Also add the fact the club has preached about a stand alone VFL side and then signed a 3 year deal with Coburg.
I hate to say it but I find myself with less trust of the club as I ever had. Club is lucky we have Gale otherwise I don't know what I'd say on here about it.
With all due respect Pope you seem to be (like everyone else I might add) have only paid attention to part of the Club's speil regarding a stand alone VFL side. Yes they want one but they have been very clear in what was needed re the FTF for this to happen
Firstly the FTF target is $6mil (they currently have $2.6 mil). They clearly gave a list of what the $$$ would go to as it was raised. First principle was without hesitation that half the funds raised would go to retire debt. First non debt item was the reconfiguration of Punt Road Oval to Etihad stadium dimensions. The next non debt area was money for recruitment .. end of story that hasn't changed form day one
Secondly and most importantly the Club made it very clear at the FTF dinner and it was posted on this site by those who attended that for the Club to field its own stand alone VFL team it would need to raise at least $4 to 4.5mil of the $6mil. Unless that happened the club would not be a position to do it...
As it stands right now whether we like it or not they don't have the money to field a own stand alone VFL side - so what do you suggest they do? Go further into debt or not pay off the debt just appease fans who want a VFL side - not very smart I wouldn't have thought and I can just see the outcry on here if they did....
And finally are you seriously that naive to think that any AFL Club who is in aligmment with a VFL club doesn't have an out clause in case circumstances change...
And BTW I find your comment abount Benny gale quite funny - you whack the Club for selling home games which was a Benny decision but then in the next sentence say thank god for Benny

which is it exactly a whack or a good decision by the great man Benny

I think Benny is doing a very good job but please give the man whack for the selling of ga :thumbsupmes