You are right, but that applies to all clubs, so if we have the largest fan base why is it that ours don't join? Either we don't have that fan base we think we have or our management isn't savvy enough to get bigger numbers...point is if we weren't with Steelers we could be even lower.
I think we have reasonable membership by way of comparison but you're right given our fan base you would expect more. Part of that I believe is our fan base is widespread rather than local and I will give my reason for that. There is no doubt, as long ago as it was, that winning 11yrs in a row grew our supporter base hugely and we are still beneficiaries of that as being a Dragons supporter has since been inherent, as it is with some of the great clubs before the game expanded. So many of our supporters are from the country and Qld etc as they were not represented through that era. Souths went through the adversity of being kicked out of the comp and fighting their way back in which gave their supporters passion but were still struggling until Mr Hollywood Rusty got involved and good luck to them for that amazing turn around. Brisbane are really still a 1 team city and their frenzy started with SOO so the whole state got behind them when they entered as they were for several years basically the QLD SOO team playing in the ARL. Brisbane has about 2.2 million people in their metro without any competition so I'd be distraught at their membership as good as it is where we have to split 4.5 million 9 ways. Brisbane have their own TV show for god sake. Only Melbourne could compete on that level except for the stronghold that AFL has.
I also think that due to having 2 home grounds an hour apart and fuel costs, time etc deter many people from becoming a member when games are a part of the package. I'm sure and hope that there are packages to compensate but I still see it as a deterent.
Having said that I've been a Dragons supporter for 44yrs and love that Illawarra is a 50/50 member of our merger, I love that we play games at WIN stadium even though I can't attend because I feel we have alot of club spirit there. I can't think of any clubs more suited to merger than Illawarra and St George and we have to reflect on the success we've had since in the last 15yrs.
* 1 Premiership
* We've made the finals 10/15 which was 10/13 before Price
* 2 Minor Premierships
* 1 Equal Minor Premiership
* 1 Runners Up
* 1 World Club Challenge
