By Jake Niall and Jon Pierik
Revenue from Carlton’s poker machines exceeds $20.5 million
Jon Pierik
Carlton’s revenue from club-owned poker machine venues exceeded $20.5 million last season, but it was the on-field lure of being in the premiership hunt that boosted the club’s bottom line.
The Blues posted a statutory profit of more than $3.07 million, down by about $200,000 on last year. Their annual report confirmed revenue from their four hospitality venues jumped to $20.526 million, an increase of more than $352,000 from 2023.
However, expenses from the venues leapt by $603,970 this year, offsetting the added revenue.
Lights on: Poker machine revenue is still a crucial part of the Blues’ bottom line.Credit: Peter Braig
The Blues own four venues – the Manningham Club, Royal Oak Richmond, Club Laverton and the Vic Inn, which includes 300 gaming machines.
Billionaire pokies king Bruce Mathieson, through the ASX-listed Endeavour Group of which he owns 15 per cent, leases and manages three of the four gaming venues the Blues have, a deal originally struck in 2010.
They have flagged their intention to steer away from pokies, including generating revenue through the Carlton College of Sport, the Carlton Business Program and, from next year, their medical imaging centre at Princes Park, but the gaming venues remain a pivotal source of income.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.Credit: AFL Photos
When asked about the lift in pokies revenue, a club spokesman pointed to club chief executive Brian Cook’s statement when releasing the overall financial results.
“A long-term benefit of the club’s financial stability will see us continue to be able to diversify our revenue streams, allowing us to invest back into the community, evidenced by construction commencing on a new, industry-leading, medical imaging centre in partnership with leading radiology provider, Imaging Associates Group,” Cook said.
“Our non-traditional revenue streams are about more than reducing the variability of future cash flows, they expand our meaningful impact within the community through education, business growth and hospitality [1864 Eatery and Events].”
Essendon, Richmond and St Kilda also still own gaming venues.
Where the Blues benefited this year was through a surge in membership, gate receipts and consumer revenue, which vaulted to more than $26.6 million – up more than $3.5 million on last year.
Supporters jumped on board after the Blues’ thrilling ride to the 2023 preliminary final. The Blues boasted 106,345 members in 2024 – up from 95,277, and the first time they had passed 100,000. While they eventually limped into the finals and were eliminated on the first weekend of September by eventual premiers Brisbane, their efforts were given special mention in the annual report.
“This achievement should be acknowledged given the number of injuries towards the end of the season,” the report said.
The Blues say they continue to spend to the “soft-cap” limits in the men’s and women’s programs.
The 2025 campaign will bring a changing of the guard at Princes Park, with Cook handing over to Graham Wright, while president Luke Sayers will step down at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, the Saints suffered a major drop in merchandise revenue, contributing to the club’s net loss of more than $2 million this year.
They posted an operating profit of $1.53m before interest expense, depreciation and amortisation, but when those factors were considered, the club had a loss of $2.05 million.
The club’s annual report showed merchandise revenue fell to $2.09 million, a drop of more than $700,000 in a year when the Saints failed to make the finals.
The Saints increased employee benefits by $2.52 million under “salary, wages, termination expense and other benefits”. Former club chief executive Simon Lethlean left the club in January and was replaced by Carl Dilena.
Veteran recruiter Derek Hine.Credit: Pat Scala
Legendary Collingwood recruiter departs as shake-up continues
Jake Niall
Collingwood’s shake-up of their football operation continues with renowned long-time recruiting boss Derek Hine parting ways with the club.
Hine and the Magpies have mutually agreed to part ways, as the club restructures its list management under new list boss Justin Leppitsch, according to two industry sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hine’s exit marks the end of an era at the Magpies, where he was either recruiting or list manager for 21 years. He was responsible for drafting or trading the bulk of two premiership teams, including club champions Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, plus Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard, Jamie Elliott and the vast majority of the 2010 premiership team, including several rookies.
Hine also drove the Magpies’ unconventional gamble on American big man Mason Cox, who has carved a significant chapter in the code’s history with his 129-game career.
In a subsequent statement on Friday afternoon, after this masthead broke the story, Collingwood confirmed Hine’s exit “following a mutual decision to part ways”.
“Thank you to everyone at Collingwood, past and present, for the privilege to serve this club for over 20 years,” Hine said in the statement.
“It has been an incredibly enjoyable period of my life and I leave Collingwood with many cherished memories and lifelong friends. I particularly want to acknowledge all the part-time recruiters who have worked in our talent program over the journey who continue to work tirelessly to identify players across the country.
“I don’t take for granted how much the club means to its members and supporters, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”
A club source suggested Collingwood may not replace Hine directly in the restructure orchestrated by Leppitsch and chief executive Craig Kelly.
Club recruiter Adam Shepard is a chance to be promoted to an upgraded role.
That there had been tensions between Hine and Leppitsch was well known in recruiting and player management circles, as the Magpies revamp their list management following the exit of football boss Graham Wright, who has crossed to Carlton to become that club’s next chief executive.
Collingwood are yet to appoint a replacement for Wright, with ex-Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner and former Fremantle football general manager Peter Bell having held discussions with the Magpies over the position.
Brendon Bolton, one of senior coach Craig McRae’s assistants who filled in as football general manager this year while Wright was on sabbatical overseas, left at season’s end to join St Kilda and return to assistant coaching.
Hine became head recruiter at Collingwood in 2004, taking over from Noel Judkins, having started in a player development role under Mick Malthouse and football boss Neil Balme.
In 2005, he drafted Dale Thomas and Pendlebury with picks No.2 and 5 in the national draft, selections that were instrumental in Collingwood’s run of eight-straight finals appearances from 2006. Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team had numerous rookies, including All-Australian defender Heritier Lumumba and skipper Nick Maxwell, Sharrod Wellingham and Alan Toovey. All bar Maxwell were rookies drafted on Hine’s watch.
The Magpies have reached nine preliminary finals and 13 finals series in Hine’s time at the club.
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