the craigieburn move, should be to Richmond what the influx of migrants was in the 50s and 60s, in the 50's and 60 as the greeks, italians and other europeans migrated to Australia a limited group of clubs included ours got new massive support bases which now provide generations of new support as the grandkids of those migrants who came, follow in the supporting footsteps of there parents, our failure in the 80s and 90s meant that we werent really able to grow our club beyond that support, now Craigieburn and the outer North of Melbourne will provide the next wave of support. Its a good move.
The only thing is we should not give Hawthorn the SE without a fight, and we shouldnt give the outer SE to Melbourne without a fight. We need to find ways to grow our support in the traditional Richmond heartleand of the SE ie from Ashwood right out to Bayswater, on another front Melbourne seems to be moving towards Cranbourne, In my opinion, the club should attack both the Cranbourne and Berwick regions, whether the club sponsors a couple of clubs in the local leagues, whether the club sponsors local primary schools with footy equipment, whether we set up pubs whatever it is ... we should be in those areas attacking, Melbourne is an incompetent club, a proper campaign in Cranbourne and Berwick would produce good results. For example providing free of charge 3 game memberships to kids (Kids only membership) at the primary schools who are in prep, grade 1 and grade 2 include some cheap gear and give it in a showbag and we will win new kids exactly at the right age (kids that age are very impressionable - even if the parents hate us, kids who are 5,6,7 know how to pester ... alot will force there parents to take them to the games, after that the game, the song, the environment should be enough to win them over ... if we can get those kids in the primary schools out in Berwick and Cranbourne we could cut Melbourne and Hawthorn of at the knees.
