Melbourne Rebels 2024

[dru]

Who are Victorians going to support if there is no Rebels?

I think you are saying the same thing, but fans are just not transferable out of the State. On the whole. Ditto State sponsors. What happens if we lose the Rebels is we cut off a State from the rugby catchment. It doesn't condense the fans elsewhere at all, maybe at Wallabies but I'd bet that the enthusiasm in the absence of a local team to support would also waiver for internationals.

 

[KOB1987]

I think you are saying the same thing, but fans are just not transferable out of the State. On the whole. Ditto State sponsors. What happens if we lose the Rebels is we cut off a State from the rugby catchment. It doesn't condense the fans elsewhere at all, maybe at Wallabies but I'd bet that the enthusiasm in the absence of a local team to support would also waiver for internationals.

There are Rebels team (tribal) fans and there are Victorian based rugby fans - I'm referring to the latter group essentially but yes there will be less interest in rugby generally speaking in the state of Victoria. It's the pathway for the players I am most concerned with in this discussion, rugby will still be played in the state and the objective of the VRU would still be to grow participation, and presumably RA will be on board with that.

 

[dru]

objective of the VRU would still be to grow participation, and presumably RA will be on board with that.

As hobbled as they will be, yes.

 

[Steve_Grey]

Checks

Not comparing apples to apples. It’s nothing to do with relative population. Australia has 27m people but Ireland is 94% white Irish whereas half of Australia’s rugby players are Polynesian. The 4 professional Irish provinces don’t play Super Rugby against NZ provinces. They play in Europe where there’s more dollars. Further, clubs like Munster can be traced back to the late 1800s. It’s a traditional rugby region. Unlike Melbourne.

Super Rugby should go.

Not to completely sidetrack from a bad situation for [Rebels] players and fans, but the point above is well made about Ireland - Irish have been very passionate about their provinces for 100s of years, which is why a regional setup there works. The same is NOT true for England or France, hence Club systems there. Wales have also struggled with the regional concept, as the support is very Club based there - I have no experience of Scotland. England tried a regional system [North, South, Midlands etc.] and it was a complete failure; zero passion there for a regional setup.

My view is similar for Australia - far more Club passion than Region passion. Should go to a National Club based Pro system, and use the Regions, for trials and try and rebuild a 'State vs State' concept on the back of that - nothing wrong with borrowing State of Origin concepts from NRL when it come to Australia Trials time.

 

[swingpass]

Perhaps the state govt could ask TA for some of the $ 60 mill they gave and buy out the Rebels

 

[Tex]

Hopefully the bulk of the Rebels players -- particularly those with a decent history with the club -- take up lucrative contracts overseas and earn an income commensurate to their talents.

Having gone through this situation previously when the Force were jettisoned, I know how difficult the coming months will be. And seeing the glee that some GAGR members appear to be taking in kicking the club and its fans while they're down, I won't be contributing further to the conversation.

All the best.

 

[Mick The Munch]

Agree with you Tex, real shame to see people on other threads discussing who should be picked up.

Not a community on any sense left on GAGR unfortunately.

For my own health I’m out

 

[stoff]

Who are Victorians going to support if there is no Rebels?

The Hawks - I’ll probably just cancel my Stan sports subscription and get some value out of my MCC membership.

Went through this in the merger battle with the Hawks and Demons, then the whole super shit show a few years ago. It gets pretty old after a while.

The real struggle will be if I can get behind the wallabies - Lions and home World Cup or not.

 

[Members Section]

Hopefully the bulk of the Rebels players -- particularly those with a decent history with the club -- take up lucrative contracts overseas and earn an income commensurate to their talents.

Having gone through this situation previously when the Force were jettisoned, I know how difficult the coming months will be. And seeing the glee that some GAGR members appear to be taking in kicking the club and its fans while they're down, I won't be contributing further to the conversation.

All the best.

they are only doing it to fill giant voids in their own lives

 

[Rebelsfan]

To stay in the game, melb rebels need a letter of comfort form RA else they can not continue to trade now that they are in VA

 

[Jamie]

Hi All,

I honestly hate all this "strategic" media BS that is slowly dripping into social and websites/papers. Yes, the Rebels are in trouble, but Jesus, how many sporting teams make money around the world?! Most are broke and if it wasn't for the rich investors they would go under.

We are all aware of RA and the situation BUT:

By running these gossip campaigns - Yes, that is what I think of them, players and coaches are already thinking there will not be a team in 2025 ... so by the end of the year, there will not be enough players signed or committed to run the team anyway, so "they are planting the seed..."

We NEED 5 teams; FFS, we don't play enough games at the moment, so we go down to offer, and we will get fewer games. I have a Tahs membership, and I will not get to go to all home games, I'll be lucky if I go to five this year. Need more content and more games!!!

How are players/players meant to get opportunities?!! They are dreaming if they think 4 teams OR 3 will make us stronger, the best players will head OS, and not just for the opportunity to earn more. They will because they'll get to PLAY games. I don't know why Kellaway is heading to the Tahs next year; he won't play FB if Jorgeson sticks around...

Last but not least, and I am sure Febels fans feel the same way, IF the cut the Rebels will you really support Aus Rugby?

I know if the Tahs were to be cut from Super Rugby I would definitely walk away from supporting the game.

Solution?

Turn up to as many games as you can... make noise and support your team; they need you more than ever!!!

I will be cheering from Sydney and will watch every Rebels game this year!!!

You have a strong team this year, and a good coach IMO, hopefully they can put it together and go the distance...

Rant over!

 

[Rebel man]

I don't disagree with most of that BR. I am fully aware that in a professional environment the players are going to favour the franchise that presents them with the combination of the best opportunity and the best offer, and throw location in there as well. However, unless there is a specific reason to commence negotiations elsewhere (e.g. climate, don't like the coach etc) the starting point for the majority of players is going to be with the pathway which has brought them to this point in time. There aren't enough spots for all the NSW and Qld players to end up at their home states so a lot end up at the other 3 franchises, and the Brumbies in particular are proactive with this knowledge and attempt to nab some of the better players early on, knowing they won't have enough local talent going forward. All I'm suggesting is that it makes a lot of sense both in terms of both geography and the lack of local talent on the roster for the Brumbies to capture the likes of Samu, Leota, Valetini etc early on in their development. Who are Victorians going to support if there is no Rebels?

Nobody, no Rebel’s no support for the game in Aus full stop. Honestly if the rebels are gone I wouldn’t even consider getting the kids into rugby, you’d take them to play Aussie rules are League

Where are the likes of Leota going to go without the Rebels? The Melbourne Storm Academy

 

[Adam84]

Jamie, I think going into voluntary administration dispelled the idea that this is just a smear campaign or slander from fans of other teams, it’s a real world issue now created by the Rebels Board and Paul Docherty, deflecting the blame to journalists or other unions ignores those who actually caused the mess. RA played their part by reducing distributions to the unions, and like someone said earlier, Rebels might just be the first domino to fall. With the pre-covid original RA grant it might have delayed/bought time to fix the finances though. Ultimately the boards of these teams have the most to answer for, yet it’s the fans, players and staff who suffer. It’s a far too common story in Australian Rugby.

I’d hoped McLenanns centralisation plan, including the commercialisation arms of the Super Rugby teams could have averted some of this by cutting costs & overheads across the teams, but that’s all revisionist now,

 

[Rebel man]

There are Rebels team (tribal) fans and there are Victorian based rugby fans - I'm referring to the latter group essentially but yes there will be less interest in rugby generally speaking in the state of Victoria. It's the pathway for the players I am most concerned with in this discussion, rugby will still be played in the state and the objective of the VRU would still be to grow participation, and presumably RA will be on board with that.

They will play League. Storm have finally looked to grow League here as a participation sport. I went down to the Harmony cup last year at the new centre of excellence they are building in Broadmeadows all the pitches are made but the rooms aren’t yet.

If the Rebels fold all the good kids will go to Aussie rules or league.

 

[Rebel man]

Jamie, I think going into voluntary administration dispelled the idea that this is just a smear campaign or slander from fans of other teams, it’s a real world issue now created by the Rebels Board and Paul Docherty, deflecting the blame to journalists or other unions ignores those who actually caused the mess. RA played their part by reducing distributions to the unions, and like someone said earlier, Rebels might just be the first domino to fall. With the original grant it might have delayed/bought time to fix the finances though. Ultimately the boards of these teams have the most to answer for, yet it’s the fans, players and staff who suffer. It’s a far too common story in Australian Rugby.

It’s all revisionist now, but I’d hoped McLenanns centralisation plan, including the commercialisation arms of the Super Rugby teams could have averted some of this by cutting costs across the board.

It’s RA fault. You can’t set a salary cap and then not fund the cap. Every cent paid to an AFL player comes from the AFL the club doesn’t fund any of that

 

[Jamie]

Jamie, I think going into voluntary administration dispelled the idea that this is just a smear campaign or slander from fans of other teams, it’s a real world issue now created by the Rebels Board and Paul Docherty, deflecting the blame to journalists or other unions ignores those who actually caused the mess. RA played their part by reducing distributions to the unions, and like someone said earlier, Rebels might just be the first domino to fall. With the pre-covid original RA grant it might have delayed/bought time to fix the finances though. Ultimately the boards of these teams have the most to answer for, yet it’s the fans, players and staff who suffer. It’s a far too common story in Australian Rugby.

I’d hoped McLenanns centralisation plan, including the commercialisation arms of the Super Rugby teams could have averted some of this by cutting costs overheads across the teams by centralising parts, but that’s all revisionist now,

You are 100% right. However, I still think the articles will keep targeting the Rebels...

All that aside, I really hope that it improves this year and that all five teams can give this comp a real shake.

At the end of the day, it will come down to one thing ... the Wallabies. If they don't improve this year, the game is DEAD.If they can generate enough interest it will filter down

 

[RugbyReg]

This is a really shit situation for Rebels fans (staff and players) but I can’t get over the reaction of many of the Rebels fans here blaming others.

RA can take a portion of the blame but this stinks of mismanagement. Every year they’ve had massive squads with heaps of interstate players. That myst have cost a motza every year.

sure RA have decreased funding but that just means the club has to tighten the belt. Clearly they haven’t. Unfortunately it means the the fans, players (perhaps) and the lower staff suffer. And the game as a whole.

I can only imagine things will get worse before they get better. Licence will likely go back to RA and things will be run ‘centrally’.

 

[KevinO]

So latest news is the Rebels deny VA, if they were in VA I doubt the players would have trained today.

 

[Adam84]

Voluntary administration essentially buys breathing space as it stops creditors continuing to try and recoup their debt. They can still trade in administration if the appointed administrator believe it’s in the interest of the creditors, and the company can come out of administration if a path to viability is found…. Which is still a possibility and I’m sure part of the negotiations with RA & VIC Govt. If they enter VA and haven’t ceased trading immediately, it provides some hope the administrators have a way to avoid liquidation.

 

[Wilson]

So latest news is the Rebels deny VA, if they were in VA I doubt the players would have trained today.

Melb. Rebels deny voluntary administration status

The Melbourne Rebels insist they haven't entered voluntary administration but the move is potentially on the table for the financially-stricken Super Rugby Pacific club.

www.espn.com.au

It sound slike Wexted have been bought in to assist with the debt situation but the organisation are not in voluntary administration, at least not yet. Still a pretty dire situation, but not quite as bad as yesterday's reporting.

Still there's a long way to go to survive this, seems pretty clear that Docherty needs to step aside and let someone else come in and focus on saving the club. Whether or not you see him as responsible it's hard to see how he can give the situation the attention it needs with everything BRC capital is dealing with.