Jetstream Interviews - Ernie Merrick and Lawrie McKinna

[Jeterpool]

The Jets have again been kind enough to allow The Jetstream time for an extended interview with both Ernie Merrick and Lawrie McKinna.

As we have in the past, we will pose the questions from the fans to both Ernie and Lawrie. Questions will be vetoed by us before being asked.

Make it clear, as well, who you are asking the question to.

Questions will close Wednesday 27th.

[lil_masi]

The Jets have again been kind enough to allow The Jetstream time for an extended interview with both Ernie Merrick and Lawrie McKinna.

As we have in the past, we will pose the questions from the fans to both Ernie and Lawrie. Questions will be vetoed by us before being asked.

Make it clear, as well, who you are asking the question to.

Questions will close Wednesday 27th.

Question to Lawrie: Are we definitely going to sign a Chinese player this season? Are we waiting until Jan's transfer window to sign them?

[StannyCFCJET]

Question to Ernie: When our current way of playing gets found out during the season and teams learn how counter our play style, Will we have other formations/Game plans to turn to. I feel this was a major problem with past managers only having a Plan A and no Plan B or C.

[Jeterpool]

Question to Ernie - In Season 2 (2006/07), the Victory were defeated by the Jets 4-0 in the last round (Round 21) and have always seemed to be the Victory's bogey side. Something I have always wondered is what would have happened had the Jets defeated Adelaide in Premliminary final shootout and made it to the Grand Final. History shows your team won 6-0 in that Grand Final.

Question a) What do you remember about that 4-0 game and b) Were you happier to be playing Adelaide in that season instead of the Jets?

[MFKS]

Question to the Gypo CEO

Where the **** are the Jet Shaped Hats??

[Hunter403]

Lawrie:
Where are our jet shaped hats?
Where is the statue of Griff?

Serious question to Lawrie
Now the Jets have resumed control over the Emerging Jets, will we see a change in the way they select, train and play? It seems that the Mariners spend more time watching / recruiting the local junior NPL than the Jets do and they play in that comp.

[Tommyjet]

Are you happy with your depth at main striker?

[The Dunster]

Ernie: Our most successful keeper in recent years had flappy hands. Is our GK coach aware of this technique and is it something the current GK's practice each training session ?

[pv4]

LM - who was involved in the process of kit design and approvals for this years playing kits? Will there be any plans for fan consultation, design input, etc for future?

LM - the emerald and cinnamon colours were ignored by the club again this season. Once upon a time in Jets history, 76% of members voted for these colours to be used in our kit. Why was the colours not used again this season?

LM - you recently invited the active supporters group NCL to Westfield Kotara, and in that invitation stated that with the signing of Ronald Vargas "that completes our squad". Is our squad completed, or do we still plan on using the spare squad spot + are we still trying to offload Daniel Alessi and replace him also? It seems like we have one, maybe two positions free - are we not using them?

LM - you stated on Twitter that we will have 2 players outside of the salary cap. Ronald Vargas is one - who is the other?

LM - will the NCL, now the clubs official supporters group, be held to the same FFA required active support standards that the Squadron were previously held to?

LM - last season the Jetstream presented awards to people in the club thru votes from fans. One of these awards was Staff Member of the Year, which was awarded to Luke Blundell. That was quite the achievement for a young man who came thru the club ranks starting off as a volunteer. What does the future hold within club for its Staff Member of the Year?

LM - do you expect David Lowe to be in Ernie's corner as much as he was in Mark Jones' last season?

LM - is it difficult to balance all the work you have as CEO + help coach our Youth Team? Surely it isn't the ideal scenario. How did we find ourselves in this predicament? Are there plans in place to lighten your workload?

LM - what do you consider to be your 5 biggest achievements as Jets CEO? If fans were to attempt to assess if you have done a good job or not, what would you say are your best results during your time?

LM - what are your 3 biggest plans for the clubs future and how will you attempt to achieve them?

LM - this offseason we farewelled Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy & Kristian Brymora - 3 locally grown players. We have not added any local players to our senior roster since. As CEO of the club, does that alarm you? Are local players considered an important part of the club and its future plans, or do the club not mind where the majority of its squad is from?

LM - ticket prices for interstate games are $25+ per fan. Can you put forward to the FFA a proposal similar to the setup with CCM in that club members get entry, or even subsidized tickets, to away games?

LM - what are your thoughts on promotion/relegation in Australian football? Would it be good or bad for the game? Would it be good or bad for the Jets? Is being held accountable for coming last the least desirable thing you can imagine for your club?

EM - Ernie was quoted in an article when it was first announced we would be signing a marquee that there were three players shortlisted and he hoped to get one of them. Was Ronald Vargas one of these originally targeted players? Was Vargas the player who we nearly signed, and flew his bags over, or was that another player?

EM - how do the Jets facilities in general compare to your previous clubs? Where and how can we improve to make our club as good as or better than other clubs from an off-field perspective - training fields, gyms, resources, etc?

EM - you have one squad spot still available, and potentially a second if you can move on Daniel Alessi or another player. What would be the ideal positions to fill with these remaining squad spots?

EM - are you worried that we don't have enough depth in the number 9 striker position? It feels like we have a distinct lack of option outside of Roy O'Donovan.

EM - in your time you have coached some absolutely wonderful import players - Carlos Hernandez, Fred & Roly Bonevacia instantly come to mind. How does Ronald Vargas compare?

LM & EM - ignoring all other achievements, what is the minimum requirement of Ladder Position for the club this upcoming season? Is it reasonable for fans to have a minimum expectation of Finals Football? From a coach and CEO perspective, will you consider anything less than 6th place a failure, and how will you react if you don't achieve this?

LM & EM - did Fabio Grosso dive in 2006?

[lil_masi]

LM - who was involved in the process of kit design and approvals for this years playing kits? Will there be any plans for fan consultation, design input, etc for future?

LM - the emerald and cinnamon colours were ignored by the club again this season. Once upon a time in Jets history, 76% of members voted for these colours to be used in our kit. Why was the colours not used again this season?

LM - you recently invited the active supporters group NCL to Westfield Kotara, and in that invitation stated that with the signing of Ronald Vargas "that completes our squad". Is our squad completed, or do we still plan on using the spare squad spot + are we still trying to offload Daniel Alessi and replace him also? It seems like we have one, maybe two positions free - are we not using them?

LM - you stated on Twitter that we will have 2 players outside of the salary cap. Ronald Vargas is one - who is the other?

LM - will the NCL, now the clubs official supporters group, be held to the same FFA required active support standards that the Squadron were previously held to?

LM - last season the Jetstream presented awards to people in the club thru votes from fans. One of these awards was Staff Member of the Year, which was awarded to Luke Blundell. That was quite the achievement for a young man who came thru the club ranks starting off as a volunteer. What does the future hold within club for its Staff Member of the Year?

LM - do you expect David Lowe to be in Ernie's corner as much as he was in Mark Jones' last season?

LM - is it difficult to balance all the work you have as CEO + help coach our Youth Team? Surely it isn't the ideal scenario. How did we find ourselves in this predicament? Are there plans in place to lighten your workload?

LM - what do you consider to be your 5 biggest achievements as Jets CEO? If fans were to attempt to assess if you have done a good job or not, what would you say are your best results during your time?

LM - what are your 3 biggest plans for the clubs future and how will you attempt to achieve them?

LM - this offseason we farewelled Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy & Kristian Brymora - 3 locally grown players. We have not added any local players to our senior roster since. As CEO of the club, does that alarm you? Are local players considered an important part of the club and its future plans, or do the club not mind where the majority of its squad is from?

LM - ticket prices for interstate games are $25+ per fan. Can you put forward to the FFA a proposal similar to the setup with CCM in that club members get entry, or even subsidized tickets, to away games?

LM - what are your thoughts on promotion/relegation in Australian football? Would it be good or bad for the game? Would it be good or bad for the Jets? Is being held accountable for coming last the least desirable thing you can imagine for your club?

EM - Ernie was quoted in an article when it was first announced we would be signing a marquee that there were three players shortlisted and he hoped to get one of them. Was Ronald Vargas one of these originally targeted players? Was Vargas the player who we nearly signed, and flew his bags over, or was that another player?

EM - how do the Jets facilities in general compare to your previous clubs? Where and how can we improve to make our club as good as or better than other clubs from an off-field perspective - training fields, gyms, resources, etc?

EM - you have one squad spot still available, and potentially a second if you can move on Daniel Alessi or another player. What would be the ideal positions to fill with these remaining squad spots?

EM - are you worried that we don't have enough depth in the number 9 striker position? It feels like we have a distinct lack of option outside of Roy O'Donovan.

EM - in your time you have coached some absolutely wonderful import players - Carlos Hernandez, Fred & Roly Bonevacia instantly come to mind. How does Ronald Vargas compare?

LM & EM - ignoring all other achievements, what is the minimum requirement of Ladder Position for the club this upcoming season? Is it reasonable for fans to have a minimum expectation of Finals Football? From a coach and CEO perspective, will you consider anything less than 6th place a failure, and how will you react if you don't achieve this?

LM & EM - did Fabio Grosso dive in 2006?

All great questions. Hope alot of them are posed to LM and EM

[Bon]

LM - who was involved in the process of kit design and approvals for this years playing kits? Will there be any plans for fan consultation, design input, etc for future?

LM - the emerald and cinnamon colours were ignored by the club again this season. Once upon a time in Jets history, 76% of members voted for these colours to be used in our kit. Why was the colours not used again this season?

LM - you recently invited the active supporters group NCL to Westfield Kotara, and in that invitation stated that with the signing of Ronald Vargas "that completes our squad". Is our squad completed, or do we still plan on using the spare squad spot + are we still trying to offload Daniel Alessi and replace him also? It seems like we have one, maybe two positions free - are we not using them?

LM - you stated on Twitter that we will have 2 players outside of the salary cap. Ronald Vargas is one - who is the other?

LM - will the NCL, now the clubs official supporters group, be held to the same FFA required active support standards that the Squadron were previously held to?

LM - last season the Jetstream presented awards to people in the club thru votes from fans. One of these awards was Staff Member of the Year, which was awarded to Luke Blundell. That was quite the achievement for a young man who came thru the club ranks starting off as a volunteer. What does the future hold within club for its Staff Member of the Year?

LM - do you expect David Lowe to be in Ernie's corner as much as he was in Mark Jones' last season?

LM - is it difficult to balance all the work you have as CEO + help coach our Youth Team? Surely it isn't the ideal scenario. How did we find ourselves in this predicament? Are there plans in place to lighten your workload?

LM - what do you consider to be your 5 biggest achievements as Jets CEO? If fans were to attempt to assess if you have done a good job or not, what would you say are your best results during your time?

LM - what are your 3 biggest plans for the clubs future and how will you attempt to achieve them?

LM - this offseason we farewelled Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy & Kristian Brymora - 3 locally grown players. We have not added any local players to our senior roster since. As CEO of the club, does that alarm you? Are local players considered an important part of the club and its future plans, or do the club not mind where the majority of its squad is from?

LM - ticket prices for interstate games are $25+ per fan. Can you put forward to the FFA a proposal similar to the setup with CCM in that club members get entry, or even subsidized tickets, to away games?

LM - what are your thoughts on promotion/relegation in Australian football? Would it be good or bad for the game? Would it be good or bad for the Jets? Is being held accountable for coming last the least desirable thing you can imagine for your club?

EM - Ernie was quoted in an article when it was first announced we would be signing a marquee that there were three players shortlisted and he hoped to get one of them. Was Ronald Vargas one of these originally targeted players? Was Vargas the player who we nearly signed, and flew his bags over, or was that another player?

EM - how do the Jets facilities in general compare to your previous clubs? Where and how can we improve to make our club as good as or better than other clubs from an off-field perspective - training fields, gyms, resources, etc?

EM - you have one squad spot still available, and potentially a second if you can move on Daniel Alessi or another player. What would be the ideal positions to fill with these remaining squad spots?

EM - are you worried that we don't have enough depth in the number 9 striker position? It feels like we have a distinct lack of option outside of Roy O'Donovan.

EM - in your time you have coached some absolutely wonderful import players - Carlos Hernandez, Fred & Roly Bonevacia instantly come to mind. How does Ronald Vargas compare?

LM & EM - ignoring all other achievements, what is the minimum requirement of Ladder Position for the club this upcoming season? Is it reasonable for fans to have a minimum expectation of Finals Football? From a coach and CEO perspective, will you consider anything less than 6th place a failure, and how will you react if you don't achieve this?

LM & EM - did Fabio Grosso dive in 2006?

Slow day in the office, mate? :gent:

[plague]

Haha look at Mike Monroe over there kicking doors in.

Those 2 blokes aren't giving you a straight answer on anything.

Except the last one, the answer is yes and it was def a pen.

[OmeletteDuFromage]

isnt kanta outside the cap for homegrown?

[Couscous]

Apologies if this was asked previously, but (for Ernie):

Why no cinnamon and emerald? Will it be considered soon?

[belchardo]

LM - who was involved in the process of kit design and approvals for this years playing kits? Will there be any plans for fan consultation, design input, etc for future?

LM - the emerald and cinnamon colours were ignored by the club again this season. Once upon a time in Jets history, 76% of members voted for these colours to be used in our kit. Why was the colours not used again this season?

LM - you recently invited the active supporters group NCL to Westfield Kotara, and in that invitation stated that with the signing of Ronald Vargas "that completes our squad". Is our squad completed, or do we still plan on using the spare squad spot + are we still trying to offload Daniel Alessi and replace him also? It seems like we have one, maybe two positions free - are we not using them?

LM - you stated on Twitter that we will have 2 players outside of the salary cap. Ronald Vargas is one - who is the other?

LM - will the NCL, now the clubs official supporters group, be held to the same FFA required active support standards that the Squadron were previously held to?

LM - last season the Jetstream presented awards to people in the club thru votes from fans. One of these awards was Staff Member of the Year, which was awarded to Luke Blundell. That was quite the achievement for a young man who came thru the club ranks starting off as a volunteer. What does the future hold within club for its Staff Member of the Year?

LM - do you expect David Lowe to be in Ernie's corner as much as he was in Mark Jones' last season?

LM - is it difficult to balance all the work you have as CEO + help coach our Youth Team? Surely it isn't the ideal scenario. How did we find ourselves in this predicament? Are there plans in place to lighten your workload?

LM - what do you consider to be your 5 biggest achievements as Jets CEO? If fans were to attempt to assess if you have done a good job or not, what would you say are your best results during your time?

LM - what are your 3 biggest plans for the clubs future and how will you attempt to achieve them?

LM - this offseason we farewelled Andrew Hoole, Ben Kennedy & Kristian Brymora - 3 locally grown players. We have not added any local players to our senior roster since. As CEO of the club, does that alarm you? Are local players considered an important part of the club and its future plans, or do the club not mind where the majority of its squad is from?

LM - ticket prices for interstate games are $25+ per fan. Can you put forward to the FFA a proposal similar to the setup with CCM in that club members get entry, or even subsidized tickets, to away games?

LM - what are your thoughts on promotion/relegation in Australian football? Would it be good or bad for the game? Would it be good or bad for the Jets? Is being held accountable for coming last the least desirable thing you can imagine for your club?

EM - Ernie was quoted in an article when it was first announced we would be signing a marquee that there were three players shortlisted and he hoped to get one of them. Was Ronald Vargas one of these originally targeted players? Was Vargas the player who we nearly signed, and flew his bags over, or was that another player?

EM - how do the Jets facilities in general compare to your previous clubs? Where and how can we improve to make our club as good as or better than other clubs from an off-field perspective - training fields, gyms, resources, etc?

EM - you have one squad spot still available, and potentially a second if you can move on Daniel Alessi or another player. What would be the ideal positions to fill with these remaining squad spots?

EM - are you worried that we don't have enough depth in the number 9 striker position? It feels like we have a distinct lack of option outside of Roy O'Donovan.

EM - in your time you have coached some absolutely wonderful import players - Carlos Hernandez, Fred & Roly Bonevacia instantly come to mind. How does Ronald Vargas compare?

LM & EM - ignoring all other achievements, what is the minimum requirement of Ladder Position for the club this upcoming season? Is it reasonable for fans to have a minimum expectation of Finals Football? From a coach and CEO perspective, will you consider anything less than 6th place a failure, and how will you react if you don't achieve this?

LM & EM - did Fabio Grosso dive in 2006?

interview questions sorted! nice work pv4

[evanhayes5]

Ernie: How have you found working with the current staff at the Jets? With the last couple of seasons of dread did you ever consider coming in and cleaning up and starting a new with a whole new set of staff? How much of a loss was Jess Vanstratten? Also it seems there is no performance analyst from last season, does the club have an emphasis on video and data?

[pv4]

LM - the club memberships from the 12/13 season onwards were: 11,007, 10,115, 10,003, 9,266, and last season was 8,703. Roughly a 20% decrease over 5 years, with a decrease every single year. At time of writing, the current membership tally for 17/18 is 6284. Do you predict the numbers to be more or less than last season? What are your plans to bring back the 3000+ members who haven't signed up from 5 years ago, plus bring new members in?

[Jeterpool]

LM - With the Chinese Government's restriction on spending on investment in "trophy assets" such as football clubs affecting European football clubs under Chinese Ownership, and the transfer of players into China, what impacts, if any, do you forsee having on Ledman Group's ownership of the Jets?

[Couscous]

LM: If you considered running for a political office again, would you try to be preselected with a party? Which one? And which jurisdiction? And what do you think about coal's role in Australia's energy future? And should same-sex couples be able to marry? And, lastly, how should Newcastle be preparing for the age of driverless cars?

[lquiquer]

LM: If you considered running for a political office again, would you try to be preselected with a party? Which one? And which jurisdiction? And what do you think about coal's role in Australia's energy future? And should same-sex couples be able to marry? And, lastly, how should Newcastle be preparing for the age of driverless cars?

Have you got dual citizenship?

[pv4]

LM - on the 24th February 2018, our club will be celebrating 10 years since we won the Grand Final against some poorly coached tin pot outfit that paid more players outside of the cap than any other team at the time (I dare you not to veto this one!). The A-League fixtures have us playing an away game against Roar on that date. Why was a derby not scheduled for this important date? Did the club work with the FFA to attempt to achieve this, and if so what were the reasons this was denied?

[Jeterpool]

Reminder the questions close on Wednesday.

[pv4]

EM (someone please word this better, I'm struggling how to word it) - when you coached against us over the years, who were the players from the Jerks you were most worried about facing, which Jerks players got the most attention in the lead up to game plans? Also you must have been keen to sign some Jerks players to your teams over the years - which players did you approach, but fail to sign for whatever reason?

[380]

LM. Please explain yourself for not instructing the brass band to be shot. By the %^&* they are annoying.

[Jetmaster]

LM - I know of a number of people (we have lost four of our group), who have decided not to persist with Gold or Silver membership and downgrade to general admission or pay on the day. The reason being that even though you pay the premium your seat is not guaranteed. Tickets are not checked and anyone can really sit anywhere unless challenged by a member and that can be awkward. We had one farcical situation last season where 6 Wanderers fans roamed around the Gold section until they found seats where nobody asked them to move. The excuse is usually "look at the empty seats" and " get out of the sun", but what about the members who pay top dollar for those seats?

[pv4]

....question about member seats....

I stress this point every time this subject is brought up. Just realise that by putting this question to the club, you are asking them to divert what already little resources (aka $$) they have into paying more security guards on gameday so you don't have to interact with other humans, basically.

Do you want more marquee players, more club initiatives, better kit suppliers, more merchandise options, more fan engagement, more thought put into basically anything from the club, our youth coach to not also double up as CEO, cheaper memberships, paid experienced employees as opposed to a cage full of interns, club people lobbying the FFA for things to improve our club more often and with greater effect, a bigger scouting network, better resources for W-League and Youth team, more input into club facilities, jets shaped hats, a clubhouse (inc pool), etc..... or do you want more security guards so you don't have to deal with people. I just have to stress what you are asking for here.

Because this question is really easy for the club to answer, and is the kind of red herring they would, and do, jump at. If you're still happy with your decision to ask the club this, leave your post as is. If you'd rather any of the above, I highly implore you to edit/remove your question. Note that I know 90% of my own questions are bullshit, and not universally agreed on, either. But 90% of my questions aren't getting a straight answer, or even asked, because they aren't an easy diversion for them. All I'm asking for fans that think similar to JM is to try and prioritize what you want from your club, particularly when you can judge how they'll jump at certain things over others. JM know I'm not trying to attack you personally either - I've been trying to fight this fight for years. This kind of question, to me, is similar to tweetman_03 asking Lawrie to change NTUA "well, we've had a lot of positive feedback to do it .xlm". LM seems too happy almost always to pick the low hanging fruit - let's make him reach, or at least find the money to buy a club ladder or something (it's the only ladder our team will be climbing this year.. hold me back).

[Jetmaster]

If it is now at a point where people with 10 year memberships are cancelling because they don't see value (not because of the team's performance), then yes, it has become a critical issue that the club needs to answer. That is revenue lost to the club that would help pay for the same things you mention. And that problem, is escalating. I'll give Con credit - he had a security check at every entrance back in the day.

I have no problem if the Jetstream boys consider other questions are more important - we were asked for questions and I'm giving one.

I am comfortable if the club do not wish to answer this question. I am also comfortable with cancelling another four Gold Memberships at the end of this season if my wife is again verbally abused by someone asked to vacate her reserved Gold seat. Happy to lounge in Bay 60's wide open spaces and maybe mosey up to my old seats if they are vacant. It is their call entirely.


What are your plans to bring back the 3000+ members who haven't signed up from 5 years ago, plus bring new members in?

You said this and I am giving you one of the reasons - far from one of the main reasons, but one of them just the same.

[plague]

just on this ticket/seat stuff.
did anyone else go to the Matildas game the other night?

were all tickets sold as GA and you just rocked up and grabbed a seat?

because thats what it looked like to us, and we did the exact thing. wandered into the bottom of the western stand, got a good seat and had a hoot.
no security checking anything, and no one claiming seats as reserved of anyone already in them.


So Jets/Gypo etc: why dont we just sell every ticket to every Jets game as a GA, then let people sit in the lower bowl of east/west stands of hill whatever takes their fancy? that way you can run bars/catering more efficiently. keep the crowd looking more packed than it is (16k at the girls game looked awesome). keep an away bay/active area (if they fill it) to keep the well 'ard crue happy.

Adjust the price up a couple bucks to average out the cost, maybe even create some atmosphere at games by having people more concentrated. run family tickets etc and try and encourage people to come to the games and enjoy themselves instead of thinking that the Jets hate their fans.

because Jetmaster and pv4 are both right on this issue, even though they are on completely opposite sides. yet here is your boy Plague offering up some free* advice right in the middle to keep everyone happy. except probably old 'stuck in the mud' executives who cant think outside a god damned box every now and then.


*enjoy it while you can gypo, it dont come around often.

[pv4]

100% plague

Going to the cinemas without a labelled seat used to be awesome. You want a good seat, you get there early for it. Labelling seats ruined it imo. Now you've got self.entitled Joe Blo saying "i online reserved seat G4"

[plague]

100% plague

Going to the cinemas without a labelled seat used to be awesome. You want a good seat, you get there early for it. Labelling seats ruined it imo. Now you've got self.entitled Joe Blo saying "i online reserved seat G4"

huh?

theatres have reserved seats now?

man i gotta get out of the house* more often.




*and by 'house' i mean 'mothers basement'

[MonkeyKplunk]

Whilst I agree with both sides of the argument here, I'm leaning in more of the JM direction and with pv4's question about what is being done to bring back those members who have probably now gone elsewhere?

If you are going to offer tiered membership levels, there HAS to be inclusions that make those tiers worth spending a little extra on.
I used to be a Gold member way back in the day. Once the security, or even ticket checkers, on each bay were removed and every Tom, Dick and Moron decided they could sit in my seats I changed my membership level. That's a loss of revenue.
And whilst I'm not going anywhere (We're all masochists at heart), there's times when I've considered downgrading further to Bronze because there is literally NO reason for me to pay the extra for a Silver or Gold membership at the moment.
Everyone get's the same member pack, and the only difference is the position of my seat.

These are actually pressing issues, because I can guarantee as CEO, one of Lawrie's continued employment conditions will be to increase memberships and revenue from those memberships.

[GazFish35]

I liked the GA at the Matilda's it created a buzz to get in and get your seats etc etc

FFA let it happen at their game - why not an a-league one?

[plague]

FFA let it happen at their game - why not an a-league one?

Because original thought is frowned upon in the ‘business world’.

The safe play is always within the margins. Risk is a dirty word.

It’s how we got Merrick as coach, and Moss as a keeper and Kosmina as a kit supplier.

You guys realise that blokes like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates would never have been considered qualified enough to get a job at the Jets?

Nothings ever gonna change.

[Retro Jet]

LM - With the Chinese Government's restriction on spending on investment in "trophy assets" such as football clubs affecting European football clubs under Chinese Ownership, and the transfer of players into China, what impacts, if any, do you forsee having on Ledman Group's ownership of the Jets?

Now THIS is a pertinent and very relevant question.
N1 Jeterpool. No1 question IMHO.

+1 from Retro on this one. You got in before me.
There's other implications for me asking this question of course :wink:

[GazFish35]

Because original thought is frowned upon in the ‘business world’.

The safe play is always within the margins. Risk is a dirty word.

It’s how we got Merrick as coach, and Moss as a keeper and Kosmina as a kit supplier.

You guys realise that blokes like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates would never have been considered qualified enough to get a job at the Jets?

Nothings ever gonna change.

im just intrigued by the double standards - I know they'll spout security and allocated seating blah blah for a-league matches. I just dont see the difference between a Matilda's match and any other event at the stadium.

I've no doubt they reckon they can get more $$$ selling classified seats - so the next time the Matilda's are in town and the FFA know there's a market for the tickets, I can't see it being all GA again.

[plague]

im just intrigued by the double standards - I know they'll spout security and allocated seating blah blah for a-league matches. I just dont see the difference between a Matilda's match and any other event at the stadium.

I've no doubt they reckon they can get more $$$ selling classified seats - so the next time the Matilda's are in town and the FFA know there's a market for the tickets, I can't see it being all GA again.

No, you’re absolutely correct in asking why.

McKinna will not give an honest answer to this question. He just won’t, because there is no ‘real’ reason why you wouldn’t try it.

Again, people like him believe in the status quo, people like him resist new ideas, people like him are destined to wallow right in the middle of the ladder where it’s safest.

That’s who we’ve got, that’s why we are who we are.

[Jetmaster]

I liked the GA at the Matilda's it created a buzz to get in and get your seats etc etc

FFA let it happen at their game - why not an a-league one?

Now that I would be happy with - flat rate, first in best dressed. That is fair. Totally.

[MFKS]

I stress this point every time this subject is brought up. Just realise that by putting this question to the club, you are asking them to divert what already little resources (aka $$) they have into paying more security guards on gameday so you don't have to interact with other humans, basically.

Do you want more marquee players, more club initiatives, better kit suppliers, more merchandise options, more fan engagement, more thought put into basically anything from the club, our youth coach to not also double up as CEO, cheaper memberships, paid experienced employees as opposed to a cage full of interns, club people lobbying the FFA for things to improve our club more often and with greater effect, a bigger scouting network, better resources for W-League and Youth team, more input into club facilities, jets shaped hats, a clubhouse (inc pool), etc..... or do you want more security guards so you don't have to deal with people. I just have to stress what you are asking for here.

Because this question is really easy for the club to answer, and is the kind of red herring they would, and do, jump at. If you're still happy with your decision to ask the club this, leave your post as is. If you'd rather any of the above, I highly implore you to edit/remove your question. Note that I know 90% of my own questions are bullshit, and not universally agreed on, either. But 90% of my questions aren't getting a straight answer, or even asked, because they aren't an easy diversion for them. All I'm asking for fans that think similar to JM is to try and prioritize what you want from your club, particularly when you can judge how they'll jump at certain things over others. JM know I'm not trying to attack you personally either - I've been trying to fight this fight for years. This kind of question, to me, is similar to tweetman_03 asking Lawrie to change NTUA "well, we've had a lot of positive feedback to do it .xlm". LM seems too happy almost always to pick the low hanging fruit - let's make him reach, or at least find the money to buy a club ladder or something (it's the only ladder our team will be climbing this year.. hold me back).

Irrelevant

The club is already employing the Security

Tasking them to enforce this is easily doable and with very little difference in resources

Maybe this is what they should be doing rather than harassing people over water

Last time I was at Stade de Newy was for the NPL GF
I went and sat in the dry hill late in the day to get the last bit of sunshine before night fall

I was stopped and harassed by the dumb **** seccos because I dared to bring a bottle of water into the no alcohol area

Wasn't even open either

How about redeploying these idiots from harassing the public for irrelevant shit and focus on what they should be doing

[plague]

Now that I would be happy with - flat rate, first in best dressed. That is fair. Totally.

Just make a season pass ‘x’% cheaper to give the ‘loyal’ fans a better deal, then something easy like $20 per game day ticket with $40 family pack.

One of the sneaky underrated things is that Jets stadium is actually a pretty good place to watch sport (apart from late arvo sunstroke). Imagine people coming to the game and having a good time with a good view for a decent price.

It’s almost like you’re encouraging them to make it a regular commitment.

[plague]

and ditch the ‘members pack’ bullshit if you want to save costs.

If the team is any good fans will buy your shitty scarves and jets shaped hats.

(Unless of course they can’t find them because they aren’t in the regions biggest retailer).

[Jeterpool]

The club don't employ the sceurity. The Stadium do. The club need to lobby the stadium to engage mpre staff.

[GazFish35]

and ditch the ‘members pack’ bullshit if you want to save costs.

If the team is any good fans will buy your shitty scarves and jets shaped hats.

(Unless of course they can’t find them because they aren’t in the regions biggest retailer).

region's

[plague]

region's

This response is more honest and informative than anything the Gypo will offer up.

[q-money]

can we have decent beer in a can please, and can you put Sha Tin on the big screen for the Sunday games?

[GazFish35]

can we have decent beer in a can please, and can you put Sha Tin on the big screen for the Sunday games?

This.

philter do a great XPA in a blue/white tin AND their red ale in a red/white tin is damn good too. Colours sorted.

Make it happen.

[q-money]

imagine if you gave people a choice to spend their money on things they would actually like

[boz-monaut]

in my day we drank Fightbrau and I never heard anyone complain...

[q-money]

in my day we drank Fightbrau and I never heard anyone complain...
how many fightbraus do you think you wore as well as drank thanks to one j.hamilton?

[pv4]

LM - is there truth behind the recent news that you asked for Ljubo Milicevic not to be apart of the Jets Legends team for their upcoming fixture vs the CCM legends? If it is true, can you please provide insight into why this decision was made, who was the motivator behind it, and just the general motivation behind it all?

[goaliepersempre]

LM - is there truth behind the recent news that you asked for Ljubo Milicevic not to be apart of the Jets Legends team for their upcoming fixture vs the CCM legends? If it is true, can you please provide insight into why this decision was made, who was the motivator behind it, and just the general motivation behind it all?
this x10000

[StannyCFCJET]

LM - is there truth behind the recent news that you asked for Ljubo Milicevic not to be apart of the Jets Legends team for their upcoming fixture vs the CCM legends? If it is true, can you please provide insight into why this decision was made, who was the motivator behind it, and just the general motivation behind it all?

Was always going to happen IMO with all the stuff Lujbo has been saying on facebook about current and past Jets people

[plague]

Was always going to happen IMO with all the stuff Lujbo has been saying on facebook about current and past Jets people

but thats the problem.

'if' this is true, then shutting him out tells you all you need to know about whether managements priorities lie in a players contribution to the front office, or on the field of play.

[StannyCFCJET]

but thats the problem.

'if' this is true, then shutting him out tells you all you need to know about whether managements priorities lie in a players contribution to the front office, or on the field of play.

True and or Not you start publicly saying stuff about people they arnt gonna be very happy with you

[plague]

True and or Not you start publicly saying stuff about people they arnt gonna be very happy with you

oh dont worry, the gypo has shown throughout his short tenure hes all about those sycophants and boys club homies.
it looks like now hes pushed his own way of lyfe onto the whole club.

oh the joys of being beige.

you all can have it.
ill take Ljubo.

[StannyCFCJET]

oh dont worry, the gypo has shown throughout his short tenure hes all about those sycophants and boys club homies.
it looks like now hes pushed his own way of lyfe onto the whole club.

oh the joys of being beige.

you all can have it.
ill take Ljubo.

Ill take finals appearance who cares who we hurt to get there

[MFKS]

Ill take finals appearance who cares who we hurt to get there

Finals ??

WTF are they??

I already booked holidays after Rd 27 confident I won't be missing these cunce playing in late April

[lquiquer]

Finals ??

WTF are they??

I already booked holidays after Rd 27 confident I won't be missing these cunce playing in late April

I'm off OS on the 5th of April ( will miss round 26 and 27) but will be back in May the day bfore GF just in case :roflz:

[Jeterpool]

Thank you everyone for your questions. Let's see how they go!

[plague]

These are good blogs.
You blog very well.
I enjoyed your content.
I wish you many page views and continued blogs and content.