Guernsey sales and top selling numberAndrew Jefferson
Herald-Sun
August 24, 2014 ESSENDON is the most popular club in the AFL after it was revealed the Bombers sell the most replica guernseys in Australia.
Figures supplied by Rebel show the Bombers sell more shirts nationwide than cross-city rival Collingwood.
AFL premier Hawthorn came third with the Sydney Swans rounding out the top four.
Adelaide, Carlton, Richmond and Geelong all grabbed a finals place in the AFL guernsey merchandise ladder.
Essendon chief marketing officer Justin Rodski said he was pleased but not surprised by the results of the nationwide Rebel survey.
“We’re obviously aware that the Essendon brand spreads far and wide and we have a huge supporter base,” he said.
“The red sash is famous throughout the world and has become synonymous with Essendon.
“The red sash is something our fans hold very dearly across their hearts.”
A Sydney Swans spokesman said it was too early to judge the commercial success of its star recruit Lance Franklin, but his No. 23 jersey was already the club’s bestseller.
“Crowds, membership and television audiences are up this season but it’s hard to measure the impact any one player has had on those results,” he said.
Several AFL clubs have revealed their top selling numbered guernseys from their club shops.
The most popular Bombers jersey sold was Jobe Watson’s No. 4, Scott Pendlebury’s No. 10 was a big hit with Magpies fans, while Cyril Rioli’s No. 33 sold most at Hawthorn.
Joel Selwood’s No. 14 rules at Geelong with Trent Cotchin’s number No. 9 roaring loudly at Richmond.
Nathan Jones’ No. 2 jumper was most popular at the Demons while St Kilda’s Lenny Hayes No. 7 edged out Nick Riewoldt’s No. 12.
Brent “Boomer” Harvey’s No. 29 was the big seller at North Melbourne with Luke Dahlhaus’ No. 6 guernsey a firm favourite at the Bulldogs.
After claiming the wooden spoon for the least number of nationwide guernsey sales, GWS Giants were also the only AFL club in the country not to sell numbered guernseys to its fans.
GUERNSEY SALES AND TOP-SELLING NUMBER:1. ESSENDON
#4 Jobe Watson
2. COLLINGWOOD
#10 Scott Pendlebury
3. HAWTHORN
#33 Cyril Rioli
4. SYDNEY
#23 Lance Franklin
5. ADELAIDE
# 32 Patrick Dangerfield
6. CARLTON
#3 Marc Murphy
7. RICHMOND
#9 Trent Cotchin8. GEELONG
#14 Joel Selwood
9. PORT POWER
# 20 Chad Wingard
10. WEST COAST EAGLES
#9 Nic Natanui
11. FREMANTLE
#19 Matthew Pavlich
12. NORTH MELBOURNE
#29 Brent Harvey
13. BRISBANE LIONS
#16 Jonathan Brown
14. ST KILDA
#7 Lenny Hayes
15. GOLD COAST SUNS
#9 Gary Ablett
16. MELBOURNE
#2 Nathan Jones
17. WESTERN BULLDOGS
#6 Luke Dahlhaus
18. GWS GIANTS
The club does not sell numbered replica guernseys to supporters
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