AFL CLUB memberships have burst through the 700,000 mark for the first time.
The 18 AFL clubs totaled 707,621 members this year, up 1.1 per cent from last year's figure of 699,684.
Of the seven clubs to build their membership base in 2012, North Melbourne and Richmond had the biggest membership climb. The Tigers had the most new members (5372) while North had the greatest percentage increase with its 3509 new members causing a 11.73 per cent spike.
Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn and West Coast were the only other clubs to record membership increases.
Collingwood was once again the largest-supported AFL club with 72,688 members, breaking a record for any club in the competition's history. Hawthorn (60,841), West Coast (57,377) and Richmond (53,027) were the other clubs to break the 50,000 barrier.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/146980/default.aspx