Port Magpies Crisis

[gossipgirl]

perhaps North should enter the AFL since they are so wealthy

[Chambo100]

[quote="X Runna]
Great posts, explains things very well.....

What a lot of people (with respect, the majority being non Port supporters) fail to realise and was obviously not considered by the two clubs at the onset is that in one of the lowest socio-economic parts of Adelaide, many supporters can only afford to support one club & can only afford to go to either the Power or Magpies games each week, not both.

Other SANFL clubs do not have this issue. Whilst the Crows have a large membership and I believe, a waiting list - in reality they have only drawn an average of 5,000 to 6,000 supporters from each of the other 8 SANFL clubs, but the demand has been met.

Furthermore, being situated at West Lakes, the Crows do not have a supporter 'conflict' in the same location as any SANFL club, as both Port clubs do. Therefore, the 8 other SANFL clubs still have every opportunity to canvas local businesses & local residents for support. From what I have seen on guernseys, a good deal of SANFL club sponsorship is achieved from local business.

Looking at the Power/Magpies situation, I can see the majority of local businesses down the Port preferring to see their names on the Power's sponsor's board in preference to the Magpies.

Similarly, again in a poor economic environment, Port supporters are being asked to drink, eat & gamble at the Prince of Wales Hotel AND the Port Club. The few who can afford to go to one, are more likely to head to Queen Street than the pub.

In the above I have made the assumption, as would have both the Port clubs in 1996, that Port Magpie supporters, across the board, would align their AFL support to the Power. Unfortunately this did not happen either, so where Port as the Magpies had these people on board - they are now pretty well non Port Adelaide people due to the increasing popularity of the AFL and the circa 1990 overnight diminishing of the SANFL.

In a nutshell, too much is being asked of both sets of Port Adelaide supporters due to locality.........however that locality can not afford to support both clubs. Even those not in the Port localilty have difficulty financially supporting both clubs.One can't get blood out of a stone, especially twice.........

Where from here I don't know. As a Magpie supporter for 30 odd years at the time, my support was always going to follow Port into the AFL. Personally, I would have been more than happy if the Magpies folded & transitioned into the Power in 1996/97. It would have been following the same club as it grew to greater heights (albeit losing our logo and branding), however as the Magpies stayed as the Magpies and stayed in the competition - now I feel it would be a tragedy if they folded as the Magpies.

The proposed merger will I'm sure, alleviate a lot of the administration/marketing costs of both clubs, & particulary help the Magpies in this area. On field, I am sure the condition of acceptance of the merger by the SANFL will ensure the Magpies do not get any unfair advantage of Power listed players.

Just hope like hell if it does go through, the Magpies get to keep their name and logo.[/quote]


I like this post XRunna.
I think you present a balanced view of the situation here and I agree with the points you make.
Living in the area and knowing more Port supporters than any other club, you do see and hear these things being raised by your ordinary member.
There are still a few that support both clubs and also in terms of patronage, but that is limited to every other week as far as the Maggies go.

The merger may not generate reasonable $$ on the income side of the P&L sheet, but it should have reasonable impact on negating administration expenditure (as far as the Magpies are concerned).

[Barto]

perhaps North should enter the AFL since they are so wealthy

They would have worked out from Port that it's better to be the big fish than a minnow.

[dedja]

perhaps North should enter the AFL since they are so wealthy

They would have worked out from Port that it's better to be the big fish than a minnow.

LOL, by what measure are they the big fish?

[Hazydog]

If my club had already made up it's mind without knowing exactly what was in the proposal I would be very diasppointed and angry- regardless of past history. Who knows (and admittedly I doubt it) but maybe it can be a win - win situation for all clubs.

Sorry Wedgie - but I would be very wary about assuming the current wealth of some clubs will protect them in even the near future. I would assume that all clubs would be in deep trouble if, for example, there was some sort of adverse change in Pokie legislation - and if that were to eventuate, the clubs would need as many allies as possible - which makes Norths (alleged) current stance a bit risky IMO.

[Wedgie]

North are so wealthy it makes no difference to them but it will make a difference to some.

By that premise you'll finish up playing Centrals each week or only with yourselves.

Its not a premise, its just a fact.
I do however agree with your comment in regard to the NAFCs stance on things, they appear to me to be very self absorbed.
And if there was only us and Central going around I'm sure we'd still win the wooden spoon every year!

Sorry Wedgie - but I would be very wary about assuming the current wealth of some clubs will protect them in even the near future. I would assume that all clubs would be in deep trouble if, for example, there was some sort of adverse change in Pokie legislation - and if that were to eventuate, the clubs would need as many allies as possible - which makes Norths (alleged) current stance a bit risky IMO.

Don't apologise mate, I know more than you on the matter and am comfortable with my knowledge.
You'd have more chance of the sky falling than there being any adverse change to pokies in regard to clubs.
North's biggest issue is writing enough money off so they still appear to be a sporting club and not a business.

[Barto]

perhaps North should enter the AFL since they are so wealthy

They would have worked out from Port that it's better to be the big fish than a minnow.

LOL, by what measure are they the big fish?

Financially. I'm sure they want to be on field as well and could be if that cash was being pumped into facilities*.

*Of course that observation only comes from an ex coach.

[Lynwood]

I do not mind the clubs working together. the issue i have is that when we pay our membership to the magpies where does the money go. I would not nind seeing a deal where all money made by the magpies form memberships and on gameday goes towards benifiting the SANFL team. I would like to see also a mall board set up to run this only about 4 or 5, with only 1 rep coming from the power board. I for one would rather pay to get in every week then but a membership and season ticket for the money to go to the power.

[Hondo]

And all this time we heard North complaining they didn't get enough help. Here was their chance to show the comp how it should have been done and they're trying to tell the football community what? That North should have been left to rot and die? So now when we hear North Adelaide bleating about how they should have been helped by other clubs we can tell them that their own club feels opposition clubs don't deserve help. Fair enough to get the info and then vote against it if it looks like it's not good enough, but to not get the info? That is the mindset of a paranoid and weak club.

North complained at the time they got no help.
They're saying other clubs should get the same help and although I disagree with their stance I certainly can understand it.
The fact of the matter that North were left to rot and die by the SANFL, they're just saying all clubs should get the same treatement.
I do agree they should at least look at the info, IMHO its the mindset of a very bitter group of people but I can understand their bitterness.
At the end of the day will the SANFL (and North) be better or worse off without the Magpies?
North are so wealthy it makes no difference to them but it will make a difference to some.
At the end of the day the North board are backed up by most North supporters/members who I've seen discuss the issue so I suppose they're just doing their job in representing their members.
Also, at least they're honest, there's probably clubs that have already made up their mind but don't have the guts to say what North have and make their position clear instead of playing the political game.

... and that's a fair reply.

I agree

FWIW I agree with Wedgie's stance on this issue so I guess there's 2 members going against the tide

[dedja]

Jeez Hondo, if we can agree with Wedgie there's hope for the Middle East yet!

[Hondo]

Jeez Hondo, if we can agree with Wedgie there's hope for the Middle East yet!

I know Who woulda thunk it!

[Wedgie]

I'll have to re-think my stance!

[tipper]

NAFC have a reply on their home page, blunt but...a north crows merger
http://www.nafc.com.au/

[dedja]

NAFC have a reply on their home page, blunt but...a north crows merger
http://www.nafc.com.au/

LOL, I'm alright Jack seems to be the message.

They forgot to include the bird at the end.

[Dutchy]

[Dutchy]

Sounds like they would be happy to merge with PAMFC!

[Barto]

North Adelaide Power eh. Works well with Clipsal

[tipper]

North Adelaide Power eh. Works well with Clipsal

good (power) point.....

[Booney]

"If that was sanctioned the NAFC would explore its options with the AFC"

Tossers.

[Hondo]

I am sure Triggy is on the phone right now pursuing this hot new opportunity!