Collingwood's Bequest Letter to Elderly Fan Ignites Widespread Outrage in AFL Circles
A letter sent by Collingwood Football Club to a 78-year-old supporter, encouraging her to include the club in her will, has gone viral on social media, sparking intense backlash from AFL fans who have labeled the move as insensitive and a blatant cash grab.
Fan Shares Mother's Letter, Prompting Fury Online
The controversy erupted when a fan posted a picture of the letter his elderly mother received, questioning the club's motives. "Um. My mum got this today. Are they serious? How much money do they need?" he wrote, highlighting the distress it caused. The letter, titled in all caps "YES! I WILL STAND SIDE BY SIDE FOREVER," includes checkboxes for recipients to indicate they have included Collingwood in their will and request a welcome pack.
Former AFL Player Dan Gorringe Voices Outrage
Former AFL player and popular podcaster Dan Gorringe expressed disbelief, calling the practice "unbelievable." He revealed that the club asked him to delete an Instagram story about the letter, but he reposted it, stating, "I'm still outraged." Gorringe criticized the club for focusing on soliciting funds from supporters even after death, remarking, "Imagine going to your lawyer and being like, 'Hey, I give everything to Collingwood.' ... Unbelievable scenes. When I die, Carlton isn't getting s***."
Fans Condemn Club's Tactics as Insensitive
The fan who shared the letter acknowledged Collingwood's positive contributions but condemned the timing, saying, "But sending my 78-year-old mum this when she is battling a bit is pretty s***. And I will be letting them know. Don't worry." On platforms like Reddit and X, supporters voiced their anger:
- "If this is legit, it's in pretty poor taste," one fan commented.
- Another noted, "My dad got one as well. He wasn't impressed ... I don't think the club has really thought this through ... imagine a supporter receiving that while they are in a hospice or having end-of-life care."
- A third shared, "My mum got one yesterday. She tore it up and binned it."
- Others called the club's obsession with money "vile" and "disgusting."
Bequest Programs Are Common Across AFL Clubs
While the practice is not new in the AFL, Collingwood's approach has drawn particular scrutiny. Hawthorn relaunched their Always Hawthorn bequest society in 2014, and the Adelaide Crows received approximately $1.5 million from their program that same year. Many clubs use online services like everywill to offer free will services. Here is a list of AFL club bequest programs:
- Adelaide: Crows Forever
- Brisbane: Brisbane Lions Foundation
- Carlton: Blues Forever
- Collingwood: Side-by-Side Forever
- Essendon: Bombers Forever
- Fremantle: Fremantle Foundation
- Geelong: Geelong Cats Forever
- Gold Coast: Gold Coast Suns Foundation
- GWS: Giants Foundation
- Hawthorn: Always Hawthorn Bequest Club
- Melbourne: Ron Barassi Bequest Society
- North Melbourne: The Allen Aylett Bequest Society
- Port Adelaide: Port Adelaide Forever Bequest Society
- Richmond: Neville Crowe's Legacy
- St Kilda: Saints Bequest Society
- Sydney Swans: Infinity Club
- West Coast: Geoff Christian Society
- Western Bulldogs: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
Collingwood has been contacted for comment, but no response has been provided at this time. The incident underscores ongoing debates about ethics and fundraising in professional sports.
