Western Bulldogs supporter buys four extra memberships as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says fans can get their memberships refunded

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says, with no footy during the coronavirus shutdown, fans can get their memberships refunded, but Western Bulldogs boss Ameet Bains has revealed the club’s supporters have dug deep.

A truck driver and Western Bulldogs tragic has purchased four additional memberships in a show of solidarity as clubs plead with members to stick by them through the coronavirus crisis.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan yesterday confirmed that supporters could ask for refunds on their memberships if they are struggling financially as the community grapples with countless job losses.

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Marcus Bontempelli thanks Bulldogs fans after a win. Picture: AAP

However, Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said the loss of a significant number of members would be “devastating” for cash-strapped clubs.

“The overall philosophy that all clubs are aligned on is that we rely really heavily on that membership funding and membership support and to lose it would be really devastating at this time,” Bains told the Herald Sun.

“But at the same time we also understand that people are going through a lot of their own hardship depending on their own circumstances and if you’ve got members that want to speak to you about deferring, suspending or cancelling things based on their hardship situation then we, like all clubs, are very accommodating.

“I think the bottom line is no club is going to act unlawfully or immorally when it comes to their members. It’s just more of a plea to stick with us during this difficult time if you can.”

Bains said the Bulldogs had sold 60 new memberships in the past week, including to Brian Hinge who bought four despite the prospect of fans being unable to attend matches at all this year.

“He’s a dedicated Bulldogs supporter who is a truck driver by occupation and he’s gainfully employed,” Bains said.

“Seeing and reading about the difficulties the club is facing at the moment he wanted to show his support so he rang up and bought four full-season memberships as a sign of solidarity. That is both amazing and humbling for the footy club at this point in time.”

Footy fans have been urged to keep their club memberships rather than asking for refunds.

The issue of refunds for memberships exploded on Wednesday night when Collingwood president Eddie McGuire had a fiery argument on television with journalist Tony Jones.

While some fans across the competition have suggested the money from 2020 membership should be treated as a donation to their clubs, McLachlan said those that needed their money back would be given access to it.

“If they need it, they can (get refunds). But clearly we’d love them to stay because our industry is in a battle and our clubs are in a battle to get through and the membership is their lifeblood,” McLachlan said on ABC radio.

“I understand the pain going on out there and people need to make their own decisions.

“But I know our members understand how big their contribution of membership is to their clubs.”

The MCC has advised members it is “not in a position” to provide refunds on memberships at this time.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire had a heated argument with a journalist about memberships.

There are concerns about whether the coronavirus outbreak will mean no football will be played at all this year, with the league already compressing the season to 17 rounds.

McLachlan said there’s no rush to start the season the week of June 1, declaring there is room for the restart date to push out and still play a 17-round home-and-away season.

There are no plans at this stage to cut the season back even further.

“What we’re saying is: OK, what is the drop dead date to get 17 rounds away? And it’s certainly later than June 1. We can get our season away later than that,” McLachlan said.

“It may get to the point that we need to look at different models beyond 17 but at the moment we have given ourselves that flexibility to play 17 rounds. We’ve got a really united industry, a united group of players and clubs that it’s plausible to get 17 rounds away almost maybe in less than 17 weeks if we compress a little bit. Maybe we can pick up one or two weeks there across the course of 17 weeks.

“We have time beyond June 1 to get 17 rounds away.”

BUCKS LAUDS PIES MEMBERS

– By Jon Ralph

Nathan Buckley has lauded Collingwood’s members for “sticking fat” as paid-up supporters but says they should feel free to seek financial relief in the current economic climate.

Collingwood made $30.985 million last year from membership and match-day revenue, proof of their incredible support from their member base.

Buckley said yesterday that those members would never be taken for granted, even if some had to ask for a refund because of their current circumstances.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley speaks to his players.

“My position is that our membership has been unbelievable,” he said.

“One of the things we speak about here is being a part of something bigger than yourself.

“As an individual in a team we play a role and our contribution makes a difference to the final product. So if you extrapolate that further it’s never been clearer how important and significant every member’s singular contribution is to the greater good.

“The debate last night is valid and as a club we have taken the stance that if our members are in hardship we want to help them as much as they support us. You need to do what you need to for your family.

“Our membership are sticking fat, supporting the footy club and in a circumstance like this you realise it more than ever.”

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Originally published as Western Bulldogs supporter buys four extra memberships as AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says fans can get their memberships refunded