North Melbourne are AFL paupers no more, with the Kangaroos debt-free for the first time in almost 35 years.
Often the talk of merger and relocation speculation, North heading into the black is a significant achievement for the once-cash strapped battlers.
The Kangaroos rejected a lucrative deal to relocate to the Gold Coast in 2007.
Turning down the record package from the AFL split opinions of the North faithful but the bold decision has paid off.
It is the first time the club has been debt free since 1987.
North Melbourne chairman Ben Buckley and chief executive Ben Amarfio will join with past and present coaches to make the announcement official on Friday.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Those who push the Tassie barrow should recall that that was never a North focus - - we had eyes on Ballarat and an agreement with then premier Brumby however he was voted out and Baillieu scuppered Ballarat. Our VFL partnership with North Ballarat then had no where to go and the AFL offered up a couple of games in Hobart. It was only ever a temporary situation. Job done now - - North are stablised and headed for a very bright future in the Arden Precinct and Tassie is far better situated for a team with upgrades at Blundstone happening along the way from back at the start to additional flagged now. Having North Melbourne playing games there each year was crucial to being able to justify anything like that - - which again is crucial in being able to sell the notion of a stand alone side.
mwm
Guest
Playing devils advocate....I wouldn't be so sure of keeping your AFL licence at Arden Street. The fact that it took 35 years to get out of debt suggests the clubs finances aren't that strong. Saying it is a great day for the club is pure spin and barely papers over the cracks that the team won't be competitve for a while In order to make this a truly national comp one of the Melbourne clubs will have to relocate. It will be either North Melbourne or St Kilda. The AFL can't afford another club and we've seen how thin the talent is already spread between the 18 clubs.
DarwinDee
Guest
No thanks we don't want em
Republican
Guest
Perhaps the Saints will realise their destiny and relocate to Van Diemans Land? In my day, Tassie was their recruiting ground while they are the solitary AFL entity south of the Yarra, so geographically closest to our island state.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I also suffer from blue bal.s so apart from like you say Vitamin D l also need plenty of you know what when required :stoked:
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Victoria is also a colony of Tasmania, so we mustn’t forget that. North can either capitalise on its tremendous opportunities in Tasmania or lose them. If you think their financial position will be as strong once they lose their home games in Hobart then you are delusional. Keep voting against self-interest, Ace.
Ace
Roar Rookie
To Thom Roker..I happen to live in Tassy and the conditions are the same as they are in Victoria except we don’t have daily covid cases and deaths or repugnant protestors threatening politicians with death and injury. And North will stay at Arden St debt free unlike some other clubs
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I've got a little solar panel happening, it's where my brain gets its vitamin d from
WCE
Roar Rookie
Very true you got me on a minor technicality :thumbup:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea whatever, guest!
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I agree l’m bald , my mum would say grass doesn’t grow on busy streets!
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
John Daly went alright :laughing:
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Hair is over rated.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Just Joshin mate, good on the old shinboners. We're not in that much debt, a couple of million, but Port is in pretty good nick as well nowadays.
WCE
Roar Rookie
At least North's coaches don't have weight issues to say that's pathetic is the understatement of the year. Anyone that can't manage what they eat deserves no part in professional sport apart from Sumo
RT
Roar Rookie
Pretty poor form there Thom.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Past and present coaches. Seems to me like they missed one in the headcount. North: we have invited our past coaches to join us in celebrating getting out of the red. Also North: no, not Rhyce Shaw. Jesus wept!
Mark
Guest
Great news for a club that what’s her name Carolyn Wilson has put us down there will be apologies has the great Ted whitten said stick upend
Jordan
Guest
*there
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Ok campers rise & shine, it’s cold out their it’s cold out their everyday!