The main reason very few clubs would be able to pull this sort of thing off is because of us. The rusted on, yellow and black bleeding Tiger army who despite years of crap and missteps again pulled out our wallets and backed the club in. At the time I remember thinking this might be the club's last chance because another *smile* may have closed those wallets forever.
Yeah the support was always there, the magic was in harnessing it, but it couldn't have worked without the club upholding the on-field performance part of the deal. Of course while everyone's smiling the club has cracked down on the influence of members, ability to force an EGM etc. That's fine while times are prosperous but holding members at arm's length might serve to dilute support next time the club really needs it. At clubs like Carlton the supporters really don't have a voice.
Very hard for the small clubs who don't have that latent support to grow with minimal exposure etc. They're permanently on the AFL tit and I think that's how the AFL wants it. No club can stand against the AFL by itself, but we've put ourselves in the big boys' league and can align with other strong clubs to resist socialist manipulations aimed at creating an even competition at our hard-earned expense.
Anyway hopefully we can manage to sustain it like Geelong has. I might not have much time for their snooty coach but that club is admirably well-run.
