The Most Popular AFL Team in Australia, Ranked

Choose the team you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:28
In the heart of Australia, where the sport pulses through the veins of many, Australian Football League (AFL) teams hold a special place in the communities they represent. Each team, with its unique history and vibrant fanbase, competes not only on the field but in the stands, as fans debate which club truly captures the spirit of the sport. This list serves as a battleground where such debates can find common ground, based on fan votes ranking the teams in order of popularity. By participating in the ranking, fans contribute to a living snapshot of current sentiments and loyalties in the AFL universe. Your vote helps capture the collective voice of the community, ensuring that the list authentically reflects the current favorites across the nation. This dynamic and ongoing interaction allows the fan community to stay engaged, seeing how their support can sway the rankings throughout the season.

What Is the Most Popular AFL Team in Australia?

  1. 1
    39
    votes

    Richmond Tigers

    Richmond Football Club
    They are the reigning premiers, having won the AFL Grand Final in 2019 and 2020. They also have a large and passionate supporter base.
    The Richmond Tigers are a professional Australian rules football team based in Richmond, Victoria. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL) and are one of the most successful and popular teams in the competition. The Tigers have a strong and passionate fan base known as the 'Tiger Army'.
    • Founded: 1885
    • Home Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
    • Premierships: 13 (1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980, 2017, 2019, 2020)
    • Mascot: Captain Carlton
    • Club Colours: Yellow and Black
  2. 2
    11
    votes
    Collingwood Magpies
    ZooFari · Public domain

    Collingwood Magpies

    The Collingwood Football Club
    They have one of the largest supporter bases in the AFL and have won 15 premierships, the third most of any club.
    The Collingwood Magpies is a professional Australian Rules Football team based in Melbourne, Australia. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL), which is the highest level of professional Australian Rules Football. The team is known for its rich history, passionate fan base, and intense rivalries with other clubs. The iconic black and white stripes of the Magpies are instantly recognizable.
    • Foundation Year: 1892
    • Home Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
    • Premierships: 15 (as of 2021)
    • Grand Final Appearances: 44 (as of 2021)
    • Brownlow Medallists: 10
  3. 3
    31
    votes
    Essendon Bombers
    NimChief · Public domain
    They have a large and loyal supporter base and have won 16 premierships, the equal second most of any club.
    The Essendon Bombers are a professional Australian rules football team based in Melbourne, Australia. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL), which is the highest level of professional Australian rules football. The team is known for its passionate fan base and rich history in the sport.
    • Nickname: Bombers
    • Team Colors: Red and black
    • Home Ground: Marvel Stadium (previously known as Etihad Stadium)
    • Premierships: 16 (as of 2021)
    • Captain: Dyson Heppell
  4. 4
    10
    votes
    Hawthorn Hawks
    Amit6 · Public domain

    Hawthorn Hawks

    Hawthorn Football Club
    They have won 13 premierships, the fifth most of any club, and have a strong supporter base in Victoria.
    The Hawthorn Hawks is a professional Australian rules football team based in Hawthorn, Victoria. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL) and are one of the most successful and popular teams in the league.
    • Year Established: 1902
    • Home Ground: Hawthorn, Victoria
    • Team Colours: Brown and Gold
    • Premierships Won: 13 (including joint premiership)
    • Captain: Ben McEvoy
  5. 5
    16
    votes

    Carlton Blues

    Thomas H. Smith
    They have won 16 premierships, the equal second most of any club, and have a large supporter base in Victoria.
    The Carlton Blues is a professional Australian rules football team based in Melbourne, Victoria. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL) and have a rich history and a significant following among AFL fans. The team's colors are navy blue and white, hence their nickname 'Blues'. The Carlton Football Club was established in 1864, making it one of the oldest football clubs in Australia.
    • Founded: 1864
    • Team colors: Navy blue and white
    • Home ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
    • Premierships won: 16
    • Captain: Patrick Cripps
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Geelong Cats
    ZooFari · Public domain
    They have won nine premierships and have a strong supporter base in Victoria. They also have a successful history, having made the finals in 14 of the last 16 seasons.
    The Geelong Cats is a professional Australian rules football team based in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The team was established in 1859 and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the Australian Football League (AFL).
    • Nickname: Cats
    • Home Ground: GMHBA Stadium
    • Team Colors: Navy Blue and White
    • Premierships: 9 (1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011)
    • Captain: Joel Selwood
  7. 7
    4
    votes
    West Coast Eagles
    Dylben01 · Public domain
    They have won four premierships and have a strong supporter base in Western Australia. They have also been consistently successful in recent seasons, having made the finals in each of the last four seasons.
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Sydney Swans
    Amit6 · Public domain
    They have won two premierships and have a strong supporter base in New South Wales. They have also been consistently successful in recent seasons, having made the finals in 16 of the last 21 seasons.
    The Sydney Swans is a professional Australian rules football team that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). They are based in Sydney, New South Wales, and have a strong following in the local community as well as a significant fan base across Australia.
    • Home Ground: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
    • Coach: John Longmire
    • Captain: Luke Parker
    • Premierships: 5 (1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012)
    • Brownlow Medallists: 6 (Bob Skilton, Peter Bedford, Greg Williams, Gerard Healy, Paul Kelly, Adam Goodes)
  9. 9
    3
    votes
    Adelaide Crows
    This vector image was created with Inkscape by ZooFari, and then manually replaced · Public domain
    They have won two premierships and have a strong supporter base in South Australia. They have also been consistently successful in recent seasons, having made the finals in six of the last eight seasons.
    The Adelaide Crows is a professional Australian rules football team based in Adelaide, South Australia. They compete in the Australian Football League (AFL) and are one of the most popular and successful teams in the league. The team was established in 1990 and has since gained a massive following across Australia.
    • Established Year: 1990
    • Home Ground: Adelaide Oval
    • Colours: Navy Blue, Red, and Gold
    • Premierships: 2 (1997, 1998)
    • Minor Premierships: 3 (2005, 2006, 2017)
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Melbourne Demons
    Amit6 · Public domain

    Melbourne Demons

    The Melbourne Football Club
    They have won 12 premierships, the fourth most of any club, but have not been as successful in recent seasons. They have a strong supporter base in Victoria.
    The Melbourne Demons is a professional Australian Rules Football team based in Melbourne, Australia. They are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the history of Australian Football.
    • Coach: Simon Goodwin
    • Captain: Max Gawn
    • Established: 1858
    • Home Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
    • Club Colors: Red and Blue

Missing your favorite team?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular team

  1. Membership numbers
    The number of fans who officially join the club as members can be a strong indicator of a team's popularity. Higher membership numbers generally reflect a larger and more dedicated fan base.
  2. Attendance figures
    Average attendance at home games and overall throughout the season can also give insight into a team's popularity. A higher average attendance often suggests a more popular team with a larger following.
  3. Social media following
    A team's presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help gauge their popularity among fans. A larger number of followers, likes, and shares can indicate a more popular team.
  4. Merchandise sales
    The amount of team merchandise sold, such as jerseys, hats, and other apparel, can be a good indication of a team's popularity among fans.
  5. History and success
    Teams with a strong history and success on the field may have larger and more devoted fan bases. This includes factors like the number of premierships, finals appearances, and individual player achievements.
  6. Media coverage
    The amount and quality of media coverage a team receives, both locally and nationally, can have an impact on their popularity. Teams that are frequently discussed and featured in the media may have greater visibility and attract more fans.
  7. Geographic location
    The size of a team's home city or region and the number of competing teams within that area can also influence popularity. Teams based in larger cities or those with fewer local competitors may have a larger fan base.
  8. Fan engagement
    The level of fan engagement, such as through community events, clinics, and other initiatives, can contribute to a team's popularity. Teams that make a genuine effort to connect with and give back to their fan base may have a more loyal following.
  9. Player popularity
    The popularity of individual players on a team can also contribute to the overall popularity of the team. High-profile players with strong personal brands may attract fans to the team.
  10. Brand image
    A team's overall brand image, including factors like team colors, logos, and mascots, can play a role in attracting fans. Teams with a strong and recognizable brand may be more popular both locally and nationally.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular AFL team in Australia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3207 views
  • 145 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Player once every 24 hours. The rank of each Player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular afl team in australia

The Australian Football League (AFL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in the country, with a dedicated fan base that spans across all states and territories. The league consists of 18 teams, each representing a different city or region across Australia. From the Collingwood Magpies to the West Coast Eagles, the AFL has a rich history of fierce rivalries and passionate supporters. But which team holds the title of the most popular in the country? At StrawPoll, we've gathered data from thousands of polls and rankings to find out. Read on to discover the results of our research and uncover the most beloved AFL team in Australia.

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