Footy

We, Lib and I that is, did not renew our MFC membership in 2013, after probably 20 years plus of continuous membership. The reason for this was a combination of factors but mostly because of a strong dislike for the AFL system which will hopefully be explained as this post continues.

Earlier this year we were cajoled by new CEO Peter Jackson who in his open letter apologized for the poor on field performance of the MFC in recent years and saying that he understood the frustrations of supporters who had dropped off. I intended to reply to him but didn't get around to it.

Soon after a similar request from new coach Paul Roos came by email with much the same message. It was signed 'Roosy'. This time I did reply, the email has been deleted but it was along this tack.

Dear Roosy,

Thank you for your concern for the MFC. I must inform you that my failure to renew membership is not due to poor on field performance of the football team in recent seasons. It's resulting from the fact that we rarely go to the football these days as our children are now independent adults and it is no longer a family activity for us. The last few years we attended perhaps 3 games for the season so club membership was expensive at $195 pp to attend 3 games.

Beside that, we probably would still sign up were it not for the total disillusionment we feel for the AFL administration. This administration constantly harps that clubs need higher membership while at the same time it introduces two new teams that have bugger all membership and who are totally bankrolled by the AFL, and who have concessions and advantages, and with AFL finance pinch players from the poorer clubs.

We pulled the pin. We can no longer make financial contribution to an AFL system that is contrived, compromised, and lacking integrity.

We remain faithful Demon supporters who wish you every success. I was there as a twelve year old in 1964 at our last premiership. We have a player's tankard from a premiership in the 1950's, that was all they got back then, given to Lib by Don Williams who played in five. We can be happy knowing we are not being shafted by a greedy self serving AFL system that promotes largess on every front, and is a rort in the extreme.

Good luck with it, Carey Williams

I received no reply to that email. My position remains as expressed. In the meantime I have watched the announcement of Demetriou's resignation at the end of the year and noted his salary of $1million plus with bonuses of $2million. This is a heads in the trough industry. I see greedy pig's eyes when I see interviews.

The MFC will have to survive without this pilgrim putting hand in pocket. And if it doesn't that fine with me. I'd be happy if the AFL self destructed and I think it probably will.