I fired off this e-mail to Jim Main in response to someone calling me and other VFL people (which no doubt included you guys here) pessimists etc. Dear Jim, I am interested to know why you have become so disenchanted with and/or have a disdain of the former VFA now VFL competition? Craig Tilley (27/6) suggested the VFL people such as myself and others are being pessimists when we suggest that our clubs can't survive without an alignment, but there is more to it than that. Clubs such as Vermont (EFL) and Heidelberg (NFL) are able to pay players considerable amounts of money because in most costs there is a single individual or organisation that is bankrolling the operation of the football club. This isn't the case at VFL level, where clubs often struggle to obtain a slice of the sponsorship market because other community groups have taken up opportunities that would otherwise be available to those in the VFL. The comment made regarding the standard of the VFL not been strong for years is nothing short of an uninformed and stupid comment. If people think that the VFL's standard hasn't been good enough for years, then the Victorian team shouldn't have thrashed the WAFL earlier this season. What about players such as Dale Morris (Werribee/Western Bulldogs), Ben McGlynn (Box Hill Hawks/Hawthorn) and Jake King (Coburg Tigers/Richmond), surely the clubs who rookie listed these players thought that competition they played in before making the AFL grade wasn't of a poor standard. I have an issue with you and others who continue to treat the VFL competition with complete disdain, it's a high standard competition that doesn't deserve to have negative opinions directed towards it. Regards, Ben Carbonaro I wonder what sort of a response I will get? Hope that he edits my letter, I didn't proof read e-mail well enough and let's just be confident that he won't print the errors.
NorthPort Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 00:19
Nicely said Ben! Yeah Jim Mains been bagging the competition for ages.. not sure what his problem is.
bcarbonaro Topic starter Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 00:32
Thanks, David. Wasn't Jim on the Sandringham board and apparently an incident caused some bad blood? Zebraman or someone else can you fill us in?
zebra Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 11:23
:D Yes JIM MAIN and myself were on the Sandringham Board from 1978-mid 80,s, Jim was very helpful then with Greg Saunders and brought a few South Melbourne footballers and supporters to the Zebras in those days. I do not know why he has bagged the VFL but whatever he did he was very determined whether right or wrong. He always had the power of the press behind him. go zebs zebra :wink:
bcarbonaro Topic starter Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 13:41
Pembleton wrote:I have never thought highly of Main. Well done on the letter Ben.
I thought it was time for someone to question for him with regards to why he such as a disdain and/or hatred of the great community football competition that is the VFL. Is any of the old VFA fans who become disenchanted with the competition with the rename in 1995 or subsequent restructure in 2000?
billythekid Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 16:38
bcarbonaro wrote:Thanks, David. Wasn't Jim on the Sandringham board and apparently an incident cause some bad blood? Zebraman or someone else can you fill us in?
[ALLEGEDLY] Ive told the story before.In the Peter Hogen coaching period He alledgedly got belted by the then Sandy Captain Tery Wilkins in the rooms infront of all the players and staff and about 20 supporters after a loss at Coburg for bagging Wilkins calling out comments over the fence like "captain kickless - pissed last night again," etc He wanted an apology from the club and when it wasnt forthcoming sent his membership back and has hated Sandringham and the VFA/VFL ever since. It must be galling for the little twerp to see all those premierships Sandy have won with him not around.LOL He also recruited some high priced ex VFL dud players to the club and nearly sent Sandy broke. But I bet he wont be writing about this incident anytime soon. [/ALLEDGEDLY] * Edited by David
bcarbonaro Topic starter Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 17:51
Thanks for that, Billy. Don't know how I could talk about that incident in my next e-mail to him.
billythekid Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 18:55
bcarbonaro wrote:Thanks for that, Billy. Don't know how I could talk about that incident in my next e-mail to him.
Why not ? It would be interesting to see what his reaction is to this alledged "incident ' that over 50 people witnessed over 20 years ago. Unlike now when an alledged "incident" like this would be headline news in the media but in those times these things were kept in house and swept un the carpet.
bcarbonaro Topic starter Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 19:07
The reason why I am not sure about asking him with regards to what happened is because I don't want to ruin my career prospects for when I have finished my journalism degree.
Dolphin Thu, 28 Jun 2007 - 20:17
bcarbonaro wrote:The reason why I am not sure about asking him with regards to what happened is because I don't want to ruin my career prospects for when I have finished my journalism degree.
I would suggest that is less of a problem than failing to proof your emails to him before you send them. :wink: