Adelaide Oval's stunning success this season is the glossy wallpaper covering ugly cracks in AFL crowd figures.

Two days after 99,454 fans watched Hawthorn belt Sydney in the grand final, the AFL trumpeted increased attendances this season compared to last year's figures.

But Etihad Stadium had the worst crowd numbers in its history and the MCG also featured its lowest crowds since 2006, when the members stand was being redeveloped.

Undoubtedly the highlight of this year for the league has been the Adelaide Oval redevelopment.

The total crowd figure at the ground for Port Adelaide and Adelaide home-and-away games was 1,016,514, at an average of 46,205.