Ranking Victorian clubs by size

[Pistol Night]

We'll overtake them as well when we hopefully start winning flags again! Although having said that, we're already ahead of Richmond where it really counts.

I just liked a comment about Carlton winning flags. Thats how much i enjoy stirring Richmond.

 

[Irish BlueBagger]

I just liked a comment about Carlton winning flags. Thats how much i enjoy stirring Richmond.

You guys have more flags than them as well.

Even Essendon despite the two flags (1897 and 1924 because there was no grand final in those years) i stripped off them are still ahead of the Tigers in the premiership count!

 

[Blackas87]

1. Collingwood
2. Essendon
3. Carlton
4. Richmond
5. Hawthorn
6. Geelong
7. Melbourne
8. St Kilda
9. Western Bulldogs
10. North Melbourne

 

[M Malice]

I actually thought the Demons were a "big club" until I went to the final last year at the MCG, Lions supporters were clearly louder and more passionate... surprised me no end. Even when the Demons were leading in the first half it was quiet, it's was like an arrogant expectance of a win, strange for a club who had won 1 flag in 50+ years.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

If they were going well, I have no doubt Essendon are the biggest club in Vic in terms of passionate fan base, the entire Northwest corridor is dominated by them, and they are relentless when up and about. Carlton are big, but we have lost a generation of supporters through being so poor for 15 years..

 

[Bjo187]

1. Collingwood
2. Essendon
3. Carlton
4. Richmond
4. Geelong
5. Hawthorn
6. St Kilda
7. Melbourne
9. Western Bulldogs
10. North Melbourne

It always surprises me that St Kilda get underrated for supporter base. I meet 10x the amount of their supporters compared to Melbourne, dogs, roos and I live in the North West, work in the city.

 

[Demon13304]

I actually thought the Demons were a "big club" until I went to the final last year at the MCG, Lions supporters were clearly louder and more passionate... surprised me no end. Even when the Demons were leading in the first half it was quiet, it's was like an arrogant expectance of a win, strange for a club who had won 1 flag in 50+ years.

More the opposite, at that point 6 out of our 7 losses we got out to decent lead and then just shit the bed. I know it sounds bad but it was kinda hard to get excited about a first half lead knowing we could easily **** it up and then they proved it.

The club was very arrogant going into that game unchanged too. None of the dees fans I knew were that confident going into. one of the most disssapointing losses I could remember and I've seen a lot lol

 

[Dirty Bird]

1. Collingwood - Obviously the biggest club in Victoria (Arguably in the country as both Eagles and Swans (Part time in their case) fans might outnumber them) And the only people who would argue it is Richmond fans pointing to their premiership bandwagon.
=2. Richmond - Arguably #2, they have the numbers, yes. But they're not limited at the MCG, where as....
=2. Essendon - Are they bigger than Richmond? I dont know. Is Richmond bigger than Essendon? I dont know. And there is no way to prove it either. Essendon are hamstrung at Marvel. We could go around in circles arguing between Richmond and Essendon all day. And there is zero way to make an outright call due to the limitations Essendon face at Marvel Stadium. They're obviously too big for it.
4. Carlton - If you asked me 7-10 years ago, I'd have been questioning this one too. But now that normality has resumed, it's obvious Carlton is #4. There was a stage I was questioning their validity into being in the Big 4. Not so now.
5. Hawthorn - During that dynasty, things did actually scream they're bigger than Carlton. But just like Richmond/Collingwood. That's just the bandwagon effect making it appear bigger than they are. Though, some will look to 20 years ago, and the rebuild they're about to undergo and I wouldn't be shocked if there's anti-Hawk fans bumping this mid year and quoting people who have Hawthorn high going, '15k at the MCG vs 'insert interstate side here'? They're on par with North'
6. Geelong - They're a really hard one to place. You can see a true indication of a club through the highs and lows. Who sticks around when they suck. But the thing is, when was the last time Geelong sucked? I can't think of a time in my lifetime. If I'm wrong with any club here it's Geelong. Geelong feel decent. But is that because the bandwagon has been in force for 30 years? Whether the Blight, or Thompson or Scott years, they've rarely sucked. Or is it because they're genuinely well supported. They're either outright 6 with a gap over the chasing pack. Or they're entrenched in the chasing pack. Might still be 6th, idk. But is the daylight before or after Geelong, idk.
=7. St Kilda - It's next to impossible to split these 3, so why try. Having said that, If I did try, this is probably the order I'd go with.
=7. Western Bulldogs - As above
=7. Melbourne - Though, Melbourne could fall off and head towards #9. Maybe even #10. Their fanbase is as big as the 2 above, thing is, they're alot older. In 20 years where will they be sitting? That's the question worth asking. They could have a dynasty and hold onto/convert alot of the young supporters. Could grow. Alternatively. They mightn't, they fail to replace their aging fan base. And they're heading towards North territory.
10. North Melbourne - There's a reason they bounce around. From Sydney, to Canberra, to Gold Coast, to Hobart. They need the money to offset not getting enough at home. Been the smallest for their entire history.

 

[TheUnicorn]

Richmond are guna melt over this.

Richmond melt over everything

 

[citizen-erased]

If they were going well, I have no doubt Essendon are the biggest club in Vic in terms of passionate fan base, the entire Northwest corridor is dominated by them, and they are relentless when up and about. Carlton are big, but we have lost a generation of supporters through being so poor for 15 years..

i'd be surprised if we can pip the Pies.
I'd have us second.

Funnily enough, we have support despite being poorer for just as long as Carlton....we succeed in spite of ourselves
gotta give us points for that. How many clubs put their fans through the misery we've had in a decade...and improve membership.

We've seen the likes of the hawks, blues and tigers fluctuate significantly when things get quite dire.

I think you're also right in that we have a decent bit of geography behind with both that NW corridor, but also we seem quite well represented outside the state and travel quite a bit to big football cities.

You guys have more flags than them as well.

Even Essendon despite the two flags (1897 and 1924 because there was no grand final in those years) i stripped off them are still ahead of the Tigers in the premiership count!

hehe
i love the Carlton versions of history
two less flags for us, 4 more for you
Whatever it takes! i do hope we keep step with your rise. I love nothing more than the "arrogant cup" games between us.

 

[citizen-erased]

=2. Essendon - Are they bigger than Richmond? I dont know. Is Richmond bigger than Essendon? I dont know. And there is no way to prove it either. Essendon are hamstrung at Marvel. We could go around in circles arguing between Richmond and Essendon all day. And there is zero way to make an outright call due to the limitations Essendon face at Marvel Stadium. They're obviously too big for it.

Truer words never spoken
I don't go to Marvel for our games much anymore. I both resent the fact it's almost always ticketed & it always feels cramped.

Financially i think it's a good deal for us, so i get it. but i do wish we'd move away and just play the G.

 

[South of the Yarra]

1. Collingwood
2. Essendon
3. Carlton
4. Geelong
5. Richmond
6. Hawthorn
7. St Kilda
8. Melbourne
9. Western Bulldogs
10. North Melbourne

 

[GroggSquad]

10. North Melbourne - There's a reason they bounce around. From Sydney, to Canberra, to Gold Coast, to Hobart. They need the money to offset not getting enough at home. Been the smallest for their entire history.

You may not know this given you follow one of the newer AFL franchises, but there actually used to be smaller clubs in the VFL/AFL called Fitzroy & South Melbourne that no longer exist

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Richmond would be 4th if not 5th.

Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton crack 150k members if they win 3 in 4 years.

Richmond are closer to the Hawks than they are the big 3. Both struggle when the going gets tough.

 

[beema limapep]

Essendon, Carlton and to an extent Collingwood overhyped.

1 flag between them in 2 decades and the crowds show it. Even still, there is no sleeping demography.

 

[Pistol Night]

Essendon, Carlton and to an extent Collingwood overhyped.

1 flag between them in 2 decades and the crowds show it. Even still, there is no sleeping demography.

The crowds that had us and Carlton higher than you guys last year? Those crowds?

 

[beema limapep]

The crowds that had us and Carlton higher than you guys last year? Those crowds?

Semantics in their context.

 

[Blackas87]

=7. St Kilda - It's next to impossible to split these 3, so why try. Having said that, If I did try, this is probably the order I'd go with.
=7. Western Bulldogs - As above
=7. Melbourne -

I’d say Melbourne are biggest of the four small clubs. Just have to look at their best attendance averaged years.

St Kilda
2010: 38023
2007: 37921
2008: 37034

Western Bulldogs
2006: 33254
2009: 32877
1955: 31718

North Melbourne
1995: 36364
1998: 35971
1994: 34990

Melbourne
1964: 49579
1962: 48645
1963: 46029

Melbournes biggest are in the 60’s but their biggest in the AFL era

2018: 40695
1998: 40085
2005: 39869
2022: 39218 (Attendance across the league down after Covid)

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Seems weird to say it now but Collingwood used to be the biggest Melbourne club, and Carlton and Essendon were actually big clubs.

Now obviously they are struggling to make up the peloton chasing the daylight that is chasing the Tigers.

 

[CharacterFirst]

1.VRC
2.MRC
3.MVRC

RACV?

 

[smasha]

Richmond are guna melt over this.

Nah,we know we are number one.

 

[Dirty Bird]

I’d say Melbourne are biggest of the four small clubs. Just have to look at their best attendance averaged years.

St Kilda
2010: 38023
2007: 37921
2008: 37034

Western Bulldogs
2006: 33254
2009: 32877
1955: 31718

North Melbourne
1995: 36364
1998: 35971
1994: 34990

Melbourne
1964: 49579
1962: 48645
1963: 46029

Melbournes biggest are in the 60’s but their biggest in the AFL era

2018: 40695
1998: 40085
2005: 39869
2022: 39218 (Attendance across the league down after Covid)

St Kilda and the Bulldogs are capped at Marvel.
You have the opportunity to get your outliers (QB, Anzac eve etc.) that can give you outliers that they're completely incapable at receiving.

So even though in pure numbers you are right, that was my point for not saying Richmond is unequivocally #2. St Kilda, the Bulldogs and Essendon are playing with a hand tied behind their back simply by being hamstrung by a stadium half the size.

(No offence North, but this isn't an issue for you.)

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

RACV?

The Motel
Boutique
Star Bar
Seven
Spy Lounge
Twister


Glory days…..

 

[Blackas87]

St Kilda and the Bulldogs are capped at Marvel.
You have the opportunity to get your outliers (QB, Anzac eve etc.) that can give you outliers that they're completely incapable at receiving.

So even though in pure numbers you are right, that was my point for not saying Richmond is unequivocally #2. St Kilda, the Bulldogs and Essendon are playing with a hand tied behind their back simply by being hamstrung by a stadium half the size.

(No offence North, but this isn't an issue for you.)

Well that is true.

2022 Melbourne didn’t host QB or Anzac Eve although they pulled a big crowd against Collingwood later in the year, Melbourne also hosted a game in Alice Springs which drops the average a fair bit.

St Kilda’s best season 2010 had all games in Melbourne including hosting Geelong at the MCG in a top of the table clash that drew 58,000. 2 other games at Docklands reached 49,000 so I assume they were sell outs and at a larger venue would have bumped their average up above or close to 40,000. No other game looked a sell out.

The Dogs best season 2006 is on average 5000 less than St Kilda’s best, an average of 33,000. Only 2 games reached 45,000. While they have had a few sellouts of 49,000-51,000 in other seasons I’m not sure there’s enough to bump their best average up to the 40,000 mark if those games were at the MCG.

 

[Ati Tude]

Really depends on the metric

Historically i reckon you'd have gone Pies, Dons, Blues, Tigers in that order with the hawks & cats coming behind then the rest.
Of late, the Tigers have turned juggernaut & the Pies still go strong

fan-base;
Pies
Tigers
Dons
Blues
Hawks
Cats
Dees
Saints/Dogs/Roos

Flags;
Blues
Dons
Pies
Tigers
Hawks
Cats
Dees
Roos
Dogs
Saints

Pies & Dons probably sell papers like no other in the state, esp. when we're doing stupid stuff.
commercially, i'd say the Dons and Pies are top 2 historically.

lucky for everyone then that neither do much stupid stuff...