Finals may not be on the Bombers radar at the moment, but if the race to September were based on attendances, Essendon would be eyeing off a double chance.

The loyalty and passion of the supporter base was evident during and after the match against North Melbourne.

But the numbers prove the unyielding support was there long before the second half against the Kangaroos.

Based on the first eight rounds of the season, Essendon has the third highest average attendance across the AFL.

The Bombers are ahead of teams including Carlton - who are currently on a four game winning streak, Hawthorn – who are eyeing off a fourth straight premiership, and Geelong – who have landed some high profile recruits and are one of the leading contenders for the flag.

“The Essendon supporter base is just phenomenal,” Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell told SEN this week.

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2016 Crowd figures

Team              Ave. Attendance

Collingwood     51,608

Richmond        48,752

Essendon        42,843

Adelaide          41,460

Carlton            39,516

Hawthorn        37,787

Geelong          37,554