Thank You for Your Continued Support
Dear Members,
As we reflect on the 2024 AFL season, I want to thank each of you for your unwavering support and dedication to the Richmond Football Club.
I am very pleased to announce that we have reached a final tally of 98,489 members.
Despite a disappointing season on the field, your commitment has been remarkable and we, as a Club, feel so fortunate to have you all as part of the Tiger Army.
The strength of your support was evident throughout the year, with over 520,000 attendees at our home games and an average home crowd of over 47,000 fans per game.
This included three showcase games attended by over 70,000 people: Anzac Day Eve, Dreamtime at the G, and one of the most special days in Club history when Dustin Martin played his 300th game.
Dustin’s milestone against Hawthorn saw 92,311 fans flock to the MCG, our second highest home and away crowd in VFL/AFL history, and eighth overall. The energy in the crowd when Dustin kicked the opening goal was a memory I am sure we will all cherish for many years to come.
I want to give a special shout out to our Membership Team, who have supported you throughout the 2024 season.
Since September 1, 2023, our staff have handled over 50,000 inbound calls and made over 85,000 calls themselves, dedicating 184 days of engagement to our loyal supporter base.
Additionally, the team has provided over 1,500 single-game seat upgrades and hosted more than 65 member events. At least 320 members were also given on ground opportunities such as the Guard of Honour and VIP viewing experiences.
Of course, there are still plenty more opportunities to watch the Yellow and Black in 2024. Our AFLW team hosts their first home match this Sunday at the Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval.
I encourage you to get to a game or tune in from afar. After losing by the barest of margins in Round 1, the team is ready to bounce back on Sunday with the intention of returning to the finals this November.
Looking to the future, I am pleased to inform you that your support has allowed us to raise $482,000 for the Brick by Brick campaign, bringing us closer to the most significant build in our Club’s history: the redevelopment of Punt Road Oval.
Our Major Raffle and donations from Punt Road Patrons also saw the Tiger Army fund an additional $327,000 towards our sustained future in Richmond. We cannot thank those who donated enough.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude for your support during this challenging year. Your passion and commitment keeps us strong. I can assure members that under the leadership of newly appointed CEO Shane Dunne, our senior coach Adem Yze, and leaders of our football department Blair Hartley and Tim Livingstone, we are leaving no stone unturned in this off season to aggressively position ourselves to return to finals action as quickly as possible.
Kind regards,
John O’Rourke
