Fan loyalty matters

IT was one of the greatest days in Geelong history – the Cats winning the grand final after a 11-year premiership drought.

So good, the game continues to be played on repeat in many Geelong living rooms. It’s still hard to wipe the smiles off supporters’ faces.

And the memories of impromptu street parades, beeping car horns and pubs filled to the brink with cheering fans are still fresh in everyone’s memories.

Even better, the club itself is now gearing up to repeat this year’s success next year.

Geelong’s trade period has been described as “one of the best in AFL this year”. Others say it was a blockbuster that could allow the club to win back-to-back flags.

Our favourite “captain courageous” – Joel Selwood – may have left a gaping hole after announcing his retirement, but Cats list manager Andrew Mackie has been able to “replenish our midfield”.

While the excitement around the club continues, unfortunately not all

Cats fans are happy.

The Addy reported that more than 1500 Cats members were scrambling to secure seating in GMHBA Stadium’s revamp. Members with seats in level one of the Players Stand were emailed on Monday and offered “first priority” for seating in a new stand.

The stadium is being redeveloped to cater for an increased capacity of more than 40,000.

Club chief operating officer Simon Kelleher said members unhappy with the move to the new stand would be able to choose alternative seats elsewhere in the stadium.

But fans have taken to social media and our opinion pages to express their disappointment.

One letter writer to this newspaper, Colleen Carroll, said she had been in her seat since “the Players Stand was first opened as the Reg Hickey Stand”.

“We were not consulted in the process,” she said.

Changes happen and the revamp of the stadium will be a great benefit for many when completed.

However, the fans remain the heart and soul of any club. Their opinions matter. Their loyalty through two Covid-19 stricken years and beyond must be honoured.

Mr Kelleher said members were at the heart of all the club’s decision-making.

But, as they say, the proof will be in the pudding.