The figure represents an increase of eight per cent on the previous record tally of 532,697 members posted last year.
The figures were audited following the club membership deadline of June 30, with Demetriou saying the record tally is a tribute to the passion of supporters across Australia, and a reflection of the commitment of all clubs to ensure match day attendances were a key factor in the game's growth.
To round 15, the AFL has posted the highest attendance figures in the history of the game over 300,000 supporters attending matches in 10 separate rounds.
“The AFL would like to congratulate our clubs on the work they do to build club membership and to thank our supporters across Australia," Demetriou said.
"In 2008, our clubs have been able to increase club membership by some eight per cent, to again re-affirm our position as the number one sporting code in the country by any measure.
"Most pleasingly, the number of junior members across the clubs is around 20 per cent, which gives the game an excellent base into the future to retain its support."
Demetriou said 11 clubs had posted increases on their 2007 figures (Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Richmond) while Adelaide again posted the highest figure in the competition with 48,720 members.
"North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Essendon recorded amazing increases from last year's results, while Carlton and Collingwood were both also able to achieve double-figure growth."
CLUB | ADULTS | CONC. | JUNIORS | TOTAL | TOTAL | % | Members |
| | | | MEMBERS AT | MEMBERS AT | VARIANCE | VARIANCE |
| | | | 30/06/08 | 30/06/07 | ||
CROWS | 37,747 | 4,977 | 5,996 | 48,720 | 50,976 | -4.4% | -2,256 |
LIONS | 17,235 | 2,354 | 3,148 | 22,737 | 21,976 | 3.5% | 761 |
BLUES | 25,476 | 3,717 | 10,167 | 39,360 | 35,431 | 11.1% | 3,929 |
MAGPIES | 29,985 | 4,122 | 8,391 | 42,498 | 38,587 | 10.1% | 3,911 |
BOMBERS | 26,517 | 4,075 | 11,355 | 41,947 | 32,759 | 28.0% | 9,188 |
FREMANTLE | 31,286 | 4,131 | 7,949 | 43,366 | 43,343 | 0.1% | 23 |
CATS | 24,139 | 5,335 | 7,376 | 36,850 | 30,169 | 22.1% | 6,681 |
HAWKS | 27,546 | 3,150 | 10,740 | 41,436 | 31,064 | 33.4% | 10,372 |
KANGAROOS | 20,379 | 3,464 | 8,757 | 32,600 | 22,366 | 45.8% | 10,234 |
DEMONS | 21,925 | 2,153 | 5,541 | 29,619 | 28,077 | 5.5% | 1,542 |
POWER | 26,125 | 2,010 | 6,050 | 34,185 | 34,073 | 0.3% | 112 |
TIGERS | 18,585 | 3,485 | 8,750 | 30,820 | 30,044 | 2.6% | 776 |
SAINTS | 20,175 | 3,639 | 6,249 | 30,063 | 30,394 | -1.1% | -331 |
SWANS | 18,842 | 3,595 | 4,284 | 26,721 | 28,764 | -7.1% | -2,043 |
EAGLES | 33,565 | 6,124 | 5,174 | 44,863 | 45,949 | -2.4% | -1,086 |
BULLDOGS | 18,520 | 3,751 | 6,035 | 28,306 | 28,725 | -1.5% | -419 |
| | | | | |||
TOTALS | 398,047 | 60,082 | 115,962 | 574,091 | 532,697 | 8.0% | 41,394 |
