Essendon's push for an increased membership is gathering momentum. The club had 34,556 members in 2000 and is hopeful of improving on that figure this season. The club's present membership figure is well in front of where it was at the same time last year. With the season still eight weeks away, the club has already processed 20,400 memberships. At the same time last year the club had received 16,100 membership applications.

The club has also been encouraged by reserve seat sales which are also up on last year's numbers. To this stage the club has 16,200 members who have purchased reserved seats. At this stage last season 14,500 members had purchased reserved seats.

"We are really pleased with how things are progressing. Last year was a record membership figure for the club and at this stage we are on track to better that number," Essendon membership manager Bernadette Dargan said.