These Cats are running out of lives

The excitement surrounding the return of football for 2011 overshadowed a very significant development in Melbourne’s AFL circles.

Last Thursday, Richmond unveiled the Fighting Tiger Fund. It is a scheme aimed at reducing a debt coach Damien Hardwick said had “crippled” the foundation club.

According to the Tigers they need $6 million and they require it by yesterday. They want $4.5 million to reduce debts and raise another $1.5 million to invest in the future of the club.

By way of investment, Hardwick suggested the cash could be used to pay players more or entice other club’s stars to Punt Road.

Richmond chief executive Brendan Gale painted a bleak picture concerning the club’s lack of cash.

“The brutal fact is, that right now, our debt position means we are unlikely to deliver the critical resources required to win premierships,” Gale said

Haven’t we heard all of this before from Tigerland? Indeed, the cash call has come more than once over the past 25 years. And the club has only got itself to blame. But it could also be the greatest obstacle in fixing the situation.

It is little wonder Richmond have spent a generation in the VFL/AFL doldrums.

Wild spending on recruits in the early 1980s plunged the yellow and black into peril – and they have never recovered.

There was the Save Our Skins campaign in 1990. Now the Tigers faithful are being asked to chip in again.

The latest call to arms (or should that be hands in pockets) comes at an interesting time for Melbourne-based AFL clubs.

To put it simply, there are too many of them. It has become increasingly obvious it is not economically viable for nine teams to be in the Victorian capital, we well as another, Geelong, down the road in Corio Bay.

Hawthorn have realised the situation and become a hybrid club by playing a host of matches in Launceston, their home away from home.

But the interesting element in recent times is that there has been an escape clause for Melbourne clubs – a move that would have ensured their survival in the long term.

The AFL is determined to make teams succeed in the new Australian football markets of Gold Coast and Western Sydney.

Millions of dollars have been poured into propping up fresh clubs in those areas.

But there is no doubt the same money would have been available to any Melbourne club that took the brave step of agreeing to relocation.

North Melbourne briefly entertained the possibility of becoming the Gold Coast Kangaroos. But the Roos’ fans kicked up such a stink a revamped board made sure they vetoed the concept.

And North Melbourne, like Richmond, struggle to stay afloat in Melbourne.

Sure, the point of view of loyal supporters can’t be overlooked. It is difficult to accept that the team you have followed all your life is no longer around for you to see live all the time.

But the club might not be around for much longer if it stays where it is. Losing a couple of opportunities to watch them at the MCG is better than losing the club altogether.

At least relocation ensures the tradition continues – and with the bulk of AFL teams still in Melbourne there would be plenty of opportunities to sing the great Richmond theme song with gusto after a win in Bleak City.

It would certainly be a better option than never singing the song again.