Less than two years into an ambitious five-year strategy, Hawthorn are about to achieve the first of their two AFL goals.

The Hawks announced the "five 2 fifty" strategy at the club's annual general meeting in late 2007 - win two premierships and reach 50,000 members by 2012.

They are the defending premiers and have 49,307 members, not bad for a club who only had 29,261 in 2005.

Hawthorn are also on the verge of becoming the first Victorian club to break the 50,000 membership mark.

Adelaide hold the overall record of 50,976, set in 2007.

"Everyone has contributed to that - the players and their on-field performance, through to the board," said coach Alastair Clarkson.

"It's a pretty tough benchmark to set, we set ourselves a challenge ... to secure 50,000 members over a five-year period.

"To be right on the verge of that at this early stage is really pleasing for the whole footy club."

Clarkson added the club had been working on boosting their membership well before he arrived in late 2004.

"There had been a lot of focus on trying to get the brown and gold army back into force, to support the club," he said.

"They've done some outstanding work, both the administrators and volunteers at the club in the last 10-12 years."

Collingwood and Essendon are traditionally the pacesetters for membership among the Victorian clubs, but they are lagging well behind the Hawks.

The Magpies are on 43,030, Essendon have 38,853 and resurgent Carlton are 38,820.

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