They have got a lot of kicks lately but well done on this package negotiated with the State Government AFL and MCC and obviously been working diligently and effectively behind the scenes - one significant building block for our future and our survival and a sensible commercial approach following on the earlier decision to move to TD

they were on the front foot last year, they had plans drawn up and focused on the presentation to all parties.

Yes, credit where it's due

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"I had to eat"

A shame that Ian doesn't get the plaudits but I don't believe that that's what he was in the job for. My congratulations to the current board and Ian Collins

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"In better news for Blues fans, Jarrad Waite was not named on the club's injury list."

And some posters insist that the club doesn't have a plan!! Well if this is not a plan I don't know what is. It is logical to get the off-field stuff right first then we can address the on-field stuff. This initiative will go down as the turning point in our fortunes. It will flow through to all sectors of the club as we begin the long road back not just as a competitive participant in a lopsided competition, but as a SUPER POWER!!

This is the board that plenty of you Web Warriors have canned as being reactive, negative, unimaginative, boring and bordering on dishonest.

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2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

Now if we can only get some elite athletes, some elite coaches to train them and some elite administrators to sit in those elite offices we may get somewhere...

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

Well! ....FINALLY something has escaped the veil of secrecy!!

Hearty congratulations to those at CFC responsible for this development.

Hoping it's all completed with little complication. GOOD NEWS AT LAST!!

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There's so much I could say...

Sorry guys, hate to put a downer on the celebrations but I really fail to see how our cash strapped club can actually be better off by committing $2m in funds (that it doesn't have) on a ground in doesn't own.

When there was gossip of exciting news yesterday I hoped that we would be released from our leasing arrangements. However, much to my lement I find we are committing more funds. Damn if we have $2m to throw at the ground, why couldn't we throw it at Chris Judd instead... I think the returns would be better!!!

Don't get me wrong I'm blue blood through and through and will support the club all the way... but I just cannot make sence out of it...

yeh back seat, I can't understand why you would spend $2 million to get a $15 million redevlopment at your spiritual home, strange decision that...

some people are never happy

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Go Blues

The problem is your thinking about the now which has been a problem with previous boards no future vision.

This deal is for the future of CFC and all other Victorian clubs that are benefit at least we will have a home in the future. The future is brighter then it was yesterday

That $2 million's chicken feed compared to the cost of running the ground over the next X years if the AFL takes over the lease. It's also safe to say that we don't have to put up the $2 million tomorrow. It'll be paid out over the course of the building program at the very least and probably longer if our financial situation improves over the next couple of years and we can raise finance (this assumes a significant reduction in our current debt due to AFL/Pratt/whatever).

Better tagets to snipe at Sniper.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Hey BACKYARDSNIPER, if Judd becomes our elite training centre he will find it hard to sit down ever again. boom boom.

As the saying goes..."Build it and they will come" (pardon the pun).

Obvious with today's announcement that there is a lot going on behind the scenes, and as for the $2M, this leads me to believe that there is more good news to come. Furthermore, I cannot see why that $2M we haven't got today, is required today.

It was always going to be a long haul back to our once powerful position. We always knew it was going to take a lot of effort in all areas of the club to get us back there. But let allow first things to come first,and Judd is not our number 1 priority.

So far...

Step 1. We got rid of Elliot, and put a rudder back on the club, keeping us afloat and confronting the challenge for our survival.

Step 2. We have invested in a youth policy (I've mentioned the 20 kids we've got above) plus we'll get another 6-8 quality kids in the next two drafts.

Step 3. We have moved our games to the Dome, which means better public access, dollars from the AFL, Friday night games (attractive to sponsors).

Step 4. AFL became guarantor of our overdraught, avoiding formal insolvency. As a result we still exist!

Step 5. We have attracted new sponsors this year, including a coach and new ground sponsor.

Step 6. We have been able to retain 28,500 members in our worst patch of our history, and we can only build on that.

Step 7. We have introduced some new youthful blood to our board.

Step 8. In discussions with the AFL to takeover the lease that has become a $1.8M pa financial burdern, with no return.

Step 9. Today's announcement addresses our need to improve our training and coaching facilities

Step 10. Today's announcement is a sign for supporters and sponsors that the AFL is committed to Carlton in Victoria and at MC Labour Park.

Step 11. Tanking for high draft selections. Blooding and development of our kids with games pumped into them to fast track them and to set the platform for 2007 season and beyond (next decade).

NEXT STEPS to come...don't know, but at the end of 2006 season should go something like this...

Step 12. Koutas contract expires, freeing $1M from our slary commitments. Cash strapped club frees up money. Kouta takes a backseat role and plays for nothing. Lappin/ French is on the veterans list.

Step 13. New captain announced....drums please

Step 14. Delisting of 6-8 fringe players TBA at the end of the season, to make way for 6 new quality draft picks.

Step 15. Batson, Flint etc promoted to the senior list

Step 16. Review of the coaching staff, and change for improvement made.

Step 17. New Marketing campaign to drive membership growth and new corporate sponsors (I believe this is already happening)

Step 18. AFL announces buy out of the Princes Park lease. Releasing us from the burden plus some. Possibly out of the red. (Pratt? Mathieson?)

Step 19. Pre season and the hype begins. The Baby Blues unveiled. Bodies strengthened, legs become faster and skills improved.

Step 20. Pagan (if retained) adopts a game plan for the modern game that includes a more attacking style from a much improved team with structure, and better use of the interchange rotations.

Step 21. A revitalised new look board after the AGM.

Step 22. More hype with New Corporate Sponsor announcements.

Step 23. Interstate drive for new members puts the members figure at 30,000 before the first game.

Step 24. The Baby Blues unveiled during the Wizard Cup.

Step 25. The boys show a game plan and a competitive spirit not seen in the last 5 years.

Step 26. Membership drive hits 35,000.

Step 27. More wins in 2007 that 2005 and 2006 combined. The Empire is striking back.

Step 28. Murphy wins the Brownlow.


WITH REFRENCE TO YOUR COMMENT BACK SEAT SNIPER...

Step 29. End 2007 Kouta, French and Lappin retire. Contracts not renewed include Teague, Saddington... our oldest player is Whitnall and he turns 29 next year. Plenty of money free to sign up uncontracted players, and can afford to swap for draft picks as an option

Step 30. Judd's contract expires and wants to come back home to Victoria. Melbourne can't afford Judd due to 92.5% salary cap and committed contracts, and his management seeks an offer from Carlton who have plenty of room, but have to consider other player manager requests.

Step 31. Carlton is the place to be. Carlton's Baby Blues commit to the next step and suggest they ready for a crack at a 2008 finals berth.

Step 32. Season 2007 is complete, and we are on the eve of the 2008 season.....it's official...THE NAVY BLUE EMPIRE HAS STRUCK BACK.

Step 33. TC has become a very positive forum.....the negative posters have changed their spots. Everyone is back on the bandwagon.

Step 34. The Dome is too small for us. Carlton is the Blockbuster team once again. MCG pays handsomely to hold Carlton games. Carlton no longer goes out with cap in hand.

Step 35. $2M redevelopment cost paid up, and we're in the BLACK.

Notice no mention of premiership, but we are in the running for the 17th flag. Most important is we have our team back. Life is enjoyable once again. da da dada da...

Step 36. 2009 and the redevelopment is complete and paid for. The Baby Blues are ready to play for a premiership. Young, fast, strong, tough, well oiled and skilful...it could be ours!!! Flag 17.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Would you like to be the new President bondiblue

The last thing I want is the AFL pouring my beer.

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

Winston Churchill

Your forgetting Step 37. Digging a dirty big black hole and inserting the dead and lifeless bodies of Evans, Demetrispew et al.

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

Winston Churchill

Step 38: Bondi wins POW again, cause he has demonstrated that he has:











..............................................VISION..................................................

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2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

and well done to the state government, no doubt our favourite dinosaur harry had a major part to play in this

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SMFC 1959 : ONE LIFE, ONE LOVE, ONE CLUB

We ae not the only team receiving funding from the government, 6 other clubs are getting money aswell

yeah i gathered, but we got a fair slice of the pie compared to others

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SMFC 1959 : ONE LIFE, ONE LOVE, ONE CLUB

I get the feeling that we have an election coming up. Anyone else get that feeling?