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 enthusiasm of the supporters of each club.
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Collingwood Magpies
Collingwood is a professional Australian rules football team based in Melbourne. The club was founded in 1892 and competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). With 16 premierships to its name, Collingwood is one of the most successful and historically significant teams in the league, and it is known... 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.
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West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football team based in Perth, Western Australia. They wear navy blue and gold as their team colors. The Eagles compete in the Australian Football League (AFL).
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.
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Richmond Tigers
The Richmond Tigers are an Australian rules football team based in Melbourne that competes in the AFL. Founded in 1885, the club has won multiple premierships, including titles in 2017, 2019, and 2020. The team is known for its strong fan base and its traditional yellow and black colors.
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.
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Sydney Swans
An Australian rules football team founded in 1874, the Sydney Swans compete in the Australian Football League (AFL). The team was originally based in South Melbourne before relocating to Sydney in 1982. They have won multiple AFL premierships, and their 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.
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Hawthorn Hawks
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 and plays its home games at both the Melbourne Cricket Ground and University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston... read more
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!
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Adelaide Crows
Representing the city of Adelaide, this Australian rules football team competes in the AFL. Founded in 1990, the Adelaide Crows have won two premierships, in 1997 and 1998. They were the first South Australian team to participate in the AFL. Their team 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.
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Fremantle Dockers
Based in Fremantle, Western Australia, this Australian rules football team competes in the AFL. The Fremantle Dockers were founded in 1994 and became the second team from Western Australia to join the league. The team is known for its passionate supporters and official colors of 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!
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Carlton Blues
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 16 premierships, which is tied for the most in AFL history. 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!
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Port Adelaide Power
An Australian rules football team representing Port Adelaide, South Australia, this team competes in the AFL. Established in 1870, it is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian football history, with numerous premierships in both the SANFL and AFL. The team's colors are black, teal... read more
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".
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Essendon Bombers
Essendon is a Melbourne-based Australian Football League (AFL) team founded in 1872. The club has a long and successful history, winning 16 premierships, which ties it for the most in AFL history. Essendon is nicknamed The Bombers and is known for its distinctive red and black colors.
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!
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Fitzroy Lions
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Brisbane Bears
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Geelong Cats
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!
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Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian Football League (AFL) team based in Melbourne's inner-western suburbs.
Originally founded in 1877 as the Footscray Football Club, they have won multiple AFL premierships, including one in 2016. The team is known for its resilience, strong community ties,... read more
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.
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Melbourne Demons
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.
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Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions are an Australian Football League team that represents Brisbane, Queensland. They were formed in 1996 from the merger of the Fitzroy Lions and the Brisbane Bears. The club won three consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003 and wears maroon, blue, and gold.
I was born in Brisbane, and I like the way that the players have performed in the last few years. They are currently the defending two-time premiers, and my favourite player is Zac Bailey.
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!
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North Melbourne Kangaroos
Also known as the Kangaroos, North Melbourne is an Australian Football League (AFL) team based in Melbourne. The club was established in 1869 and has a long and storied history in Australian rules football.
North Melbourne has won four VFL/AFL premierships. The team is known for its royal blue... read more
This team should be number one!
This should be higher. Best team ever even though we lose half of the time.
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St. Kilda Saints
Representing the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda, this Australian rules football team competes in the Australian Football League. Established in 1873, the team has had a long and eventful history, including a premiership win in 1966. The club's colors are red, white, and black, and it continues to enjoy... read more
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.
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Greater Western Sydney Giants
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 as their team colors.
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.
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Gold Coast Suns
The Gold Coast Suns are a professional Australian rules football club based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Established in 2009, they compete in the Australian Football League (AFL).
The club emphasizes recruiting and developing young talent. Their official colors are red, gold, and blue, and they... read more
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.