what she said!) on a loop bound service or on the back end of one, as I've had numerous cases when I went to TAFE on a Sandringham line train coming from Prahran traveling through Flinders to Spencer and back to Flinders via the loop on the same train. Granted this was prior to Melb Central becoming a "complex hub" above ground but it still remains relevant since the train lines didn't shift magically.

Of course that's not to say you're wrong or anything, I'm more familiar with v/line services than I am Metro in any event, but have you tried different services? (such as half an hour before?) as you could also just be plum unlucky and picking the services that don't swing by?

I get on at moorabbin and then thousands of us have to get off at flinders street as the trains no longer go thru the loop. i have had many other people bitch about this as well who are also contemplating not bothering anymore. Last year the trains went thru the loop but to some genius wisdom has ceased this this year.

 

[BrianSpeaking]

Jihad is a rip off. It costs the club 900k for 13,000 reserved seats for members, at the MCG we would not be charged at all, so there's 900k for starters.
Imagine how much dough we would make from the big games where we would have 65000 Plus people?
From a supporters points of view, $24 for parking is just down right offensive.

 

[Squizz]

After listening to Nettlefold on SEN, I've got to wonder why the club is coming out now publicly. The shit deal mentioned has been known for some time, so it should have come to a head prior to the season commencing - certainly as soon as the AFL gave us 2 home games at the G instead of the 4 which had been requested.

Instead, the club's reaction was:

Saints CEO Michael Nettlefold said, "The 2011 Fixture is a powerful fixture for both our interstate and Victorian based members and is appropriate recognition of the performance that has been delivered by the playing group over the last three years, with the club having played in a preliminary final in 2008 and two consecutive Grand Finals, including a Grand Final Replay in 2010."

"Next year’s draw is a well balanced draw that sees us play many blockbuster games, but more importantly also has strong audience appeal. We believe the fixture provides great access to members and families that will attend matches live to watch their Saints Footy again in 2011" Nettlefold added.
​

 

[BrianSpeaking]

He was towing the party line I obviously and punting on more members and Freo not being so shit, hence attracting mote bums on seats.

 

[StFly]

I get on at moorabbin and then thousands of us have to get off at flinders street as the trains no longer go thru the loop. i have had many other people bitch about this as well who are also contemplating not bothering anymore. Last year the trains went thru the loop but to some genius wisdom has ceased this this year.

Weirdness that they'd just ditch the loop like that, I'll see what I can scrounge up on the issue since my curiosity is now piqued, cheers.

 

[Murraj1966]

This is terrible.

I have front row seats with people I like. If we don't get allocated the exact same corresponding seats at the G' I am royally pissed.

 

[dg102]

I just don't get how this can happen. A hand full of prelims in the last few year, 3 grand final appearances, 35k+ Members for years and we make a 2 million dollar loss the year after the GF's? That's just bullsh$t! I mean what kind of monkeys are running the finances of the club? This is an outrage! I demand answers!

I've often wondered why clubs that obviously can't generate enough revenue through traditional avenues don't set up different businesses and services like finance to generate new and different revenue streams.