Round 15 seems to have got all of the AFL fans in the mood to attend their local matches. While not having any NRL played on the eastern seaboard would have helped along with some top-of-the-table clashes, it’s just good to see that the crowds are back at the footy.

It seems the four-day football week is paying off with the massive top-of-the-table clash between the Melbourne Demons and Brisbane Lions with 37,728 people watching the Demons get the win and return to the top of the ladder.

With Fremantle having a great season and Carlton looking like they are on the improve the clash was played in front of 35,441. It seems that those in Melbourne have alleviated their pandemic fears and are now more than keen to get back to the footy.

Geelong hosted Richmond once again at the MCG and whatever you think of that it’s clearly working for getting the crowds to match. Just under 60,000 people crowded into the MCG to see the Cats get over the top of the bigger cats.

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan thanked fans for their unwavering loyalty so far this season.

“To the 3.9 million fans who have attended an AFL match so far this season – thank you for being part of the game’s bounce back in 2022 after two years where footy has been so heavily impacted by Covid.

“The footy is compelling and is rating brilliantly, our best games are delivering record results and once again we are closing in on the all-time membership record.

“Thank you to everyone so far who has played a part in attending, promoting, advocating and being part of this season. The total number of fans consuming our game continues to grow and our work never stops in getting as many fans engaging in footy as possible.”

Overall round 15 was the third-highest attended round for the season (299,545), behind Round One (362,874) and Round Three (321,995). Hopefully, these kinds of numbers continue as we get towards the finals period.