Geelong has approached the Australian Football League Commission for financial relief with the club "revealing it will lose" close to A$500,000 ($371,700) this season, according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. The "suddenly cash-strapped" Geelong has asked the commission to "lower the burden of its equalisation tax after significant membership and gaming shortfalls see the Cats headed for its second successive six-figure loss." And Carlton is "expected to follow suit after a number of unforeseen financial burdens see the Blues headed for another significant loss." Like Geelong, Essendon, Fremantle, Richmond and Sydney, Carlton "remains perplexed at the disproportionate nature of the AFL's wealth tax." Club CEO Brian Cook said that the projected A$500,000 '15 loss "comes after the Cats" at the start of the year forecast a A$600,000 ($446,000) profit. The "disappointing shortfall" of more than A$1M ($743,400) comes with Geelong's membership up by about 2% but with an "unprecedented number of supporters downscaling from 11-game memberships to the lower-priced three-game packages." Cook said that membership downturn alone has "seen a budget shortfall" of about A$500,000. Added to the fact that Geelong's attendances are "down this season and gaming profits have also significantly fallen" (THE AGE, 7/8).
