The Melbourne City Thread

[Vdubs]

It's pretty much impossible for me to compare, to be honest. For a start, I'm an MCC member, so for every Geelong v Hawthorn game, I'm in an area that would be at least 60% Hawthorn. I'm a Premium B City member, so if it's a City home game, there's just a sprinkling of Victory people around and I'm about five metres from the sideline, compared to usually level two at the MCG. I also have far more genuine dislike for Hawthorn than I do for Victory. I'm hungry for City to start to consistently be the best Melbourne team and bridge the gap in attendances and members over time, but in general, I don't have anything against Victory (besides some of the tossers that come in here). I went to the game last night on a Victory supporter's membership, sat with a bunch of Victory-supporting mates and cheered Finkler's goal. Unless I've got money on the result, I always want Hawthorn to lose and even though I have plenty of good mates that are Hawthorn supporters, I can't imagine ever going to a Hawthorn game against anyone other than Geelong.

The game day experience is also far different, as I'm sure most of the people on Big Footy (especially Victorians) grew up alongside friends that supported all of the Victorian clubs and it was never a big deal, a bit of good-natured banter aside. I've resented the times when I've been told that I need to exit AAMI Park at a different gate to where I would choose. With City/Victory, there's far too much monkey see/monkey do with our excitable European friends and I just have never understood all this firm/ultra BS.

A classic example of this would be walking to the Christmas derby up Swan Street, with a mate who wasn't going (but is, incidentally, a Victory member). We were walking past the Post Office Hotel (the nearest pub to the rail bridge on the eastern end) and there was maybe 15-20 Victory supporters milling about out the front. I would have been to dozens of Geelong games at the MCG walking the same route and seen a similar-sized group of Hawthorn/Collingwood/Carlton etc. supporters, so didn't even give it a second thought. But once I got to the middle of the group, they formed a circle and started chanting 'YOU'VE GOT NO FANS...YOU'VE GOT NO FANS...etc...' I just laughed at them and started clapping as I walked on, but they probably did the same thing to every MC supporter that walked past. And I don't care what anyone here says about A-League supporters being persecuted in the media and by police: if I had walked past the same spot six months from now in a Geelong polo shirt and Joffa and 20 Collingwood cheer squad members had been sitting there, I'd be surprised if they even looked up. There is a bit of mob mentality and a lot less respect generally between the opposition supporters, as far as I'm concerned. Heart/City is hardly blameless in this regard either: way too preoccupied with what Victory is doing and the anti-Muscat, anti-Thompson, anti-Victory chants are bad enough at a derby; they're absolutely pathetic, when they pull them out when we're playing another team. Small town mentality and it's symptomatic of what's been wrong with this club historically (starting with the CEO).

It's a different experience between the sports and I think anyone that doesn't acknowledge that is kidding themself, frankly.

As usual, very well put.
Where would your seat normally be using the City bench as a landmark, looking down on the game?
Divorcing all those issues is not easy. I am just starting to feel that the atmosphere at a Derby is electric, even without scores, and hard to remember the last AFL game that felt like that with 27000 people.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

As usual, very well put.
Where would your seat normally be using the City bench as a landmark, looking down on the game?
Divorcing all those issues is not easy. I am just starting to feel that the atmosphere at a Derby is electric, even without scores, and hard to remember the last AFL game that felt like that with 27000 people.

I'm between the visitors bench and the box. Aisle 23. I agree that the atmosphere, in general, is outstanding. But I just think you could do it and lose nothing without some of the overt (read: 'try-hard') hostility.

Kisnorbo in Bosnich's team of the week??! FMD...

 

[Vdubs]

I'm between the visitors bench and the box. Aisle 23. I agree that the atmosphere, in general, is outstanding. But I just think you could do it and lose nothing without some of the overt (read: 'try-hard') hostility.

Kisnorbo in Bosnich's team of the week??! FMD...

I thought he was close to our best, controlled the defence area, involved in many attacks, more assured than some games.
Mooy again was in so much play, just a gun, but ever so slightly off his best, but there was that goal.
Maybe you could wear some Geelong gear to a match, would be good to catch up.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I thought he was close to our best, controlled the defence area, involved in many attacks, more assured than some games.

Clumsy effort on Garcia could easily have conceded a penalty, was (as far as I could tell) responsible for Garcia getting his shot at goal and gave away another close shot from memory shortly after.

Mooy again was in so much play, just a gun, but ever so slightly off his best, but there was that goal.

Yeah, pretty standard Mooy game, with the goal making him a walk-up for the team of the week. Chapman was very good again, I thought.

Maybe you could wear some Geelong gear to a match, would be good to catch up.

Possibly...it's a bit close to Victory colours though. The supporters near me might lose it...

 

[moomba]

So whats the word on these new training/admin/academy facilities?

Still at Latrobe Uni?

 

[PAdman]

Koren starting and City 3-0 up at half time.

 

[pantskyle]

Koren starting and City 3-0 up at half time.

I have money on Mooy first goal scorer and money on the result being 3-0.

I don't think it will stay that scoreline.

 

[PAdman]

I have money on Mooy first goal scorer and money on the result being 3-0.

I don't think it will stay that scoreline.

Most likely be 3-3.

 

[eth-dog]

City 4-0

Mooy double, Duff and Dugandzic one apiece.

 

[PAdman]

City 4-0

Mooy double, Duff and Dugandzic one apiece.

What? Koren already scored so I don't know what you're talking about little "the eth dog".

 

[pantskyle]

City 4-0

Mooy double, Duff and Dugandzic one apiece.

Lol have you been paying attention?

 

[eth-dog]

Lol have you been paying attention?

Wait, we're playing? God, I was watching the cricket

 

[pantskyle]

Wait, we're playing? God, I was watching the cricket

Haha. Yeah 3-0 up.

 

[pantskyle]

Now 4-0.

 

[PAdman]

Haha. Yeah 3-0 up.

Lol what an idiot.

We look the goods. Finally close our GD.

 

[Ry009]

Nice work again from 'Anna'

 

[pantskyle]

Now I hope we kill them by more.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Koren, Duff and Kennedy could be absolute dynamite up front.

 

[eth-dog]

This could be big. 6-0 type of big.

 

[PAdman]

Duganzic I think I hate more than Redmayne. Biggest spud, always goes down and can't hit a target if he tried.

 

[pantskyle]

5-1. Koren with a third.

 

[eth-dog]

Kisnorbo has been terrible the past 2 games.

Koren hattrick!

 

[Ry009]

Fair turnaround since that shite in Wellington.

 

[eth-dog]

Fair turnaround since that shite in Wellington.

Very similar result.

 

[Ry009]

Kisnorbo..