Essendon's official membership for season 2000 stands at 34,278 making it the only club in Victoria to break the 30,000 barrier.

Essendon's final membership figure sees it ranked fourth in the AFL behind Adelaide, Port Adelaide and West Coast.

The Bombers' 2000 figure represents an increase on 14.8% on the 29,858 members the club attracted in 1999.

The breakdown of Essendon's membership was 24,380 adults, 3,841 concession and 6,057 junior members.

The junior figure is particularly encouraging and was the second-highest figure in the AFL behind Fremantle.

The biggest membership jump recorded in the AFL was at Geelong which recorded an increase of more than 21%.

The biggest membership slump came at Hawthorn where a drop of 16.3% was experienced.+

The 2000 membership tallies are:

Adelaide 42,896

Brisbane 20,295

Carlton 26,973

Collingwood 28,932

Essendon 34,278

Fremantle 24,925

Geelong 25,595

Hawthorn 26,879

Kangaroos 22,156

Melbourne 22,156

Port Adelaide 34,925

Richmond 26,869

St Kilda 17,855

Sydney 30,177

West Coast 38,868

Western Bulldogs 18,056