The competition may have various equalisation methods such as the salary cap and the draft, but the fact is, the haves and the have nots will always exist in the AFL.
Unfortunately for St Kilda fans, your club is one of the latter.
The current financial situation at Moorabbin has seen the Saints ringing up members asking for a $200 donation towards an 'innovation fund'.
Potential donors are being told the money will go towards "keeping pace with the rest of the competition."
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Those who contribute are told they could potentially win $100,000, a place in the team photo and a tour of the club's headquarters, RSEA Safety Park.
The Saints released their annual report on Friday, announcing a net operating profit of just over $200,000 for 2018.
"The club recorded an operating profit with a new stadium deal in place, record membership, and growth in our commercial business," CEO Matt Finnis said in the report.
"However, due to a substantial decrease in home-game attendances following our poor on-field performance, we were unable to fully capitalise on the forecast gains in match-return revenue under the new stadium agreement."
St Kilda said they increased their spending in the football department by $2 million this year, though that was also spread across the AFLW side.
The club boasted a record membership number of almost 47,000 in 2018, though concerns over their rivals spending are clearly present.
With powerhouse clubs such as Richmond and Collingwood requesting a relaxing of the football department soft cap in order to invest more money, St Kilda appear to be worried about falling behind the competition.
The Saints finished 16th in 2018 and most judges are tipping them to struggle again next season.
Is a whip-round among members the right way to lift the club up the ladder?
