Ladies and Gentlemen,
This site has never been the most endearing to the club or even parts of our own fanbase. A common piece of feedback I receive privately is that some find it too negative or drama-filled, which is why many choose to stay away. At times we clash hard and put each other down, the club, the players, and even Super, who pays for this site out of his own pocket. Some of this could understandably offend players’ families. In conversations I’ve had with people within the club’s hierarchy, the club takes a fairly open-minded view and accepts that it can’t control what others say or think. That’s a mature approach.
That said, I believe the majority of us are good eggs, mean well, even if some are rough around the edges and a small minority hold more extreme views. Over the past decade, I’ve met many wonderful people through this site, some of whom I now count as close friends and have learned a great deal from. You’re a big reason I’m still here and why I care about this community.
If you’re willing, I’d appreciate your thoughts on the direction the site should take. Ultimately, Super will decide, but it’s helpful to understand how people feel, here or privately, on:
- Current affairs and political blogs: Even if personally enjoy them, these often become the most feral and attract extremist views, especially in challenging times. They can flood the site and turn off many who simply want to talk footy, the one thing we all share. Life has enough dramas.
- Moving these blogs to The Cave: Making them members-only allows discussions without overwhelming those who’d want to avoid it. Could it be a win-win?
- Any other ideas for improving the site.
Please don’t comment on political, religious or current affairs issues in this blog. This is about improving the site, not saving the world from an apocalypse.
Replies
That's exactly what Mrs Heisen said
When she was choking 😆
Holy hell frank
I think she said that as well after she got the OMG out!
Ladies & gentlemen,
It’s been a pleasant surprise to see so many comments. There’s a lot of good in this community beneath the often dysfunctional bonnet. Based on feedback here and in private, a few key challenges stand out for Super and the mods:
■ Some members feel harassed or belittled by regular posters and choose to stay away
■ Religious and political discussions are causing excessive divisions; war zones
■ There’s some boredom with the site’s layout; a “new jersey”?
The feedback pretty much confirms our suspicions. As the community has grown, some norms that worked when the site was smaller are under more strain, particularly around open debate in religious and political threads. What once felt manageable can now discourage broader participation on the site and in footy discussions, so it’s probably worth reviewing how we handle those areas.
A new “jersey” is harder in the short term due to platform limits and a tight budget, with costs largely falling on Super. It's a major renovation job to change over to a new platform.
I’m not overly confident ideas like The Cave will work, but it’s reasonable for Super and the mods to explore options as a middle ground, rather than moving toward very heavy handed moderation banning these types of discussions or ignoring the issues. We need to keep changing and evolving, and will again later.
Thanks again to everyone. I got a lot out of the discussion.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone.
Merry Christmas everyone. Hope Parra go deep into October.
Thanks HOE for all your continued hard work to keep everything on track
I remember the days pre HOE and your appearance and commitment has made a great difference to the site
merry Christmas to you and your dear family xxxx
Yep well said Carlo. Couldnt agree more.
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