This thread is intended to discuss, speculate and inform posters on Cairns' efforts to establish a NEAFL team and, perhaps one day, an AFL team. fumbler revealed in the Cazaly's Stadium thread that there have been whispers that AFL Cairns have removed their only tenant (Manunda Hawks) in anticipation of establishing a NEAFL team based out of Cazaly's.
From a league point of view it makes sense as there are currently 11 teams competing and all five Queensland teams are based in the south-east. A Cairns-based team entering the NEAFL is nothing new as it was on the cards back in 2013. It's fair to assume the Suns would be in favour of establishing a Cairns-based NEAFL team as the whole north Queensland region is a part of their academy zone. Since this helps the Suns it would be fair to assume the AFL would also be in favour of it occurring.
North Queensland is really the only major area of Australia that isn't currently competing in a competition directly below the AFL. Start a NEAFL team up north would obviously increase the standard of football in Cairns but also provide a clear pathway into the AFL for people in the north. They would have a much better chance of acquiring talent from Townsville or even Papua New Guinea than Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Similar to the way the NT Thunder have lots of talented players playing for them who are unwilling to play in other parts of the country.
Cazaly's Stadium does not need an upgrade as it is already at the AFL level so that is a big plus for their bid to enter the league. I'm not really sure much else has to be done besides acquiring players (shouldn't be too hard) and deciding what to wear/call themselves.
So, let's discuss!
From a league point of view it makes sense as there are currently 11 teams competing and all five Queensland teams are based in the south-east. A Cairns-based team entering the NEAFL is nothing new as it was on the cards back in 2013. It's fair to assume the Suns would be in favour of establishing a Cairns-based NEAFL team as the whole north Queensland region is a part of their academy zone. Since this helps the Suns it would be fair to assume the AFL would also be in favour of it occurring.
North Queensland is really the only major area of Australia that isn't currently competing in a competition directly below the AFL. Start a NEAFL team up north would obviously increase the standard of football in Cairns but also provide a clear pathway into the AFL for people in the north. They would have a much better chance of acquiring talent from Townsville or even Papua New Guinea than Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Similar to the way the NT Thunder have lots of talented players playing for them who are unwilling to play in other parts of the country.
Cazaly's Stadium does not need an upgrade as it is already at the AFL level so that is a big plus for their bid to enter the league. I'm not really sure much else has to be done besides acquiring players (shouldn't be too hard) and deciding what to wear/call themselves.
So, let's discuss!