hello "One Eyed Richmond" people!
just like to quickly say, hope everyone had a good christmas and new years eve and day and all the best for 2009. (my first post in 2009)
BUT ...
today i renewed my Richmond membership and my friend who used to be a Richmond member (but still a supporter) bought his membership for the first time since 2001, thanks to Ben Cousins.
i told him that the last time he had a Richmond membership we made the finals (which he knew) and he could be the positive omen after all these years. (LMAO)
interesting to see today's membership numbers.
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West Coast - over 47,700 members is amazing considering West Coast finished 15th. Yes, there is two teams in Western Australia, but just shows that Australian Football "dominates" Western Australia and West Coast have a proud history 22 years on.
Hawthorn - Hawthorn want 40,000 members and look "ok" in getting that. No surprise for the Champions supporters getting on board.
Essendon - Pretty good numbers. Average start in the first half of '08 but looked dangerous second half of '08 and seems like supporters believe in former Richmond Champion Matthew Knights's game plan.
Collingwood - Steady.
Geelong - Steady.
Richmond - I just hope we get more members then St Kilda, North Melbourne and Western. Wishing to get more members then Geelong by the end of year (doubt that)
All teams are finals teams. Hopefully Richmond "smash" last years record and edge close to 35,000, hopefully more.
St Kilda - Going well considering that they are the "pretenders" of the AFL.
Melbourne - Very good. Looks like Melbourne supporters believe Jim and Dean's vision which is good to see.
Western - I believe Western supporters are "bandwagon supporters". One bad year and there numbers will fall. Surprising their numbers aren't higher.
Carlton - Going good. Big year in '09 with high expectations and you would think they
could sneak in the eight if all their "Stars" have a great year.
Brisbane - As a Australian Football supporter, you would hope Brisbane's membership grows. Since Gold Coast is coming in two years time, i personally hope Brisbane gets more supporters and members for many reasons and one being speading/growing the AFL rather then Rubgy League in Queensland. Hope Michael Voss is the answer but a hard task.
Port Adelaide - I think disappointing. Do the Port Adelaide supporters hate Mark now? Having family in Adeliade (Adelaide supporters and one Port Adelaide supporter) they think Port Adelaide have had enough of Mark now. Didn't Port Adelaide have over 35,000 members in '08? Hard to see 22,000 members by the deadline, but maybe i am totally wrong and members will grow as the Football season starts.
North Melbourne - They are seriously on the edge of extinction. Very bad really. I believe if North Melbourne has two years in a row finishing bottom four, they will fold. I admire North Melbourne's players and Dean for playing with nothing and having nothing. Why don't North Melbourne supporters sign up? North Melbourne now has all "Home" matches in Melbourne. You would of thought they would at least reach 30,000 again.