And they don't recognise a bad investment

Because their supporters are incredibly passionate.

Just as Hawthorn has built their m'ship numbers over a long period of sustained success that includes multiple flags, the tigers had a long period from the mid 60s to 1980 with flags and success. The only thing that builds membership is flags and finals success over a long period not just a few years. Pretty obvious really.

I know it is in the AFL's interest to keep publishing membership numbers like they do currently, but it would be far more informative to report members as full membership equivalents. In other words, all Hawthorn's 3 game, pet and junior memberships would equate to around 20,000 full memberships. Hence why they only get crowds of 30,000 to most of their games.

or better still......just membership revenue

Just as Hawthorn has built their m'ship numbers over a long period of sustained success that includes multiple flags, the tigers had a long period from the mid 60s to 1980 with flags and success. The only thing that builds membership is flags and finals success over a long period not just a few years. Pretty obvious really.

Unless you're North Melbourne.

Can't look back .. But how many young kids did we lose from 08-2013???

I'm a18yr member but my 17yo son lost interest.... He was 8yo when we last played finals in 06

our problems did not start in 2008 H2014.

our recent history is a direct is a direct outcome of our failures to embrace more communities in our past. we are becoming DNA narrow.

we have to open our arms to the type of demographics the club entertained back in the 40's & 50's... we had all demographics cheering the demons loud & proud, from all parts of the MCG. it was an open ground with people of all backgrounds & suburbs supporting the red & blue.

I have spoken to people who were there in the 50's. they say there was no snobbery, of where you came from, or which financial bracket you may have been in. & it wasn't against the code to yell out for your team or against the opposition.

I say the politically correct who have been trying to correct peoples barracking flaws over the decades; even when we were lowly, has turned most of those people to other more successful clubs gradually over those decades since our stronger times.

We have to get back to being a grass roots club again that's representative of all peoples.

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our problems did not start in 2008 H2014.

our recent history is a direct is a direct outcome of our failures to embrace more communities in our past. we are becoming DNA narrow.

we have to open our arms to the type of demographics the club entertained back in the 40's & 50's... we had all demographics cheering the demons loud & proud, from all parts of the MCG. it was an open ground with people of all backgrounds & suburbs supporting the red & blue.

I have spoken to people who were there in the 50's. they say there was no snobbery, of where you came from, or which financial bracket you may have been in. & it wasn't against the code to yell out for your team or against the opposition.

I say the politically correct who have been trying to correct peoples barracking flaws over the decades; even when we were lowly, has turned most of those people to other more successful clubs gradually over those decades since our stronger times.

We have to get back to being a grass roots club again that's representative of all peoples.

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In fairness to the club, this is why they pushed so hard in Casey.

The problem is, Melbourne have been dreadful in that time so it has been an uphill battle.

Unless you're North Melbourne.

good point & interesting comparison clint. just shows you can't make generalizations.

Can we start a fund to help out young kids who can't afford memberships?

Might already have something going however haven't heard of it.

Living in the leafy eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I know quite a number of Hawks supporters/members. Most are 2 dog family homes and I think you can even sign up your garden gnome if you choose to.

After the failed merger our club never laid out a long term plan instead it engaged with an individual as a white knight who would rescue the club by donating his money....A continued band aid approach to only solve short term issues....

Hawks developed strong off field finances & galvinsed their supporter base.... Result 3 flags, 70k membership & huge annual profits

Can we start a fund to help out young kids who can't afford memberships?

Might already have something going however haven't heard of it.

Ethan, I read a good "tweet" the other day, can't remember who posted it (was a sports journo), basically saying that while the pregame antics of clubs these days are a novelty, how about clubs save the money they spend on it and use that money to reduce membership prices. Was a fair point.

That said, I don't think our club would be spending huge dollars on this sort of stuff from what I read in another thread on here the other day.

Geelong vs Hawthorn: 73,500 - 50/50 split means 36,750 Hawk supporters show up . Where are the rest of their so called supporters (and don't say in Tassie)?

Melbourne vs Suns: 27,000 - 90/10 split means 24,300 Dee supporters show up. That's 76% of our membership.

Living in the leafy eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I know quite a number of Hawks supporters/members. Most are 2 dog family homes and I think you can even sign up your garden gnome if you choose to.

You mean 2 dog family homes, with some pets as well?

Now that Jones has signed on for long enough to basically be with the club for 'life', we need to make that number 2 the heart of our promotions to kids.

The guy has respect, from everywhere and everyone, in all ways. Identifying with Jones is a shield to protect unfortunate Demon-supporting kids from being mocked, and his instagram baby pictures will break down the 'concerned mother' barrier too!

The club shot itself in the foot by tossing away its living history, treating players like McDonald so poorly even while releasing a steady stream of media about the club's great history. Nathan Jones' career is the chance to turn around that sour recent past and build towards a more solid, respected and justifiably loyal supporter culture.

At the moment, few of us can even imagine the Demons holding up a premiership cup, but would anyone disagree it would be Jones you'd dedicate it to.

You mean 2 dog family homes, with some pets as well?

I used to be confused, now I'm not so sure.

any chance of afl releasing actual membership numbers.

i mean of actual human beings that paid up front for 11+ games. I doubt theyd be over 50,000

Now that Jones has signed on for long enough to basically be with the club for 'life', we need to make that number 2 the heart of our promotions to kids.

The guy has respect, from everywhere and everyone, in all ways. Identifying with Jones is a shield to protect unfortunate Demon-supporting kids from being mocked, and his instagram baby pictures will break down the 'concerned mother' barrier too!

The club shot itself in the foot by tossing away its living history, treating players like McDonald so poorly even while releasing a steady stream of media about the club's great history. Nathan Jones' career is the chance to turn around that sour recent past and build towards a more solid, respected and justifiably loyal supporter culture.

At the moment, few of us can even imagine the Demons holding up a premiership cup, but would anyone disagree it would be Jones you'd dedicate it to.

Welcome back, Cameron. Not sure how long you'll last back in here with the amount of abuse that gets thrown your way, but I wish you well.

surely that doesn't include 'Pet' memberships?

What a joke LOL.. How can that even be allowed to count?

I know it is in the AFL's interest to keep publishing membership numbers like they do currently, but it would be far more informative to report members as full membership equivalents. In other words, all Hawthorn's 3 game, pet and junior memberships would equate to around 20,000 full memberships. Hence why they only get crowds of 30,000 to most of their games.

The only relevant number to publish is revenue raised from membership and hence profits raised from memberships.

The Age today has Richmond with 66,000 members. How the hell does that shlt club get that many members?

Because they are fantastically well researched well resourced club doing things right for the last 8 years.

Geelong vs Hawthorn: 73,500 - 50/50 split means 36,750 Hawk supporters show up . Where are the rest of their so called supporters (and don't say in Tassie)?

Melbourne vs Suns: 27,000 - 90/10 split means 24,300 Dee supporters show up. That's 76% of our membership.

i'd say the likely number would've been closer to 22,000 members for us.

It was Hawks home game, so i reckon between 40,000-45,000 hawk supporters would've shown up. So roughly 68-70% of MFC members compared to 60% Hawks.

After the failed merger our club never laid out a long term plan instead it engaged with an individual as a white knight who would rescue the club by donating his money....A continued band aid approach to only solve short term issues....

Hawks developed strong off field finances & galvinsed their supporter base.... Result 3 flags, 70k membership & huge annual profits

Ian Dicker worked hard to bring the supporters back and convert them to members. They had a huge latent supporter base built on the flags in the 70's & 80's, we didn't have that luxury.

We also didn't have someone with the drive of Dicker.

Can't look back .. But how many young kids did we lose from 08-2013???

I'm a18yr member but my 17yo son lost interest.... He was 8yo when we last played finals in 06

but will a return o success most likely the interest will return. reminds me of 1987 after many dismal years and low attendances, we make the finals and the MCG is filled with red and blue. With all teams that all have members who come and go on success. besides most 17yo have other more immediate interests

In fairness to the club, this is why they pushed so hard in Casey.

The problem is, Melbourne have been dreadful in that time so it has been an uphill battle.

its not a knock on the club, its a mention to all of us to embrace all who want to follow the red & blue, from all quarters of the human spectrum.

.......... we need to open the club up, as the AFL are waking up to; as the game itself has drifted away from its grass roots supporters & so, they started drifting away from the game.

its the footy nerds who have taken the game to where it is now, & away from what the 'people' liked, & the people are starting to turn their backs on the game; both at the grounds & on TV.

the game became a stats fest, & a player quagmire, and the people became dismayed; & this has slowly eked away the decades of good will & loyalty that those family cultures had grown, & they had given, & had happily endured the poor times because of this tradition of togetherness.

this year has started with 'a better theme' of supposedly cheaper food & drink, & some more 'for the people-actions', like the pre-game, & like Tex Walker taking the team to the cheer squad & then banged out the team song, with the cheer squad.... this is what footy is all about, the people, not the coteries.

the game got hijacked, or kidnapped, but now the people will leave the game behind if they aren't considered with more respect.

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Can we start a fund to help out young kids who can't afford memberships?

Might already have something going however haven't heard of it.

the traditional thinking is backward IMO... that is just make the kids happy at all costs. this is a man made 'Mr-Fixit' issue, like he tries to do with the women. just fix it somehow, to make them feel good.

...all you get is spoilt women & spoilt kids, & the outcome is haywire. see the trouble on the streets, & the passed values in society of looking out for one another. its become all about Self.

this to, is whats happening in the AFL game. the emotional needs of ALL must be taken care of. not some stats & a game that has become too much hard work to watch in fun anymore.

make the parents happy to go to games & happy at games, & subconsciously the kids will also be happy because of this, & Loyalty will Re-Grow. Its not about the Kids, but about the Kids seeing their parents glowing, happy, cheering for their team & with their friends in groups, like the old days..... THIS is what the kids need emotionally, to fall in-love with our old game.

......... they (the kids) aspire to happiness, & if they see it in the togetherness of the parents & the friends, then this attitude will grow, & loyalty will blossom.... this is communal footy. this is what was lost when the reserves went westward. time & space to talk, & laugh, & interact with one another.

the kids don't need spoiling, unless you want to make people who are never going to be satisfied with the game, because they will always want.

address their needs (the peoples), not their wants.

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