THERE'S no reason Richmond can't achieve another remarkable membership feat in 2019 and supersede the record 101,562 figure the club recorded this season, says CEO Brendon Gale.
The Tigers became the first club in AFL history to reach 100,000 paid up members this year when they roared into six figures in July.
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Despite falling short this season and failing to reach the Grand Final after being the competition's pacesetters for much of the season, the Tigers are entering December with a tally of 70,206 members.
Gale said while the club wasn't "obsessed" by membership goals, it was a realistic to aim for an expanded base in 2019.
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"At the end of the day, we've established a benchmark and we want to go past it again," Gale said on Monday.
"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 and we really strongly believe if we can really give our members a strong sense of involvement in our footy club and make them feel really involved and communicate with them and be open and transparent with them and make them feel part of something bigger than just a football team, our members will support us and the number takes care of itself.
"That's something we've done really, really well and we'll continue to do it."
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The Tigers announced on Monday they had raised a record-breaking $235,672 via their 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.
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After 2019, they will have AFL, VFL, AFLW and VFLW – plus a wheelchair team – using their facilities.
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.
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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."
