Richmond CEO Brendon Gale believes there’s no reason why the Club can't accomplish another remarkable membership feat next year and supersede the record 101,562 figure it achieved in 2018.
The Tigers became the first club in AFL history to reach 100,000 paid-up members when they roared into six figures in July this year.
They have made an excellent start to their 2019 membership tally, entering December with a 70,206 members.
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Gale stated that while the club wasn't "obsessed" by membership goals, it was realistic to aim for an expanded base in 2019.
"At the end of the day, we've established a benchmark and we want to go past it again," Gale said.
"We set a historic benchmark at 100,000 and it would be great to surpass that.
"I have every hope and expectation that we do.
"We're not obsessed by goals . . . We strongly believe if we can give our members a strong sense of involvement in our footy club, make them feel really involved, communicate with them, be open and transparent with them, and make them feel part of something bigger than just a football team, our members will support us . . . The number takes care of itself.
"That's something we've done really, really well and we'll continue to do it."
Richmond announced on Monday it had raised a record-breaking $235,672 via members and supporters to donate to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, which has been the Club's charity partner since 2012.
Meanwhile, Gale said the Tigers' off-field priority over the next few years was to expand their Punt Road facility to help cater for their four teams that will take to the field as of 2020.
After 2019, they will have AFL, VFL, AFLW and VFLW – plus a wheelchair team – using their facilities.
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They're still considering adopting a second training ground, as floated by Gale at the October Best and Fairest count, given the pressure the additional teams are expected to put on their current home.
But, Gale said redeveloping Punt Road – a move that will require lobbying for state and federal funding – is at the top of their needs list.
"First and foremost, our priority is making sure our facilities here at Punt Road are fit for purpose and can accommodate a growing football club and football teams," he said.
"I think that's our priority."
