Western Bulldogs Membership 2018 - Operation 50,000

[HOSE B ROMERO]

I think we have around 31,000 members signed up for 2018 so far according to the email from the club with the Christmas message. A record breaking 31K.

31000 already? After last season, i expected our membership could drop 5000 to 42000. Providing the criteria is still the same, i would be mightily impressed if we hit the 47k again.

[GVGjr]

31000 already? After last season, i expected our membership could drop 5000 to 42000. Providing the criteria is still the same, i would be mightily impressed if we hit the 47k again.

We've got off to a flyer and I'm hoping we are still ahead come the end of January. If we can just hold last years numbers we would have done very well.

[Eastdog]

31000 already? After last season, i expected our membership could drop 5000 to 42000. Providing the criteria is still the same, i would be mightily impressed if we hit the 47k again.

Great chance to get to 47K again so far based on the numbers. I reckon will get a high membership figure again despite a poor 2017. Need a strong 2018 season to really consolidate it into the next year.

[Hotdog60]

I think we need to show some good positive signs in the JTL series and start the first few rounds off with a flyer.
If we can show the supporters out there that this year was just a blip in a developing young side then we may well crack that 50 grand mark.
Ideally if Josh can look good early and get something brewing with Tom and between them get a double figure score I think the numbers will keep on the improve. That other X factor fella will all but be forgotten.

[bornadog]

32,310

last year same time was 32,397

[Eastdog]

32,310

last year same time was 32,397

Tracking fairly well.

[bornadog]

Tracking fairly well.

Not really Eastie, down on last year or around about the same. If we are going to hit 50k, we need to be rending up.

[Eastdog]

Not really Eastie, down on last year or around about the same. If we are going to hit 50k, we need to be rending up.

Yeah maybe I was a bit too optimistic there with the current figure. Do you reckon will get to 47K again?

[Twodogs]

Yeah maybe I was a bit too optimistic there with the current figure. Do you reckon will get to 47K again?

It depends on how generous Peter Gordon is feeling I guess.

[bornadog]

Yeah maybe I was a bit too optimistic there with the current figure. Do you reckon will get to 47K again?

Unfortunately with our fickle supporters, may depend on winning the first few games.

[Twodogs]

Unfortunately with our fickle supporters, may depend on winning the first few games.

How did we get a reputation for having fickle supporters? (Rhetorical question) If you were going to pick a team and then make your support dependent upon results, with all due respect to us and everything, we are the last team you'd pick on the basis of our reliability and consistency!

I know that our suppoerters typically will sign in droves if we win our first couple of games. I just don't understand why.

[Eastdog]

How did we get a reputation for having fickle supporters? (Rhetorical question) If you were going to pick a team and then make your support dependent upon results, with all due respect to us and everything, we are the last team you'd pick on the basis of our reliability and consistency!

I know that our suppoerters typically will sign in droves if we win our first couple of games. I just don't understand why.

It has been said a lot before but we really need to support our team in good times and bad times. Our members are so important - it's what makes our club. Yes it was down year last year coming off winning the flag and all of us were dissapoinnted but there now is a lot to look forward with our list particularly the key acquisitions we got in the trade and draft periods.

[Webby]

This "fickle" thing is relative. All of Carlton, Collingwood and even Hawthorn have massive drop offs during bad times. Carlton have 55,000 odd members at present, yet would easily have 80,000 if they were contending.

Similarly, Collingwood dropped right off in the years when they were in the wooden spoon mix. I wouldn't be too hard on our supporters for being particularly fickle. In fact, I think the opposite is the case.

[bornadog]

I will show you fickle:



Grand Final Parade, all I could see was RWB



On Grand final day, the dominant colours were RWB



Yet only 5000 extra members signed up in 2017, yet all the people attending the parade, the GF and the Sunday when will they put their hands in their pockets.

[Webby]

I've just pulled some numbers.

Our membership has only dropped off twice in the 2000's. Once was in 2000, itself, when we dipped 12% from 1999. We had a second dip in 2004 of 9%. Our biggest increase was 2017 when a premiership brought a 19% increase.

Compare this to St Kilda, who dropped a whopping 20% between 2001 & 02. They then increased an incredible 34% in 2003 and followed it up with another 29% increase the following year... now THAT's fickle!

We've increased our membership by 412% since 1992. Richmond have managed 791%, Essendon 575%, Norf 563%, Swans 1,848%...