Carlton broke again...WTF

[our_longreach]

Media reports this morning suggest that, for the second year running, Carlton is facing huge debts, similar to those that Fitzroy had before it merged with Brisbane.

WTF is going on over there. How long will the successful interstate clubs keep propping up these poorly run and performed Victorian clubs??

[ORDoubleBlues]

Media reports this morning suggest that, for the second year running, Carlton is facing huge debts, similar to those that Fitzroy had before it merged with Brisbane.

WTF is going on over there. How long will the successful interstate clubs keep propping up these poorly run and performed Victorian clubs??

On top of that, I heard that they're looking at doing some sort of redevelopment at Optus/Princes Park. Who TF is going to pay for that???

[Sojourner]

It is a pity that the Crows didnt use the opportunity to purchase Princes Park when it was on the market. It could have become the Crows social club and training venue in Vic. Considering Carlton play at the Docklands, moving their social club and training venue couldent be that hard.

[Aerie]

Sooner or later the AFL is going to have to bite the bullet and re-jig the national competition. At the moment it is stuck half way between an extended suburban league and an elite national competition like the A-League. There will be more pain for some of the Melbournians (South Melb and Fitzroy fans have already felt this).

I don't want to see any more relocations or mergers (unless decided by the members). I want to see 12 elite teams, a fair draw and strengthening of the VFL with clubs not up to scratch sent back there.

Carlton are not up to scratch.

[Rik E Boy]

Sooner or later the AFL is going to have to bite the bullet and re-jig the national competition. At the moment it is stuck half way between an extended suburban league and an elite national competition like the A-League. There will be more pain for some of the Melbournians (South Melb and Fitzroy fans have already felt this).

I don't want to see any more relocations or mergers (unless decided by the members). I want to see 12 elite teams, a fair draw and strengthening of the VFL with clubs not up to scratch sent back there.

Carlton are not up to scratch.

While I agree there does need to be a rationalisation of Victorian teams, perhaps you have missed the point here. If Carlton can get their act together on and off the field it is a highly successful brand name that will draw fans through the gates. While the current financial and on field performances are a factor, you will find that these factors are cyclical and that teams have recurrent fiscal issues are more likely to be rationalised such as the Western Bulldogs or the Kangaroos (I know Dutchy is going to come after me for that one). As you have suggested though, this is not a great time to be in the red, Geelong went through that in 99 and have come a long way since then...at least off the field!

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Sooner or later the AFL is going to have to bite the bullet and re-jig the national competition. At the moment it is stuck half way between an extended suburban league and an elite national competition like the A-League. There will be more pain for some of the Melbournians (South Melb and Fitzroy fans have already felt this).

I don't want to see any more relocations or mergers (unless decided by the members). I want to see 12 elite teams, a fair draw and strengthening of the VFL with clubs not up to scratch sent back there.

Carlton are not up to scratch.

While I agree there does need to be a rationalisation of Victorian teams, perhaps you have missed the point here. If Carlton can get their act together on and off the field it is a highly successful brand name that will draw fans through the gates. While the current financial and on field performances are a factor, you will find that these factors are cyclical and that teams have recurrent fiscal issues are more likely to be rationalised such as the Western Bulldogs or the Kangaroos (I know Dutchy is going to come after me for that one). As you have suggested though, this is not a great time to be in the red, Geelong went through that in 99 and have come a long way since then...at least off the field!

regards,

REB

kill REB must kill REB

Kangas will be debt free in 3 years time, have a plan much like the Cats....Kangas and Bulldogs have struggled becuase of their small supporter base which in many ways is very hard to expand...Carlton do not have this excuse - it must be simply very very poor management

[Rik E Boy]

LMAO. That didn't take long. Luckily, the axeman doesn't quite catch up with the fleeing Roo doubter! 3 years time eh Dutch? Not a bad start, I don't think the AWFUL is ready to apply the axeman in any event as long as they are getting the moolah from TV rights but a 12 team comp is probably the way to go in the future. I reckon Carlton copped to heavy a penalty for it's salary cap breaches..they shouldn't have been crippled by the AFL, they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

[Blue Boy]

. I reckon Carlton copped to heavy a penalty for it's salary cap breaches..they shouldn't have been crippled by the AFL, they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

Carlton 21-15-141 Geelong 11-14-80 - 30-09-1995

You tryin to sneak one in there REB ???

[mighty_tiger_79]

. I reckon Carlton copped to heavy a penalty for it's salary cap breaches..they shouldn't have been crippled by the AFL, they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

Carlton 21-15-141 Geelong 11-14-80 - 30-09-1995

You tryin to sneak one in there REB ???

and why not we got beat by a bunch of CHEATS

[heater31]

. I reckon Carlton copped to heavy a penalty for it's salary cap breaches..they shouldn't have been crippled by the AFL, they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

Carlton 21-15-141 Geelong 11-14-80 - 30-09-1995

You tryin to sneak one in there REB ???

Its about the only way that they can win one

[mighty_tiger_79]

maybe ANGWIN got hold of the safe

[Booney]

The AFL,as REB states,didnt,at the time,realise they were going to decimate the club as they did.

I see the problem for ailing clubs being too deep to get out of.The Bulldogs are riding high at the moment on a wave of success,but,they have a core group of fans who while at the top or the bottom will stick by them,they then have a fickle group of "win lovers" who will ride the highs waves,and jump off the lows.Many clubs face the same problem,and,like it or not,people,bums on seats and money add up to success nowadays.Unless the Roos,Dogs,Blues,Cats or Hawthorn win something soon,the hole looks to deep to get out of.

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Carlton to merge with Collingwood... What do you reckon?
Mate, I'd piss myself!
More chance of Israel & Palestine getting along!
Don't scoff yet folks...
Who'd have thought bitter League rivals North Sydney & Manly-Warringah
would merge?
...But at one stage Hell froze over & they did!
(Food for thought )

GO YOU DONS!!!

[Dutchy]

they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

NO, there should have been a rematch between whoever they beat in the Prelim and the Cats....and seeing its a GF.....3 flags in 5 years has a nice ring to it!!!

[Dutchy]

they should have just promptly delivered the premiership cup to whoever came second in 1995.

regards,

REB

NO, there should have been a rematch between whoever they beat in the Prelim and the Cats....and seeing its a GF.....3 flags in 5 years has a nice ring to it!!!

While the AFL get big $$$ for 8 games a week it will NEVER go to 12 teams....that would reduce their rights by 25-30% ($40m a year)...not going to happen

Still cant get ...over Carlton, they have had it all, supporter base, high profile fans, recent success, yet still stuffed up...

[PhilG]

..

[Punk Rooster]

Phil, they (Carlton) should join the VFA (or VFL as it is now)...?

[ORDoubleBlues]

It is a pity that the Crows didnt use the opportunity to purchase Princes Park when it was on the market. It could have become the Crows social club and training venue in Vic. Considering Carlton play at the Docklands, moving their social club and training venue couldent be that hard.

Maybe wouldn't have been such a bad idea and they could have possibly leased it back to Carlton/Melb. clubs for training and social purposes when the Crows weren't in town. Realise it wouldn't have been as simple as that but just a thought.

[Roylion]

If Carlton can get their act together on and off the field it is a highly successful brand name that will draw fans through the gates. While the current financial and on field performances are a factor, you will find that these factors are cyclical and that teams have recurrent fiscal issues are more likely to be rationalised such as the Western Bulldogs or the Kangaroos. As you have suggested though, this is not a great time to be in the red, Geelong went through that in 99 and have come a long way since then...at least off the field.

I have to agree. I really can't see Carlton either merging, relocating or moving to the VFL. Their latent support base is too strong and despite their current off-field woes they still have strong membership levels and a very strong brand. The AFL would step in to preserve the Carlton brand in the competition, if the board did not want to consider merging.

If a merger was ever to be considered by the Carlton board (and I would see that as very unlikely), then the Blues would want the merge on their terms with the ultimate aim to preserve as much of their existing brand as possible. That's the only way the the AFL commission would ever countenance such an action.

[Sojourner]

Carlton used to own a portion of the North Melbourne Football Club, the might as well merge with them considering both are Blue and White. Considering how they didnt mind running around in light blue guernseys to promote M&M's you would have to suggest that their trademarks would be considered negotiatable for the right $$$