I'm well into my second decade of Geelong membership living interstate. I'm not sure whether other interstate members have looked at the 2023 membership options but they are, in a word, absolutely shithouse.
Your choices as an adult interstate member are:
If you live interstate but want any access to GF tickets you have to pay $360 for a full home and away membership you can't use just for the privilege.
The options for kids interstate are also bloody dire, newborns can pay $50 for a beanie and other kids can basically get stuffed and pay marginally less expensive amounts for the exact same useless options listed above. The 'real' kids memberships are now $75 for "kinder cats" or $95 for "Hawkins Heroes", both of which are based around the assumption that you live in Victoria and can go to home games and do not appear to include a kids pack for 2023, just a crap version of an adult membership. So my kids living interstate can also apparently just be a source of 100% profit for the club based on the choices available.
Compare that to the equivalent options for the Melbourne Demons:
Finally the prices being jacked up significantly is pretty disappointing having continued, like most, to support the club by paying for myself and my kids through COVID.
And the Melbourne example shows that it's not some secret AFL rule that prevents Geelong from offering better options, it seems to be a deliberate choice by the club.
You almost get the sense Geelong doesn't actually want interstate members...
2024 Membership
My Filters Games Just a few (3-5 games) Most (11 games) I do not want to go to games (0 games) Unsure Type Home Home & Away Interstate International Junior Support from your Home AFLW Where Do You Watch GMHBA Stadium Melbourne Interstate Far Away Access Reserved Seat General Admission Digital...
membership.geelongcats.com.au
Your choices as an adult interstate member are:
- A significantly more expensive than last year interstate membership which gives you absolutely nothing of value including, as far as I can tell, no game tickets and no grand final access (but you do get "access" to buying tickets to games for what appears to be extra cost).
- A completely pointless digital membership which gives you absolutely nothing of value. Like, literally nothing, I cannot figure out what part of it is "digital" other than possibly a digit being metaphorically extended at me by the club.
- Just putting some cash in a pile and burning it while the club ignores you, which would be of equivalent value/enjoyment.
If you live interstate but want any access to GF tickets you have to pay $360 for a full home and away membership you can't use just for the privilege.
The options for kids interstate are also bloody dire, newborns can pay $50 for a beanie and other kids can basically get stuffed and pay marginally less expensive amounts for the exact same useless options listed above. The 'real' kids memberships are now $75 for "kinder cats" or $95 for "Hawkins Heroes", both of which are based around the assumption that you live in Victoria and can go to home games and do not appear to include a kids pack for 2023, just a crap version of an adult membership. So my kids living interstate can also apparently just be a source of 100% profit for the club based on the choices available.
Compare that to the equivalent options for the Melbourne Demons:
- A similarly priced country/interstate membership which gives you access to 5 games in Melbourne plus an included ticket to a game in your home state. And guess what, you get a scarf and get to actually feel like the club gives a s**t about your membership and wants you to get something for your money.
- A Kayo digital membership which gives you a 12 month Kayo subscription and a heavy discount in the club shop.
- A "Young Demon" membership for kids which is $75 and gives kids access to all Melbourne games, a footy, a lunchbox, stickers, and access to Casey Demons games.
Finally the prices being jacked up significantly is pretty disappointing having continued, like most, to support the club by paying for myself and my kids through COVID.
And the Melbourne example shows that it's not some secret AFL rule that prevents Geelong from offering better options, it seems to be a deliberate choice by the club.
You almost get the sense Geelong doesn't actually want interstate members...