GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Maybe he doesn't have a care because he knows all will be OK. Or he's hiding, maybe he's hiding.
Rebels 2017
- Thread starter Highlander35
- Start date
- Status
OneOrThree
Herbert Moran (7)
RECOMMENDATION: The entire ARU board and senior staff needs to resign.
ANALYSIS: This complete fiasco has roots going back to 2004 when the ARU awarded a fourth Super Rugby license to WA, thus the Force. Please forgive me, as this will be a lengthy post. Firstly I think it wise to give my “qualifications”. I have been an active player/coach/volunteer in Victorian rugby for the past 25 years. This is across juniors, Colts and every senior grade. I was born and raised in Melbourne, with footy mad family members, but I got the opportunity to try rugby when I was young and fell in love with it. There was no rugby history in my family thus any influences e.g. following in Dads footsteps, so I believe I am a bit of a rarity in these parts.
I have also spent time in Perth a few years ago, and based on the life-long friendships and connections I’ve made through rugby in Melbourne, I jumped into the club scene as quickly as I could. I was stuck by how healthy and active it was, with lots of expats South Africans, New Zealanders and Brits in the mix, even more so than here in Melbourne. An example is the WARU held their finals over both Saturday and Sunday to strong crowds. I know this because I rocked up hoping to see the 1st grade final on the Saturday, but quickly worked out it was on the Sunday. I didn’t care, just grabbed a beer and enjoyed the show. I love the game that much, even if it was 2nd division teams battling it out. I was there on the Sunday too.
I clearly remember in late 2004 when the news broke that the Force had gotten the nod over the Melbourne bid. Why I remember is it wasn’t long after my father suddenly passed away and I was really hoping for some good news. Yes, I concur that the Melbourne bid was a dogs breakfast with if I recall correctly, some infighting and a weaker presentation. What I also clearly remember is that rugby and the Wallabies brand had momentum in Melbourne at that time. It was only 12 months after a brilliantly run RWC, which had a cracking final. I remember I had just started a new role and most people were interested in that fact that I played rugby. They all knew Johnny Wilkinson and how close it had gotten. A typical comment would be “I am a die-hard Pies/Blues/Bombers supporter and I kind of understand the rules but gee that was a great game to watch”. Momentum, pure and simple. You are not going to convert every single AFL nut in Melbourne, but if you 1-2% of the weekly AFL crowd to a Rebels game on top of the current crowd, that’s an extra 2k people, taking it from 10-11k to 12-13k**. I reckon if you were Harold Mitchell/the VRU/Coxy, you’d be happy with an extra 20% bums on seats.
The ARU board did that decision at that time. Yes, board members have moved on but the organization must be held accountable for their actions. How many ASX listed companies and their boards have had to pay up for past mistakes. I worked at the AWB during that whole fucked-up situation. Today Trevor Flugge is in the news, he’s the bright spark pointing a gun at the camera shirtless in Iraq, and was the chairman of the board. They are still being held accountable for their actions from ages ago. From this, the current ARU board needs to be gone. Pulver needs to go, so does Clyne. It is the most ethical thing to do, regardless if it is the Rebels or the Force.
I’m studying the CFA at the moment (not the fireys, the finance course) and during the annual exam, which is the only type of assessment, if you don’t pass the ethical section of the questions, you don’t pass, even if you get 100% in every other section. I have invested countless hours towards growing rugby in a sports-mad city. I love going to Rebels games, I love watching any rugby here. My children do or will play rugby. If the Rebels get the chop, I will be gutted. I will still support the Wallabies, but it’ll hurt like buggery for a long time. The ARU made the wrong decision in 2004 and they must be held accountable. Grass roots people like me will be affected the most, be it in Melbourne or Perth. This will weaken Australian rugby for a very long time I suspect.
** (Crowd number calculations. 4 to 5 AFL games in Melbourne per week x 40k average x 1-2% = 1600-4000 extra crowd. Includes Geelong)
ANALYSIS: This complete fiasco has roots going back to 2004 when the ARU awarded a fourth Super Rugby license to WA, thus the Force. Please forgive me, as this will be a lengthy post. Firstly I think it wise to give my “qualifications”. I have been an active player/coach/volunteer in Victorian rugby for the past 25 years. This is across juniors, Colts and every senior grade. I was born and raised in Melbourne, with footy mad family members, but I got the opportunity to try rugby when I was young and fell in love with it. There was no rugby history in my family thus any influences e.g. following in Dads footsteps, so I believe I am a bit of a rarity in these parts.
I have also spent time in Perth a few years ago, and based on the life-long friendships and connections I’ve made through rugby in Melbourne, I jumped into the club scene as quickly as I could. I was stuck by how healthy and active it was, with lots of expats South Africans, New Zealanders and Brits in the mix, even more so than here in Melbourne. An example is the WARU held their finals over both Saturday and Sunday to strong crowds. I know this because I rocked up hoping to see the 1st grade final on the Saturday, but quickly worked out it was on the Sunday. I didn’t care, just grabbed a beer and enjoyed the show. I love the game that much, even if it was 2nd division teams battling it out. I was there on the Sunday too.
I clearly remember in late 2004 when the news broke that the Force had gotten the nod over the Melbourne bid. Why I remember is it wasn’t long after my father suddenly passed away and I was really hoping for some good news. Yes, I concur that the Melbourne bid was a dogs breakfast with if I recall correctly, some infighting and a weaker presentation. What I also clearly remember is that rugby and the Wallabies brand had momentum in Melbourne at that time. It was only 12 months after a brilliantly run RWC, which had a cracking final. I remember I had just started a new role and most people were interested in that fact that I played rugby. They all knew Johnny Wilkinson and how close it had gotten. A typical comment would be “I am a die-hard Pies/Blues/Bombers supporter and I kind of understand the rules but gee that was a great game to watch”. Momentum, pure and simple. You are not going to convert every single AFL nut in Melbourne, but if you 1-2% of the weekly AFL crowd to a Rebels game on top of the current crowd, that’s an extra 2k people, taking it from 10-11k to 12-13k**. I reckon if you were Harold Mitchell/the VRU/Coxy, you’d be happy with an extra 20% bums on seats.
The ARU board did that decision at that time. Yes, board members have moved on but the organization must be held accountable for their actions. How many ASX listed companies and their boards have had to pay up for past mistakes. I worked at the AWB during that whole fucked-up situation. Today Trevor Flugge is in the news, he’s the bright spark pointing a gun at the camera shirtless in Iraq, and was the chairman of the board. They are still being held accountable for their actions from ages ago. From this, the current ARU board needs to be gone. Pulver needs to go, so does Clyne. It is the most ethical thing to do, regardless if it is the Rebels or the Force.
I’m studying the CFA at the moment (not the fireys, the finance course) and during the annual exam, which is the only type of assessment, if you don’t pass the ethical section of the questions, you don’t pass, even if you get 100% in every other section. I have invested countless hours towards growing rugby in a sports-mad city. I love going to Rebels games, I love watching any rugby here. My children do or will play rugby. If the Rebels get the chop, I will be gutted. I will still support the Wallabies, but it’ll hurt like buggery for a long time. The ARU made the wrong decision in 2004 and they must be held accountable. Grass roots people like me will be affected the most, be it in Melbourne or Perth. This will weaken Australian rugby for a very long time I suspect.
** (Crowd number calculations. 4 to 5 AFL games in Melbourne per week x 40k average x 1-2% = 1600-4000 extra crowd. Includes Geelong)
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
Great post, and thanks for putting the time and effort into it. It mirrors my experience, albeit not being involved in the club scene.
I'm always staggered by the capitulation from NSW and QLD commentators about "competing" in an AFL market. Rugby has had a grassroots and school presence since day dot and is going from strength to strength.
It's been neglected for those years and now, when it's starting to get some runs on the board (Rebels U20s), it's facing the chop. Nobody is expecting a new team to sell out the MCG, but we've had crowds in and around 12k-15k since 2011.
I'm really shitty at the moment.
I'm always staggered by the capitulation from NSW and QLD commentators about "competing" in an AFL market. Rugby has had a grassroots and school presence since day dot and is going from strength to strength.
It's been neglected for those years and now, when it's starting to get some runs on the board (Rebels U20s), it's facing the chop. Nobody is expecting a new team to sell out the MCG, but we've had crowds in and around 12k-15k since 2011.
I'm really shitty at the moment.
OneOrThree
Herbert Moran (7)
Regarding rugby vs AFL in Melbourne, I always liked the quote by I think Christophe Dominici about their 1999 RWC semi win vs AB's "They are the rocks, so were became the eels". Not verbatim but you get the idea. How did that game turn out.
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
Rebels HQ bringing steely resolve to the table:
In response to today’s announcement by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), below is a statement from the Melbourne Rebels:
It’s business as usual for the Melbourne Rebels despite this morning’s announcement by the ARU.
While disappointed by the prolonged decision-making process, the club is solely focused on Saturday night’s Australian derby against the Brumbies at AAMI Park.
The club is increasingly frustrated by the impact this process has had on Rebels players, staff, members, fans and partners and the club wishes the management of the issue had been better handled by SANZAAR or the ARU.
In response to today’s announcement by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), below is a statement from the Melbourne Rebels:
It’s business as usual for the Melbourne Rebels despite this morning’s announcement by the ARU.
While disappointed by the prolonged decision-making process, the club is solely focused on Saturday night’s Australian derby against the Brumbies at AAMI Park.
The club is increasingly frustrated by the impact this process has had on Rebels players, staff, members, fans and partners and the club wishes the management of the issue had been better handled by SANZAAR or the ARU.
Micheal
Alan Cameron (40)
You've now got Hamish Sinclair and Will Miller from Norths in the Shute Shield. Really solid players who were going to be given a contract sooner or later (even if it is only an injury cover contract).
Norths would be stoked to see them get an opportunity but gee they'll be looking for some leadership this weekend with their captain and vice captain suddenly missing.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Assuming the injury list hasn't grown, yes.
Worst case Scenario, Mafi isn't fit and we need to either play Leafa or Siliva as a backrow reserve, or bring in Haangana or Tupai or even someone else from outside the squad.
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Worst case Scenario, Mafi isn't fit and we need to either play Leafa or Siliva as a backrow reserve, or bring in Haangana or Tupai or even someone else from outside the squad.
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Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
I might have to re-engage in some more intense training again, with the amount of players out there is an opportunity to finally make my pro rugby debut in my early 30s. So long 3rd grade, you have been fun and allowed me to train once every 2 weeks for the past 2 years. haha
On a serious note, fingers crossed Mafi is fit. We can take them on in the loose with Timani finally fit, Mafi and Fainga'a. Day and Cummins have also had 2 weeks to work together on set piece. Biggest concern tho is scrum, the Brums are very good in this area.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Alongside Sa'aga, Mafi's been one of the bright spots in the season so far.
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Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
GoMelbRebels
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Talking about actual Rugby - How it should be!
lou75
Ron Walden (29)
Gee let me see, he bought a loss making business for next to nothing so he should sell his loss making business for next to nothing, why is it suddenly worth $4.75 m?
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Economics.
EDIT: Rather:
I own The Strand, Fleet Street, Trafalgar Square and Mayfair. Mayfair cost me quite a lot, and isn't paying off like my 3 reds are. So I want to sell Mayfair to get some cash. Nobody has Park Lane yet, and nobodies that interested in the Dark Blues, so I can only sell it for Value or even maybe a little less.
Later on, I pick up Park Lane, and it's the only new property I've been able to pick up. To do any better, I NEED Mayfair back. Why the hell would the bloke I sold Mayfair to give it back to me for what I paid for it instead of completely gouging me for it, unless he's desperate for cash too?
AKA Capitalism Sucks, but it's better than the tested alternatives.
Rebels3
Jim Lenehan (48)
lou75
Ron Walden (29)
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