HTP wrote:
Rightio. So 'playing the system', as the tankers like to refer to tanking, means we get three prized draft picks in the top 20 AND we get assistance to cover our shortfall in membership due to tanking.
Well that's great for the longterm success of our club - but how incredibly embarrassing.
I pray I wasn't one of the gazillions of Carlton supporters who derided St Kilda for having so many top draft picks. And laughed when Collo suggested we 'let them rot'. And squeal with delight when reminding St Kilda fans about paying out debts at 10 cents to the dollar (or whatever the figure was).
And yes, I do GET it. I would prefer a strong team in the long term over five wins this year. It's just a shame we're going to get more shit than we do already for 'buying two premierships'. Now we're just going to be the team that tanked for a few years AND got a helping hand from the AFL to get our next premiership. Thank F@%&#! I'm not one of those supporters who hang shit on the opposition (unless you support Collingwood, Essendon* or St Kilda).
QUESTION: Of the teams who've won a premiership in the last few years - which team has DESEVED its win?
Sydney? Nup, they get a cost of living allowance
Brisbane? Nope - see above
Essendon*? Nah, they were rorting the system just like us (heresay)
Port? Yep - as far as I know - the only team this century to win the premiership without a hundred top ten draft picks and/or assistance from the AFL.
Look, this is about the only footy matter I have an opinion on. I clearly see both sides of the argument, and Synbad's continual blabbering is on the money.
Personally, following sport is, for me, a passion. That means my emotions run the show, not my head. In business, there's not much place for emotion. But in sport, I can put aside logic and let my emotions run free. Synbad, I admire you for the clinical way in which you support Carlton - it makes wanting to lose easier.
The stories I love in sport are 'Rumble in the Jungle' types - rope a dope - watching the underdog find a way to win; John Landy helping Ron Clarke up in the 56 Olympics; the kiwis beating the Aussies in ANYTHING ...
I don't support Carlton to analyze their books and ponder the merits of losing to win v short term positive cashflow. I just like to watch my team win. Just like those 5000 ex-members.
Yeah but you're an idiot and a F@%&#!, htp - DON'T YOU ANYTHING???
WOULD YOU BE SATISFIED WITH FIVE WINS THIS YEAR? WOULD YOU???
Yeah but nah
Unfortunately HTP the passion has been taken out of sport and replaced with the "economic/worlds best practise model" - and apparently this model is anything American.
As Barass so eloquently puts the AFL is the brand - and the clubs are allowed to participate in the brand to the extent of their franchise agreement.
We want the club to be part of the brand, (well until the TV money runs out - and I reckon it will run out in around 2016/21 when FFA become the Premier Football Brand of this country, 2 or 3 Asian Cup campaigns will see to that

), we'll take the $1.5million and bend over and say thank you very much can I have another sir, gees we've been reamed up the clacker before, we aint virgins in that department anymore.
You dont hear any "Jack Hamilton - the VFL is the 12 clubs" anymore.
Whether we like it or not "we're in it up to our necks" and if you dont like it you can join the people out on the windswept terraces at Cramer St or your local football ground and watch a game with a can of beer in one hand that only costs $2.00 and pie in the other that only costs $2.50.
Hmmm, hang on a minute that sounds ok.
