Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney leads his team off the field after a disappointing loss to Collingwood. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
THE Western Bulldogs have put a positive spin on an operating loss of $136,000 in 2012.
The Bulldogs reported their first loss in six years but were still able to cut their debt by almost $600,000 in the past 12 months and deliver a $1.2 million boost to the club's football department.
Chief executive Simon Garlick said a challenging year on the field - in which the Dogs won just five matches - resulted in a drop in match takings and membership.
"While we are disappointed by the result, especially coming off the back of a record five consecutive profits, we have worked hard to minimise this loss while further reducing the club's debt," Garlick said.
"We have delivered a $1.2 million boost to our football department in the last 12 months - providing our players with access to the best possible coaches and state of the art facilities.
"In the last year alone we have funded ten new full-time positions in footy and made significant investments in capital expenditure.
"While it was a disappointing year for the team in 2012 – we are confident that we can take the strides needed next year to further secure our future success – both on and off the field."
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Last week, Essendon announced a trading profit of just over $400,000 for the year ending October 31.
The club's overall profit was $12.3 million but that includes $11.9 in funds received for the new high-performance centre.
Chief executive Ian Robson said the club was about to take on a "manageable amount of debt" to make the project a reality.
The Bombers have raised almost $19 million of the $25.7 million bill.
Essendon embarks on the project from a strong position, with this year's trading cash surplus more than $2.5 million.
"The continuing strength of our membership base, enhanced commercial partnerships and improved returns on investments all contributed to the Club's strong financial result this year," Robson said.
"As we enter one of the most important periods in our history, we have a number strategies in place to continue to drive revenue growth across the business and we are confident our strong financial position will allow the club to pay down the shortfall as quickly as possible, aiming to be debt free by 2015."
Brett Ratten at the Carlton media conference announcing his sacking this morning. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Earlier, paying out sacked coach Brett Ratten and several assistants hit Carlton's bottom line, with the club recording its first loss in six years.
The Blues today announced an operating loss of $683,799.
The result ends a disappointing year for the Blues, who were widely tipped to challenge for the flag but finished 10th.
Ratten was sacked with one year left on his contract before the final round, resulting in a payout of about $650,000.
Assistant coaches Mark Riley, Alan Richardson and Paul Williams were also let go, costing the Blues more.
"This is disappointing but importantly we have made a number of important and tough decisions that impacted significantly on the 2012 financial position, but will benefit the Club on and off the field going forward," Carlton CEO Greg Swann said.
"This is the first time in six years we have not had an operating profit and the turnaround is from two areas; match returns and termination payouts. With the coaching positions now finalised and with the ongoing support of Carlton people the club expects to return to an operating profit in 2013."
Match returns were down $410,000 due to a 9 per cent drop in home game crowds.
Meanwhile, on-field success is the final piece of the Richmond puzzle after the Tigers recorded a record $3 million surplus in 2012.
Richmond has now recorded profits for eight consecutive years.
Announcing the result today for the final year ending October 31, 2012, Tigers president Gary March said the club boasted record membership revenue of $5.3 million from its more than 53,000 members, and record sponsorship income of $3.5 million.
March said Richmond had cut its debt by more than $1.5 million in the past 12 months.
The debt has been slashed by $2.5 million in the past two years and now stands at $1.9 million.
"We have recorded a significant surplus, which has been built on the wonderful support of our loyal members and supporters, our business partners, along with a committed board and administration," March said.
"We knew it would require a united effort to build the foundations for success, and never more evident has that been, than in the past two years. I particularly thank those, who provided such outstanding support to the Fighting Tiger Fund.
"While we will reflect on a very positive 12 months, nobody is under any illusion that there is still much more to do. We still have debt to clear and we need to continue to build this club's financial resources, so we can support our football requirements into the future. I can assure you that we will be relentless in the pursuit of this goal."
Melbourne v Richmond. MCG. happy Tiger fans. Tiger army Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Last week, North Melbourne credited fan donations for helping the Roos post a record operating profit of more than $1 million.
The Roos today announced an operating profit of $1,193,080 for the 2011-12 financial year.
Interim chief executive Cam Vale said the club reduced its debt by $1 million with the help of its Box On campaign, while increasing revenue growth by $5 million.
"This is truly an outstanding result for the club and could have only been achieved with the remarkable support of our members and fans," Vale said.
"A record profit and reduction of debt in tough economic times is a remarkable outcome and highlights revenue growth across the board and controlled football expenditure."
Vale said he expected the Roos would be debt-free "within a few more years".
Earlier this week, Hawthorn's 60,000-strong band of members has helped ensure the club has posted a mega profit for 2012, reaping more than $2 million.
The Hawks profited $2,023,720, up about $300,000 on last year's result.
The Grand Finalist recorded a 7.4 per cent increase in members, boosting the number to 60,841.
"Our strong financial result is a credit to the hard work and dedication of management who constantly strive for excellence and innovation, and support their staff to do likewise," new president Andrew Newbold said.
Newbold thanked the 8731 Tasmanian members which signed up this season.
2012 AFL CLUB FINANCIAL RESULTS
Richmond: $3,017,742 profit
Hawthorn: $2,023,720 profit
North Melbourne: $1,193,080 operating profit
Brisbane Lions: $2,513,262 net operating loss
Carlton: $683,799 operating loss
Essendon: $401,429 trading profit
Western Bulldogs: $136,679 operating loss
Port Adelaide: $2,11,071 operating loss
Other clubs to follow
