Membership ladder: AFL defies another Covid-hit season to climb to an all-time membership record in 2021
The AFL has defied another Covid-affected season to surpass 1.1 million members for the first time after 10 clubs broke their own record. See the full membership ladder.
AFL
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The AFL has defied another Covid complicated season to surpass 1.1 million members for the first time as the West Coast Eagles again topped the league’s membership ladder.
Despite another year impacted by border closures, crowd caps and empty stadiums across multiple states, loyal supporters have helped the league soar to a record 1,113,441 members in 2021.
On the back of 10 clubs smashing membership records this year, the AFL‘s figure surpasses its previous membership benchmark of 1,057,572 set in 2019 and is an increase of 12 per cent on last year’s Covid-ravaged season.
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The Eagles topped the league’s membership ladder for the second consecutive year with 106,422 members – the second time the club has broken the 100,000 mark.
Reigning premier Richmond is in second place (105,084), passing 100,000 members for the fourth year in a row after becoming the first club to do so in 2018.
Overall, 10 of the league’s 18 clubs broke membership records in 2021 – the Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Geelong, Gold Coast Suns, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda and the Eagles.
The membership growth comes as the AFL continues to grapple with Covid-enforced fixture changes as it marches towards the finals with a question mark over when – and how many – fans will be able to attend.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan lauded the support of football fans throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“The connection that footy supporters have with their clubs is unmatched in world sport,” McLachlan said.
“The Covid pandemic has meant we have had another challenging season – border closures, crowd caps, no crowds, week by week fixtures, moving matches and even home games in different states – but the one constant has been the loyalty and unwavering support of members.
“On behalf of the AFL, I want to say thank you to every single person who has signed up this year.”
The AFL’s official membership figures were tallied following a July 31 deadline with all but two clubs recording an increase in their paid-up supporter base.
Essendon achieved the highest membership growth in the competition with its base soaring by more than 14,000.
Carlton, Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Geelong were the other clubs to boost their total membership by more than 10,000.
The league’s 2021 tally consisted of 726, 897 adults, 99,807 concession and 286,737 junior members.
AFLW membership increased again after its fifth season, climbing to a record of 25,782 members with St Kilda (3119), West Coast (3081) and Adelaide (2735) leading the tally.
AFL executive general manager of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said the league continued to work on plans to get fans back to the football safely.
“It has been a challenging year for fans to be able to attend matches, especially as we all continue to manage life amid the pandemic,” Roger said.
“Regardless of the hurdles, when the opportunity has been available the members have continued to sign up and turn out, with AFL matches having nine of the top 10 attendances in Australian sport since the pandemic, including at the time, the biggest attended sporting event in the world for the Anzac Day match at the MCG.
“Our commitment is to continue to investigate ways to get as many of you back to the footy as safely as possible, as soon as possible.
“We have a team working closely with the state governments and health officials on revised plans leading into the finals and beyond.”
AFL 2021 MEMBERSHIP LADDER
1. West Coast Eagles 106,422 (Club record)
2. Richmond 105,084 (Club record)
3. Collingwood 82,527
4. Essendon 81,662
5. Carlton 81,302 (Club record)
6. Hawthorn 77,079
7. Geelong 70,293 (Club record)
8. Adelaide Crows 60,232
9. Port Adelaide 56,532 (Club record)
10. St Kilda 55,802 (Club record)
11. Melbourne 53,188 (Club record)
12. Fremantle 50,342
13. Sydney 50,144
14. Western Bulldogs 46,541
15. North Melbourne 46,357 (Club record)
16. Brisbane Lions 40,289 (Club record)
17. GWS Giants 30,185
18. Gold Coast Suns 19,460 (Club record)
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