Richmond crashes through 90,000 members for the first time in AFL history

RICHMOND has become footy’s first club to crash through a record membership mark, while Collingwood has slipped to fourth on the official tally. SEE THE MEMBERSHIP LADDER

Richmond players thank fans — and vice-versa — at Punt Road after their AFL premiership. Picture: Stuart McEvoy for the Australian.

RICHMOND has become footy’s first club to crash through 90,000 members.

The premiers smashed the all-time AFL club membership record of 80,793 set by Collingwood in 2014 six weeks ago and could yet reach six figures.

But the once all-conquering Magpies have slipped from first to fourth on the Victorian membership ladder behind Hawthorn (74,201) and rebuilding Essendon (69,818).

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Collingwood declined to disclose its official membership tally but club chief executive Mark Anderson told 3AW last Friday night it was “tracking at around 65,000”.

The Pies signed 75,879 members in 2017.

Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale said more than 20,000 new members had signed on since last year’s drought-breaking flag.

“It’s both very humbling and very special to know that the Tiger Army is now 90,000 members strong,” Gale said.

A premiership has seen an extra 20,000 Tigers sign on. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Our members are in every corner of Australia and support us wherever we travel”.

It is the eighth consecutive year Richmond has achieved record membership.

Official AFL figures show Richmond signed 72,699 members last season — a figure which climbed to a then club record 75,777 by September.

“We cannot thank our loyal members enough for the role they play in supporting our football club, their commitment means that we can continue to thrive and win both on and off the field,” Gale said.

More than 90,000 fans attended the Tigers’ season opener against Carlton and another 70,701 at Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn — the biggest all-time home-and-away crowd between the two clubs.

Gale said Richmond planned to invite all 90,023 members to Punt Road Oval before the Round 7 match against Fremantle on Sunday, May 6 to celebrate the milestone membership achievement.

Richmond is no.1 on the field — and now off it. Picture. Phil Hillyard

AFL MEMBERSHIP LADDER (2018 and 2017)

Richmond 90,023 // 72,699

Hawthorn 74,201 // 75,663

Essendon 69,818 // 67,768

Collingwood 65,000* // 75,879

Geelong 55,908 // 54,854

Carlton 49,609 // 50,326

Western Bulldogs 40,111 // 47,653

Melbourne 40,012 // 42,233

St Kilda 39,934 // 42,052

North Melbourne 37,063 // 40,343

* Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson’s figure given on radio last Friday; the club would not disclose its official total this week.

Note: 2017 figures from official AFL audit