The Biggest Club in Australia

[magpienato]

fair point. Granted we have lost a lot of Grand Finals. But to be honest in most seasons we simply weren’t the best team in the competition. 2010 we were & got the cup in the end. Even though we nearly choked. 2018, both Richmond & West Coast were better than us, but we nearly stole a flag. 2011 we were better than every team except Geelong & they beat us 3-0 that year. 2002 & 2003 we were far inferior to Brisbane after they merged with Fitzroy. While you can say we have failed often at the big dance, we have certainly on many occasions over achieved to get there in the first place. Swings & roundabouts.

Exactly, and I'd much rather be an overachieving club than say a St Kilda or Melbourne

 

[magpienato]

You dont get it do you? The fact that collingwood people are strutting around telling the world that Collingwood is the biggest club, is completely independent to what the club is doing.

Saying that it isn't the biggest club ISN'T saying that it is a loser club. It is merely saying that it isnt the biggest club.

Get it?

It's the biggest club whether we say it or not, it's just a fact. I don't know anyone personally who says it because it's already understood.

Here's a tip, just embrace instead of being scared.

 

[Markfs]

It's the biggest club whether we say it or not, it's just a fact. I don't know anyone personally who says it because it's already understood.

Here's a tip, just embrace instead of being scared.

The tip is the blanket is for thinking the club is the biggest

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

You guys see that as us being a 'loser club' with a 'loser mentality', whereas I see it as us having lots of good seasons hitting well above our punching weight and just falling short. Playing in 44 Grand Finals means that for pretty much a third of the VFL/AFL existence we have had a team which is top 2 in the league.

Fact of the matter is, sh*t happens on Grand Final Day and while we may not have as many flags as we probably should for our efforts, to be a club which is perpetually contending for premierships is the hallmark of a successful club and you cannot convince me otherwise.

Save me from your self-loathing.

Some posters have a hard time differentiating between size and success.
We aren’t the most successful club, however we are easily the biggest club. Why else do we hold just about all crowd records, and sell more newspapers than any other club when having success. Some people will argue for the sake of it.
Blind Freddy knows Collingwood is the biggest club but apparently many here on this forum don’t.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Exactly, and I'd much rather be an overachieving club than say a St Kilda or Melbourne

This thread is not about comparing us with St Kilda or Melbourne ...

... it’s about comparing us to WCE (more $$$), Carlton/Essendon (More Premierships), Richmond (More members), or Hawthorn (Morr success within all of our lifetimes)

 

[magpienato]

Some posters have a hard time differentiating between size and success.
We aren’t the most successful club, however we are easily the biggest club. Why else do we hold just about all crowd records, and sell more newspapers than any other club when having success. Some people will argue for the sake of it.
Blind Freddy knows Collingwood is the biggest club but apparently many here on this forum don’t.

They probably believe it's some kind of curse to be the biggest club in the land or something. Ridiculous superstition.

 

[dave10]

the plane just got back from fantasy island...

If you don’t mind an Essendon supporter lurking and contributing I’ll put an explanation mark on this once and for all..

Putting form lines aside which absolutely clouds the waters significantly, Collingwood is without doubt the biggest club in the AFL.

It has the biggest national supporter base. It’s arguably the biggest in Victoria, but it’s vast following around the country means it’s the biggest club.

Essendon has the 2nd largest fan base. It’s probably marginally behind Collingwood in Victoria and it’s following around the country is comparable to Collingwood’s and hence the Pies are in front by themselves overall. It’s attendances at Marvel (constrained) and the G support this. COVID resulted in Essendon’s membership drop of 20%. Its membership was actually tracking +3% in March Vs same time in 2019, on track for 86-87K in 2020 when things halted. 85K (2019 in line with Pies) for a club that hadn’t won a final for 16 years supports its status at number 2, form lines accounted for... Over 10 years, it’s status consistently in the top 2-3 in Vic in many broad National metrics without success demonstrates its latent support (Eg: attendance, membership, Morgan, Facebook, SuperCoach, MCC & AFL members) . Two flags for Essendon in 3 years and it goes to the top of the ladder across many of these metrics. A constrained stadium capacity distorting the picture somewhat.

Carlton and Richmond are close together for 3rd. Richmond possibly bigger in Vic but Carlton have a larger national following. I’d actually contend Carlton are ahead of Richmond. If it win 2 flags in 3 years it’d be delivering similar metrics to Richmond.

Complicating this is West Coast. It could be argued that its 1,2 or 3! A monster in WA with strong support around the country. It’s top 4 certainly.

And Sydney aren’t top 6!

There you go. Collingwood is the biggest, Essendon 2nd with Carlton, West Coast and the Tiges next.

ood discussion.

 

[Markfs]

This thread is not about comparing us with St Kilda or Melbourne ...

... it’s about comparing us to WCE (more $$$), Carlton/Essendon (More Premierships), Richmond (More members), or Hawthorn (Morr success within all of our lifetimes)

With respect, I didnt start the thread to prove that Collingwood isnt the biggest club.

I dont care if its the biggest club. People have accused me of self-loathing because I questioned whether it was the biggest club. How crazy is that? People have said that if I questioned whether it was the biggest, then I thought it was a shit club.

Clearly, being the biggest club means a lot to some people. I think they wear it as armour against all the people who say that we're no longer as successful as we were in the 1920s and 1930s. And these people are right. We're nowhere near the most successful club over the last 60 years. A number of other clubs have won more premierships than the Pies. There's no way to get around that, other than to admit it. Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon. West Coast. Even North Melbourne. Brisbane. You dont know how much it pains me to think about it.

I dont care if we're the biggest club. I want to be the most successful club. I want us to win premierships. That's all I want. I dont care about brownlows. I dont care about All Australians. The awards for best marks and best goals. I really couldnt give a rats about any of that crap. Maybe only as an indication that we've got a team that can win a premiership. I want premierships. The other stuff is just peripheral garbage to me.

I'm sick of people outside the club mocking it by saying we are the biggest......and they are mocking us big time. And when I see magpie supporters puff out their chests and crow about being the biggest, I shake my head. The time to crow about being the biggest and best is to do it after we have won a ton of premierships.

I know that people these days have embraced the american way of doing things. Americans typically pump themselves up before they've done anything. They tell the world how great they are, before they're great. That sort of stuff grates with me. So I know that I'm swimming against the stream on this one.

So whether we're the biggest club, depends on how you look at it. Most of the numbers say we aren't. If you want to rely on something that is based on our success from 100 years ago, then maybe we are the biggest. So as time passes, and those past successes get further and further away, we will become less and less "the biggest". And then people wont even bother to call us the biggest and the cycle will be complete....until we focus on what made us the biggest in the first place.

 

[Doc1763]

I dont care if we're the biggest club. I want to be the most successful club. I want us to win premierships. That's all I want. I dont care about brownlows. I dont care about All Australians. The awards for best marks and best goals. I really couldnt give a rats about any of that crap. Maybe only as an indication that we've got a team that can win a premiership. I want premierships. The other stuff is just peripheral garbage to me.

That paragraph right ther is exactly the way I feel, and I have trouble comprehending the reasons of those who dont.

 

[Markfs]

If you don’t mind an Essendon supporter lurking and contributing I’ll put an explanation mark on this once and for all..

Two flags for Essendon in 3 years and it goes to the top of the ladder across many of these metrics.

?
Thank you for your post from fantasy island. If Essendon wins 2 premierships in 3 years it can be the biggest? lol Is that the goal? To be the biggest?

 

[frizzle]

With respect, I didnt start the thread to prove that Collingwood isnt the biggest club.

I dont care if its the biggest club. People have accused me of self-loathing because I questioned whether it was the biggest club. How crazy is that? People have said that if I questioned whether it was the biggest, then I thought it was a sh*t club.

Clearly, being the biggest club means a lot to some people. I think they wear it as armour against all the people who say that we're no longer as successful as we were in the 1920s and 1930s. And these people are right. We're nowhere near the most successful club over the last 60 years. A number of other clubs have won more premierships than the Pies. There's no way to get around that, other than to admit it. Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon. West Coast. Even North Melbourne. Brisbane. You dont know how much it pains me to think about it.

I dont care if we're the biggest club. I want to be the most successful club. I want us to win premierships. That's all I want. I dont care about brownlows. I dont care about All Australians. The awards for best marks and best goals. I really couldnt give a rats about any of that crap. Maybe only as an indication that we've got a team that can win a premiership. I want premierships. The other stuff is just peripheral garbage to me.

I'm sick of people outside the club mocking it by saying we are the biggest......and they are mocking us big time. And when I see magpie supporters puff out their chests and crow about being the biggest, I shake my head. The time to crow about being the biggest and best is to do it after we have won a ton of premierships.

I know that people these days have embraced the american way of doing things. Americans typically pump themselves up before they've done anything. They tell the world how great they are, before they're great. That sort of stuff grates with me. So I know that I'm swimming against the stream on this one.

So whether we're the biggest club, depends on how you look at it. Most of the numbers say we aren't. If you want to rely on something that is based on our success from 100 years ago, then maybe we are the biggest. So as time passes, and those past successes get further and further away, we will become less and less "the biggest". And then people wont even bother to call us the biggest and the cycle will be complete....until we focus on what made us the biggest in the first place.

Wow. Couldn't have put it better myself.
I watch people up in arms about Howe missing mark of the year or Maynard not getting selected as an AA half back & think, where are peoples minds at?
There is only one thing that matters. I'd rather have a few flags in 5 years & not have a single solitary player in the AA selected teams or nominated for goal or mark of the year. Those things aren't something to hang your hat on as a club or supporter base. There is only 1 defining measurement of success in the AFL & it isn't how much money the club makes or how many members we have. It's premierships & we kinda suck at winning them in case nobody has noticed.

 

[Robroy22]

With respect, I didnt start the thread to prove that Collingwood isnt the biggest club.

I dont care if its the biggest club. People have accused me of self-loathing because I questioned whether it was the biggest club. How crazy is that? People have said that if I questioned whether it was the biggest, then I thought it was a sh*t club.

Clearly, being the biggest club means a lot to some people. I think they wear it as armour against all the people who say that we're no longer as successful as we were in the 1920s and 1930s. And these people are right. We're nowhere near the most successful club over the last 60 years. A number of other clubs have won more premierships than the Pies. There's no way to get around that, other than to admit it. Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon. West Coast. Even North Melbourne. Brisbane. You dont know how much it pains me to think about it.

I dont care if we're the biggest club. I want to be the most successful club. I want us to win premierships. That's all I want. I dont care about brownlows. I dont care about All Australians. The awards for best marks and best goals. I really couldnt give a rats about any of that crap. Maybe only as an indication that we've got a team that can win a premiership. I want premierships. The other stuff is just peripheral garbage to me.

I'm sick of people outside the club mocking it by saying we are the biggest......and they are mocking us big time. And when I see magpie supporters puff out their chests and crow about being the biggest, I shake my head. The time to crow about being the biggest and best is to do it after we have won a ton of premierships.

I know that people these days have embraced the american way of doing things. Americans typically pump themselves up before they've done anything. They tell the world how great they are, before they're great. That sort of stuff grates with me. So I know that I'm swimming against the stream on this one.

So whether we're the biggest club, depends on how you look at it. Most of the numbers say we aren't. If you want to rely on something that is based on our success from 100 years ago, then maybe we are the biggest. So as time passes, and those past successes get further and further away, we will become less and less "the biggest". And then people wont even bother to call us the biggest and the cycle will be complete....until we focus on what made us the biggest in the first place.

Thanks Mark, you've summed up my feelings expertly. I'm maybe not as impatient for success as some on here (because I saw '58 and nothing will ever compare for me) but I know what you mean by others "mocking" us about being the biggest (I mean who cares about that stuff?). The American analogy is also "spot on" and really grates on me...you're never the best until you've achieved something.

 

[Markfs]

Thanks Mark, you've summed up my feelings expertly. I'm maybe not as impatient for success as some on here (because I saw '58 and nothing will ever compare for me) but I know what you mean by others "mocking" us about being the biggest (I mean who cares about that stuff?). The American analogy is also "spot on" and really grates on me...you're never the best until you've achieved something.

Thanks for your support. The trick is to be impatient but not too impatient.

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

If you don’t mind an Essendon supporter lurking and contributing I’ll put an explanation mark on this once and for all..

Putting form lines aside which absolutely clouds the waters significantly, Collingwood is without doubt the biggest club in the AFL.

It has the biggest national supporter base. It’s arguably the biggest in Victoria, but it’s vast following around the country means it’s the biggest club.

Essendon has the 2nd largest fan base. It’s probably marginally behind Collingwood in Victoria and it’s following around the country is comparable to Collingwood’s and hence the Pies are in front by themselves overall. It’s attendances at Marvel (constrained) and the G support this. COVID resulted in Essendon’s membership drop of 20%. Its membership was actually tracking +3% in March Vs same time in 2019, on track for 86-87K in 2020 when things halted. 85K (2019 in line with Pies) for a club that hadn’t won a final for 16 years supports its status at number 2, form lines accounted for... Over 10 years, it’s status consistently in the top 2-3 in Vic in many broad National metrics without success demonstrates its latent support (Eg: attendance, membership, Morgan, Facebook, SuperCoach, MCC & AFL members) . Two flags for Essendon in 3 years and it goes to the top of the ladder across many of these metrics. A constrained stadium capacity distorting the picture somewhat.

Carlton and Richmond are close together for 3rd. Richmond possibly bigger in Vic but Carlton have a larger national following. I’d actually contend Carlton are ahead of Richmond. If it win 2 flags in 3 years it’d be delivering similar metrics to Richmond.

Complicating this is West Coast. It could be argued that its 1,2 or 3! A monster in WA with strong support around the country. It’s top 4 certainly.

And Sydney aren’t top 6!

There you go. Collingwood is the biggest, Essendon 2nd with Carlton, West Coast and the Tiges next.

ood discussion.

While I tend to agree that Essendon is probably the second biggest club, I disagree with your view that they are only marginally behind Collingwood.
Essendon is a considerable way off being as popular as Collingwood.
Have a look back at crowd averages before Marvel stadium existed and before Collingwood moved to the MCG.
I think you’ll find Collingwood is well in front of Essendon.

 

[Markfs]

While I tend to agree that Essendon is probably the second biggest club, I disagree with your view that they are only marginally behind Collingwood.
Essendon is a considerable way off being as popular as Collingwood.
Have a look back at crowd averages before Marvel stadium existed and before Collingwood moved to the MCG.
I think you’ll find Collingwood is well in front of Essendon.

I think Collingwood needs to appoint someone to do some research here...and maybe generate a formula. That way if Collingwood, for example, was given a rating of 1.1134540401 and Essendon was given a rating of 1.1134540400, then we could rightfully post a multitude of messages around the internet claiming our superiority in the biggest club stakes. Of course, if Essendon were to dip to 1.1124540401 or 1.1114540401, we could really give em hell!!!

We could probably get AFL headquarters support for this - maybe from the area that is currently organising the transfer of MCG turf to the boundary of the GABBA. It would also provide some real bite for the collingwood media dept to make great videos about the pies being the biggest in the land.

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

I think Collingwood needs to appoint someone to do some research here...and maybe generate a formula. That way if Collingwood, for example, was given a rating of 1.1134540401 and Essendon was given a rating of 1.1134540400, then we could rightfully post a multitude of messages around the internet claiming our superiority in the biggest club stakes. Of course, if Essendon were to dip to 1.1124540401 or 1.1114540401, we could really give em hell!!!

We could probably get AFL headquarters support for this - maybe from the area that is currently organising the transfer of MCG turf to the boundary of the GABBA. It would also provide some real bite for the collingwood media dept to make great videos about the pies being the biggest in the land.

What a great idea!

 

[Markfs]

What a great idea!

I know. I'm full of em. It could be like that index they use to tell us who the best AFL players are....

We could find out which is the biggest club... which is us of course... and we could shout it from the rooftops and have the index tattooed on our arses. It would drive rival fans wild... Would you be willing to donate your ass to the cause?

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

I know. I'm full of em. It could be like that index they use to tell us who the best AFL players are....

We could find out which is the biggest club... which is us of course... and we could shout it from the rooftops and have the index tattooed on our arses. It would drive rival fans wild... Would you be willing to donate your ass to the cause?

You’re full of something, not sure whether it’s great ideas.

 

[Markfs]

You’re full of something, not sure whether it’s great ideas.

that's a good line. mind if i use it? i'm always looking for new material...

 

[Mostfamousclub_Pies]

that's a good line. mind if i use it? i'm always looking for new material...

Go right ahead. I understand not everyone can come up with their own material.

 

[Jafo]

Rumour has it JDG will re-sign for another 2yrs (free agency).

 

[Carringbush2010]

Rumour has it JDG will re-sign for another 2yrs (free agency).

NOW We're the biggest club, no ifs buts or maybes........................... pity we are far from the most successful.

 

[Matt_352]

With respect, I didnt start the thread to prove that Collingwood isnt the biggest club.

I dont care if its the biggest club. People have accused me of self-loathing because I questioned whether it was the biggest club. How crazy is that? People have said that if I questioned whether it was the biggest, then I thought it was a sh*t club.

Clearly, being the biggest club means a lot to some people. I think they wear it as armour against all the people who say that we're no longer as successful as we were in the 1920s and 1930s. And these people are right. We're nowhere near the most successful club over the last 60 years. A number of other clubs have won more premierships than the Pies. There's no way to get around that, other than to admit it. Carlton, Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon. West Coast. Even North Melbourne. Brisbane. You dont know how much it pains me to think about it.

I dont care if we're the biggest club. I want to be the most successful club. I want us to win premierships. That's all I want. I dont care about brownlows. I dont care about All Australians. The awards for best marks and best goals. I really couldnt give a rats about any of that crap. Maybe only as an indication that we've got a team that can win a premiership. I want premierships. The other stuff is just peripheral garbage to me.

I'm sick of people outside the club mocking it by saying we are the biggest......and they are mocking us big time. And when I see magpie supporters puff out their chests and crow about being the biggest, I shake my head. The time to crow about being the biggest and best is to do it after we have won a ton of premierships.

I know that people these days have embraced the american way of doing things. Americans typically pump themselves up before they've done anything. They tell the world how great they are, before they're great. That sort of stuff grates with me. So I know that I'm swimming against the stream on this one.

So whether we're the biggest club, depends on how you look at it. Most of the numbers say we aren't. If you want to rely on something that is based on our success from 100 years ago, then maybe we are the biggest. So as time passes, and those past successes get further and further away, we will become less and less "the biggest". And then people wont even bother to call us the biggest and the cycle will be complete....until we focus on what made us the biggest in the first place.

So true, I couldn't give a **** about being the biggest, I couldn't give a **** about individual achievements such as brownlows, Coleman's, norm smith's, AA noms, mark or goal of the year. All I care about are ****ing PREMIERSHIPS. Which we have only won 2 of in the past 62 years. That's just one more than St.Kilda or the Bulldogs.

 

[Anzacday]

The individual awards are a consolation prize for supporters of teams who didn’t win the Flag.
Oh well, we got smashed in a final but Daics won goal of the year.

 

[Markfs]

actually there's a part of me that doesn't like seeing the players get brownlows or all australians ...because their price goes up. I dont sit here hoping for players not to win these awards, but its certainly something that crosses my mind if none are picked.

its not all negative though. To me, Daicos being the only player in the under 22 squad is more an indication of his improvement and the lack of other younger players doing the same - although quaynor is doing well. I figure that in an 18 team competition we should have at least one player in these teams or there is something wrong.... at least one player nominated for rising star etc. I look at these awards and an indication of how we are progressing on a premiership. I dont care too much about the speeches and the medals going around the necks etc.