AFL memberships exceed one million for first time

The AFL has announced that club membership has exceeded one million for the first time, with 13 teams breaking their all-time records this season. 

The final tally for 2018 stood at 1,008,494 members by the 31st July deadline, an 11% increase on last season and the 18th consecutive year of growth.

Reigning premier Richmond led the way after becoming the first club to sign up 100,000 members – an increase of nearly 39% following last year's drought-breaking flag.

Hawthorn and high-flying West Coast rounded out the top three, with both clubs exceeding 80,000 members for the first time.

Only Collingwood (-372) and the Western Bulldogs (-4407) failed to grow their membership bases.   

Welcoming the numbers, AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan stated "one in every 24 Australians is now a member of an AFL club, a sign that the national reach of Australian football has never been greater.

"Whether you have been a member for decades or just signed up this year, on behalf of the AFL I want to thank every single one of you.

"The commitment members make to their clubs is the key reason why our game continues to prosper.

"Our clubs give us a connection. Our games fill us with hope, despair and joy, and today it makes us proud."

AFLW memberships also climbed in the competition's second season, up more than 30% to 9,406.

Images: Richmond became the firts AFL club to sign up 100,000 members (top) and the AFL's club membership figures to 31st July 2018 (below).