SLOGAN: We Fly As One
2016 TALLY: 67,874
CURRENT TALLY: 61,093
ONLINE HUB: 19thman.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Two words – Eddie Betts. The electrifying small forward is worth the price of admission alone to Adelaide Oval with his freakish ability to find the goals out of nowhere. He also took some absolutely screamers to complement the brute force of key forward and inspirational captain Taylor Walker. In the midfield, Rory Sloane is a genuine superstar of the competition having been named the vice captain of the All Australian team. Crows coach Don Pyke will have his side primed for another serious tilt at the club's third premiership after bowing out in the second week of the finals the past two seasons. - Lee Gaskin
SLOGAN: All For One
2016 TALLY: 23,286
CURRENT TALLY: 14,342
ONLINE HUB: membership.lions.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: After two forgettable seasons, the Lions are starting fresh in 2017. With new coach Chris Fagan coming direct from the powerhouse Hawthorn stable and football manager David Noble from highly-successful Adelaide, the Lions' brains trust knows what it takes to win. Number three pick Hugh McCluggage headlines an exciting new draft class, while another year of experience into Josh Schache, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews and Rhys Mathieson should see them improve greatly. With a new gameplan and further improvement from their young star, the Lions should be significantly more competitive in 2017. - Michael Whiting
SLOGAN: Bound by Blue
2016 TALLY: 50,130
CURRENT TALLY: 32,759
ONLINE HUB: membership.carltonfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Carlton exceeded nearly everyone's expectations in 2016 under first-year coach Brendon Bolton and its young group is well placed to take another step forward next season. The Blues have an outstanding starting midfield in Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs, while Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty add class and composure in defence. But Carlton's 2017 will largely rise and fall on how much young guns like Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni, Harry McKay and David Cuningham can improve, and what sort of impact recruits like Caleb Marchbank, Jarrod Pickett, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Zac Fisher have. One way or the other, it won't be a dull ride. - Nick Bowen
Lachie Plowman will be looking to make a splash in his second season at Carlton. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Side by side
2016 TALLY: 74,819
CURRENT TALLY: N/A
ONLINE HUB: membership.collingwoodfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Collingwood is going to come under the microscope regardless of whether it is winning or losing, but 2017 will see the club come into intense focus. Much of the external interest will centre on coach Nathan Buckley, who declared late last season that 2017 would be finals or bust for him. The loyal fan base will stick by the club, but things could get interesting if the Magpies perform below expectations in the first half of the season. Somewhat forgotten in all of the outside distractions is a talented group of youngsters, led by Adam Treloar and Darcy Moore, who are eager to see their club rise up the ladder. - Ben Guthrie
SLOGAN: Become part of our comeback story
2016 TALLY: 57,494
CURRENT TALLY: 46,133
ONLINE HUB: membership.essendonfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: In a nutshell: the only way is up. It is the first time since 2012 that Essendon will enter a season without the supplements saga (and its huge fallout) hanging over its head. That clearly has excited many Bombers fans with more than 44,000 members already signed up. Ten of the club's most experienced players, including stars Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, are back and raring to go after a year out, and plenty of fans will be excited to see them play alongside the likes of Darcy Parish for the first time. And then there is of course the club's first ever No.1 draft pick – Andrew McGrath – joining the Bombers. He will wear the No.1 jumper next year and fans can expect to see him in the senior side from day one. - Callum Twomey
SLOGAN: Forever Freo
2016 TALLY: 51,889
CURRENT TALLY: 46,028
ONLINE HUB: membership.fremantlefc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: If this year was Freo's annus horribilis, the good news is that there are signs of revival – not least with the return of superstar Nat Fyfe from his broken leg. Fyfe will have a point to prove next season and is worth the price of admission alone, while a fit-again Aaron Sandilands will make the entire Freo midfield better. Recruits Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten add firepower, Bradley Hill should relish the expanses of Domain Stadium, while Joel Hamling and ready-to-play draftee Griffin Logue could form a defensive partnership for the next decade. Harley Bennell is the X-factor, if he can overcome his injury woes. How far Freo bounce back up the ladder is an intriguing question, but Ross Lyon's side will be much improved. - Travis King
Nat Fyfe will be looking to recapture his Brownlow Medal form in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: GREATNESS. Our Tradition. Our Ambition.
2016 TALLY: 52,195
CURRENT TALLY: 43,007
ONLINE HUB: membership.geelongcats.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: A new stand will complement the new look line-up that represents Geelong. Led by Joel Selwood and reigning Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield, the Cats enter a period of uncertainty with the departure of another set of key veterans from its recent golden era in Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel. However, seeing how Nakia Cockatoo, Brandan Parfitt, Darcy Lang, Jackson Thurlow and Sam Menegola can perform with more opportunities adds a fascinating element to the Cats in 2017. Steven Motlop heads into a make or break season while Scott Selwood will be like a new recruit after just five senior games in 2016. - Peter Ryan
SLOGAN: We Are Gold Coast
2016 TALLY: 12,854
CURRENT TALLY: 7,294
ONLINE HUB: goldcoastfcmembership.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: With an ounce of luck, this should be Gold Coast's breakthrough season. New captains Tom Lynch and Steven May are among the best players in the competition in their respective positions, while midfield aces Gary Ablett and David Swallow are returning from injuries that wrecked their 2016 campaigns. The Suns have recruited exciting midfielders Pearce Hanley and Jarryd Lyons, and added four top-10 draft picks, including electric small forward Ben Ainsworth and Academy product Jack Bowes. Peter Wright and Jack Martin are both coming off terrific seasons, and if the Suns can avoid the injury curse of the past two seasons, watch out in 2017. - Michael Whiting
SLOGAN: There's a GIANT in all of us
2016 TALLY: 15,311
CURRENT TALLY: 10,002 (up 37% on 2015)
ONLINE HUB: membership.gwsgiants.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Giants went within a kick of making this year's Grand Final, then added dual All Australian Brett Deledio to an already stacked list during the trade period, so they'll more than likely be next year's team to beat. Leon Cameron's team plays an exciting brand of footy, but they're not just downhill skiers, and are as hard at it as anyone in the league. GWS will have learnt plenty from their tough loss in the preliminary final, and with their growing experience and star power, should be there late in late September 2017. – Adam Curley
SLOGAN: Strong As One
2016 TALLY: 72,918
CURRENT TALLY: 61,028
ONLINE HUB: membership.hawthornfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: There will be a freshness to the Hawks in 2017 with imports Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery walk-up starts in the best 22 and Jarryd Roughead on track for an emotional return. The Hawks have created an enjoyable home game buzz at the MCG and will host Adelaide, Geelong, West Coast, the Sydney Swans and Collingwood in blockbuster MCG games and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad in round 23. Members also get access to replacement MCG 'away' games against Essendon, Collingwood, Melbourne and Richmond. Hawthorn has given members great value for money the last 10 years and deservedly now has the biggest membership base in the AFL. - Ashley Browne
Will Jaeger O'Meara finally play again after missing two full seasons? Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: Sign up and be counted
2016 TALLY: 39,255
CURRENT TALLY: 28,392
ONLINE HUB: membership.melbournefc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: After years of being the team everyone trod on, Melbourne is a genuine finals contender in 2017. Following three years under Paul Roos, the feeling around the place is that the playing list is ready to flourish under new coach Simon Goodwin. The Demons have one of the brightest young lists in the AFL, with Jesse Hogan, Christian Petracca, Jayden Hunt and Clayton Oliver all showing plenty of potential. Recruits Jordan Lewis and Michael Hibberd will be called upon to help set the standards as Melbourne tries to set itself up for a period of sustained success. - Ben Guthrie
SLOGAN: TBC
2016 TALLY: 45,014
CURRENT TALLY: 26,895
ONLINE HUB: membership.nmfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Although North's premiership window was slammed shut by its list overhaul at the end of 2016, it should remain fiercely competitive under new captain Jack Ziebell. In Ziebell, Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow, the Roos have a strong midfield core, while their spine remains strong, with Jarrad Waite and Ben Brown in attack and Robbie Tarrant and Scott Thompson in defence. Many expect North to be one of 2017's sliders, but a top-eight finish is not beyond it. Whatever happens, exciting prospects such as Mason Wood, Majak Daw, Ryan Clarke, Ed Vickers-Willis, Corey Wagner, Jy Simpkin and, possibly, Ben McKay will enjoy extended opportunities next season – and that alone should have Roos fans excited. - Nick Bowen
SLOGAN: We Are Port Adelaide
2016 TALLY: 60,214
CURRENT TALLY: 50,027
ONLINE HUB: weareportadelaide.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Optimism is high at Alberton that the Power can return to the finals for the first time since 2014. The return of ruckman Patrick Ryder after he missed last year serving an anti-doping suspension with the Essendon supplements saga is a huge boost for the Power. Newly-appointed vice-captain Ollie Wines, at the age of just 22, has taken another step to fulfilling his destiny as the Power's next skipper and is set for a huge season. A fully-fit Charlie Dixon can be a damaging force up forward, while draftee Sam Powell-Pepper has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level. - Lee Gaskin
SLOGAN: Strong and bold
2016 TALLY: 72,410
CURRENT TALLY: 52,401
ONLINE HUB: membership.richmondfc.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The Tigers finally landed a big fish during the NAB AFL Trade Period, bringing gun midfielder Dion Prestia into the club. Josh Caddy should prove to be a handy acquisition as well, strengthening Richmond's midfield department. For all the pessimism that surrounded the club in 2016, it did make the finals for the three years prior. While the exit of Brett Deledio hurts, Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin are all stars, and have enough talent to be able to carry the Tigers back to September. - Dinny Navaratnam
Josh Caddy looks right at home in his new colours. Picture: AFL Photos
SLOGAN: 31 by 31 – the Saints targeted 31,000 members by December 31
2016 TALLY: 38,101
CURRENT TALLY: 31,000
ONLINE HUB: saintsmembership.com.au/packages
REASONS TO BUY: St Kilda fans have good reason to be optimistic. Coming off a 12-win season and with percentage the only barrier to making finals, the Saints' younger brigade showed promise while the veterans kept playing well. The addition of Jack Steele and Koby Stevens adds hardness and depth to the on-ball unit while the likes of Jade Gresham and Blake Acres should continue to improve. Meanwhile, a defence that ranked 13th for points conceded this year should be stiffened by the addition of Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown. - Dinny Navaratnam
SLOGAN: Proudly Sydney
2016 TALLY: 56,523
CURRENT TALLY: 31,267
ONLINE HUB: membership.sydneyswans.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: The New England Patriots of the AFL, the Swans rarely let their fans down and are perennial contenders. They may have lost two of the last three Grand Finals, but there are plenty of teams around the league that would kill to just make the eight. Isaac Heeney is one of the game's brightest stars and his move to the midfield could be worth the price of a membership by itself. But when you thrown in names like Lance Franklin, Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy, John Longmire's squad is disciplined, well-drilled, and bristling with talent. – Adam Curley
SLOGAN: The West Is Ours
2016 TALLY: 65,188
CURRENT TALLY: 54,545
ONLINE HUB: membership.westcoasteagles.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Despite reaching the 2015 Grand Final and winning 16 games again last year, the Eagles' maturing group might only just be hitting their peak. The addition of Sam Mitchell could be the final piece in the puzzle which takes West Coast's promising midfield from good to great – despite the loss of star ruckman Nic Naitanui for most of the season. With two-time Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy leading the attack, rising stars Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass in defence, promising signs from Lewis Jetta and Jack Redden in their second pre-seasons in Perth, a significant home ground advantage and the drive to redeem last year's home elimination final loss, the Eagles should be a force in 2017. - Travis King
SLOGAN: Be more Bulldog
2016 TALLY: 40,082
CURRENT TALLY: 29,828
ONLINE HUB: membership.westernbulldogs.com.au
REASONS TO BUY: Bulldogs fans should be falling over each other trying to sign up for 2017. The premiers will be bigger and better in 2017 as they attempt to go back to back. The return of skipper Bob Murphy is reason alone to jump on the Bulldogs bandwagon and become a member. Add forwards Stewart Crameri and Travis Cloke to the mix, and the Dogs will only go from strength to strength. The Western Bulldogs broke the 40,000-member barrier for the first time in its history this year, and if the on-field success continues in 2017, you can be sure a new record will be set. - Nat Edwards
