AFL celebrates fan numbers
RECORD AFL membership numbers are proof footy is in good shape, but Gillon McLachlan says that will not diminish the league’s appetite for rule changes.
The AFL has announced more than a million club memberships have been sold for the 2018 season.
Premier Richmond led the way, becoming the first team to break the 100,000 mark, with a 39 per cent rise from last season.
Thirteen clubs, including expansion club GWS (25,243), posted record figures, with only powerhouse Collingwood and the out-of-form Western Bulldogs losing members.
McLachlan is also expecting last year’s homeand-away season attendance record to be broken despite a fall in television ratings.
The league is weighing the introduction of contentious rule changes aimed at making the game more attractive to watch.
Players, coaches and fans have been sharply divided on whether change is needed but McLachlan says the game’s custodians cannot afford to sit on their hands.
“Footy’s in good shape, really good shape,” he said yesterday.
“The responsibility of (AFL football boss Steve Hocking) and the competition committee is to continue to look at the game to be the best we can be.
“Respecting the heritage of the game is a clear part of that but also making the right change, and I’ve got great confidence in the team running that . . . that whatever decisions they make, they’ll be the right ones for all our supporters.”
Two of the most likely rule changes — starting positions at centre bounces and an extended goal square — will be trialled at VFL level tomorrow.
McLachlan had initially flagged the idea of holding trials in AFL games featuring teams out of finals contention, only to backtrack following a backlash.
“I think the level of engagement and conversation has been fantastic,” he said when asked about the AFL’s handling of the debate.
“We’ve got people talking about football every day, about something they love.
“The crowds at the moment we’re getting are incredible, football is healthy and well, and I think the conversation’s healthy. I think it’s been great for the game and I think Steve has run an incredibly inclusive process.”
McLachlan confirmed the AFL would consider introducing more five-day breaks to next year’s fixture as a means of increasing flexibility.
AFL players have long called for a second in-season bye week but he said that was unlikely to be introduced as a trade-off for shorter breaks between games.
Geelong last week celebrated reaching a record 60,000 members.