ESSENDON may have endured the most controversial season in its history, but support from fans is as intense as ever, if jumper sales are anything to go by.

Data obtained exclusively by AFL.com.au reveals major retailers were ordering Bombers jumpers more than any other club.

Essendon edged out premiers Hawthorn by just .01% up to the end of September with 10.71% of total orders.

Perhaps not surprisingly, fans in Western Australia clearly have a favorite team with West Coast coming in third (8.6%) overall.

But Fremantle’s grand final appearance suggests the Dockers are closing in on their WA rivals, with orders up almost one per cent to 6.47% and eighth on the overall table.

Melbourne’s poor season is reflected in merchandise orders, coming in at the bottom of the table with just 1.4% of the jumper market.

Gold Coast Suns orders were up slightly, while GWS orders were a fraction down.

“Football guernseys are one of the most visible ways fans can show support for their team and they remain one of the most popular merchandise items,” AFL Commercial Operations manager Darren Birch said.

“AFL clubs are very proactive in designing clash strips and special commemorative guernsey that recognise their heritage and special events such as themed rounds,” Birch said.

AFL jumper sales (% up to the end of Q3 2013)

1. Essendon 10.71

2. Hawthorn 10.70

3. West Coast 8.60

4. Carlton 8.09

5. Collingwood 7.62

6. Richmond 7.04

7. Adelaide 6.52

8. Fremantle 6.47

9. Geelong 5.81

10. Sydney 5.43

11. St Kilda 4.75

12. GWS 3.61

13. Port Adelaide 3.51

14. Brisbane 2.89

15. NMFC 2.58

16. Gold Coast 2.27

17. Western Bulldogs 1.99

18. Melbourne 1.40

