The Rhino wrote:
Makes sense as to why members are dropping off.
Doesn't as to why they failed to grow the brand as most other Victorian clubs did from 2009-2011.
Hawthorn have had a bit of a golden era during this period. I wouldn't hold my breath, though, for look what happened just 5 years after they won a flag (after competing in 8 of 9 Grand Finals)... they had basically folded. That's how quickly their fans jump off.
Geelong, too, have enjoyed a golden era (their membership is smaller than ours despite their best ever period).
Essendon***** have manipulated this tired, sorry saga into an us against them campaign, playing the victim to retain support. We did this when caught red handed in 2002, recording a record membership number by saying the big bad AFL had bullied us. No one likes City Hall, do they?
It's well known that Richmond give away memberships. As in actually give them away. On a scale that dwarves every other club.
Collingwood we're a good side and their fans are, to a fault, loyal as a dog.
Our Membership would've been growing during that period, because we were an improving side playing finals. This culminated in 2011, our best season in 10 years. Then performances on field dipped and apathy drifted in. 'My loyalty and support has been betrayed, we're shit again!' cried the Carlton support. 'I knew it! I knew we were no good!' they said after the Saints beat us on a Monday night in 2012.
We recorded a record membership after turfing out a dipshit board with its head up arse and supporters felt a true sense of ownership.