Dear Members, This season has not quite turned out how we all had planned. At least, it hasn’t off the field.
Our players should have spent the entire pre-season based in Melbourne preparing for a premiership tilt. But we didn’t.
We should have played nine games at our home by now at AAMI Park in front of you and our proud purple army. But we haven’t.
We should be preparing for our last four home games at AAMI Park before another finals’ campaign.
But, we are not.
This season has been one of unpredictability and uncertainty, as you know all too well whether at work, in school, looking after kids, playing sport or just getting out with the family on the weekend. What was normal, is not right now.
We would dearly love to be playing out the year at AAMI Park, but that is now clearly not possible. We will, however, be playing our remaining home and away games in Queensland and New South Wales, hopefully pushing well into the finals.
We have been warmly welcomed on our temporary relocation into Queensland and had great support from the Sunshine Coast Council in building our member base at our home away from home. The team is truly thankful of the support from the 2500 Queensland members and supporters who have turned up to see them play at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
But we are also feeling for our Melbourne family right now. We are missing the thumping sound of Thunderstruck as the players run on to AAMI Park for kick off. We are missing Storm Man revving up the crowd as we near half time or full time. And we are missing celebrating, or occasionally commiserating, after the siren has sounded as one proud, purple army.
Our players are missing their home and you - their members. But they haven’t forgotten where their home is or who they are playing for. That’s why they are wearing the Big V on their chest for the remainder of the season.
That’s what keeps our Club going and has helped motivate our players and coaches for every game they play and have us well positioned at the top end of the ladder.
We are focused on winning and giving all of you something to cheer about each weekend. With the two Camerons and Dale on the sideline at the moment, we have seen a glimpse of the bright future we have in our playing roster. The resilience they have shown having been moved away from home and still performing at the highest level has been truly inspirational.
Many of our staff also remain in Victoria with you, and these incredible people are doing their best to make sure the club continues to run as smoothly as possible. They have remained adaptable and creative in their approach; they are a big part of what makes our club great.
For now, we hope you can continue to cheer us on from the comfort of your home, because we will be home at some stage and when we are, you will be the first to be invited back into our home – AAMI Park. We can’t wait for that time to come.
Thank you for your continued support – we are in this together!
Stay safe.
- Cam, Craig, Matt and Dave.
