Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon have continued their reign amongst the competition's most popular clubs, with the members of 'The Big Four' leading all comers for signed-up supporters.

According to reports fromย The Herald Sun, the Victorian powerhouses that hold 60 AFL/VFL flags between them will enter the 2022 AFL season with the most committed and widespread fanbases.

While each of the sides from Punt Road to Tullamarine are still short of their seasonal markers for membership sales, the quartet have already sold upwards of 60,000 membership passes each to their passionate fanbases.

Having repetitively topped the 100,000 sales benchmark since the dawn of their premiership dynasty, Richmond will again be hoping to crack six-figures by the season opener against Carlton.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates victory with the Premiership Trophy and fans during the 2019 AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

And with 84,948 already on the board before the end of summer, should Damien Hardwick's side impressed throughout their pre-season hit-outs, an opportunity to raise the bat once more appears a near certainty.

Under new president Jeff Browne, Collingwood too has laid down the same marker as their rivals from across Swan Street.

While unlikely to challenge for silverware this season, the Woods have already whipped their fervent fanbase into a frenzy, with 70,000 tickets sold to black and white backers.

At the other end of the spectrum, non-Victorian sides Sydney, Brisbane, GWS and Gold Coast remain rooted to the bottom four rungs of the sales ladder.

Although unsurprising given each call rugby league's heartland home, the Swans will surely have expected a greater number of Bloods backing their cause after a return to the finals in 2021.

The Suns' meagre total of 8,721 paid-up members is also sure to be causing headaches at AFL House.

AFL Rd 3 - Adelaide v Gold Coast
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Jarrod Witts of the Suns down with a knee injury during the 2021 AFL Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval on April 02, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Of the clubs that reside outside of Victoria, the Power have surged to the front with 52,164 diehards parting with dough in the hopes that a second cup will enter the cupboard at Alberton this season.

Still, with West Coast not releasing their numbers, this victory could well be short-lived when the official figures are counted and posted on July 31.

Despite dropping out of the eight last season, the Eagles still ruled the competition's roost with 106,422 fans of a feather committed to the club.

The Adam Simpson-led side has topped the league's table for sales in each of the past pair of seasons and, irrespective of some pre-season dents to their roster, will be placing an eagle eye on doing so again.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Jeremy McGovern of the Eagles celebrates the win with fans during the round five AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Current list of pre-season membership sales as per reports from The Herald Sun

Richmond 84,948
Collingwood 70,000
Carlton 67,928
Essendon 60,678
Hawthorn 60,100
Port Adelaide 52,164
Geelong 49,055
St Kilda 43,500
Melbourne 43,000
Adelaide 40,000 +
Fremantle 40,000
Western Bulldogs 38,824
North Melbourne 38,756
Sydney Swans 35,722
Brisbane Lions 29,318
GWS Giants 25,094
Gold Coast 8,721