Big V's power clubs on rise Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
May 12, 2011 RICHMOND'S resurgence has raised hopes Melbourne's "Big Four" could be back after a 38-year break.
Traditional power clubs Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond are tipping record memberships, with the Tigers making an early push for their first finals campaign since 2001.
The four clubs have not all made the finals since 1973, when they filled the top four positions and the Tigers beat the Blues for the premiership.
Almost 40 years later, the sudden improvement of Richmond and Essendon is set to underpin huge attendances and record memberships.
Essendon has overtaken its best total of 43,635 and Carlton's crowds are up 15 per cent, with chief executive Greg Swann saying the Blues were optimistic of signing another 2000 members to break their 2009 record of 43,294.
Swann said the success of the Big Four was heartening.
"The Tigers are roaring and the Bombers would have smashed their membership records and the Pies are flying, so it's all good," he said.
"It would be a great thing if we could all push up there together. It's been such a long time that we have all been up there together."
Essendon hopes toexceed 50,000 members next week, for the first time, and chief executive Ian Robson agreed the success was good for football in Victoria.
"The reality is that a healthy, vibrant Melbourne economy of football is a good thing for many organisations, whether it's through the click of turnstiles or viewership or readership - there are any number of measures you can apply," Robson said.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale confirmed the Tigers had passed their 2009 record of 46,202, with 10,000 new members on board.
Gale was cautiously optimistic about the levels of support, aware Richmond still had much work to do on and off the field.
"We have a fairly rusted-on, passionate support base but a large, latent support base as well," he said.
"We are on the verge of breaking our membership record and let's not forget we finished 15th last year.
"Our people understand what we are trying to do.
"They understand we are on a journey.
"We will disappoint at times, but we are starting to be more consistent.
"We know we have a lot of work to do, and this week we have the Bulldogs, who we haven't beaten in six years."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/big-vs-power-clubs-on-rise/story-e6frf9jf-1226054250107
