Collingwood back on top of the AFL membership ladder
COLLINGWOOD, Richmond or Hawthorn. Which one has the honour of sitting on top of the membership ladder? Find out if your club increased its membership figures this year.
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COLLINGWOOD has roared back to No.1 on the AFL’s membership ladder in a ringing endorsement of the club’s direction from fans.
In official AFL figures seen by the Herald Sun, Collingwood has leapfrogged Hawthorn with 75,879 paid-up members as total AFL memberships rose 3.7 per cent.
The AFL has exceeded 900,000 members for the first time.
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Twelve of the 18 clubs have made membership gains this year and 10 have reached record memberships.
The Pies recorded a 1.6 per cent jump in membership to go ahead of Hawthorn (75,663), Richmond (72,669) and Essendon (67,768).
But while Greater Western Sydney has recorded a sensational 37 per cent growth to rise to 20,944 members, Gold Coast’s figures are a cause for concern.
The Suns’ membership slumped 9.25 per cent to 11,665 paid-up members this year — 9000 fewer than the Giants.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said the Pies members who had stayed strong would be rewarded next year.
The club will not play finals for a fourth consecutive season.
“It’s been a disappointing year for us, but the thing that keeps us going is membership,’’ he said.
“It’s fantastic that big Victorian clubs like Essendon, Richmond, Hawthorn and Geelong continue to grow.
“In a period where it’s been tough for Pies fans, they have voted with their membership dollars. We want to make sure they get rewarded next year.”
The figures are based on numbers after the July 31 deadline and include only games-based memberships, not social memberships.
The GWS figure of 20,944 would put it third among Sydney-based NRL clubs.
Giants chief executive David Matthews was thrilled with the fan response.
“A 37 per cent increase this year is a significant achievement and clearly shows the club’s rapid growth after just six years in the AFL,’’ he said.
“We represent a truly inclusive organisation with strong values that obviously resonate with communities in NSW and the ACT.”
Clubs include three-game members in their figures and say that membership category often leads to 11-game memberships.
Six clubs recorded membership losses: West Coast (down 0.19 per cent), Port Adelaide (3 per cent), Fremantle (1.2 per cent), North Melbourne (10.4 per cent), Brisbane Lions (8.2 per cent) and Gold Coast (9.2 per cent).
The 10 clubs that set records included Essendon, Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond and Western Bulldogs.
A total of 7192 AFLW memberships were included in the figures.
Essendon’s increase of 10,274 members, the largest in total number, shows the club’s resilience after the banning of players for drug offences.
The Bulldogs increased their membership by 8194 (20.8 per cent).
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