The Sydney Swans attracted more new members than any other club in 2016, underlying what's been a record-breaking season for the red and white.
According to official AFL figures released on Thursday, Sydney attracted 7,687 new members this year which helped take the overall number to 56,523.
Never has the Sydney Swans broken the 50,000 member mark.
"We’re so grateful to all our passionate members for their tremendous support, right around the country,” Head of Consumer Business Natalie Fagg said when the record was surpassed in April.
“We are a football family that has continued to grow by welcoming more and more supporters – our members should feel an enormous sense of pride that they're part of that."
St Kilda, in regards to overall percentage increase, leads the competition (16.07 per cent) while the Sydney Swans enjoyed a second-best increase of 15.74.
Geelong (14.12), GWS (13.59) and Western Bulldogs (12.03) aren't too far behind.
The numbers were all part of the AFL's continued growth with AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan announcing that club membership had increased to a record 875,197 members.
McLachlan said 11 of the 18 AFL clubs had now surpassed 50,000 members, with the same number achieving their highest tally in history.
The official AFL club membership tally was compiled after the July 31 deadline, rising by 4.67 per cent on 2015 figures, with positive growth achieved by 13 of the 18 clubs.
The membership of AFL clubs comprised 740,793 club access members with match-day entry (compared to 724,410 in 2015) and 134,404 non-access members (compared to 111,726 in 2015).
McLachlan said the result was testament to the loyalty and passion of football fans.
“To reach a record for AFL club membership with a rate of retention across the industry of 86 per cent is a tremendous result,” Mr McLachlan said.
“The total number of AFL club members equates to one in every 28 Australians, which is a sign of the reach and strength of Australian football.
“The financial and emotional commitment fans make to their teams is the key reason why our game continues to prosper.”
McLachlan said the fact membership records continued to be broken was a reflection of the hard work of so many people across the football industry.
AFL club membership has continued to break records for the past 26 years, with the exception of the year 2000, when the AFL season was moved forward by a month to accommodate the Sydney Olympics.
“All clubs are to be commended for their work in improving the fan experience, engaging new audiences and strengthening ties with existing members,” McLachlan said.
“AFL clubs continue to find innovative ways to engage their members and ensure each member feels part of the club.”
With a fourth consecutive premiership in their sights, Hawthorn has risen to be the largest-supported club in the competition with a total membership of 75,351, narrowly edging out Collingwood (74,643) and Richmond (72,278).
