The Ponsford Times.

[fence-banger]

Yes, good points again.
I'd say that about half of the Cheer Squad doesn't ever Chant ~ they cheer, as in for a goal, but not at any other time or for any other reason.
Same with using the equipment ~ the flags, etc ~ about the same number, possibly even more, won't use anything, ever.
They're footyheads, but not necessarily doing justice to the Cheer Squad, which is on about other things, too.
As for the Run-thru, yes, that's an interesting one.
Few Cheer Squad members help to make it each week, sometimes leaving us so under pressure & exhausted from the too big an effort required.
I think that the players appreciate it, but as for the crowd, I often wonder where half of them are .... probably outside having a smoko!
It's different these days eg the non-smoking venue rule, the Reserves not playing as the lead-up match, reserve seating, so people are more casual about timing.
The Run-thru serves a few purposes I guess, incl as part of the game day ritual; it's also a big money-spinner for the Club of course.
As for the trouble up the back .... the Club are mindful that the Bay needs more support and so that'll be happening.
For most of us, following the Pies and being there with them, is a lifelong lifestyle .... sometimes I think I'd love to have an exorcism, cos it's killing me
There's been some talk on Nick's about having a Standing area behind the goals ~ I'm totally with that.
I think that it'd add heaps to the atmosphere, love to see it happen. Don't know that it will though, as presumably it'd mean less revenue for the Club, coming from the loss of seating charges.
I still say that age isn't necessarily what really matters in the Cheer Squad; it's more to do with attitude ~ if Cheer Squad members don't chant or contribute in some way, it's to do with their outlook more so than anything else. ho hum

[John Wren]

fb, is that really you?!

question for all - does such a 'problem' exist at telstra dome or is it something that is more evident at the cavernous mcg?

[AGE]

[fence-banger]

Happy to be fairly queried.
As for the MCG, it was the People's Ground, but that's just memory now.
Technically, the ground still belongs to the people of Victoria ~ hence the name I guess. But in many ways it ain't ours any more.
When it was, you could go anywhere (except into the MCC Members part, and who out of us would want to go there!).
Gone are the days when you could walk under the Stands right around to the MCC area & back, meet/sit/stand wherever, no worries.
Now, it's so bad, you can't go one Bay without being checked for the right ticket.
The crowds were just as big ~ it's just that these days everything is packaged-up and we're locked-into this or that.
Locked-in here and locked-out there ~ that's what I mean about the MCG not being the people's ground any more
The other big change that's occurred of course, is with the Sthn Stand ~ it used to rock! It had real atmosphere, real character.
Perfect acoustics for crowds, but is that the case with the new one?
Yes it's modern & comfy and all that, but come on now, where's the magic in it, it's gone. Bland. Give me the old one any day!
Docklands? Yes, it echos, better acoustics, it's a better venue for that.
But it's also a namby pamby stadium, that's what I think when the roof closes! How soft!
It's also owned privately, by a small consortium of businessmen ~ direct profit margins from us into their bulging pockets!

[fence-banger]

[STOKA35]

football is a game that 2 many things can happen while the qtrs is going.You could be trying to start the chant and someone can take the mark of the year or do whatever.
The chants need to be done prior to the game, qtr time, half time, 3 qtr time or when a goal has been kicked when there is a break in play.
If the whole crowd did the slow collingwood chant was going prior to the game(after the club songs) when the team do the final warm up or toss the coin this would give the players and supporters a buzz surely.Maybe you could try and get that one up and running joff.
my 2 cents worth.

[jack_spain]

[fence-banger]

Well put and thanks Jack.

[CAAS]

the only standing room area you will ever find at the G is up the back. they will not take seats out. why would they.

if you want to increase the atmosphere and make it like no other, everybody needs to be actively involved. whether you are 65yrs or 5yrs, you have a voice. Nobody knows how to fix the problem and to be honest i dont think it can be fixed.
I did like stocka's idea though of the long slow collingwood chant during the coin toss to get the adrenalin flowing. 1 that we up the back are using is the "We are the magpies, the mighty magpies, and we are mental, and we are mad. We are the loyalist, football supporters, the world has ever had" repeat as often as possible getting louder at the rendition.

Whilst you are supporting a game like AFL, there is too much happening at any 1 time so cheering will only be done by the majority when a goal is kicked or a break in play.

[fence-banger]

At the toss of the coin is one of the best times to be doing that chant, luv the idea
As for seats being taken-out for extra Standing Room in the goals area, maybe the only way it'll happen is if there's extra Sponsorship involved to cover the lost annual revenue.
But as soon as a Sponsor gets involved, it starts to get complicated.
We'll be hamstrung, cos you can't be seen to be doing anything that might 'upset the Sponsors'!
Ah well .... let's keep plugging away, let's hope something good will come from all of this!

[John Wren]

[fence-banger]

I use the Clifton Hill line, so go through Jolimont, not Richmond Station.

Can you tell us a little about what you've seen?