The GIANTS sit among the AFL’s elite when it comes to membership growth in 2016, following the release of all eighteen clubs’ membership tallies.

The AFL announced on Thursday that 2016 club membership across the competition had increased to a record 875,197 members, with the GIANTS one of 13 teams to record positive growth.

A record 15,312 people signed up as GIANTS members in 2016, an increase of 13.58 per cent on 2015.

The 2016 membership total places the AFL’s youngest club behind only St. Kilda (16.07 per cent), Sydney (15.74 per cent) and Geelong (14.12 per cent) as the fastest growing club in the competition.

GIANTS Chief Executive Officer David Matthews said the club's growth was the result of hard work both on and off the field.

“Membership is the lifeblood of every AFL club and to have achieved over 15,000 GIANTS members in just our fifth season in the AFL is an outstanding achievement,” Mr Matthews said.

“Under the leadership of coach Leon Cameron, the GIANTS are playing an exciting brand of football that people want to come and see.

 “Our commitment to providing a family friendly atmosphere at our home games in Sydney and Canberra has also led to a significant rise in membership and attendances.

 “We thank every one of our loyal members for their ongoing support in 2016 and look forward to sharing this year’s final series with you.”

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said this year’s record membership highlighted the game’s continued growth right around the country.

“To reach a record for AFL club membership with a rate of retention across the industry of 86 per cent is a tremendous result,” Mr McLachlan said.

“The total number of AFL club members equates to one in every 28 Australians, which is a sign of the reach and strength of Australian football.

“The financial and emotional commitment fans make to their teams is the key reason why our game continues to prosper.”