The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have reached 8,000 members as they do battle with the Gold Coast Suns in the race to see who will be the first to reach 10,000 members.
The GIANTS' membership now stands at 8,003, just 11 behind the Gold Coast Suns on 8,014.
Head Coach Kevin Sheedy laid down the challenge to the Suns last month to see which of the AFL's newest clubs could top 10,000 members first and Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna gladly accepted.
The losing coach will have to wear the other club's coloured budgie smugglers on their local beach. The GIANTS signed up more than 10,000 members in their inaugural season in 2012 and are on target to top that in 2013.
GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews thanked GIANTS fans for showing their support and urged anyone who has not signed up yet to get on board for 2013.
"Sheeds has been keeping himself very fit over summer just in case the Suns get there first but we would obviously much prefer to see 'Bluey' McKenna revealing his true colours on the sands of the Gold Coast," he said.
"The two clubs have built a pretty fierce rivalry in a short space of time and this is another way of fans showing their support and building that rivalry. We can't wait to play them again at Manuka Oval on April 27 where we recorded our first ever win last year."
