Garry Lyon believes that sliding figures are the reason behind Collingwood’s decision to not disclose their membership numbers so far in 2018.
The once-leading club in Victorian club membership figures have had their all-time record of 79,347 in 2014 smashed this season by reigning premiers Richmond, who yesterday ticked over 90,000 members, nearly 15,000 more than their 2017 total.
The Magpies, who also recorded 75,000 members last year, are believed to be currently trailing that figure by approximately 10,000 in 2018 – a number which Lyon believes the club could be too embarrassed to release publicly as it puts their status inside the top four teams in Victoria at risk.
“Apparently the membership figures are not being given out because they have been on a bit of a decline,” the former Melbourne skipper said on SEN Breakfast.
“Are they still one of the big four? They’re fourth at a guess on the membership behind Hawthorn, Richmond and Essendon.
“They’re sliding down the ladder a little bit. They haven’t played finals for four years.
“I reckon it would be (a concern.)”
Collingwood are the only team in the AFL that are yet to make their membership figures public in 2018.
However Lyon expects the numbers to rise back up once the Magpies return to the top eight.
“When your side doesn’t perform well in terms of wins and losses, you’re going to get a drop off in the back half of the year,” he said.
“As soon as they start winning again I’m sure they’ll roar back up the membership table.”
Listen to the best bits of today's SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson below: