The AFL has extended the official cut off date to Aug 30 so we won't see club figures for 4 - 6 weeks.  

Here is an early insight:  afl-fans-to-the-rescue

Key Points:

• only 1 per cent of members across the competition have requested refunds, albeit with significant numbers pledging their money through to 2021.
• 5 clubs have membership records:  Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Gold Coast, St Kilda and West Coast
• The Western Bulldogs membership is also up, 12 per cent ahead of 2019 with that club one of several rewarding members' loyalty not only with club merchandise but also an automatic upgrade in 2021.

Emphasis is mine

On DL we compare our memberships to Carlton, Saints, Bulldogs, North so I created a little table from various sources

We are a smidgeon behind North as the smallest Vic club

The only reason I can think of for the 24 % decline is our disastrous 2019 and our ordinary start to 2020.  Maybe Melbourne members didn't buy into the off season hype.

Lord knows how many years it will take to get back to 52,000+. 

That we have dropped off so much more than our contemporaries must be very worrying for the club.  The last time we had 39,000ish members was 2016. 

Not much to add really...

 

Edit:  were we one of the clubs that offered 'club merchandise or an automatic 2021 upgrade?

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by Lucifer's Hero

The 50k was always rubbery as are most clubs numbers.

Question is why we fell by such a huge percentage compared to every other club.

I have my suspicions but it's time for the club to come clean

I am actually surprised we have nearly 40k. Round 1 was in WA then the league shut down. There are a lot of members that buy in the first few home games. Then add our crap performances and no chance of going to a game for the year and it is all explained. We had Better get very close to finals or there won't be 40k in 2021.

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The 50k was always rubbery as are most clubs numbers.

Question is why we fell by such a huge percentage compared to every other club.

I have my suspicions but it's time for the club to come clean

Spill the beans, DJ

3 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Spill the beans, DJ

NT Govt bought limited memberships under a contra deal

As in 2020 we dropped Darwin the number they purchased went down.

$1m = 10,000 x$100 3 game memberships approx

Membership drop is for one reason only. Goodwin.

If he stays on next year expect a similar drop in membership numbers.

A drop in numbers was to be expected after 2019 was so bad.

To drop by that amount is disappointing though.

I remain strongly of the view that if you can financially afford a membership but choose not to as some sort of "protest" against the club, you are doing the club more harm than good. 

56 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Membership drop is for one reason only. Goodwin.

If he stays on next year expect a similar drop in membership numbers.

We really need an eyeroll 'like' button.  Or a broken record.

?

Haven't seen anything from the club as 'reward' or incentive for membership this year into next year. I am a member of Parramatta in the NRL and for pledging our membership $$ this year, next year we get a 2021 training shirt and no price increase.

There are a few members complaining about it on Facebook after seeing what other clubs are giving out. Signed jerseys, upgrades etc.

 

Edited August 8, 20205 yr by Clintosaurus