Cats shoot for record
Ablett’s return, more home games to lure new members
GEELONG is daring to believe it will crack 60,000 members for the first time next year, fuelled by more home games and the homecoming of Gary Ablett.
The Cats this year posted a record membership for the fifth consecutive year, finishing the season with more than 56,000 paid-up supporters.
While Ablett’s return could give the Cats a spike of up to 5000 members, it is the additional two games at GMHBA Stadium that could prove just as influential in attracting fans.
Geelong has increased its membership steadily from a then record 42,884 in 2013 to 43,803 (2014), 44,312 (2015) and 52,195 last year.
The Cats also plan to sell up to 300 more social club tickets this year — up from 2000 to 2300.
“We’re trying to get to 60,000 (members),” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said. “We got to 56,000 this year and we’d be quite ecstatic if we could get to that number.
“It’s still too early to tell how we will go compared to last year.
“We’re not comparing apples with apples.
“Once we confirm our social club renewals, we’ll probably be in a better position then.”
Cook said the club expected a “bit of an Ablett push” but said the club set its 60,000 target before Ablett was signed — and had decided against revising the total.
“I think the nine games at GMHBA Stadium (up from seven this year) will have a positive effect on sales,” Cook said. “Even though (reserved seat holders) will have to pay for those two additional games, we think it will be a positive for our membership this year.”