With the Blues in dire trouble on and off the field, and the AFL trumpeting their intentions to relocate/merge teams, I can't help but think we will be in the AFL's sights at the end of the new TV rights deal.

Someone a little more paranoid than myself might even suggest that the AFL got the Carlton-merger wheels in motion when deciding our salary cap penalties.
$1 million fine to ensure we're financially crippled, massive draft restrictions to ensure we don't turn it around within 4-8 years.

While I admit part of me likes the sound of the latest idea to have the AFL take Princes Park off our hands, I can't help but feel the further in bed we get with the AFL, the closer we get to being merged/relocated.

2010 rolls around:
AFL: "Carlton, you're horrible on-field, you're still wallowing in debt, you don't even own your own home base anymore. Actually, all you do is train at our Princes Park ground and play at Telstra Dome on weekends. Why shouldn't we fold you?"

Carlton: "Because we have lots of members!"

AFL: "No you don't, they don't sign up anymore because you're too horrible. That's partly our fault, but hey, what can you do about it now?"

Carlton: "Well we still have lots of fans around the country, they just don't buy memberships."

AFL: "Actually you're so horrible that even your casual supporters don't take an interest anymore."

Carlton: "ummm..."

AFL: "I dub thee the Carlton Kangaroos."

I know, I'm a negative doom merchant blah blah blah, I just think it is something as a club and as supporters we should be prepared for.

Teams are going to be merged/relocated in the next 8 years, and by the numbers I'd have to say we're looking like being one of the first targetted.

_________________
"The Wigg's big in 08!" - Chris Judd

I hope I never see the words Carlton and Merger used in the same sentence again after this post, but the more I'm hearing the more I'm shitting bricks about the clubs future.

I can't believe that this is happenning to us. I'm not convinced I could support a merged team. If Carlton go under it's the South Dragons for me. Surely ( hope to god ) we can pull ourselves out of this shit. My baby son needs to enjoy what I've had the pleasure of watching over the years.

The main worry is that the AFL might want to cut the number of Melbourne clubs by 2. I don't think it is mergers in Melbourne they want. I believe they are looking relocating 2 clubs interstate in the medium to longer term. One to the Gold Coast and one to Sydney as a second club there. They want to keep 16 clubs but move some up north.

I have the gut feel that the Club does not want to ask for the money from the AFL because they are concerned they might be be forced to move.

It will be the Melbourne Victory for me (as that will upset "The Spew" and the AFL more) - but it wont come to that.

_________________
"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

I reckon that its more to do with the fact that asking the AFL for 1,000,000 bucks wont do an awful lot for our bottom line anyway. Reducing our debt by that much only improves our cash flow marginally.

What Carlton are looking for consideration from the C$#TS at the AFL and the State Government and some other AFL clubs to redevelop Princes Park. This is the big prize and far in excess of the dollars from the paltry Competitive Balance Fund can provide.

_________________
"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Cults????

For selfish reasons, I wouldn't complain if they were relocated up here, but I also hope it never happens.

_________________
And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Fatprick said on SEN this morning that he is convinced the AFL will take 2 Melbourne clubs and move them north. And he also said that Carlton with are a prime candidate.... Yes, you can dismiss it because it is Carlton hating Fatprick - but I actually think he is right on this one. If we can't improve our financial situation very soon (as well as turn things around on the field) - we might be goooone. My stomach hurts just thinking of this.

Been through it once already and you lose your passion. I loved supporting St George who were forced by that C Murdock to merge with Illawarra. Now I watch and have begun to get slightly more interested but its not the same anymore.

If it happened to us even with a Sydney move I doubt I would be fanatical anymore, just an occasional onlooker.

I wonder how many of last year's paid up members, coterie, sponsors etc would support a merged or relocated team? I'm not sure I could bring myself to do it. I just cant see myself following anybody other than the Navy Blues. A half Navy Blue, half something else, or a 'Sydney Blues' just isnt the same. My problem is that the kids would still want to follow somebody and go to the games and I just couldnt bring myself to taking them to St Kilda/Essendon* whatever games.

_________________
"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

football dies for me the day the CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB doesn't exist.

fold or merge i'm gone.

It is for these reasons that memberships are so important IMO. We must face the fact that a situation where we merge, or relocate as a distinct possibility if our stocks don't improve. And if we fail to keep supporting our club (ie. BUYING MEMBERSHIPS), the more it's position will drop and the more susceptible to something unthinkable the club will be.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

The AFL can't afford for us to go interstate and leave the likes of North and the Bulldogs here in Melbourne. It's all about potential revenue streams and crowds and while we are in the sh!t now, our supporter base still puts us miles ahead of these other entities in the long term.

_________________
In WADA we trust

Yeah, but they could package off North AND Carlton interstate.

If we think we are unable to be relocated/merged/whatever just because "we are Caaaaaarlton" then we're already doomed IMO.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

That's right. The only blockbuster/ reserved seat games at this stage are the games between Collingwood, Essendon* & CARLTON. Why do they rig the fixture so those clubs play each other twice every year?

Yeah, and since 2002 how many Carlton games have needed reserved seats? We barely scraped above 50K against Collingwood one game last year form memory (might have been 2004). It may have even been less. So, even with the grandstand redevelopments a sub 55K crowd figure was unthinkable as little as 5-6 years ago. And yet it has happened.

_________________
Click here to follow TalkingCarlton on twitter
TalkingCarlton Posting Rules

Being saying the same thing for a while...we would be candidates for relocation in our present situation....the TV rights money is being spent on promoting the game up North and there would be a fat bonus for any club wanting to make the move....my guess is playing some home games up there to start with so the AFL can test the water...they will call for volunteers and reward them with the lure of wiping out their debts and continued AFL support like they have with Sydney if they make the move and the test games were successful....its going to happen....wonder what the debt level will have to be to have any club insolvent and no way out but relocate....Michael Voss could be the new coach too....easy drive....
We would have the QAFL as a back yard resource for players....lot of TV coverage meaning sponsorship....there are a lot of positives to sell the club out for ....I could see AndyD liking it a lot......

_________________
"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

The world will end in 2012 anyway - dont worry about it

_________________
*(grow - fun - gah)

Yeah but whatabout your whataboutism.

Then we'd better win the premiership in 2011

_________________
"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly