The Brisbane Broncos have knocked off the Sydney Swans in an independent ratings survey to find Australia's most popular sporting team.

It completes a double for the NRL's Broncos who also came out winners in TV viewer rankings compiled by brands researcher Repucom in a study of 2009 television audience numbers across the NRL, AFL, rugby's Super 14 and A-League.

The Swans took the most supported tag from the Broncos in 2004 after their golden AFL premiership run.

But September figures released this week by prominent pollsters Roy Morgan - who surveyed more than 20,000 people on topics ranging from peanut butter to football teams - put the Broncos' supporter base at 1,202,611, knocking off the Swans (1,163,872).

The AFL's Brisbane Lions came in third on 879,597 in the poll which asked people which team they supported in each code.

Broncos general manager of commercial operations Terry Reader said topping the survey gave some negotiating clout and appeal with sponsors in a very competitive market place.

"It's a great result for us as the outcome means a good flow on for our sponsors and corporate partners who invest in our brand," he said.

"It shows they're getting a bit more bang for their buck.

"It shows the Broncos are well liked and well received and that they get exceptional exposure in the national market place.

"We're really proud of the result when you think we've been around for 22 years and some clubs have been around for a century."

Melbourne Storm, who appeared in the past four NRL grand finals, winning two, have gone from 497,000 supporters in 2004 to almost 800,000 in the 2009 results and are fourth overall despite being based in AFL heartland.

Industry communications director at Roy Morgan Research, Norman Morris, said the poll results would make interesting reading for the AFL and A-League, both planning new teams for Sydney's western suburbs.

"While the survey showed the best supported NRL clubs came outside the Sydney area, the strongest Sydney-based clubs - Parramatta, Bulldogs and the merged Wests Tigers - all had strong ties to Sydney's west," said Morris.

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