Richmond tipped to overtake Collingwood as biggest AFL club Peter Rolfe
Sunday Herald Sun
August 15, 2015 8:09PMRICHMOND is poised to overtake Collingwood as the biggest club in the AFL, experts believe.
The AFL’s sleeping giant has been kicking goals off the field, with more than 70,000 members now and record sponsorship deals.
Experts believe the Tigers could soon surpass the Magpies as the number one club in town, on the back of strong on-field showings.
Sponsorship expert Jack Watts says if Richmond can land a preliminary final berth this year, its membership total could go past that of the Pies by the middle of next year.
Richmond already has the fastest-growing membership base when ranked against other top four premiership contenders, despite not earning the double chance since 2001.
“Collingwood are still in front but Richmond are not far behind,’’ Mr Watts said.
“I’d say that if the Tigers finish in the top four, play in a preliminary final, then it will happen in the middle of next year. For Richmond fans, making a preliminary final would be the tipping point. It would be the monkey-off-the-back moment where everybody jumps on the bandwagon.’’
Bastion EBA has plotted the membership rise of the AFL’s most successful clubs against their on-field performance.
The Tigers have had the league’s strongest membership growth since 2011, despite failing to finish in the top four in those years.
“In the past decade Collingwood has certainly been the benchmark in all the key aspects of how to run a football club,’’ Mr Watts said.
“The most fans, members, Friday night matches ... but the sands are starting to shift.
“Collingwood might have maxed out and the others catch up.’’
Richmond’s website listed a membership of 70,937 on Friday. Collingwood’s was 76,433, and the Magpies are unlikely to play finals.
Richmond chief Brendan Gale said the club was determined to succeed.
“We have a fantastically loyal and passionate fan base and as a club and we will never take it for granted,’’ he said. “We don’t focus on size and scale — it’s simply a byproduct of getting other things right, and clearly our football team is playing their part at the moment.’’
Richmond cheer squad president Gerard Egan said: “There are a number of clubs that are very worried about Richmond being successful because we will eclipse everybody in fans, merchandise, sales and numbers.’’
BY THE NUMBERS
COLLINGWOODMembers 2014: 79,347
Members 2015: 76,433
Average home game crowd 2014: 48,046
RICHMONDMembers 2014: 66,122
Members 2015: 70,937
Average home game crowd 2014: 43,196
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