SLOGAN: We Fly as One
2018 TALLY: 64,739
CURRENT TALLY: 77,504* (includes digital memberships)
ONLINE HUB: crowsmembership.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Adelaide Oval is sold out for almost every Crows game, so the bottom line is you can't just rock up and buy an 11-game membership. The Crows recommend new supporters pick up a digital 'We Fly as One' membership which also allows access to purchase tickets to selected games. The other option is a three-game membership. Both of these then put you on the waiting list for 11-game memberships. On the field the Crows have put the drama of the past 12 months behind them, have had a successful pre-season camp, and will be pushing to make a serious finals play in 2019. – Matt Thompson
SLOGAN: Uncaged
2018 TALLY: 24,867
CURRENT TALLY: 14,361
ONLINE HUB: membership.lions.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Lions are on the rise. Although last season yielded just five wins, they got within seven points in another five matches and were one of the competition's most exciting teams to watch. Harris Andrews and Eric Hipwood are Queensland-born bookends who have announced themselves to the AFL, while Hugh McCluggage, Jarryd Berry, Cam Rayner and Alex Witherden form a young core the envy of many. Throw in off-season recruits Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons to a midfield that already contains dynamic captain Dayne Zorko and there's not too many holes on Brisbane's list. Anything is possible in 2019. – Michael Whiting
Lachie Neale's arrival at the Lions has fans excited. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Honour the past. Own the future
2018 TALLY: 56,005
CURRENT TALLY: 41,059
ONLINE HUB: membership.carltonfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: There is genuine A-Grade quality coming through the ranks at Ikon Park. New co-captain Patrick Cripps leads a talented young midfield that also features exciting prospects like Paddy Dow, Zac Fisher, Sam Walsh and Liam Stocker. Up forward, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay can change games in an instant with their strong marking and athleticism. At times throughout 2018, despite some disappointing team performances, those two alone were almost worth the price of admission. With more consistency and another year of development under their belt next season, you can expect those types of displays more often. It's been a while, but there is genuine optimism at Carlton. - Riley Beveridge
SLOGAN: Unleash the passion
2018 TALLY: 75,507
CURRENT TALLY: 56,834
ONLINE HUB: membership.collingwoodfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Many more than can be articulated here. The Magpies' momentum-building charge to the Grand Final and their subsequent narrow defeat to West Coast has awoken the AFL's sleeping giant. Members can now look forward to more blockbuster games after the Pies were rewarded with more Thursday and Friday night primetime slots, most of which will be at the MCG where they will play 14 games, nine of them as the home team. Then there's the return of premiership player Dayne Beams, Jordan De Goey's expected rise to superstardom, Mason Cox's continued development from circus act to headliner, the potential return of star duo Darcy Moore and Jamie Elliott from injury... – Ben Collins
Midfield star Dayne Beams' return to Collingwood is a massive boon for the club. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Don the sash
2018 TALLY: 79,319
CURRENT TALLY: 52,214
ONLINE HUB: membership.essendonfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: It's time for the Bombers to finally make an impact in September. They've landed Dylan Shiel to bolster their midfield, and have all the key pieces at the club to challenge the best teams. Essendon's sloppy start to last season cost it a finals berth, but it showed in the back half of the year – when it won 10 of its last 14 games of the season – that it plays an attractive, fast and fun style of footy. Next year, Bombers fans will be expecting to see plenty of that in September. - Callum Twomey
SLOGAN: United by Purple
2018 TALLY: 55,639
CURRENT TALLY: 46,410
ONLINE HUB: membership.fremantlefc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: After three seasons mired in the bottom five rungs of the ladder, there is genuine optimism out west that 2019 could be a moving year for the Dockers, and real hope they can play with more attacking verve and flair since securing marking targets Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb. Watching Fremantle has been tough work at times since the rebuild began, but the pieces are seemingly falling into place for a finals push. Whether they can win 12 or 13 games is debatable, but if superstar Nat Fyfe can stay on the park and Freo's best 25 players remain healthy, the Dockers should be hard to beat at home and a lot more fun to watch. – Travis King
How much of an impact can Jesse Hogan make in Fremantle's forward line? Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Stand Proud in 2019
2018 TALLY: 63,818
CURRENT TALLY: 45,103
ONLINE HUB: membership.geelongcats.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: It could be the last chance to see Gary Ablett – his generation's greatest player – strut his stuff in the flesh, entering the final year of a contract where he turns 35. While he will spend more time in attack this year, the emergence of young midfielders Tim Kelly, Brandan Parfitt, Charlie Constable and Quinton Narkle is another reason to get excited. The Cats will again play nine games at their home fortress at GMHBA Stadium, with 2019 and 2020 set to be one of the last years you can guarantee a reserved seat. Stage five redevelopment will get underway at the end of the 2020 season, knocking out much of the seating at the City End of the ground. – Mitch Cleary
SLOGAN: No current slogan
2018 TALLY: 12,108
CURRENT TALLY: 6783
ONLINE HUB: goldcoastfcmembership.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Following an off-season cleanout and total rebuild now is the time to get on at ground level and watch a team's rise from the bottom. Gold Coast has talent. Izak Rankine was widely regarded as the most freakish player in this year's draft while his fellow top-six selections Jack Lukosius and Ben King also had scouts raving. Ben Ainsworth and Jack Bowes are faster and stronger and should make a big impact in their third season, while 'Two Metre' Peter Wright will now lead the Suns' forward line following Tom Lynch's departure. So many news faces and so much energy – how many teams can Gold Coast surprise? – Michael Whiting
Big things are expected of Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Ben King at the Suns. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Everything's bigger up close
2018 TALLY: 25,243
CURRENT TALLY: 14,284
ONLINE HUB: membership.gwsgiants.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Despite the doom and gloom of many after some key players exited the Giants in the off-season, a close look at the club's best 22 tells you they're far from out of premiership contention. The opportunity to go to the footy every couple of weeks to watch stars like Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron play live is reason enough to sign up, and the return of Shane Mumford is an added bonus. The Giants put on a good show for the kids at home games and the players are always accessible, making it a fans delight. – Adam Curley
SLOGAN: Always
2018 TALLY: 80,302
CURRENT TALLY: 60,295
ONLINE HUB: membership.hawthornfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Are you not entertained or satisfied? No club comes close to the Hawks' 13 premierships since 1961 and they also have the most flags (five) since the VFL was renamed the AFL in 1990. Hawthorn has set a bold goal of winning seven more premierships by 2050, including two of those in the next four seasons. It's hard to bet against the brown and gold on their formline and the fact they boast one of the greatest coaches in history in Alastair Clarkson. Throw Chad Wingard and Tom Scully into the mix and this is a potent cocktail you want to be part of. - Marc McGowan
The Hawks are in good hands with Alastair Clarkson at the helm. Picture: AFL Photos
WATCH The story behind Always
SLOGAN: Raise Hell
2018 TALLY: 44,275
CURRENT TALLY: 30,891
ONLINE HUB: membership.melbournefc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: If you're one of those 27,000 Melbourne people who let your membership lapse during the past 10 years, now would be the time to renew your commitment. Melbourne is going places, evidenced by last year's impressive finals run and the momentum that was built in the last month of the season. With Steven May, Kade Kolodjashnij and Braydon Preuss among the key recruits, the Demons are stacked with talent across every line. Melbourne's midfield might be the best in the competition and the connection between Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver is always a delight to watch. Above all, the Dees are a genuine premiership contender and the excitement around the club continues to build. If the Demons are a good enough team for Hollywood megastar Natalie Portman to support, why shouldn't they be for you? – Ben Guthrie
SLOGAN: Share in the Shinboner Spirit
2018 TALLY: 40,789
CURRENT TALLY: 28,044
ONLINE HUB: membership.nmfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Roos surprised most footy followers by narrowly missing the 2018 finals and their strong NAB AFL Trade Period haul has them well placed to taste September action next year, with recruits Jared Polec, Aaron Hall and Jasper Pittard set to provide the outside run they have been craving in recent seasons. The Roos play an attractive brand of attacking football under coach Brad Scott and their ball movement should become even slicker with Polec, Hall and Pittard breaking opposition lines. The Kangaroos also have plenty of room for organic improvement through talented youngsters such as Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Ben McKay and Will Walker, while Ben Cunnington's 'don't argues' and Ben Brown's marathon set-shot run-up are worth the price of membership alone. - Nick Bowen
The Kangaroos have some exciting talent at their disposal, including sharpshooter Ben Brown. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: We are Port Adelaide. Always have been, always will be
2018 TALLY: 54,386
CURRENT TALLY: 49,110
ONLINE HUB: weareportadelaide.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Power are entering an exciting new era after this year bringing in their biggest haul of first-round draftees since 2009. Connor Rozee, pick No.5, should quickly become a fan favourite with his speed, athleticism and X-factor, while midfielder Zak Butters (No.12) and running defender Xavier Duursma (No.18) should enjoy some senior action too. Port will also unveil prized recruit Scott Lycett, who together with Paddy Ryder will form one of the competition's most potent ruck duos. The Power have the talent to make the finals – they sat fourth on the ladder after 16 rounds of the 2018 season before a late capitulation – and in Robbie Gray boast one of the AFL's most compelling talents. – Nick Bowen
SLOGAN: Strong and Bold
2018 TALLY: 100,726
CURRENT TALLY: 76,445
ONLINE HUB: membership.richmondfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Why not join the biggest football club in the land? Hot off the heels of its first premiership in 37 years, Richmond became the first club to break the magical 100,000-member mark in 2018. A highly successful season and minor premiership ended in disappointment with a preliminary final loss to Collingwood, and the Tigers will have had all summer to rue missed opportunities. There have been minimal changes at Punt Road, but the addition of free agent Tom Lynch – one of the power forwards of the competition – lining up alongside 2018 Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt means the infamous "yellow and black" cry should be heard loud and clear in 2019. – Sarah Black
Tom Lynch will form a powerful forward partnership with Jack Riewoldt. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: With St Kilda
2018 TALLY: 46,301
CURRENT TALLY: 28,000
ONLINE HUB: saintsmembership.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: There is a fun collection of small forwards at St Kilda that makes you think the club can turn its fortunes around quickly. Jade Gresham is one of the most exciting young players in the competition and is capable of making the tough stuff look easy inside 50, while the club has high hopes Ben Long can deliver on his lofty potential in 2019. Jack Lonie had a strong end to last season which he will look to build upon next year, while Jack Billings has had a solid summer so far and could provide that valuable link between the midfield and the forward line. New recruits Dean Kent, Nick Hind and Matthew Parker will also provide plenty of zip. - Riley Beveridge
SLOGAN: N/A
2018 TALLY: 60,934
CURRENT TALLY: 31,245
ONLINE HUB: membership.sydneyswans.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Lance Franklin show is the best ticket in town, and as he showed this season, the superstar forward can still produce the goods. Throw in some of the game's most exciting young talent like Will Hayward, Tom Papley, Ben Ronke and draftee Nick Blakey, and the Swans forward line could be a highlight reel of its own next year. Sydney hasn't missed the finals in eight seasons under coach John Longmire so you know what you're going to get – a competitive and successful team. – Adam Curley
Why wouldn't you want to watch Lance Franklin in full flight? Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: N/A
2018 TALLY: 80,290
CURRENT TALLY: 60,384
ONLINE HUB: membership.westcoasteagles.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: It's not a difficult sell at the moment for West Coast. Home games at sparkling new venue Optus Stadium were the hottest ticket in town during a brilliant 2018 campaign and the Eagles crashed through the 80,000-member barrier for the first time, with the 100,000 mark in CEO Trevor Nisbett's sights. There is no reason to think West Coast's on-field performances will wane next season, with the mature squad returning to training in terrific shape and hungry for more success, especially after stars Nic Naitanui, Andrew Gaff and Brad Sheppard missed out on this year's flag. – Travis King
Convincing Eagles fans to sign on for 2019 shouldn't be too difficult. Picture: AFL Photos
Slogan: Where Real Strength Lives (TBA in the new year)
2018 TALLY: 43,246
CURRENT TALLY: 29,129
ONLINE HUB: membership.westernbulldogs.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Recent history under the fixture 'weighted rule' suggests the 13th-placed Western Bulldogs have prime position to launch a finals assault, with Richmond in 2017 and Collingwood in 2018 soaring from the same position the previous season to become premiers and grand finalists respectively. The final month of results was encouraging, including three wins and a fighting three-point loss to the Tigers. There is often a special affinity between supporters and father-son selections and Bulldogs fans now have Rhylee West, son of club champion Scott, to get them through the gates. Did we mention Marcus Bontempelli? - Paul Bastin
*All 2018 membership tallies are official AFL figures
