Myle Baron-Hay

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Probably one of the best thing to come out of last night was us all getting a bit more of a squizz at Myle Baron-Hay in action. I will admit that I did have concerns that he was yet another Indian Pacific stooge from Colless's days in the west, but from what he said last night, I reckon we are seriously very lucky to have a man that not only knows what he was doing, but is not too ashamed to be seen amongst people like the Cheer Squad. HE CAME UP TO US LAST NIGHT AND SAID HE WOULD SIT WITH US FOR A COUPLE OF GAMES NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!! (*totally peaking* )

Instantly he turned a skeptic into a believer. (It is amazing what somebody with great people skills can do-the Melbourne Cheer Squad is proof of that!) I was given respect as a supporter. I guess that is all I want. The fact that he even said up on stage that he was "very open" to new ideas from the members and that he would "look forward" to hearing from supporters if they think they can help in any way.

As he spoke, I kept kicking myself, thinking I was reading what many of our concerns have been on RWO. Actually it would not surprise me if he has been reading RWO, as I do know the office gets wind of things that are started-up here.

One thing that will please Robbie and Charlie, as well as our Melbourne members as a whole is the fact that MBH singled out Melbourne as one single area where the performance of our club can be stepped up. I think it was either Robbie or Charlie who instigated the notion that a former player become involved with the club, so as to increase the identification of today's club in Sydney with the club of our forefathers at the Lake. Low and behold we have somebody who is not only a member of our Team of the Century-a clubman through and through, but an excellent businessman in his own right-Tony Morwood. Next year I think we should be disappointed if we do not have less than 6000 members in Melbourne. The year after I think 10000 in Melbourne is VERY acheivable. The club IS taking Melbourne seriously. Watch things change down there guys. (Or if not, let them know about it until they get things right!)

All in all I'm suddenly very positive about the direction the club is heading in off the field.

The way we are going, I can see us being THE superclub of the AFL within 10 years (A big statement considered recent events, but one I think that we should aim for-we are the number one city in Australia-we MUST have the NUMBER ONE team!)

JF

[robbieando]

Re: Myle Baron-Hay

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
One thing that will please Robbie and Charlie, as well as our Melbourne members as a whole is the fact that MBH singled out Melbourne as one single area where the performance of our club can be stepped up.

He has got that right, the effort in Melbourne can only get better from what it is now.

Low and behold we have somebody who is not only a member of our Team of the Century-a clubman through and through, but an excellent businessman in his own right-Tony Morwood.

This is a great move, not only because of fact its Tony Morwood, but the fact its a clear sign that the club wants to improve its efforts and that the Melbourne isn't been run as well as it can be at the moment. However its important that the club allows him to put things in place that he reckons is needed and it doesn't interfear with his decisions.

Next year I think we should be disappointed if we do not have less than 6000 members in Melbourne. The year after I think 10000 in Melbourne is VERY acheivable.

I expect membership to rise next season, only because of our success this year. People won't want to miss out if we do go one step better. However for a long term rise in Victorian Membership it will all come down to 1 thing - the amount of games we get down here. The club MUST pressure the AFL for at least 6 games a year from 2005 (Its too late for next season as the draw is released on Wed, BTW I expect only 5 games again next year) otherwise people will again drop off because membership isn't that great for value of money.

Its good to see clear signs of change, but we can't let up the pressure on the club.

The way we are going, I can see us being THE superclub of the AFL within 10 years

Your sounding like Colless after the 1996 Grand Final.

[swansrock4eva]

I, too, was seriously impressed by Myles Baron-Hay. He came across as passionate but more than intelligent enough to draw the line between passion and plain stupidity (If only we could ALL be so lucky! ), and if he makes good on even half the things he has said he will then we will be travelling along nicely And like Jules, I am also very much anticipating the chance to meet him and actually communicate with someone whose position has in the past made them all but inacessible to me, the humble little everyday supporter. Bring on 2004!

[Bron]

Separate to the B&F night, my experiences have been good too (so far).

Richard Colless has so far met with SSI members / representatives on at least three occasions, for at least two hours. On the one occasion that I was involved, he said that he was disappointed that SSI was an external organisation to the Club and wanted to see members provide feedback through the Club and organisations such as SSI be part of the Club. OK, this sounds plausible.

HOWEVER, the President of the Redbacks (my husband) (who are part of the Club and the members that pay a fair bit more, many of whom want to be involved with and contribute to the Club in many ways) has yet to have a meeting with Richard Colless, despite repeated requests in writing, over the phone and in person.

(Originally the Redbacks were set up when most players came from out of Sydney and the facilities were very basic. They used to pick players up from the airport, have them around for dinner, just generally try to make them feel welcome in Sydney. Many of the Redbacks from this time still want to be involved in some way and most of those who have joined over the last five years want to do things for the Club too, whether it's running functions - where the sausages don't run out! - or donating their business expertise, or whatever.)

This kind of makes a mockery of RC's comments about working with those within the Club. It seems that only those who agitate externally and have some potential to get media focus are able to be heard. This is one of the reasons that I have supported SSI.

Last week, my husband rang Miles and left a message. Within a day, there had been a call back and meeting set up for next week. This is a real improvement IMHO! Of course, we have yet to see what happens in the meeting, but the initial signs are good. I do believe that he is interested in getting other feedback.

[Charlie]

This guy sounds like a winner.

Rob - I couldn't imagine them giving us 5 games again... the AFL wouldn't dare.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Charlie
Rob - I couldn't imagine them giving us 5 games again... the AFL wouldn't dare.

Sadly everything points to 5 games including a game in Geelong as one of the 5.

[anne]

What points to only 5 games in Melbourne? The club told me they were asking for 6. In 2003 our membership went down about $3 and we lost a game! That's why people gave up their memberships.

[Plugger46]

I've had a gutful of this 5 game crap. I'm going to have to make more interstate trips to see the boys play.

[Nico]

Originally posted by Plugger46
I've had a gutful of this 5 game crap. I'm going to have to make more interstate trips to see the boys play.

Better get a job then P46. Airfares aint cheap.

[EMJ]

Bron
Can you enlighten me on what happened to the help that Richard Colless requested in the Swans News earlier this year? I offered and sent emails, Richard's Secretary replied, they were going to process them. A few emails went back and forth. No word and as far as I know nothing ever eventuated. Shame I was very willing to assist.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by janpa
Bron
Can you enlighten me on what happened to the help that Richard Colless requested in the Swans News earlier this year? I offered and sent emails, Richard's Secretary replied, they were going to process them. A few emails went back and forth. No word and as far as I know nothing ever eventuated. Shame I was very willing to assist.

It appears that you are not the only one Janpa. I'm not going to start a "let's bash Richard Colless" thread, as I don't think destructive personal criticism is actually helpful at a time where we should be all upbeat and positive about increased member/supporter relations with those who run the club we sacrifice our lives for. However, RC (and those under him) must be held responsable for not getting back to thoe willing to contribute. That is simply not acceptable, especially considering that several highly influential people have indicated that they would be able to assist the club. Purely and simply noses have been put out of joint.

I know the club read RWO, which in itself is good, as they know we are watching them these days. I can seriously see the days when this 'us vs them' attitude between the office and supporters diminishes. We all want success for this football club, don't we? As shown by his warmth and friendliness in addressing members of the Cheer Squad, it often takes very little to change people's opinions on things. All we want is to be given respect. We got that and more from MBH. Thank you, and well done mate! Having you sit with us for even 10 minutes is the VERY BEST way to help change perceptions that the Cheer Squad are a bunch of no-hopers, which we simply aren't.

MBH seriously sounds like a top bloke. Hopefully all of us will be able to work with him on a very close basis in the future.

JF

PS:- So Myles, are you a flag or flogger man?

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Plugger46
I've had a gutful of this 5 game crap. I'm going to have to make more interstate trips to see the boys play.

Well, you do that mate!

You might even realise that some of the people up here are really very nice, and might even love their club a bit too.

JF

[robbieando]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
PS:- So Myles, are you a flag or flogger man?

Get him on one of the 15ft flags

[Charlie]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Well, you do that mate!

You might even realise that some of the people up here are really very nice, and might even love their club a bit too.

JF

Err.... what exactly did he say wrong?

[Bron]

Originally posted by janpa
Bron
Can you enlighten me on what happened to the help that Richard Colless requested in the Swans News earlier this year? I offered and sent emails, Richard's Secretary replied, they were going to process them. A few emails went back and forth. No word and as far as I know nothing ever eventuated. Shame I was very willing to assist.

Mate, you had exactly the same experience as me. If you ask people to help and they respond and then you ignore them, it turns people away. Not a good approach.