Collingwood needs to reinvigorate itself as a collective to win back the faith of its enormous supporter base according to former Essendon champion Tim Watson.
The Pies magnificent eight-point come from behind victory over West Coast yesterday was seen by a lowly 22,927 despite the club having in excess of 70,000 members.
“Someone has to re-energise the club after what has taken place this year because there has been a drop off,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“When they played Essendon a few weeks ago one of the comments made by the Essendon people was that it was a Collingwood home game at the chairman’s luncheon and there were more Essendon people in there than Collingwood people.”
Former Melbourne great Garry Lyon feels that a lower profile Victorian clubs would be criticised if that sort of number was registered at one of their homes games.
But Lyon believes the time slot and choice of venue was also a contributing factor for fans opting to give yesterday’s match a miss.
“If that was North Melbourne they would get smashed,” Lyon said.
“I don’t think Nathan Buckley would be a detriment to a crowd. I just think that’s a team that’s not going to be playing finals on a twilight Sunday in the middle of winter going to a ground they don’t like going too.”
Yesterday’s inspiring victory saw Collingwood register its seventh win for the campaign, and former Herald Sun Chief Football Wrter Mike Sheahan believes the Pies disappointing season has seen fans become disillusioned with the club.
“There’s a lot of disenchantment amongst the Collingwood fraternity. I think it’s a holistic thing. I think the fans have been disappointed with what they have seen on the field,” Sheahan said.
The Pies currently sit 13th on the AFL ladder and take on the top of the table Adelaide Crows this Sunday afternoon at the MCG.