Top 10 Most Popular AFL Teams
Here is a list of the most supported clubs in the AFL, ranked not by membership numbers (where Hawthorn leads), nor by club revenue (where West Coast leads), but by the number and the enthusiasm of the supporters of each club.
A professional Australian rules football team based in Melbourne, Collingwood competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). Founded in 1892, the team has a rich history and is one of the most successful clubs in the league, with multiple premierships to its name. The official colors are black and... read more Hate the Magpie army? Well, come to one of our home games. Hear the roar of the fans! In the 2018 preliminary final, Richmond vs. Collingwood, when the Richmond cheer squad used the drums, all you could hear was the Collingwood chant! Go Pies!
This isn't a subjective list because Collingwood is the most supported and popular AFL club and has been for a long time. I do not support this club, but there's no point in denying fact.
The most popular, yes, but the best ACTUAL team? No. Supporters are loud, annoying, and scream at the ref and bully anyone who goes for a different team.
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football team. The Eagles are based in Perth, Western Australia, and wear the colors of navy blue and gold. Original interstate team. Experienced success and a huge amount of finals series. Unlike many other teams, the Eagles have never really hit 'rock bottom'. By far the most supported team and most profitable team for 10 years running.
How is Collingwood first? Dad and one of my brothers go for Collingwood, and Mum, my other brother, and I go for the Eagles, so majority rules! Let's beat that nasty Collingwood.
Not many clubs have 22,000 more members than seats at their stadium. The Eagles also dominate the WA sporting landscape and are arguably the most followed AFL club in the NT as well.
Based in Melbourne, the Richmond Tigers are an Australian rules football team that participates in the AFL. Established in 1885, the team has won several AFL premierships and is known for its strong fan base. The team's colors are yellow and black. Unbelievably, Richmond is still one of the most popular teams in the league. The historical club from Punt Road has won one final in 20 years, and with a whole generation passing, they are still the 4th most popular club in the AFL.
Greatest club in the comp, with their well-established roots and now such a well-run professional club with the best people at the helm. The sky is the limit. Go Peggy and Ben and the rest of the board down to all the players. Eat 'em alive.
For 40 years, I have not been to a Richmond game and been outnumbered. No matter who we play or where we are on the ladder, simply the biggest and the reason we are so hated by filthy Collingwood.
An Australian rules football team founded in 1874, the Sydney Swans compete in the Australian Football League (AFL). Originally based in South Melbourne, the team relocated to Sydney in 1982 and has won multiple AFL premierships. The team colors are red and white. Moved from South Melbourne, the Sydney Swans hail from the most populated city in Australia. This means they have a lot of followers. And although the Swans don't have as 'die-hard' fans as the Eagles or Magpies, they do have a lot of them.
Swans are the best and have been one of the most consistent teams in the 21st century. Also, West Coast sucks.
I think the Swans should be the most popular team because of the South Melbourne heritage and also because of lots of people in New South Wales. The GWS have stolen some of the Swans' fans.
A Melbourne-based AFL team, the Hawthorn Hawks were founded in 1902. The team has a successful history, with numerous premierships, and is known for its skillful play. The team wears brown and gold. Most successful club in recent history, but hard to support a team with such ugly colors. Hawthorn are the 6th most popular but have also taken the mantle from Collingwood as the most hated club in AFL history. The second team of an AFL fan is whoever is versing Hawthorn.
With a premiership every decade since the 60s, it's no wonder why they're the best club in the league.
A really good club, amazing players, and they win often. Go Hawks!
Representing the city of Adelaide, this Australian rules football team competes in the AFL. Founded in 1990, the Adelaide Crows have won multiple premierships and are the first South Australian team to participate in the AFL. Their colors are navy, red, and yellow. The pride of South Australia, the Crows pull in the highest average home crowds to their games (2016). This will soon be overtaken by West Coast upon the arrival of Perth Stadium in 2018.
Like, who doesn't love the Crows? They may not be top-level, but what's not to love about them? They even thanked the loyal members for all of our support!
Love the Crows. If you do not agree, that is fine. In more recent years, such as 2019 and onwards, they have not been a particularly strong club, but I am loyal to them.
Based in Fremantle, Western Australia, this Australian rules football team is part of the AFL. Founded in 1994, the Dockers are the second team from Western Australia to join the AFL and are known for their passionate supporters. Their colors are purple and white. West Coast's little brother. Fremantle, due to its culture and colors, is the most popular team amongst female AFL supporters. For the 4th youngest team in the league, the Dockers do well with fans.
I like the Dockers more than the Eagles because the Eagles are the most arrogant team I have seen in 60 years, mate!
Me and my brother both LOVE the Dockers. My brother wants to play for them when he is older!
Based in Melbourne, the Carlton Blues are an Australian rules football team that plays in the AFL. Founded in 1864, they are one of the league's original teams and have won multiple premierships. Their team colors are navy blue and white. Carlton are arguably the historical heavyweights of the AFL. Their logo, jumper, club song, and culture haven't changed one bit in 100 years of history. They are, overall, the equal most successful club with 16 premierships but are currently one of the worst teams in the league.
Won the most amount of premierships and have significant rivals within the league.
We have the most wins, duh. Vote Carlton!
An Australian rules football team representing Port Adelaide, South Australia, this team competes in the AFL. Established in 1870, they are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian football history, with numerous premierships. The team's colors are black, teal, and white. Similarly to Fremantle, the Power are the little brother of the Adelaide Crows. However, unlike the Dockers and Eagles, the Power have developed such a strong culture and rivalry that at times, it has been well and truly ahead of the Crows as the most popular South Australian team. The Power do very well for an 18-year-old footy club.
Port is one of the oldest footy clubs playing in the AFL currently. If one counts SANFL premierships, the Power is the most successful club in the competition (VFL and SANFL premierships won prior to joining are acknowledged by the AFL). They are definitely no "little brother".
A Melbourne-based team, Essendon competes in the AFL and was founded in 1872. The team has a storied history and is one of the most successful clubs in AFL, with several premierships. The team wears red and black. Carlton 2.0. Essendon are the other historical heavyweight based on culture and tradition, and the only other side with the most, 16 premierships. Despite just ending the club's darkest time in history in 2016, Essendon have remained up the ranks as an established and supported AFL team.
The 2000 season was one of the best seasons of AFL history! We know the Bombers were really mediocre in the 2019 season, but 2018 was weird.
Have won one or more premierships in every decade except in the 30s and 70s. Go Dons!
The Newcomers
Based in the city of Geelong, Victoria, this Australian rules football team competes in the AFL. Founded in 1859, they are one of the oldest football clubs in the world and have a successful history with multiple premierships. The team colors are navy and white. Based out of the small city of Geelong, the Cats have been the best and most consistent AFL team of the last 10 years, winning 3 premierships. They also had a 4th premiership (2008) stolen from them.
How are they so good out of a small town? Because they're the best!
Because they're awesome! Go Cats! Go Cats! Go Cats!
An Australian Football League (AFL) team, the Western Bulldogs are based in Melbourne's inner-western suburbs. Founded in 1877, the team has won multiple AFL premierships and is known for resilience and community engagement. The team's colors consist of red, white, and blue. Originally the Footscray Bulldogs, they have been a rather unsuccessful team in the past 60 years, with their last premiership... however, this, and their supporter base can all change and grow depending on the 2016 AFL Grand Final, where they faced the Sydney Swans to make a historic premiership from 7th position on the ladder.
This team is one of the most hardworking!
The Bulldogs should be 1st because they won the final! And they are not mean at all.
A team that theoretically should be the most popular team in the game, bearing the name and location of the home of football that is Melbourne. The Demons are the original AFL team, alongside Geelong. However, ever since 2006, they have been helplessly bad. Glimpses of hope in 2016, however, show a positive revival of the club for its future.
Hopefully, 2017 will help them improve in the popularity ladder.
They're the first team ever. You would think they would be higher than 16.
This AFL team represents Brisbane, Queensland, and was established in 1996 as a merger of the Fitzroy Lions and the Brisbane Bears. They quickly found success, winning several premierships in the early 2000s. The team wears maroon, blue, and gold. A once-popular team, with the support of a largely rugby-oriented state, the Lions are experiencing one of the lowest points in any club's history. Consistently getting belted week after week, year after year, for the last 8 years in a row.
Lions are really good now. They were 2nd last year and are second right now at present. Go Lions!
Won 3 flags in a row. Also go for them.
Also known as the Kangaroos, North Melbourne is another AFL team situated in Melbourne. Established in 1869, the club has captured multiple league titles. It has a robust supporter base and dons royal blue and white stripes. This team should be number one!
This should be higher. Best team ever even though we lose half of the time.
Representing the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, this Australian rules football team is part of the AFL. Established in 1873, the team has had a mixed record but maintains a dedicated fan base. The team's colors are red, white, and black. Why the heck is Brisbane above St. Kilda? Brisbane won a couple of premierships and has been begging for that previous form ever since. St. Kilda was an absolute beast in the mid-and-late 2000s.
Also, why are North Melbourne above any of these teams? North has probably the least good players out of any club and has barely any top-eight results in the last few years.
Historically a very strong club, perhaps the only reason for a 'lacking' supporter base is the fact that the Saints have only won one premiership, a long, long time ago. The hidden Saints fans are waiting for success to resurface.
Founded in 2009, this AFL team is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The team is one of the newest in the league and represents the Greater Western Sydney region. They wear orange, charcoal, and white. Started in 2012, the Giants spent their first four years as a club getting bashed up by the big boys. However, now, just after being knocked out of a preliminary final in 2016, they are strong favorites for not just the 2017 flag, but to win multiple premierships in a row. Due to the AFL's drafting system, handed to the Giants by fortune, the team of Western Sydney could build an unmatched and unrivaled dynasty of an AFL team.
Also a relatively new team in the AFL, the Gold Coast Suns represent the Gold Coast, Queensland. Established in 2009, they are known for their young talent and development focus. Their colors are red, gold, and blue. Similar to the Giants at first hand, starting one year prior in 2011. However, the Suns have had all aspects of their football development fall face first, with the highest amount of injuries by any sports team ever over the last three seasons, and a team expected to have to undergo a second rebuild in the last five years.